Volume 5: Wall Street Rises Again
Volume Summary: Jack returns to Wall Street, only to find that things are far more complex than he imagined. Richard's remaining influence still lingers, and a far greater conspiracy awaits him. He must proceed with extreme caution if he is to eliminate these threats and restore order to Wall Street.
Chapter 9: Isabella's Protection
Jack Chen paced the length of his spacious office, each step echoing sharply in the silence. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, sunlight bathed Manhattan's skyline in brilliance, reflecting off the glass towers like shards of crystal. Yet inside, an oppressive shadow loomed. He knew the carefully crafted meeting invitation had already been sent—like a stone dropped into still water, sending ripples through the darkness where unseen predators stirred.
Mark and Isabella stood on either side of him, tension thickening the air between them. Their late-night conversation had made one thing clear—the enemy they now faced was more cunning and dangerous than ever before. Especially the mole lurking somewhere among them, a silent blade poised above their heads.
"Mark, any progress on the Poseidon Fund?" Jack stopped pacing, fixing Mark with a piercing stare.
Mark shook his head, frowning. "I've combed through every offshore bank in the Caribbean—even hired a few hacker friends—but the Poseidon Fund is buried deep. They're using advanced encryption techniques. I managed to trace some scattered transactions, but all trails lead to a company called The Pyramid Group, registered in the Cayman Islands. The owner is an Englishman named Oliver Greene."
"Oliver Greene?" Jack repeated the name slowly, suspicion stirring in his gut. Could this low-profile British investor hiding in the Caymans really be pulling the strings for Richard's remnants? Something didn't feel right.
"What about his background?" Jack asked.
"Clean as a whistle," Mark replied with frustration. "I checked everything—no criminal record, generous philanthropist, even sits on several charity boards. On paper, he's a respectable gentleman."
"That makes him even more suspicious," Jack said coldly. "Real power brokers know how to hide in plain sight. Why would someone like him align himself with the Richard family?"
"He rarely appears in public, but has a strong reputation in financial circles—as an advisor to several major funds," Mark explained. "Still, I suspect he's just a puppet. The real mastermind is deeper underground."
Jack nodded in agreement. A puppet must be chosen carefully. Oliver Greene might just be a smokescreen.
"Isabella, did you release the false information?" Jack turned to her, always reassured by her calm and decisiveness.
She smiled confidently, red lips curling into an alluring arc. "Yes. I used several trusted channels. Now the entire Wall Street rumor mill is buzzing. Everyone thinks we've uncovered a secret agreement between Universal Investments and the Richard family. If we go public, their whole operation collapses. Some are even offering large sums to buy the 'agreement.'"
"Good," Jack said approvingly. "Now let's see who cracks first."
Time ticked by, each second tightening the pressure around them. Jack knew this internal meeting would be a meticulously orchestrated trap—one misstep, and everything could unravel. He glanced at his watch. It was already 9:45 a.m.
"Isabella, have the security checks on the conference room been completed?" Jack asked.
"Yes. We've swept it thoroughly—bugs, cameras, even electromagnetic interference," she answered. "It's secure."
But Jack couldn't shake the unease in his chest. He knew that dealing with an old-world power like the Richards required more than standard precautions.
At ten o'clock sharp, Jack's office filled with his core team. Alongside Mark and Isabella were Andrew, the finance director; Katherine, the risk manager; and Robert, the chief legal counsel. Each wore a mask of professionalism, but beneath it, unease simmered like a storm waiting to break.
Jack scanned the room, letting his gaze linger on each face. Somewhere among them lurked a traitor—a spy who had walked beside him, whispered lies into his ear, and waited for the perfect moment to strike.
"This meeting is crucial," Jack began, his voice steady and commanding. "It concerns our next steps. Through our investigation, we have gathered substantial evidence against Universal Investments—and the Richard family's illegal activities. It's time to deliver the final blow."
Andrew adjusted his glasses, cautious. "Jack, what exactly is our next move? Are we going straight to the SEC?"
Jack shook his head, a slow smirk curling his lips. "No. We don't make it that easy for them. We want them ruined—financially, socially, completely."
Katherine leaned forward, eyes sharp. "What do you mean?"
Jack strode to the whiteboard and wrote three words in bold strokes: Media Exposure, Legal Prosecution, Financial Strike.
"We start with the media," he said, pointing to the first. "We expose the Richard family's darkest secrets until they become pariahs in the public eye."
"That part's already in motion," Isabella interjected. "I've reached out to several major outlets. They're eager for the story—if we provide the proof."
Jack gave a nod of approval. "Efficient as always."
He moved to the second point. "Next, we initiate legal proceedings against Universal Investments and the Richard family. We bring them to court and make them answer for their crimes."
"I'll handle that," Robert said confidently. "I know how to take down powerful players in court."
Jack smiled slightly before shifting to the last item. "And finally, we strike financially—we dismantle their assets, destroy their cash flow, and leave them with nothing."
He paused, lowering his voice deliberately. "I've already drafted a detailed plan. Follow it precisely, and they will fall. I've emailed everyone the full strategy—please review it thoroughly."
He drew a thick line under the word Financial Strike.
As the meeting ended, each person left the room with a different expression. Mark and Isabella understood—Jack had intentionally revealed key details to lure out the mole. Meanwhile, Andrew, Katherine, and Robert each carried their own thoughts, their own secrets. No one could be certain who the true traitor was.
Just as Jack thought he was in control, Isabella stepped forward and gripped his arm.
"Jack, I'm uneasy," she murmured, her voice unusually soft, almost fragile.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked, sensing her unease immediately.
"During the meeting… I felt like someone was watching me," Isabella frowned. "Like a snake locking its eyes on prey."
Jack's stomach twisted. He knew better than anyone that Isabella's instincts were rarely wrong.
"Who do you think it was?" he asked.
"I don't know," she admitted. "But I can't help feeling that no one around us is fully trustworthy."
Jack fell silent. She was right. In Wall Street's world of greed and betrayal, trust was the rarest commodity.
Then, his phone rang.
An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.
Jack exhaled and answered.
"Jack Chen, we meet again," came a cold, familiar voice from the other end.
Jack's pulse spiked. He recognized it instantly—it belonged to one of Richard's former assassins, a killer who once hunted him through the underworld.
"What do you want?" Jack demanded, voice edged with ice.
"A simple trade," the man replied. "Hand over your so-called secret agreement—or your friends, including that lovely Ms. Isabella, will suffer the consequences."
Jack's jaw clenched. He hadn't expected Richard's remnants to act so quickly—or to target Isabella directly.
"If you harm a single hair on her head, I will destroy you," Jack growled.
"Let's see who strikes first," the assassin chuckled darkly before hanging up.
Jack stared at the phone, fury burning behind his eyes. The Richard faction had made their move—and Isabella was now their weapon of choice.
"You're not going anywhere," Jack told her firmly.
Isabella looked at him, concern flickering in her eyes. "What happened?"
Jack relayed the call without hesitation.
Her face paled. She hadn't realized how deeply she'd been pulled into the crossfire.
"Jack, you don't need to protect me," she said, swallowing hard. "Focus on finishing this. Even if something happens to me, it'll be worth it."
"No," Jack said fiercely. "I won't let anything happen to you. Not again."
He immediately called Mark, ordering extra protection for Isabella. At the same time, he began re-evaluating the entire plan, searching for weaknesses. He needed to dismantle Richard's remnants—fast.
For the rest of the day, Jack remained glued to Isabella's side, guarding her like a lion protecting its mate.
That evening, Mark called.
"Jack, we've got trouble," Mark's voice was tense. "Our people monitoring Isabella's apartment spotted suspicious figures. They're planning something."
Jack's heart sank. The Richard faction was moving.
"Mark, get there now," Jack ordered. "Protect her at all costs."
"I'm already en route," Mark replied. "I'll be there personally."
After the call, Jack sat in silence, dread creeping into his bones. Every passing second stretched into eternity.
Then, the office door burst open.
Mark stormed in, panic flashing in his eyes.
"Jack," he gasped. "Isabella's been kidnapped!"
Jack felt the world collapse around him. His mind went blank, as if stripped of all logic.
"What happened? Tell me!" he roared.
"They used a distraction," Mark explained bitterly. "While we pursued their decoy, another team snuck in and took her."
Jack clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. He had been outmaneuvered—by a foe more cunning than he'd feared.
"Did they contact you?" Jack forced himself to stay calm.
"Not yet," Mark said. "But my guess is, they'll demand a trade."
Jack inhaled sharply. The only thing that mattered now was finding Isabella—and keeping her alive.
"Mark, mobilize everyone," Jack commanded. "Find her. Whatever it takes, bring her back safely."
"Understood," Mark nodded and rushed out.
Alone in the empty office, Jack stared at the city lights beyond the window. Guilt gnawed at him. This was his fault. If he hadn't returned to Wall Street, if he hadn't sought revenge, Isabella wouldn't be in danger.
He swore silently—whatever it cost him, he would save her.
And those who dared harm her would pay dearly.
"Richard," Jack whispered, voice dripping with rage. "You won't escape this time."
He knew a new war was about to begin.
And this time, he would fight not just for justice—for survival.
But for love.