š¦Chapter Seventeenš¦
(The Devil's Offer)
The soft clink of cutlery blended with the distant hum of classical music.
Moses glanced at his wristwatch.
2:40 PM.
A ray of sunlight filtered through the restaurant's glass windows, casting a muted golden glow across the polished surfaces. Outside, the world moved in restless rhythmācars passing, people chattingābut inside, time felt slow. Almost suffocating.
His gaze drifted across the room, landing briefly on occupied tables before settling on the empty seats ahead of him.
Boring.
Even the music grated on his nerves.
Then his eyes shifted.
Mr. Henry.
The man sat across from him, cutting into his steak with careful precision, every movement refined. He lifted his wine, took a slow sip, and licked his lips in satisfaction.
"Hope you're enjoying yourself?" Henry asked, dabbing his mouth with a white handkerchief.
Moses leaned back slightly.
"It's a pleasure," he said evenly. "But I can't help wonderingāwhy invite me to a place like this instead of our usual spot?"
A faint pause.
"I doubt it's just for good food."
Henry chuckled.
"Straight to the point, as always." He placed his glass down. "I'll do the same. I need a favor."
Moses' expression didn't change.
"What kind of favor?"
A flicker of impatience crossed Henry's face.
"Are you in a hurry?" Moses added calmly.
Henry blinked, then shook his head.
"Noā¦ not at all."
He took another sip before finally speaking.
"I've run into a bit of trouble. There's a caseā¦ and I want you to represent me."
Silence.
Thenā
A quiet chuckle escaped Moses.
"I expected that," he said. "Which is why I did some research before coming here."
His gaze sharpened.
"And I must sayā¦ you've outdone yourself this time."
Henry's smile faltered.
"It's not that serious."
Moses tilted his head lazily.
"Four drug-related cases," he began. "Cocaine smuggling. Arrested three months ago."
He paused.
"And then there's your nieceā¦ Ella Sam."
His voice dropped.
"You were one of the men involved."
The air turned heavy.
"Disgusting."
Henry's fingers tightened slightly around his glass.
"With charges like these," Moses continued, crossing his legs, "you won't last long in the witness box."
A crack formed in Henry's composure.
"There has to be a way," he said. "You can fix this."
"Drugs alone will land you in prison," Moses replied flatly. "Even with me, the outcome doesn't change."
Henry leaned forward.
"What if we bribe the judge?"
A soft laugh escaped Moses.
"You really don't know who you're dealing with." His fingers tapped lightly against the table. "Try that, and you'll only add more years to your sentence."
Henry swallowed.
"Then help me."
Moses' gaze flicked toward him.
"The camera," he said. "Turn it off. Hand it over."
Henry stiffenedābut obeyed.
The small device changed hands.
Without hesitation, Moses dropped it into his wine glass.
A faint splash.
"There are only three ways out for you," he said, rising to his feet.
"Oneāconfess and go to prison."
"Twoāfake your death and disappear."
"Threeāfake insanity."
A pause.
"Though in your caseā¦ that might not even be necessary."
Henry stared at him, stunned.
"You're not even going to discuss the case?"
"I'm not taking it."
The words were final.
"You're abandoning a loyal client?" Henry pressed.
Moses turned slightly.
"You should reconsider," Henry added, his tone sharpening. "You don't know what I'm capable of."
Moses stepped closer.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Try it," he whispered. "Let's find out who's scarier."
Henry's throat went dry.
"We'll see."
Moses straightened, glancing briefly at the untouched food.
"Thanks for lunch."
A beat.
"Next time, pick somewhere better."
And just like thatāhe left.
Henry stared after him before letting out a hollow laugh.
"What a bastardā¦"
His hand clenched into a fist.
"Just wait."
(Outside Lola Restaurant)
The air outside was colder.
Sharper.
Moses had barely taken a few steps when a voice cut through the silence.
"We meet again."
He turned.
Paul.
The Shadow.
"Not surprising," Moses said. "You were waiting."
Paul smirked.
"Henry. You two seem close."
Moses' lips curved faintly.
"Like you and me," he replied. "Enemiesā¦ pretending to be something else."
Paul laughed.
"Are you threatening me now?"
"Maybe."
A brief silence passed between them.
"Where are you headed?" Paul asked.
Moses said nothing.
He simply walked past him, entered his car, and drove off.
Paul watched, amused.
"You can runā¦"
He pulled out his phone.
"But you can't hide."
(CP Law Firm)
The towering building stood like a monument to power.
Moses stepped out of his car.
"Moses!"
Precious hurried toward him, Leo trailing behind.
"What took you so long?" she asked.
"The chairman is waiting," Leo added.
Moses nodded.
"Go to the police station," he said. "Retrieve the disc drive from two months ago."
They exchanged glances but obeyed.
Inside, whispers followed him.
The elevator fell silent the moment he entered.
Only when he left did the murmurs return.
"He won again."
"No surprise."
"He's corrupt."
"Still handsome, though."
Moses' Office
Mr. Johnson sat comfortably, sipping coffee.
"I told you to stay out of trouble," Moses said, removing his jacket.
"I came to thank you," Johnson replied.
"Then pay me."
A cheque was handed over.
Moses checked it.
Satisfied.
Then came a black card.
"A party?" he asked.
"A business opportunity," Johnson said. "You should attend."
Moses studied it.
Something about it feltā¦ off.
"You won't regret it," Johnson added before leaving.
Silence returned.
Moses ran his fingers along the edge of the cardā
āand flinched.
A sharp sting.
He dropped it instantly.
A thin line of red formed on his skin.
A paper cut.
Small.
But unsettling.
Something about that cardā¦
Wasn't normal.
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