Chapter 21

Sylvester’s mind raced with the implications of Harris’s update. The realization that Derek was merely a pawn in a larger scheme sent a shiver down his spine. This wasn’t just about personal vendetta anymore; it was a coordinated assault on everything he had worked for. He glanced around his study, the walls closing in as the weight of his situation grew heavier.

He heard a soft knock on the door. Before he could respond, Melinda stepped in, her eyes searching his face.

“Sylvester?” she said gently, noticing the tension in his demeanor. “What’s wrong?”

He forced a weary smile. “Nothing you need to worry about. Just... more work.”

Melinda’s gaze remained steady, her concern evident. “You don’t look alright. Is it about Derek?”

Sylvester’s heart sank at the sight of her worry. He had promised to protect her, but the news was unsettling, and he couldn’t keep it from her any longer. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice. “Derek escaped from prison.”

Melinda’s face paled. “Oh God, Sylvester. What does this mean?”

“It means we’re in even more danger,” he admitted. “It’s not just about him coming after me. He’s part of something bigger. There are others involved, and they’re targeting everything I’ve built.”

Melinda’s hand went to her mouth, her eyes widening in fear. “What do we do?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Sylvester said, frustration creeping into his voice. “But I need to act fast. I have to find out who’s behind this and how they plan to strike.”

Melinda stepped closer, her voice trembling. “Please, Sylvester. Don’t do anything reckless. We can’t risk more danger.”

“I’m not planning to be reckless,” Sylvester said, trying to reassure her. “But I can’t sit here and wait. I have to take control of this situation.”

Melinda nodded, but her expression remained troubled. “Just... promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I promise,” he said, though he wasn’t sure if he believed it himself. He pulled her into a tight embrace, feeling the weight of his promises pressing down on him.

---

Sylvester’s next move was crucial. He had to gather information, track down Derek’s allies, and fortify their defenses. He needed to be prepared for whatever came next. He headed back to his office, determined to get a handle on the situation.

Logan was waiting for him in the security room, where the monitors displayed various angles of the estate. Logan’s face was set in a grim expression as he turned to Sylvester.

“Any updates?” Sylvester asked.

Logan nodded, pointing to the screens. “We’ve increased patrols and set up checkpoints. No one gets in or out without thorough verification. But we need to be proactive. I’ve been reviewing security footage from the last few days, looking for anything out of the ordinary.”

“Anything?” Sylvester pressed.

Logan shook his head. “Nothing concrete yet. But we’re keeping our eyes peeled. We’ve also increased surveillance around the perimeter and on any potential points of entry.”

“Good,” Sylvester said. “We can’t afford any mistakes. I need you to also look into the names Harris mentioned—anyone with connections to organized crime or Derek’s past. We need to know who we’re dealing with.”

“On it,” Logan replied, turning back to the monitors. “I’ll get back to you as soon as we have more information.”

---

Hours later, as Sylvester worked through a stack of documents, his phone buzzed again. It was Harris.

“Got something for me?” Sylvester answered, his voice tense.

“I’ve managed to track down some leads,” Harris said. “It appears that Derek’s escape was orchestrated by a criminal syndicate with deep connections in the city. They’ve been planning this for months, using Derek as a means to disrupt your business and cause chaos.”

“Who are they?” Sylvester demanded.

“The syndicate is led by a man named Victor Kane,” Harris said. “He’s known for his ruthless tactics and extensive network. Kane has been on the radar for a while, but he’s been laying low. Looks like he’s using Derek as a distraction while he consolidates his power.”

“Kane,” Sylvester repeated, his mind racing. “What else do you know about him?”

“Not much that’s concrete,” Harris admitted. “But I’m working on finding out more. I’ll keep you posted with any new information.”

Sylvester hung up the phone, his thoughts spinning. Victor Kane was a dangerous adversary, and the idea that he was behind Derek’s escape was unsettling. It meant that the threat was far more significant than he had anticipated. He had to act swiftly.

---

The next morning, Sylvester found himself in a meeting with his top executives. Despite the turmoil, he had to keep the business running smoothly. He stood at the head of the conference table, his face a mask of determination.

“Listen up,” Sylvester said, his voice commanding. “We’re facing a significant threat. Derek Harlan has escaped from prison, and he’s not alone. There’s a criminal syndicate involved, led by a man named Victor Kane.”

The room fell silent, eyes widening in shock. One of his executives, Jane, spoke up, her voice shaky. “What does this mean for us?”

“It means we need to be on high alert,” Sylvester said. “We’re already strengthening our security measures, but I need everyone to be aware. There might be disruptions, and we need to be prepared for any potential fallout.”

“What should we do if we suspect anything?” another executive, Robert, asked.

“Report it immediately,” Sylvester said. “Don’t take any chances. If you see anything unusual, let security know right away. We’re not taking any risks.”

The executives nodded, their faces a mix of worry and resolve. As the meeting adjourned, Sylvester felt the weight of responsibility pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had to balance the needs of his company with the urgent threat posed by Derek and Kane.

---

That evening, Sylvester returned home to find Melinda waiting anxiously. She had been trying to stay calm, but the tension was palpable.

“How was work?” she asked as he walked in.

“Busy,” Sylvester replied, his tone terse. “We’ve got more security measures in place, but it’s going to be a rough few days.”

Melinda nodded, stepping closer. “I’m so worried, Sylvester. What if they come after us?”

“We’re doing everything we can,” he said, his voice firm but weary. “Logan and his team are on high alert. We’ve increased security around the house and around our business. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Melinda reached out and took his hand, her grip firm. “I know you’re doing everything you can. But I need you to be careful too. You’re the one they’re after.”

“I will,” Sylvester promised. “I’m not going to let them get to me or to you. We’re in this together.”

They embraced, the comfort of her presence a small solace amidst the chaos. Sylvester knew that their fight was far from over. Derek’s escape was only the beginning. The real challenge lay ahead, and he had to be ready.

As they stood together, Sylvester’s mind was already racing with plans, strategies, and contingencies. The stakes were higher than ever, and the danger was imminent. But he was determined not to back down. He had fought too hard to let everything slip away.

With a final, reassuring glance at Melinda, Sylvester pulled away and headed back to his study. The fight was far from over, and he needed to stay sharp. Victor Kane and Derek Harlan might have started this, but Sylvester was determined to end it on his terms.