Chapter 14 – A Name From the Past
Rain hammered the metal bridge as Nadia and Varma ran across it.
The structure groaned under their weight, swaying slightly with every step. Wind howled between the two buildings, carrying sheets of rain sideways across the narrow walkway.
Behind them—
Boots clanged against the metal.
The armed men had stepped onto the bridge.
Gunshots echoed through the storm.
A bullet struck the railing inches from Nadia's hand, sending sparks across the wet metal.
"Keep moving!" Varma said.
Nadia didn't need encouragement.
Her legs burned from exhaustion, but adrenaline pushed her forward. She gripped the railing tightly as the wind tried to throw her off balance.
"Who is Fu Liang?!" she shouted over the storm.
Varma didn't answer immediately.
They reached the end of the bridge and jumped onto the rooftop of the neighboring office building.
Varma quickly pulled Nadia down behind a large ventilation unit.
More gunshots rang out.
Bullets struck the metal machinery above them.
Water splashed across the rooftop as rain poured harder.
Nadia turned toward him, breathless.
"You said that name just now like you already knew it."
Varma's expression was darker than she had ever seen.
"I do."
"Then start explaining."
Varma glanced toward the bridge.
The pursuing men were halfway across now.
"We don't have time for a full explanation."
"Then give me a short one."
Varma studied her face for a moment.
Then he said quietly,
"Fu Liang is the reason your parents died."
The words struck Nadia like a physical blow.
She stared at him.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
"Because knowing his name puts you in even greater danger."
Nadia laughed bitterly.
"Someone already tried to kill me tonight."
"Yes," Varma said calmly.
"And that was only the beginning."
The armed men reached the rooftop behind them.
Varma stood up immediately.
"Come on."
They ran across the rooftop toward the stairwell entrance.
Nadia's mind spun wildly.
Fu Liang.
The name felt unfamiliar.
But if Varma was telling the truth…
That man was responsible for the explosion ten years ago.
Responsible for her parents' deaths.
Responsible for everything that had happened tonight.
They burst through the stairwell door and rushed down several flights before exiting into the building lobby.
Unlike Nadia's apartment building, this one was larger and busier.
Even at night, security guards and late-working employees moved through the entrance hall.
Varma slowed slightly as they approached the front doors.
"Act normal," he said quietly.
Nadia stared at him.
"Normal?"
"Yes."
"You want me to act normal after people shot at us on a rooftop?!"
"Yes."
"Your definition of normal is ..."
But she forced herself to slow down.
They walked calmly through the lobby and stepped outside into the rain-soaked street.
Cars passed slowly through puddles while traffic lights reflected across the wet pavement.
To any observer, they looked like two ordinary people leaving work late.
Varma glanced behind them briefly.
The armed men had not followed them into the lobby.
Good.
For now they had space.
Nadia turned toward him again.
"You still owe me an explanation."
Varma walked toward the sidewalk.
"I told you the most important part."
"No, you just told me a name."
"That name is enough."
"Not for me."
Varma stopped walking.
Rain ran down his face as he looked at her again.
"You want to know who Fu Liang is?"
"Yes."
"He is a man who built an international network of illegal operations across multiple countries."
Nadia frowned.
"Like a crime boss?"
"Much more complicated than that."
"Try me."
Varma's voice lowered slightly.
"Fu Liang doesn't just run criminal organizations."
"He controls them."
Nadia felt a chill run down her spine.
"What kind of organizations?"
Varma hesitated.
Then he said quietly,
"Arms trafficking. Illegal technology transfers. Corporate espionage. Political manipulation."
Nadia stared at him.
"That sounds like something from a YRF spy movie."
"It isn't."
"And you expect me to believe this man somehow caused the explosion at a shipping port?"
Varma nodded once.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because something extremely valuable was hidden in one of those containers."
Nadia felt her chest tighten.
"The same container my father discovered."
"Yes."
"What was inside it?"
Varma's expression hardened.
"I still don't know."
"You were there that night."
"Yes."
"You investigated the cargo."
"Yes."
"Then how could you not know?"
Varma looked toward the rain-filled sky.
"Because someone removed it before the authorities arrived."
Nadia's eyes widened slightly.
"You're saying the explosion was a cover?"
"Exactly."
For several seconds Nadia couldn't speak. Somewhere at the corner of her mind, she thought it might be a cover for something. But getting a direct confirmation. So it's just a cover for someone but for me
"Then my parents—"
"They died because they were standing too close to the truth."
The words hurt more than she expected.
Nadia clenched her fists.
"Then we find Fu Liang."
Varma looked at her carefully.
"That would be a mistake."
"Why?"
"Because Fu Liang is not just a criminal."
"What is he then?"
Varma's eyes darkened slightly.
"As I said, He is part of something larger."
Nadia felt the same cold sensation return to her chest.
"The organization you mentioned earlier."
Varma nodded.
"Yes."
"And they're the ones trying to kill me?"
"Most likely."
Nadia stared at him.
"Then I'm definitely not stopping now."
Varma sighed quietly.
"You are far more stubborn than your father."
"You knew me for five minutes and already figured that out?"
Varma almost smiled.
But before he could respond—
A car suddenly stopped beside them.
A sleek black sedan.
The rear window rolled down slowly.
A calm voice spoke from inside.
"Good evening, Varma."
Varma froze.
Nadia felt the tension instantly.
Varma turned slowly toward the car.
Inside the dim interior sat a man in an expensive suit.
His posture relaxed.
His expression calm.
But his eyes…
His eyes held the quiet confidence of someone who controlled everything around him.
Nadia didn't need Varma to tell her who it was.
The man smiled slightly.
"After ten years," he said calmly, "I expected a more dramatic reunion."
Varma's voice turned cold.
"Fu Liang."
Fu Liang's gaze shifted toward Nadia.
"So this must be the girl."
Nadia felt her heart pound violently.
Fu Liang studied her for several seconds.
Then he smiled again.
"You look just like your mother."