Volume 1: Fallen from Grace
Summary: Kevin provides Jack with crucial clues, leading him to suspect that Richard Greene is behind everything.
Chapter 10: Threads of Truth
Jack clenched his fists, suppressing the surge of emotion rising inside him. Richard Greene! That name felt like a thorn lodged deep in his heart—reminding him constantly of every hardship he had endured.
He forced a calm smile and said to Oscar,
"Mr. Oscar, it seems we've got some good news. There's hope for resolving the customs issue."
Oscar was overjoyed. He grabbed Jack's hand tightly.
"That's fantastic! Jack, you really are my lucky charm! If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word!"
Internally, Jack calculated his next move. It wasn't time to reveal his true intentions yet. He needed to keep Oscar close—to use his connections and resources while quietly gathering evidence against Richard Greene.
"Don't get too excited just yet, Mr. Oscar," Jack cautioned carefully. "My friend only said he could look into it. Whether or not he can pull any strings remains to be seen. We'll have to wait for his response."
Oscar nodded eagerly.
"I understand! Any chance is better than none! Jack, I'll have someone prepare a feast tonight—we'll celebrate when things clear up!"
Jack politely declined.
"There's no need, Mr. Oscar. Let's wait until we actually have results before we celebrate."
After saying goodbye to Oscar, Jack stepped outside the scrapyard and lit a cigarette. As smoke curled around him, his mind raced with questions. Who was Kevin? What secrets did he know about Richard Greene? And why choose now to help me?
These thoughts tangled together in his head like an unsolvable puzzle. But one thing was certain—Kevin had opened a new door on Jack's path of revenge.
He crushed the cigarette underfoot and hurried toward the New York Public Library. He still had several hours before the meeting at eight o'clock. He needed that time to organize his thoughts and prepare himself.
Inside the library, Jack found a quiet corner and sat down. He opened his notebook, sketching and writing as he tried to connect all the pieces he had gathered so far.
The betrayal by Richard Greene… Emily's disappearance… Oscar's scrapyard… the seized electronics… Kevin's mysterious call… At first glance, these events seemed unrelated—but was there a hidden link?
As he reviewed each detail again and again, a sudden thought struck him—the seized electronic devices!
Oscar had called them "treasures." High-value items worth a fortune. So what exactly were they hiding inside those devices? What kind of contraband had triggered the customs investigation? Could this be connected to Richard Greene's secret dealings?
Jack's pulse quickened. He realized he might have just uncovered a key clue.
He immediately pulled out his phone and sent Isabella a message:
"Isabella, I need you to check everything about Oscar's scrapyard—especially that shipment of electronics seized by customs. I want to know their exact models, manufacturers, and final buyers!"
Putting the phone away, Jack took a deep breath. Now, all he could do was wait—for Kevin's meeting, and for Isabella's findings.
Time ticked slowly by. His nerves grew tighter with every passing minute. He paced near the library entrance, scanning the crowd.
Finally, the clock struck eight.
Jack held his breath, watching every passerby carefully.
A man in a black trench coat and a baseball cap approached. He kept his face mostly hidden under the brim of the hat, but Jack could see the faintest trace of a smirk on his lips.
"Are you Jack Carter?" the man asked in a low voice.
Jack nodded warily.
"Follow me," the man whispered, turning toward a narrow alley beside the library.
Jack hesitated for only a moment before following. He knew—he had no choice left.
They walked deeper into the alley, where darkness swallowed everything around them.
The man stopped and turned around, lifting his head.
A familiar face emerged from the shadows.
"Long time no see, Jack," he said with a small smile.
Jack's eyes widened in shock.
"Kevin?! Is that really you?"
Kevin shrugged.
"Surprised? I've been watching you from the shadows."
Still stunned, Jack asked,
"Why are you helping me?"
Kevin let out a soft sigh.
"Because I was also destroyed by Richard Greene. He used me to steal company secrets—and then discarded me like trash, leaving me to take the fall. I wanted revenge too, but I never had the chance."
"What evidence do you have on Greene?" Jack pressed urgently.
Kevin reached into his pocket and pulled out a USB drive, handing it to Jack.
"This contains years of illegal money laundering records involving Richard Greene, along with documentation of his collusion with organized crime groups. With this, you can finally bring him down," Kevin explained.
Jack took the drive and held it tightly. He knew—this might be his last chance at justice.
"Why would you risk so much to help me?" Jack asked.
Kevin gave a bitter smile.
"I've lost everything already. All I want is to see Richard Greene punished—to make him taste the same shame and ruin he caused me."
Jack met his gaze firmly.
"I will. I promise he'll pay for everything."
Suddenly, distant footsteps echoed through the alley.
Kevin's expression changed instantly.
"We're out of time. Go—now! And remember—trust no one!"
Without another word, Kevin disappeared into the darkness.
Jack took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the USB drive, and turned back toward the street. He knew—his real fight had just begun. He had to expose Greene's crimes, and protect himself from being framed again.
Back on the main road, his phone suddenly rang.
He answered immediately.
"Jack," Isabella's voice came through the line, "I found something!"
"What is it?" Jack asked, heart pounding.
"The electronics seized by customs were originally bound for a company called Phoenix Technologies. And guess what? The trail leads straight back to Richard Greene."
Jack's breath caught. He was getting closer to the truth.
"Keep digging," he instructed. "Find everything you can about Phoenix Technologies—and its connection to Greene."
"Consider it done," Isabella replied confidently.
Jack ended the call and looked up at the night sky. New York glittered with lights—but beneath that beauty lurked danger. He knew he was stepping onto a treacherous path paved with thorns.
But he wouldn't turn back.
Using his intelligence and courage, he would uncover every conspiracy and make Richard Greene pay the ultimate price.