"Hey, Faye. Miss me?" Horace's teasing voice came from the other end.

Faye's eyes flashed with hatred, but her voice was calm. "Horace, my dad found out about the evidence you have on him. He's willing to pay five million dollars in cash for it."

"What? Five million?" Horace's voice shot up several octaves, filled with disbelieving ecstasy. "For real? Faye, you're not messing with me, are you?"

"Why would I mess with you?" Faye whispered. "Horace, my dad is divorcing my mom. His money isn't going to be mine anyway, so you might as well take as much as you can get."

"Okay, okay, no problem!" Horace was thrilled. Five million dollars was an absolute windfall for him.

Around nine that night, at an abandoned pier, the area was deserted.

Roland arrived on time, waiting in the driver's seat of his car. A few moments later, a sedan pulled up, and his former subordinate, Horace, got out.

The thought of this young man betraying him made Roland want to kill him.

Seeing Roland get out of his car, Horace still offered a respectful greeting. "Mr. Yeaton, you're here."

It seemed Faye hadn't lied. He was really going to get five million dollars tonight.

Roland was carrying a small briefcase. He walked over, and Horace, though slightly puzzled by the size of the case, asked eagerly, "Mr. Yeaton, did you bring the money?"

Roland tossed the briefcase to him. "Three hundred thousand," he said coldly. "Take the money, and give me the recordings and all the copies of the evidence."

Horace's smile froze. He opened the case and saw that it indeed contained only three hundred thousand dollars, a far cry from the five million Faye had mentioned.

A surge of rage at being played for a fool shot through him.

"Three hundred thousand? Is this chump change supposed to buy me off, Mr Yeaton?" Horace's face turned livid.with anger. He threw the case back at him Faye clearly said you were willing to pay five million!"

Roland was even more surprised, then let out a cold laugh. "Five million? You greedy little brat."

"No five million, no deal," Horace

said, deciding to go all in. He felt he had the upper hand. "Mr. Yeaton, it you can't come up with five milligh this evidence will be at the

authorities' office tomorrow morning. It's your call."

He turned and walked back to his car. Behind him, as Horace issued his threat, the murderous intent in Roland's eyes intensified. He hated being threatened more than anything.

Roland picked up the briefcase and got back in his car. Horace was now in his own vehicle, muttering curses under his breath.

But in the next second, Roland revved his engine, his headlights blasting toward Horace's car.

Blinded by the intense light, Horace couldn't see a thing. A cold sense of dread washed over him. "Roland, what are you doing?!"

His answer was the roar of the engine. A moment later, Roland slammed his car into Horace's.

A deafening crash tore through the silence.

Horace's car had no time to move. The massive impact sent it, with him inside, sliding backward, smashing through the flimsy guardrail at the edge of the pier and plummeting toward the dark river below.

The icy water instantly swallowed the car and Horace along with it.

Faye's father Slammed on the brakes. His face was a mask of grim viciousness as he got out and stared at the now-calm surface of the river. Wipinga bead of sweat from his forehead he acted as if nothing had happened, got back in his car, and drove away.

Now, he could finally rest easy.

He had no idea, however, that after his car was gone, Faye emerged from the

shadows, clutching her phone, her body still trembling from the shock.

She took several deep breaths. For her, this outcome was a form of liberation. She was no longer under Horace's control. But she hadn't known her father's ruthlessness ran this deep.