When fate plays its hand
Posted on July 27, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Lucy and Franklin were still in a daze as they walked out of the building. Although they hadnโ€™t managed to get 50 million, five million was still a huge sum!

Even in ten lifetimes, Lucy knew she could never make that much money.

As they were about to head back to their hotel, a truck approached them. At first, the truck seemed to be moving at a normal speed, and neither of them paid much attention. Cars usually made way for pedestrians, after all. But as the truck drew closer, it suddenly sped up, veering directly toward them.

โ€œMom!โ€ Franklin screamed, frozen in terror.

Lucy reacted quickly, grabbing her son and pulling him to safety. โ€œWhatโ€™s wrong with you? Couldnโ€™t you see there are people here? Do you even know how to drive? Are you blind or just brain-dead? You almost ran us over! Are you in such a hurry to die?

โ€œCompensation! You owe us compensation!โ€ She stood in the middle of the street, hands on her hips, shouting curses. โ€œIโ€™m telling you, youโ€™re not going anywhere until this is sorted out! If I hadnโ€™t reacted in time, weโ€™d already be in the hospital!

โ€œWe need to go to the hospital and get a full body checkup just to make sure weโ€™re not hurt. And even if weโ€™re not, you still owe us for the emotional trauma! Either way, youโ€™re not getting out of this without paying for the mental distress!โ€

Franklin immediately lay down on the ground, rolling around theatrically. โ€œMom! Iโ€™m scared! That was too close! I feel dizzy, like I canโ€™t think straight. Is it day or night? Everything looks dark!โ€

The two worked together seamlessly, clearly experienced at pulling such stunts.

The truck driver, wearing a baseball cap, coldly smirked at the sight. Then, he floored the gas pedal. Lucyโ€™s yelling was cut short, while Franklinโ€™s eyes widened in terror.

At the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, Hansel stood tall, gazing down at the bustling street below. The traffic flowed endlessly.

He checked his watch. Half an hour had passed. โ€œIt should be done by now,โ€ he thought.

Sure enough, two minutes later, his phone rang. He answered but remained silent.

On the other end, a raspy voice said, โ€œItโ€™s done.โ€

Hanselโ€™s expression remained neutral. โ€œAre they dead?โ€

โ€œItโ€™s a busy area, cameras everywhere. I couldnโ€™t go for a second hitโ€ฆโ€

Hanselโ€™s voice was icy. โ€œJust answer my question. Are they dead or alive?โ€

โ€œThey didnโ€™t die.โ€

As expected.

Hansel let out a cold laugh. โ€œThat counts asโ€ฆ failing to do your job.โ€

โ€œSorry.โ€

โ€œYour payment will be cut in half.โ€

โ€œโ€ฆUnderstood.โ€

Hansel ended the call. He slid his phone back into his pocket, his gaze hardening as he stared out the window. His eyes glinted with a deadly intent.

Meanwhile, the truck driver took off his baseball cap, exhaling deeply. Hansel had wanted to pay a million to take out two lives, but the driver wasnโ€™t stupid.

He wasnโ€™t about to risk going to prison for just a million dollars. So, heโ€™d found a compromise. He hit them, but didnโ€™t kill them.

Sure, his fee would be halved, but 500 thousand was still a decent payout. And the best part? No major risks involved.

Whistling in satisfaction, the driver picked up his phone and dialed a number.

โ€œHey, you were right. Hansel really did try to pay someone to have those two killedโ€ฆ Now that you know, how are you going to compensate me?โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t worry. Youโ€™ll get your cut.โ€

The driver grinned, exposing a row of yellowed teeth. Sure enough, a notification of the money transfer came in moments later.

He opened itโ€”50 thousand dollars.

He got 50 thousand just for passing along this info?

โ€œGenerous as always, Mr. Cooper.โ€


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