Chapter 45 - A Desperate Gamblec
Jack's arms are bound behind his back, the rope biting into his wrists. Derek stands over him, arms crossed, a smug grin plastered across his face.
"You just couldn't stay out of it, could you, Jack?" Derek sneers. "Always the hero. Always thinking you can outsmart everyone."
Jack glares up at him. "You're just a pawn, Derek. Lisa's using you. When she's done, you'll be nothing."
Derek's expression hardens, and he backhands Jack across the face. Jack's head snaps to the side, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"You're in no position to talk, Carter," Derek says, leaning down. "You're done."
---
Meanwhile, Chris is parked outside the warehouse, his leg bouncing with nerves. The camera footage he managed to capture is open on his laptop – clear evidence of Horizon Holdings smuggling illegal goods. But Jack is still inside, and Chris can't shake the feeling that time is running out.
"Come on, Jack," he mutters under his breath, glancing at the entrance. "Where the hell are you?"
[Mission Update: Reclaim the Bakery. Bonus Objective: Gather Evidence Against Lisa. Progress: 60%]
---
Back inside, Derek circles Jack like a predator. "You think you're so smart, don't you?" he taunts. "But you've got nothing. No money. No connections. Just a failing bakery and a worthless café."
Jack chuckles, despite the pain in his jaw. "You're wrong, Derek. You see, I don't need money to take you down. All I need... is this."
Jack twists his wrists, feeling for the small knife he'd hidden in his sleeve earlier. With a quick, sharp movement, he slices through the ropes. Before Derek can react, Jack lunges forward, slamming his fist into Derek's jaw. Derek staggers back, crashing into a stack of crates.
[Mission Update: Reclaim the Bakery. Progress: 80%]
---
Outside, Chris sees the commotion and springs into action. He grabs his phone and dials Marcus. "Marcus! Jack's in trouble. Get down here, now!"
"On my way," Marcus says, the sound of a car engine roaring in the background.
---
Jack and Derek grapple, fists flying. Derek manages to land a punch to Jack's ribs, knocking the wind out of him. But Jack refuses to go down. He spots a metal pipe nearby and grabs it, swinging it hard. The pipe connects with Derek's shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"You're finished," Jack says, standing over Derek, breathing heavily. "You and Lisa both."
Derek coughs, blood speckling his lips. "You don't get it, do you? You're nothing without Lisa. She owns this city now."
"Not for long," Jack says, turning away. "Chris!"
Chris rushes in, camera still recording. "Got everything," he says, breathless. "We need to go. Now."
Jack nods, casting one last glare at Derek. "Tell Lisa this isn't over."
[Mission Completed: Reclaim the Bakery. Reward: Crisis Management Lv. 2.]
As they sprint out of the warehouse and into the waiting car, Jack's mind races. Lisa might have taken the bakery, but now, he has the evidence he needs to strike back. And this time, he won't just fight to survive – he'll fight to win.