Three days later at Patricia's ranch…
The air in Patricia's study office was heavy with frustration and unspoken tension.
Davis exhaled sharply, his voice laced with regret. "I'm sorry, Captain. We searched the debris thoroughly, but… we couldn't recover anything useful as evidence. Whatever caused the explosion was not only powerful—but also toxic. It erased all traces of the narcotics and even…" He hesitated. "Human remains."
Isaac's jaw clenched.
Then—his fist slammed against the desk.
"Those bastards!! Every time we get close enough to catch them, they always pull off something so horrid like this just to slip away! I hate this—I truly fucking hate this!!" His voice seethed with barely contained fury.
Patricia, seated beside him, reached for his hand, placing hers gently atop his tense grip.
Her voice was soft—but firm. "I'm sorry, Isaac… I know you didn't expect this to happen again. But don't beat yourself down because of it. You tried your best. And we'll keep trying—until we bring them down. Their time will come, sooner or later. Justice will be served."
Isaac sighed, his anger simmering as his other hand covered hers, rubbing it softly.
"Aaa… thanks, Sweeches." His voice dropped to something quieter, more vulnerable. "I truly appreciate your support. Your comfort. You are the light in my dark world—and I thank the heavens every single day for giving me someone so special and precious like you."
He lifted her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers. Then, turning to the rest of the team, his voice regained its steady resolve.
"Patricia's right. We keep moving forward. If those goons think they're winning, they're wrong. Their line is getting shorter by the minute, and soon—we will catch them. But we need a new plan. The stakes are higher than we realized, and we have more enemies than we thought. It won't be easy. But if we stick together, we'll find our way through."
Patricia nodded firmly. "Isaac is right. We need to be more alert than ever. The enemy knows who we are—but they don't know what we're planning. That means we still have the element of surprise. And we'll strike before they realize what hit them."
Nicole crossed her arms. "That's true… but we have to keep it that way. Now that more dogs are sniffing our trail, we need to be twice as careful. If we slip up, they win."
A new voice cut through the conversation, slow and deliberate.
"I'm afraid… that's easier said than done, my dear."
All heads turned towards the sound of the voice.
Philip strode into the room, his steps deliberate, calculating.
Patricia stood immediately, surprised by his sudden appearance. "Mr. Saccoth!"
Philip offered her a warm but knowing smile. "Hello, my dear." He glanced around the room before settling into the lounge sofa. "Forgive me for intruding on your 'meeting,' but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. And I must say… it pains me a little."
His voice dropped slightly, tinged with something akin to disappointment. "Even after we agreed to be partners, you still don't trust me enough to be fully engaged into your plans."
Patricia felt a flicker of guilt and embarrassment tugging at her heart because of Philip's words. She cleared her throat and nervously spoke. "I… I'm sorry, Mr. Saccoth. Please don't take it the wrong way. You are part of the team, and I regret not involving you sooner."
She turned to the others. " I think it's time to make things right. Everyone, this is Mr. Philip Bedevere Saccoth—one of the country's most powerful congressmen, a multi-billionaire business tycoon, and…" She hesitated. "My father's best friend."
Philip chuckled. "Oh, my dear, you didn't have to say all that. We're a team—there's no need for such formalities."
Isaac stepped forward, extending his hand. "I beg to differ, Sir. For someone as important as you, formalities are a must."His grip was firm as they shook hands. "I'm Isaac Phillips. Captain of the first division at the World Federal Agency Bureau."
Philip returned the handshake with an approving nod. "Nice to meet you, Agent Phillips. Patricia has told me a lot about you."
His expression sharpened slightly. "Since Simon is gone, I've taken on the role of a father figure in Patricia's life. So, Agent Phillips, I sincerely hope you are a gentleman and you are genuinely intrigued by my Patricia. Because if you ever break her heart…" His smile didn't reach his eyes. "…I won't take it lightly."
Isaac held his ground, meeting the older man's gaze with unwavering confidence.
*"Hmmm… don't worry, Sir. I am a man of integrity. And I swear to you—I won't disappoint Patricia. I love her with all my heart and everything in me, and no one—no force on earth—could ever replace her. Even if they try to."
His eyes flickered toward Patricia filled with warmth and love.
Patricia flushed, looking away with a shy smile.
Philip chuckled. "That's truly beautiful, son. And I hope you keep that promise—until I see a diamond on her finger." His gaze grew sharp again. "Right now, you're still under my scrutiny. I won't relent until you both say 'I do.' at the wedding alter."
Isaac smirked. "Don't worry, Sir. I'll keep my word."
Introductions continued,
"It's also a pleasure to meet you Mr Saccoth. I am Davis Hammock. An agent lieutenant in division one at the WFAB. And also Captain Phillips' partner." Said Davis
"And I am Nicole Swerver. I am a detective lawyer at Dominic Lawfirm and also Patricia's best friend. It's nice to finally meet you Mr Saccoth." Nicole said.
"The pleasure is all mine Ms Swerver and Mr Hammock. I am looking forward to be working with you in our endeavor to bring justice into this world and I hope we will continue to stick together until we reach our goals. " Philip said.
"Now back to your....conversation..."
"Oh yes...you said something about things being easier said than done. Can you please elaborate your point so that we can understand." Patricia requested.
"What I meant was...what you are trying to do...to keep the enemies away from your trail is not an easy task. It's easier said than done." Philip replied.
"We know that Sir. That's why we want to come up with a plan to make sure that they won't catch us but keep on derailing from our track." Said Nicole.
Philip sighed, leaning back slightly. "You think you can keep the enemy off your trail. But I'm telling you—it's not that simple. These people are not just hound dogs. They're vultures. They have eyes and ears everywhere."
His gaze darkened. "How do you think I found out about Agent Phillips' hunt for Black Tulip's information? And how do you think they found out about your attempted infiltration five days ago?" He shook his head. "Your plans are never secret from them. Although I am quite impressed by how you might have turned their success into their downfall—but in the end? You still lost everything. Because they expected your move and were already prepared for it. In other words....they were already one step ahead of you and your plans will always end up failing because they already anticipate your move from every corner which is also a huge dilema if we ever want to get a chance to bring them down."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Everyone in the room looked at Philip with eyes filled with disbelief. Turns out the old man still doesn't stop to surprise them with the knowledge about the information they think it was confidential between them but he would always know about it all along.
Isaac stiffened. 'I need to find the listening devices in this room and catch the moles leaking information to this guy. Otherwise… we're screwed.'
Philip chuckled, after seeing their stunned faces. "Surprised that I know about your little plans huh...even if you did not include me in them. Don't bother searching for a listening device, Agent Phillips. My methods aren't that lowly and cheap."
Isaac's breath hitched. 'What the fuck! How the hell did he know I was thinking that?!'
Patricia cleared her throat. "Then… what do we do? If they're always one step ahead like you said then, how do we win?"
Philip smiled—slow, knowing. His gaze locked onto Patricia.
"The answer is right in front of you."
He leaned forward slightly. "After all… 'it started with a race—and it will end with a race."
A ripple of confusion swept through the room.
But Patricia knew exactly what he meant.
And the pit in her stomach only deepened.
....
Meanwhile…
"Urrgh! Come on! Urrgh! Open, you stupid thing! Urrgh!"
Alisha grumbled, her fingers straining against the stubborn pickle jar lid. "Why do they make these things impossible to open?! Just… come on!"
Her frustration grew as she fought the sealed jar in the kitchen.
Then—ding!
Her phone buzzed with a message.
She glanced down, reading the text from her best friend, Melissa. They were planning to attend the end-of-high-school graduation party that weekend—and since Alisha was the top student of the graduating class, she had to attend.
Even if she didn't want to.
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she quickly texted back.
Then—slosh! The pickle jar lid slightly opened without Alisha's knowledge, its liquid spilling onto the floor.
She sighed, shaking her head before returning to her tug-of-war with the lid.
"Just open, already—come on!"
Finally, after a few tries—
"Yes! Finally! I did it—woo—AAAH!"
Alisha's scream echoed through the kitchen as her foot slipped on the spilled pickle juice, her body tilting dangerously backward.
But before she could crash onto the floor—
Strong arms caught her mid-air.
"Whoa there, missy… careful."
A husky male voice—smooth, deep, effortlessly calming echoed in the kitchen.
Alisha's heart pounded, both from the shock of nearly falling and the realization that she was now safe… in someone's arms.
Tentatively, she looked up—
And her breath hitched.
Her eyes landed on a stunning, handsome young man.
With brown curly hair, thick eyebrows, a sharp nose, captivating brown eyes, and well-defined lips. He had an athletic frame, muscles toned but not excessive, dressed casually in a black T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
"Hi…" she murmured shakily, looking at him with dreamy eyes.
The stranger smiled—warm, amused. "Hi. Are you okay?"
Alisha swallowed. "Y-yeah… I'm fine. Thank you for saving me from a very embarrassing fall."
She chuckled awkwardly, and he grinned. "Sure. No problem."
For a lingering moment, they stayed like that.
Neither moved. Neither spoke.
Just soft smiles, deep eyes, and an undeniable tension in the air.
Until—
"Peter!!"
The sudden voice startled them both.
In their frantic attempt to stand upright, they nearly fell down together —but quickly regained their balance, now standing awkwardly beside each other.
Peter exhaled sharply, turning toward the voice. "Dad! Seriously?! You startled us! We almost fell hard on the floor. Jeez...!"
Alisha turned toward the new arrival—Congressman Philip Saccoth. And just behind him were Patricia and Nicole.
As soon as she locked eyes with Nicole and saw that unmistakable gleam in her sister's best friend's gaze—Alisha knew she was doomed.
Nicole's smirk screamed 'I saw that,' and her subtle blink sent the message, 'I am never letting this go.'
'Oh please...no. That crow isn't going to stop swarking until my ears bleed. Uurrg..' grumbled Alisha in her mind.
Philip folded his arms, studying them both with open amusement.
"I'm sorry, son. We didn't mean to intrude… though it's clear we interrupted something very… 'important.'"
His teasing tone sent heat crawling up Alisha's cheeks.
"No! No, not at all!" she blurted, voice slightly too loud. "Peter just saved me from falling—that's all! I was just here, uh… ha… ha… ha, trying to open my pickle jar… ha… ha…"
Her nervous chuckles betrayed her. She could feel the sweat pooling at the back of her palms.
Philip's gaze lingered—scrutinizing. Every second of silence felt like an eternity.
Alisha's stomach twisted under his stare. Then—Philip broke into loud, uncontrollable laughter.
"Ha! Ha! Oh, my goodness! You should see your faces right now—ha! Ha!"
Alisha swore she could die from secondhand embarrassment.
Philip waved a dismissive hand. "Relax, you two. I was only teasing. Besides—you're both grown adults. Why should I meddle in your affairs?"
"Dad! Seriously! Not cool!" Peter groaned.
Patricia and Nicole could not also escape the thrill and also started giggling.
Alisha inhaled sharply, frustration bubbling beneath her skin.
'They are laughing at me. Oh, I will never live this down. I am going to make them regret it.' she fumed.
Philip chuckled again, shaking his head. "Oh, lighten up! I'm just glad you two finally met each other again after so long. No objections if you want to do a little reunion, hmm?"
Alisha blinked, thrown off. "…Excuse me, what?"
Her confusion was genuine.
She turned to Peter. "We only just met. I don't remember meeting him before."
Philip hummed, amused. "That's because you were little. You've been apart for so long that you don't remember."
He gestured toward Peter. "Anyway—let me formally introduce you again. Everyone—this is my son, Peter. And, Peter, I'm sure you remember Alisha and her sister, Patricia. That over there is Nicole, Patricia's best friend."
Peter tilted his head slightly, as if digging through distant memories.
Then, a slow smile spread across his lips.
"You know… I do remember you. Just barely. But it's nice to meet you all."
Alisha blinked again, mind racing.
'What else don't I remember…?'