Chapter 25

MR JACOB POV

If the police were watching me and my family, every step would be scrutinized.

“I understand, Inspector,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “You’re just doing your job.”

She nodded, through her eyes remained suspicious. “Yes, we are. And I’d advise you to be cooperative. Any sign of obstruction or foul play will only make matters worse for you and your family.”

“Of course,” I replied smoothly.

But inside, I was already calculating. If the police were going to keep an eye on me, I’d need a new strategy. There was no way I could visit my hideout without risking exposure. That part of my life had to remain hidden at all costs.

As she gathered her files, I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. This wasn’t a setback…it was an opportunity. I couldn’t act directly, but I could act through someone else.

That’s when the idea struck me. Max.

A slow smile spread across my face as I thought about him. Max was loyal, but more importantly, he was impressionable. A man like Max didn’t ask questions…he simply did what he was told. He’d make the perfect puppet.

“Yes,” I murmured under my breath, “Max will do nicely.”

“Did you say something?” the inspector asked, looking up from her notes.

I shook my head quickly. “No, just thinking out loud. This whole situation is unsettling, to say the least.”

She studied me for a moment before returning to her papers. “Well, unsettling or not, we’ll get to the bottom of it.”

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “I trust you will, Inspector.”

After a few more minutes of silence, she finally looked up at me.

“You’re free to go, Mr. Jacob,” she said, her tone brisk. “But remember…this investigation is ongoing. Don’t think for a second that we’re done here.”

I stood, smoothing my suit jacket. “Of course, Inspector. I appreciate your diligence.”

As I walked out of the station, the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders. The police might think they had the upper hand, but they were playing a game they didn’t even understand.

Max would handle everything for me. And when the dust settled, I’d come out on top…just as I always did.

The police car stopped in front of my mansion. I stepped out, feeling the weight of the day pressing on me.

The car lingered for a moment before driving away, its red and blue lights disappearing into the distance. The realization that we were now under police surveillance gnawed at me, fueling my anger.

I straightened my tie and walked to the large oak doors of my house. The thought of what awaited me inside churned in my mind. My family…all of them…had no idea of the trouble brewing, and it all stemmed from one careless mistake.

Pushing the door open, I entered the grand living room. As expected, they were all there. My four sons, standing tall and concerned, and my only daughter, Anita, sat quietly with my wife at her side. They all turned toward me the moment I stepped in, their faces full of questions.

The air was tense. I didn’t bother with greetings or pleasantries. My gaze landed immediately on my eldest son, Daniel.

Without thinking twice, I strode up to him and slapped him hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed in the room.

The entire family gasped.

“Father!” Daniel exclaimed, holding his cheek, stunned.

“Jacob, what is the meaning of this?” my wife, demanded, rushing to my side.

I pointed a trembling finger at Daniel. “Just a simple job, Daniel! A simple job, and you couldn’t deliver! Now, thanks to your incompetence, the entire family is in trouble!”

Daniel looked at me, his face red with the imprint of my hand. “I… I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

“You don’t understand?” I yelled, pacing furiously. “The police will now be monitoring us! Do you know what that means? Do you realize the mess you’ve created?”

My wife stepped between us, her calm voice attempting to soothe me. “Jacob, what happened? Please, explain. Why are the police involved?”

I turned to her, my voice still sharp. “Because your son here,” I pointed at Daniel again, “was careless. He left a piece of evidence…a piece that links directly back to us!”

Another gasp filled the room. The younger children looked at Daniel in shock, their faces filled with confusion and fear.

“Evidence? What evidence?” wife pressed, her hand resting on my arm.

“The family necklace,” I spat. “The one with our signature design. He left it behind on the roof where he was supposed to take a shot. And now, the police found it and are connecting it to us!”

Daniel’s face turned pale. “The necklace? No… I didn’t…” He touched his neck instinctively, his fingers brushing against the chain.

His eyes widened as he pulled it out. The family necklace dangled from his hand, the distinctive design catching the light.

“What?!” my wife exclaimed, stepping back in shock.

Everyone else leaned in to get a better look. Anita clutched her brother’s arm, staring at the necklace.

“But…” Daniel stammered, utterly confused. “It’s with me. It’s been with me the whole time. I didn’t leave it anywhere.”

I stopped pacing, staring at the necklace in disbelief. My anger shifted to suspicion. If the necklace was still with him, then how did one identical to it end up at the scene?

My wife broke the silence, her voice trembling. “Jacob, if Daniel still has his necklace, then what’s going on? Who left the other one there?”

I narrowed my eyes, my mind racing. “Someone’s playing a smart game with us,” I said slowly. “Someone planted that necklace to throw the police at our door.”

The room was silent as everyone absorbed my words.

“Who could it be?” I asked, my voice low but heavy with determination. “Who would dare to play such a dangerous game against us?”