Bab 15: 15. "Shadow Syndicate, Nexus General Hospital and Amara Out of Danger!"

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...

"How did it go, Mara! Did he demand something else?" Nathaniel asked with a hint of concern in his voice, after his assistant Mara put down the phone.

Mara's face was still haunted by the chilling tone of the conversation, "No... he just asked for his other half of what we offered previously!" she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Nathaniel frowned, sensing that there was something more to the conversation than Mara was letting on. "Then why does your face look like you've seen a ghost?" he asked, feeling upset at the thought of Mr. Razor being unhappy with their arrangement.

"He... he knows about you. And what's your background, he knows everything!" Mara said with a distressed tone, her eyes wide with fear.

Nathaniel's expression changed from concern to surprise as he heard her words. "Ohh, so he also got the information about me!" he commented, his voice laced with amusement.

Mara looked at him, confusion etched on her face, "Why are you sounding like that?" she asked.

Nathaniel let out a small sigh, "Ohh, you're new to this field, so you don't know, but everyone in the upper class society knows about the Shadow Syndicate!" he said, giving her a look of pity mixed with amusement, as he offered her some words of wisdom.

"Shadow Syndicate!" Mara repeated the words, the sound of the name alone sending shivers down her spine. She had never heard of them before, or maybe she had, and forgotten about it.

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face as he spoke, "They're a powerful group of individuals who operate in the shadows. They have eyes and ears everywhere and they know everything that goes on in the city. People fear them because they can make or break someone's life with just a snap of their fingers."

Mara's eyes widened further, as she tried to comprehend the magnitude of what Nathaniel was saying. The Shadow Syndicate sounded like unreal to her but the fear and trepidation in Nathaniel's voice made it clear that they were all too real.

....

The Shadow Syndicate was the most notorious and feared organization in all of Novus City. They controlled the black market and were responsible for all illegal activities, from drug trafficking to human trafficking, and everything in between.

At the head of the Shadow Syndicate was a man known only as "The Shadow". He was a mysterious figure, and no one knew his true identity or even what he looked like. Rumor had it that he had eyes and ears everywhere, and that he controlled every aspect of the organization with an iron fist.

Under The Shadow were three top leaders, each responsible for a different branch of the organization. The first was known as "The Enforcer", a ruthless man who oversaw the muscle of the organization. His subordinates were known only by their nicknames: Hammer, Razor, and Bullet.

The second was "The Broker", a suave and sophisticated man who handled the financial aspects of the organization. His subordinates were known to be well-connected with the upper-class society of Novus City, and included names like Montgomery, Worthington, and Kensington.

The third and final leader was "The Dealer", who oversaw the distribution of all illegal substances in Novus City. His subordinates were known as "The Pushers" and included individuals like Snake, Viper, and Scorpion.

The Shadow Syndicate was not only connected to the black market, but also to the upper class society and top families of Novus City. It was rumored that many prominent figures in the city were secretly members of the organization, and that they used their power and influence to further the Syndicate's goals.

Some believed that even the Mayor of Novus City was in the pocket of The Shadow Syndicate, and that he turned a blind eye to their activities in exchange for a cut of the profits.

Despite efforts by the police and government to bring down the Shadow Syndicate, they remained a powerful and elusive force in Novus City, with their influence spreading far and wide.

....

Nexus General Hospital,

As Amara lay in her hospital bed, Vivienne anxiously awaited news of her friend's condition. Lucien, who had arranged for Amara to be transferred to Nexus General Hospital, tried to offer her words of comfort.

"Don't worry, Vivi. Everything will be alright. The doctors here are the best in the business," he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Indeed, Nexus General Hospital was a marvel of modern medicine. Its sleek, futuristic design was a sight to behold, and the advanced technology it housed was the envy of hospitals around the world. The medical staff were renowned for their expertise and dedication to their patients, and Lucien had every confidence in their abilities.

But there was a dark side to Nexus General that few knew about. Rumors abounded that the hospital had a secret research division, where scientists conducted experiments that bordered on the edge of ethical and moral boundaries.

Patients with mysterious and unexplained illnesses were said to be taken in for study, leading to speculation that the hospital was dabbling in the realm of the supernatural.

Lucien and his loyal butler, James, were well aware of these rumors. In fact, Sterling Family had invested heavily in the hospital's research division, hoping to find a cure for Lucien's own mysterious illness.

But in the end, it had been all for naught - Lucien had awakened on his own, leaving doctors and researchers baffled as to the cause of his sudden recovery.

As Vivienne waited anxiously outside Amara's hospital room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

As Vivienne waited outside Amara's hospital room, her mind raced with worry and doubt. She couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister lurked behind the hospital's shiny exterior, and she found herself wondering if Amara was truly safe in the hands of the Nexus General doctors.

But just as she was about to voice her concerns to Lucien, the doctor emerged from Amara's room, breaking the tense silence.

"Ms. Amara has regained consciousness, and her treatment was successful. She will be fine," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.

Vivienne felt a wave of relief wash over her as she listened to the doctor's words. She stood up, ready to rush to her friend's side, but then remembered that she needed permission from the doctors to enter the ward.

"Thank you, doctor. May I see her?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

The doctor nodded in response and gestured for her to follow him. As they made their way down the hallway, Vivienne couldn't help but steal glances at Lucien, who followed behind her with a stoic expression.

"Lucien, thank you for coming with me," she said, turning to face him.

He gave her a small smile in response. "Of course, Vivi. I'm just glad your friend is going to be okay."

Vivienne felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of his smile. For a moment, she forgot about everything else - the rumors, the hospital, even Amara - and was lost in the warmth of Lucien's presence.

But just as the moment was turning into something more, the doctor interrupted them, once again breaking the spell.

"We're here," he said, gesturing towards Amara's room.

Vivienne took a deep breath and stepped inside, her eyes fixed on her friend's still form. But as she drew closer, she saw that Amara's eyes were open, and she was looking right at her.

"Amara!" she cried, rushing to her friend's side.

"How are you feeling?" Vivienne asked after reaching her friend side while holding her hand, her voice cracking with emotion.

Amara tried to speak, but her voice was barely audible. "I'm okay," she managed to say.

Vivienne smiled weakly, trying to hold back her tears. "Thank God," she whispered, taking Amara's hand in hers.

And as the two friends embraced, Lucien watched from the doorway, his expression inscrutable. He knew that their moment would have to wait - for now, his attention was needed elsewhere.

...

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