Lilith had no comment on Josh’s actions. She could see Mrs. Washington’s disappointment, the frustration appearing on her face as she watched the man who was supposed to be the future son-in-law of their family display complete weakness in front of more than a hundred people. Mrs. Washington shook her head in disdain, her voice dripping with scorn as she continued to speak on Josh. “What a disgrace,” she murmured, loud enough for those around her to hear. Her displeasure with Josh was justifiable according to herself. How could a soon to be son-in-law of hers act like that? He let someone who had put hands on him earlier walk away without a consequence? To her, it wasn’t just a show of weakness from Josh, it also revealed a lack of self-respect. If Josh had any, he would show no mercy and would have taught the man who dared to disrespect him a lesson. “Giovanni must be very disappointed. Total weakness from Josh. A real De La Cruz would’ve made Walton pay. No hesitation, no mercy.”
Josh knew some people had expected him to act differently, more ruthlessly, more like a true ‘De La Cruz.’ Giovanni hadn’t said much, but the silence bothered him. It was a silence that spoke volumes, making Josh wonder if his grandfather shared the same doubts as the others.Not wanting to dwell on it any longer, Josh pulled out his phone, deciding to put the night behind him. He quickly dialed his bodyguard and driver to come and pick him up, hoping to escape the weight of the evening as soon as possible.Not long after he made the phone call, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of him. His bodyguard stepped out of the vehicle and silently opened the door, waiting for Josh to get in. As Josh took a step forward, ready to leave the night behind, he heard the soft but distinct sound of footsteps approaching him from behind.Josh paused on his tracks, his hand resting on the car door, and glanced back over his shoulder, catching sight of a familiar figure moving toward him. H
Josh moved quickly down the stairs, his heartbeat thundering in his chest as he pursued the mysterious figure. Hoping to catch up to him and ask him questions.The shadowy intruder was swift, sprinting through the mansion’s dimly lit corridors with ease, his footsteps barely making a sound. Despite Josh's best efforts, he struggled to keep up, his shoes hitting the polished floor heavily as he turned corner after corner, desperate to close the distance."Hey! Stop!" Josh called out, but the figure showed no sign of slowing down. Josh picked up pace, and he could feel frustration building up inside him, with each second, the man’s elusive speed almost mocking him. Although Josh was trying his best to run fast and catch up,his attempts were futile, he couldn't catch up with the man.They reached the grand staircase leading to the main entrance, and just as Josh rounded the last bend, he caught a little glimpse of the figure slipping out of a side door into the night. By the time Josh ma
The sound of his footsteps echoing as he walked down the university corridor hit Josh's ears, along with the lively laughter and chatter of other university students. Josh checked the time on his wristwatch, and a sigh escaped his lips as he saw that he was running very late for his part time job. He worked a part time job to support himself, and he had been doing this since he was eighteen, when he left the orphanage that he lived in.As Josh continued to walk down the hallway, he walked past two girls who were standing in the hallway, having a conversation. One of them was Sarah, a 20 year old confident and sharp-tongued brunette. She was wearing tight jeans and a casual shirt. Her friend, Emily, was a bit younger at 19 years old, with her striking blonde hair and a knack for fashion. She had on a red-striped skirt paired with a black top.When the two girls noticed Josh, they exchanged glances, whispering something to each other."Oh, look, it's the schools, number one loser, josh
Josh's workplace was a cozy, middle-class restaurant, in a quiet neighborhood. The exterior boasted a welcoming facade with large windows decorated by potted plants, offering a glimpse of the warm and inviting interior. The restaurant was known for its comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff.Josh had been working at this place ever since he turned 18 and that was two years ago. He had a lot of memories of the place, some of them were good ones, while some were not.Inside, soft lighting bathed the wooden tables and cushioned chairs, creating an ambiance that was both relaxed and inviting. The walls were adorned with rustic artwork, and a chalkboard near the entrance displayed the daily specials. Patrons would often find themselves enveloped in the comforting aroma of freshly cooked meals.The menu featured a variety of classic dishes, from hearty burgers and pasta to flavorful salads and sandwiches. It was the kind of place where regulars felt like family, and newcomers quickly bec
In that moment, as the henchmen closed in on him, Josh felt the familiar sensations of fear and desperation. These were two emotions he had sadly grown accustomed to, and now they swelled within him, leaving him with a sinking feeling of helplessness.He instinctively began to back away slowly, searching for an escape route, but the henchmen were quick to surround him, swiftly cutting off any chance of getting away.Carlos Rodriguez had a satisfied grin on his face as he observed the look of desperation and fear in Josh's eyes. Even though tried to hide the fear, it was becoming visible with each passing second, and Carlos couldn't resist mocking him. "What's the matter, boy, suddenly lost your voice?" He then turned his attention to the henchmen and gave them a cold command, "Teach him a lesson." Saying that he put his arm around Kathy.With no way out and facing the overwhelming presence of the henchmen, Josh knew he was in serious trouble. But even so, he still refused to back down
The man's words left Josh surprised. He couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions, he was confused, doubtful, and a bit hopeful all at once. It was hard to believe that this stranger claimed to work for Josh's grandfather, someone Josh didn't even know existed until now.At first, Josh didn't want to trust the man's story, thinking that the man had the wrong person. But when he showed Josh some scientific proof with DNA results, Josh began to wonder if it might be true.The man looked at Josh, seeing the skepticism in his eyes and he felt like he had to convince him even more. Going back to his master without Josh was not an option, so he had to do anything to convince him."Your mother's name was Lyra, right?" He asked, then continued by saying her last name, "And her last name was Smith." Josh was surprised that the man knew his mom's name, it only showed that the man might be telling him the truth. "Yes, how do you know that?" He asked curiously."As I said, I work for your grandfa
Josh's curiosity was piqued by his grandfather's words. He leaned in, his eyes fixed on Giovanni de la Cruz, as he couldn't help but wonder about the enigmatic world of danger the old man was alluding to.Giovanni De La Cruz leaned back in his chair, studying Josh carefully. "Have you ever heard the name Giovanni de la Cruz?" he inquired, his voice carrying a weight of expectation. Everyone in the city knew the name, so he was expecting his grandson to know it too.Josh took a moment to think about it. He had indeed heard the name before, it was a name that was always on the news, so it was hard for Josh to miss it.Giovanni De La Cruz,was not just any name. It represented one of the most powerful and influential Mafia bosses in the country. Giovanni controlled vast territories and businesses, from legitimate enterprises to more shadowy operations. He was known for his ruthless tactics and the web of connections that allowed him to maintain his grip on power.The city where he held sig