Somewhere deep down in an old palace on the edge of NYC, shadows stuck to the crumbling walls like mold. Flickering lights cut through the darkness, showing over fifty armed guards, their rifles gleaming like teeth.

There were no windows, no fresh air, just damp stone, a heavy sense of despair, and the constant buzz of security cameras.

In the rusty cage at the center, a man was chained to the bars like a forgotten animal.

William Arthur was just thirty-five, but years of being ignored had made him look way older. His beard was grown, and his clothes were torn-up rags hanging off his skinny frame. His skin was really pale, and his muscles had shrunk from being locked up for so long, leaving his empty eyes staring off into space.

Once an incredibly talented engineer—like, a true genius. He was the brains behind a project that could totally change how wars are fought.

But when the government figured out what they had created, they freaked out. They told him to wipe everything clean: every design, every line of code, and all evidence of the project.

William did what they said.

And after the project was gone, he disappeared, kidnapped by his own brother, Michael Arthur—known as Alpha Dark—on the cold orders of Maksim Karza.

No one knew. The world thought he was dead, a tragic accident. But here he suffered, alive in this nightmare, Karza and Alpha’s darkest secret. A ghost in chains, waiting for the moment that could bring down empires.

If he could last that long.

What if he escaped?

The thought flickered in William’s mind like a dying light—impossible, yet stubborn. He’d tested the chains countless times and memorized the guards’ routines. But fifty rifles? No. Not yet. He shifted, wincing as the metal dug into his wrists. Another day in this hellhole. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Then—boots. Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. Guards snapped to attention, their rifles clicking into place. The steel door creaked open, bringing a rush of colder air. Maksim Karza walked in, flanked by four tough enforcers in black gear.

His presence sucked the air out of the room—tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a tailored suit that screamed power and money. Scars marked his face, each one telling a story of betrayals and hard-fought wins. His eyes were as cold as ice.

One guard hurried forward, putting a shiny leather chair in front of the cage with a metallic noise. Maksim waved him off, surveying William like he was some specimen in a jar.

"Well, well," Maksim said, his voice smooth like a knife with a thick Eastern European accent. He leaned back in the chair, crossing his legs casually.

"How’s it going in here, hmm? I know I haven’t dropped by in... what, almost a year? Busy with work, you know how it is. Empires don’t run themselves."

William slowly lifted his head, the chains clanking. His voice was rough, like gravel, unused for months. "What do you want, Karza? Here to gloat?"

Maksim threw his head back and laughed—an evil cackle that bounced off the walls, making even the guards uncomfortable. "Gloat? Nah, I need your help again, old friend. Ahahaha! Yes, the great William Arthur is back in demand."

William narrowed his eyes. "Need me? For what? You and my brother have already taken everything."

Maksim’s laughter faded into a sly grin as he leaned in, elbows resting on his knees. "Your brother, Michael, doesn’t mean anything to me anymore. That jerk has been double-crossing me for almost two years now. He thinks I’m clueless. Thinks he’s smart, sneaking around with info and making side deals. But I see everything."

William’s chains clinked as he leaned closer to the bars. "Double-crossing you? Michael is loyal. Too loyal."

"Loyal?" Maksim scoffed. "Loyal like a snake. He lost the devices you made for us—those cool gadgets that could freeze the CCTV cameras. Two years have gone by, and we can’t even track down who has them now. And that hacker, Lunel, vanished without a trace. But guess what? She’s back, and she’s chilling with Hazard King."

William’s empty eyes lit up with recognition. "Lunel... the one who hacked Michael’s system and exposed him?"

"Exactly," Maksim said, his grin twisting. "Now she’s with HK. I’m going to take her down, wreck his empire, and take his throne. And you, William—you’re going to help me do it."

William let out a weak laugh, his chains rattling. "Help you? No way. I’m not making another device. You think you can boss me around like I’m some lab rat? No. I’m not doing anything."

Maksim’s eyes sparkled like sharp blades as he leaned back, his fingers pressed together. "Alright, but just so you know—your daughter is all grown up now."

William felt his breath catch. "What...?"

Maksim continued. "She’s ten now. Perfect age for auctioning off. People spend big bucks on pure, untouched kids. And your wife? Still a knockout. She’ll be mine as soon as I deal with your brother. He thinks he can sell me out after Hong Kong goes down? I’ll cut his throat and take everything."

William struggled against the chains—the metal screeched as his wrists bled. "I don’t have a daughter! Sarah was infertile—the doctors proved it! Quit lying, you sick freak! And why are you calling her Michael’s wife?"

Maksim moved in closer, the smell of cologne and cigar smoke heavy in the air. "Oh, I forgot to mention. After Michael sold you out and turned you over to me, he married her. She was already pregnant; your kid."

William’s knees buckled. "No—she couldn’t—"

"The best part?" Maksim’s grin was pure venom. "Michael has no clue. He thinks the girl is his. What a dumbass."

"LIES!" William yelled, straining against the chains until blood dripped from his wrists. "She was infertile! We did multiple tests! You’re full of crap!"

Maksim replied, "Infertility doesn’t mean impossible. It just means unlikely."

William insisted, "You are lying."

Maksim didn’t flinch. He just waved a couple of fingers at the guard. "Bring it."

The guard slipped out through the door.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, broken only by William’s labored breathing.

Infertile. Doctors. Proof.

But what if—

Sarah—gorgeous, loyal Sarah. She wouldn’t. Unless Michael forced her. Manipulated her grief.

Seconds dragged on like knives.

The guard returned with a folder and a tablet.

Everything William thought he knew was about to come crashing down.