Chapter 9: Reinforcement.
In the warm silence of their mansion, Stafford Kelvin sat in his room, chatting with his mother, May. She was folding his clothes with care, even though he had told her countless times to let the servants handle it.
"Mum, I've told you not to tire yourself out with things like this," Kelvin said, resting back on the bed. "We have staff for a reason."
May smiled faintly but stayed quiet for a moment, then asked, "How's everything going with your company, my son?"
Kelvin exhaled, pretending to be more relaxed than he felt. "Work's okay. Just that... I could use some funding right now. There's this contract I'm chasing—it could bring in huge profits if I land it."
May paused and turned to look at him. "How much are we talking about?"
"Ten million," he said, his voice low with frustration.
"Ten million?" May repeated, stunned. "That's a lot, Kelvin. Maybe you should talk to your father about it. He might help."
Kelvin sat up, looking at her intently. "Mum, you know how Dad is. He'd rather pour everything into Raymond than lift a finger for me. You've seen it."
She sighed deeply, hurt washing over her face. "I've tried talking to him, over and over. I still don't understand why he treats you this way... or me. Sometimes I wonder why he even married me."
Kelvin softened. "Don't worry, Mum. I'm doing all I can—for both of us. I'll succeed, with or without him. I promise."
May smiled sadly and pulled him into a hug. "I believe in you, my dear. I really do."
---
•••
A few days later, Harry received grim news. One of his boys burst into his office, the air thick with tension.
"Boss… our men who were sent after Raymond—they've been captured."
Harry's jaw tightened. His hand gripped the dagger on his desk, and he slammed it down in fury. "Stafford Raymond!" he barked.
He lit a tobacco stick, the flame dancing as his eyes burned with rage.
"Come in!" he growled at a knock on the door.
Lupin stepped in. "Boss, I just got confirmation. The men are at Raymond's cave ground. They're not coming back."
Harry nodded slowly, smoke trailing from his lips. "Of course. Raymond never lets anything slide. We'll hit back… but not now."
He paused, his voice turning cold.
"Tell the boys to lay low. Keep training. I've got something in motion. When the time comes, we'll strike hard."
"Yes, boss," Lupin replied, his expression unreadable.
Lupin Blake wasn't just any second-in-command—he was Charlotte's younger brother. They'd been estranged for years, separated by different paths and grudges. But recently, they'd started reconnecting—quietly, cautiously.
---
•••
At the cave ground, Raymond stood before his men like a towering wall of steel. His aura was intimidating, his eyes fierce and bloodshot.
"Harry's men are in our hands," said Ice, one of his lieutenants. "We've been torturing them daily. What's the next move?"
"Kill them," Raymond said without hesitation. His voice sliced through the air like ice. "No loose ends."
He paced slowly, the room silent but tense. "Harry will come again. That's why I've called this reinforcement meeting. We must be ready."
He scanned the room with a hard gaze. "Recruit ten more men. Train them without mercy. I want updates on every move."
"Yes, sir!" they echoed.
"Sky," he turned sharply. "Keep tabs on Dyer Gray. Quietly. He's been acting off."
Sky nodded once. "Got it, boss."
Raymond lit a tobacco stick and took a long drag. "Roger and Hunter now oversee the new rules of this gathering. No slacking. If anyone violates the code—punishment will be severe."
He stepped back, letting the tobacco glow faintly between his fingers. "Hunter, read them out."
As Raymond walked out, his men stood straighter. The air in the cave was thick with loyalty—and fear.
Hunter stepped forward, opening the scroll of new rules as every man listened in silence.
---
•••
Six months later...
Lichfield, England.
A sleek office lit by the morning sun overlooked the city skyline. Inside, a young woman worked diligently at her desk. Her fingers moved fast across the keyboard before she picked up her phone and made a call.
"Bianca, come to my office. Now."
A few minutes later, Bianca entered, a little breathless. "Ma, you called?"
Frances barely looked up. "Yes. The documents I asked you to submit are incomplete. What's going on?"
Bianca blinked. "Ma, I'm sure they were all there when I submitted them. I'll double-check right away."
Frances set the papers down, her voice calm but firm. "So are you saying I'm lying?"
"No, no, ma," Bianca corrected herself quickly. "Not at all. I'll handle it immediately."
Frances leaned back in her chair and took a sip of water. "Good. We're not running a small-town shop here. We're building an empire—and we won't stay stuck in Lichfield forever."
Bianca nodded. "Also, the new proposal from this morning—"
"Yes?"
"The board of directors are finalizing it. They've also requested a meeting with you today."
Frances stood up, adjusting her blazer. "Perfect. Since I'm free now, arrange it."
"Right away, ma."
Bianca left, and a few minutes later, Frances exited her office and walked confidently into the boardroom, where the directors were already seated and waiting.