3rd person POV
Max sat in the back of the speeding SUV, his father leaning weakly against his shoulders. The older man’s breathing was labored, his face pale under the dim interior lights. Ray sat in the front seat, gun still in hand, eyes scanning the road ahead as their driver maneuvered through the empty streets.
The air was tense, thick with the lingering weight of everything that was happening.
Max couldn’t shake the image of his father tied to that chair, beaten and helpless.
He had never seen him like that before, never seen the powerful Norman Lucas reduced to such a fragile state. The anger inside him simmered, cold and controlled. Stanford Hayes had crossed a line, and Max wasn’t going to let him get away with it.
His father stirred, his voice weak but steady. “Max… you shouldn’t have come.” Max tightened his grip against his father’s shoulders, steadying him. “You really thought I’d just leave you there?” His father gave a faint, tired smile. “It was dangerous.” Max exhaled sharply. “I don’t care about danger, Dad. You’re my father.” Norman looked at his son, pride and regret flickering in his weary eyes. “I should have seen it coming. I should have stopped Stanford before it got this far.” Max clenched his jaw. “It’s not your fault. He’s just being greedy. He fooled a lot of people.” Norman shook his head. “But it was my company. My responsibility.” His voice was filled with the weight of years of leadership, of a man who had built an empire and was now becoming feeble, perhaps it was time he handed over everything to Max.
Ray turned from the front seat, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. “We need to get out of Zurich as soon as possible. Stanford won’t take this lightly.” Max nodded. “Agreed. First, we get my father checked by a doctor. Then we leave.” His father’s hand weakly gripped his arm. “No… no hospitals.” Max frowned.
” You’re hurt, Father ” “No hospitals,” Norman repeated, his voice firmer this time. “Stanford still has men everywhere. If they find me, they’ll finish what they started.” Max hated this particular statement but they couldn’t risk exposure at this time. “Fine. We’ll call a private doctor to the hotel.” His father nodded, satisfied, then leaned back, closing his eyes as exhaustion overtook him.
“I didn’t know you would care about me enough to look for me Max, I thought you had no compassion except for Vivian” Norman said sarcastically exhausted to Max but he sighed, just then, his mind flipped over a thought and he turned to face his father.
“What about Vivian’s mother father, Alexander said he doesn’t have her, were you both kidnapped?” Max asked his father who stirred up instantly at the question, raising a questioning expression at his son.
” Catherine is missing as well?” He demanded and Max released a long exasperated breath.
“Yes, she is, you didn’t know?” Max asked back and he nodded.
” I didn’t, what did you say about Alexander earlier?” Norman queried, feeling his heart tighten painfully.
“Alexander said he had adopted her from the hospital and had used her as a bait to lure you out. I was surprised when I found out he wasn’t the one that had you all along rather it was Stanford, that was when I realized a bit that she might not have actually been taken with you because Stanford isn’t familiar with her but there can only be one thing that is certain Father” Max paused and looked at his father.
“Alexander has her and would soon use her as a bait just like he said” Norman completed even before Max could spill the words.
“Max” He called again and Max gazed at him ” I think you have a mole surrounding you working exactly for these two men, Stanford and Alexander” Norman cajoled the heavy truth and in that moment, a thought scaled through Max’s mind, a really deadly thought.
Few minutes later, the arrived, although the drive felt endless, but they finally reached the hotel, slipping in through the private entrance.
Ray made a quick call, and within minutes, a trusted doctor arrived, setting up his medical bag in the suite. Max paced near the window, his hands on his hips as he listened to the doctor’s examination. “He’s dehydrated, malnourished. He has a few broken ribs, but nothing life-threatening. He just needs rest and proper care.” Max released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His father was safe. For now. He turned to Ray. “We leave at first light.” Ray nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
Max finally sat down, exhaustion creeping up on him, but his mind wouldn’t rest. His thoughts drifted to Vivian. He had promised her he’d come back.
He had kept that promise so far. But this wasn’t over yet. Stanford was still out there, still a threat. As much as he wanted to take his father home and be done with it, he knew he couldn’t.
Not until he finished this, he was a deadly Mafian heir, born and bred in supremacy and he wouldn’t stand such insolence thrown at his face. He looked at his father, who had fallen into a much-needed sleep, then at Ray, who was already making calls to secure their departure. Max knew what he had to do.
**_______________**
Morning came quickly, the Zurich skyline painted in the golden hues of sunrise. Max had barely slept, but there was no time for rest.
The jet was ready, the hotel suite cleared of all traces of their stay. His Father was stable enough to travel, and they were set to leave.
But Max had other plans. He pulled Ray aside as they waited near the private exit. “Take my father home.” Ray’s brows furrowed. “And you?” “I’m staying.” Ray’s expression darkened. “Boss, you can’t be serious. You got what you came for.” Max’s voice was steady. “No, I didn’t. Stanford is still out there. If I leave now, he’ll come back stronger. He won’t stop.” Ray exhaled sharply. “Then let me stay with you.” Max shook his head. “No. I need you to make sure my father gets home safely.” Ray hesitated, but he knew there was no point arguing with Max when his mind was made up.
“Then what’s the plan?”
Max’s jaw tightened. “I end this.”
Ray sighed. “You know where to find me if you need backup.”
Max nodded. “Take care of my father.”
Ray gave him one last look before helping his father onto the jet. Max watched as the plane took off, disappearing into the sky. Then, he turned and walked away. He had unfinished business.
Stanford had made one fatal mistake-he had underestimated Max Norman
And now, it was time to show him just how wrong he was.