Chapter 16: Mr. V- The headline
Mr. V, the so-called tech geek, has been making headlines since this morning. Last night, he executed the abduction of a major corrupt business.
Previously, he had abducted several government officials with the intention of compelling them to acknowledge the evidence of their corruption.
The turmoil seems to be widespread, affecting both the state of California and Sophie's immediate surroundings.
In the hallway, Mr. Grant, Mrs. Grant, Sophie, and Brenda engaged in conversation while keeping an eye on the news.
Mr. Grant expressed his concern, his face etched with seriousness. "How can he do this? Is the law and order of the country deteriorating?" he questioned, his voice laden with worry.
Sophie observed her father, the businessman. She noticed that his usual seriousness and busyness were traits she knew well.
But today, an unfamiliar layer of intense stress weighed upon him. Sophie wondered what could be troubling him so profoundly.
Mrs. Grant leaned in, her voice hushed yet resolute.
"But 'Pacific Pharma Solutions' is truly a corrupt entity," she asserted.
As Brenda and Sophie heard this from Margaret , exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes silently pleading for restraint.
They realized that saying those words at this moment could cause a storm of emotions and conflict in their already tense home.
Mrs. Grant persisted, her conviction unwavering. "Don't you think that Mr. Jonathan Harrison's confession will unveil a multitude of corruption cases in California? It could be beneficial for society."
However, Mr. Grant remained stoic, did not respond .
The room held its breath, waiting for Henry's reaction. All eyes were on him, anticipating an eruption of anger.
But instead, he remained silent—a stillness that seemed to stretch into eternity.
Even Margaret, who had braced herself for a storm, found herself taken aback by this unexpected calm.
The TV anchor, standing in the bright light from the screen, captured everyone's attention. Their eyes were wide and eager, hanging on every word she spoke, as if the entire world's destiny depended on it.
News Anchor:
Tonight, we bring you a story that defies the ordinary—a tale of intrigue, technology, and justice in the heart of California.
Our top story unfolds under the cover of darkness, at the stroke of 2 o'clock in the morning. Mr. Jonathan Harrison, the CEO of 'Pacific Pharma Solutions' a man of wealth and influence, was returning from his office, cocooned in the safety of his chauffeur-driven car. But fate had other plans.
Enter Mr.'V', a shadowy figure known to the world as a tech genius. His weapon of choice? …..Not a gun or a knife, but lines of code and encrypted messages.
Mr.'V' as he's known, had a mission—one that transcended mere criminality. He believed that corruption had seeped into the very fabric of our society, poisoning the corridors of power. And so, he became the vigilante our city didn't know it needed.
His plan was audacious: to kidnap the corrupt, the untouchables, and force them to confess their sins. Not through physical torture, but through a digital labyrinth of his own making.
Ladies and gentlemen, this isn't a tale of good versus evil. It's a reminder that justice wears many masks, even that of a tech geek turned avenger….
...…..
As the anchor's voice filled the room, Sophie interjected, turning her attention to her father. "Dad," she asked, " You know Mr. Johnson, right ? He used to attend our family parties, I guess."
Mr. Grant simply nodded in response.
Sophie pressed further, her curiosity unyielding. "What are your thoughts on him? Is he genuinely corrupt, or could this all be a result of someone's cunning manipulation?"
Yet, Mr. Grant remained silent, lost in contemplation.
Margaret intervened, her tone soothing yet firm. "No need to dwell on it too deeply," she advised.
"Perhaps your dad's stress stems from the abduction of his fellow businessman. You two head to your room, I will be with your Dad."
In her gentle tone, Margaret subtly revealed her worry for her husband.
Margaret and Henry had engaged in numerous heated arguments over time. but this time, Henry's silence struck her. It was as if the very core of his being had been jolted by the unfolding incident.
Sophie rose from the sofa, her arms enveloping her father in a comforting embrace. "Dad," she whispered, "everything will be fine. Don't worry."
Henry held his daughter close, his voice soft yet resolute. "I am fine," he assured her. For a fleeting moment, the warmth of Sophie's embrace eased the knots of tension within him.
As Brenda and Sophie ascended the stairs to their room, Brenda voiced her observation. "Dad appeared unusually tense," she remarked. "After all, Mr. Johnson wasn't even a close friend of his."
Sophie simply shrugged her shoulders, her curiosity evident. Perhaps both she and Brenda shared a deeper concern for Mr. and Mrs. Grant, rather than the enigmatic Mr. V.
....
Margaret: "Henry, what's the matter? Share with me." Her voice carried genuine concern as she rose from her seat and settled next to Henry.
Henry glared at his wife, annoyance etched across his face. "What can happen?"
He retorted. "A businessman has been kidnapped, tomorrow, it could be me. Don't you think I need to worry about this?"
Margaret tried to maintain her composure and responded, "I agree, but Johnson had scammed many places. Why are you comparing yourself with him? I don't think you need to worry so much."
Ignoring her completely, he reacted: "Margaret, don't you know, all this happens in business—a little scamming, a little bribing, and many more."
As he uttered those words, his breaths grew heavier, each exhalation a turbulent release of pent-up tension.
He continued, "If that bastard comes into my hands, I will shoot him with my own hands," his fury palpable in every word
Margaret: "There is a law in the country for that. If he is doing something wrong, then the police will arrest him, and he will be punished."
Henry interrupted him abruptly "If you persist in believing he's innocent, then you are absolutely wrong.
He exclaimed: "And what credibility does he have to discuss law and order when he doesn't even follow it himself?"
Margaret poised to speak, but Henry abruptly rose from his seat, his voice barely contained:
"Why am I even engaging with all of you? Go back to your journalism. There's no need to offer me any solace."
With that, he stormed out of the hall, seething with anger.
Margaret refrained from uttering a word, yet her profound disappointment etched across her face. She retreated to her room, slamming the door shut with a resounding force,
Sophie and Brenda listened intently to the sounds coming from the hall.
Sophie glanced at Brenda and remarked, "This is what happens when these two clash."
Brenda nodded in agreement.
"Let me brew a comforting cup of coffee for Mom. Perhaps it'll brighten her spirits." With that, Brenda exited the room, leaving Sophie reclining on the bed, engrossed in her mobile screen.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone