Heavens fortune system

About twenty minutes into the robbery, chaos reigned inside the Caldwell estate while the police worked frantically to contain the situation. A loudspeaker blared from outside the building, "This is the police! Drop your weapons and surrender immediately. You're surrounded—there's no way out."

Despite their commands, the officers struggled to breach the premises. A bomb squad reported that a powerful explosive had been planted at the entrance. According to the bomb experts, the device was potent enough to demolish the entire building, requiring at least five hours to defuse. The police had no choice but to exercise caution. With several high-profile figures inside, any misstep could spell disaster. The robbers had already warned that if provoked, they would kill everyone, including themselves.

Inside the building, Sophia's piercing screams echoed as one of the masked men violated her. The cold, cruel satisfaction on the man's face sent waves of helpless rage through Mr. Caldwell. He sat paralyzed, watching his daughter endure unimaginable horror. He clenched his fists, his soul breaking under the weight of his inability to protect her. Moments later, another man dragged a laptop in front of him.

"Put your fingerprint here. Now," one of the robbers ordered, shoving the device at Mr. Caldwell.

"Why?" he whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling. "Why are you doing this? What have I done to deserve this?"

The masked man leaned closer, his voice laced with malice. "You'll find out soon enough. For now, just do as you're told."

The laptop screen displayed a $30 billion transaction waiting for confirmation. A cold sweat broke across Mr. Caldwell's brow as he saw the history of other successful transfers from his accounts. His company was being gutted in real-time.

"Confirm it," another man barked, pointing a gun at Mr. Caldwell's elderly mother. "Or I'll start with her."

Tears streamed down Mr. Caldwell's face. He glanced at his frail mother, who sat trembling with fear. "Please… don't hurt her." His hand shook as he pressed his finger against the scanner, sealing the transaction.

His cellphone beeped moments later. When he looked at the screen, his stomach sank. The notification revealed a massive loan taken in his name—one he hadn't authorized.

One of the robbers snatched the phone from his hands and smashed it against the floor. Sophia's sobs grew fainter as her voice failed her. She tried to resist her attacker, but she was overpowered again as another masked man entered to take the first one's place.

The youngest of the masked men approached nervously. "Boss, we've got everything. Let's move."

"Call the others and bring the girl here," the leader replied, exhaling smoke from his cigarette.

Sophia was dragged into the main room and thrown to the floor. Her torn clothes barely covered her battered body. Her mother rushed forward, wrapping her trembling daughter in a blanket, tears streaming down her face.

The robbers then rounded up six of Mr. Caldwell's guests to use as hostages. The leader glanced at his watch. "It's time. Let's go." He tossed his cigarette onto the sofa, leaving a trail of ash behind.

As the group prepared to leave, Mr. Caldwell's eyes locked onto the leader's wrist. The limited-edition wristwatch was unmistakable—he had given it to James, a former employee. Recognition dawned, and with it, a surge of rage.

"James!" he bellowed, struggling to rise.

The leader froze, his body stiffening. Slowly, he turned to face Mr. Caldwell, his mask hiding his expression.

"You bastard!" Mr. Caldwell screamed, charging forward. A gunshot rang out, and Mr. Caldwell collapsed, clutching his arm.

"Let's go!" the others shouted, dragging James away. The robbers fled, using their hostages as shields, and escaped into waiting vehicles. The police could do nothing but watch.

The Aftermath

Mr. Caldwell was rushed to the hospital, his condition critical. Sophia, broken and traumatized, wept uncontrollably. Visitors hurriedly left, their faces pale with fear. The bomb squad eventually defused the explosive, but the damage had already been done.

Three days passed. Caldwell Horizon, once a titan in the industry, had fallen from grace. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy, its reputation shattered.

Mr. Caldwell's pre-existing heart condition worsened. Doctors demanded a $7 million deposit before they could perform life-saving surgery.

Creditors began circling like vultures, with banks demanding loan repayments every two weeks. The company's resources were depleted, leaving no funds to pay employees. Sophia, despite her anguish, refused to let her family's legacy crumble.

"We might have to shut down," she told her father grimly. "If we can't pay salaries, we'll only sink deeper into debt."

Steeling herself, Sophia met with business partners, pleading for their support. But they all turned their backs on Caldwell Horizon, severing ties with the struggling company. Even smaller businesses that had once relied on Caldwell Horizon distanced themselves.

Sophia masked her pain, burying her trauma to focus on saving her family. But the weight of betrayal and despair threatened to break her.

Ethan's Search

Meanwhile, Ethan embarked on a journey to find his mother, the only link to his past. He remembered how she used to visit him at the orphanage when he was a child.

His mother had once told him that his father was a wealthy man who abandoned them when she became pregnant. The affair had been a mistake, and when she informed his father, he demanded an abortion. Fearing for her life, she fled, leaving Ethan to grow up alone.

Now, Ethan was determined to claim his rightful place. "He has no other children. I'm his only son. He can't reject me now," Ethan thought, his resolve hardening as he walked the streets searching for his mother.

After three days, he finally found her. She was frail, her body ravaged by illness. Tears welled in her eyes when she saw him. "Ethan… I thought I'd never see you again," she whispered, her voice trembling with joy and sorrow.

Ethan's expression was cold, his tone sharp. "Mom, I need to know where my father is. I want to meet him."

Audrey hesitated, her heart aching. "I can't take you to him, Ethan," she said softly. "But I can describe him. You'll have to find him yourself."

She knew her son wasn't here for her, but for the answers she had been too afraid to give.