Chapter 408 Gunshot
The Jones family? Yeah, they were like the big shots in the capital, and honestly, in the whole country too!
All those rich folks people heard about? They ain't got nothing on the Jones family!
Even though Ryder was killing it in Houston, deep down, he knew he was just a small fry compared to the Joneses.
So, even if the Jones family was behind his dad's murder, taking them on was like mission impossible!
But Ryder? He wasn't scared, not one bit!
From the moment they kicked him out, he cut all ties and was ready to go head-to-head with them!
Mark chimed in, "No matter what happens to John, I gotta say, I respect him. The sad part? You're about to end up just like him."
He nodded at Ryder. "Show your card!"
Ryder put his hand on the card, took a deep breath, and slowly lifted it!
He could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.
Mark was glued to Ryder's hand too, a bead of sweat rolling down his face!
The truth was coming out, and it felt like forever for both of them!
Finally, Ryder's last card was out!
A Ten of Hearts, the top card!
Ryder won!
Seeing the card, Ryder's heart, which had been in his throat, finally calmed down.
What a lucky break!
Mark let out a bitter laugh, all the tension draining out of him.
Sitting back in his chair, he sighed, eyes red, muttering, "It's all fate! Who knew such a crazy coincidence could happen!"
Ryder was confused, not getting why Mark was talking about coincidences.
Seeing Ryder's puzzled look, Mark glanced at the revolver in his hand and said, "15 years ago, I had a private game with John. The setup was almost the same as tonight! On the last card, I drew a 9, and he drew a 10! I was supposed to bet my life, but John let me go. I asked him why. I was ready to gamble and die, no need for pity! He just smiled and said he was sparing me for now, and in the future, a better young man would decide my fate! Then he left this revolver behind and walked away. So, the old friend I mentioned? That was your dad, John!"
Ryder's eyes went wide with shock!
He never thought his dad had played the same game with Mark, and more importantly, predicted a young man would do the same!
Wasn't that young man him?
Did his dad know what he'd go through in the future?
How was that even possible?
It was all too wild to believe!
Ryder's mind went blank, totally overwhelmed.
"I know it sounds crazy," Mark went on. "Honestly, I didn't believe it either. That's why I set up the same game tonight, to prove the result would be different. But nope, I lost, and I lost big time!"
From Mark's face, Ryder couldn't spot any signs of BS or joking around, which just made him even more confused about his dad, John!
What kind of secrets was he hiding?
What had he been up to?
Right then, Mark pushed back his chair and slowly got up!
With a bit of a wobble, he walked over to a safe behind him!
He started fiddling with the combination lock.
After about ten seconds, he popped the safe open.
Mark pulled out two items and placed them on the gambling table!
Ryder took a quick look.
One was a key, and the other was a wooden box, about the size of a Rubik's cube, with a dark, blackened surface!
The moment he saw it, Ryder's eyes lit up!
This wooden box looked just like the Gloomy Wooden Box he had seen at the Jones family and had recently snagged at an auction!
They were practically twins!
Even though Ryder still had no clue what it was for, the fact that the head of the Jones family had prized it so much back then meant it had some serious value!
That's why Ryder had shelled out big bucks for it at the auction and kept it at home!
He never thought Mark would have one too!
Mark slid the key and the Gloomy Wooden Box over to Ryder and said, "This key unlocks the cage Sarah's in, and this black box is for you too!"
"Do you know what this thing is for?" Ryder asked, hopeful.
Mark shook his head. "No idea. I found it at an antique market years ago and didn't think much of it! Later, when I was playing against John, I found out he was super interested in this black box. He could've taken it after I lost, but he told me to keep it safe, saying one day someone would come for it! I think, as his son, you're the right person to have it, so here you go!"
Ryder took the key and the Gloomy Wooden Box, his heart a mix of emotions!
Did his dad even foresee the Gloomy Wooden Box?
Since he valued it, it had to be important!
Too bad even Mark didn't know what it was for.
Looked like he'd have to ask Scott later. Having been with his dad for so many years, Scott must know something!
As for Mark, he stood up, stretched, and a look of relief washed over his face. "Time to pay up on my bet."
He walked over to the right wall and pressed a bump on the edge of a painting!
A hidden door opened in the right wall!
Pushing open the hidden door, Ryder saw it was a bedroom inside!
A pretty old-school style bedroom.
On the bed right in front of him lay a frail woman with her eyes closed, like she'd been asleep forever. There were some breathing machines and other medical gear by the bed!
Mark straightened his clothes and walked to the bedside.
He gently kissed the woman's forehead!
Known as Mr. Davis in Houston, the usually tough-as-nails Mark showed a rare gentle side at this moment. "Grace, it's all my fault for letting you sleep alone for so many years. Don't worry, I'm coming to join you now, the three of us together..."
As he spoke, Mark unplugged the woman's breathing machine!
He pointed the revolver at his temple and pulled the trigger.
The gunshot echoed!
Mark fell onto the woman!
The heart monitor of the woman turned into a straight line!
At that moment, Ryder didn't know if he was seeing things!
He seemed to see a tear trickle from the corner of the woman's eye, and a slight smile of relief and happiness on her lips.
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