Chapter 98

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as Landon Croix rose leisurely from bed.

He tied his tie with meticulous precision before the mirror.

At the breakfast table, he slowly savored his soy milk and fried dough sticks as if it were any ordinary day.

Yet a vigilant gleam flickered in the depths of his eyes.

He knew the County Discipline Commission agents were watching his every move from the shadows.

Meanwhile, in the temporary detention cell, Leonard Croix jolted awake.

Rubbing his sore neck, he glanced at the wall clock—already past nine.

"Guards! Bring me cigarettes!" he bellowed.

A cold voice responded from outside: "Stay put!"

"I demand a smoke!" Leonard kicked the metal bed with a deafening clang. "This is illegal detention!"

His three sons woke next door and immediately joined the shouting.

The hallway descended into chaos.

When Terrence Ashford and Gideon Ashford arrived, two officers were pinning Leonard to the floor.

"What happened?" Terrence frowned.

"He demanded cigarettes," an officer reported wearily.

Gideon smirked. "Think this is your living room?"

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Leonard snarled, glaring up at Gideon.

Tension crackled between them like live wires.

Finally, Terrence waved a hand. "Give him a cigarette."

Leonard took it greedily, inhaling deeply.

As smoke curled around him, his eyes darkened with calculation.

He remembered his eldest son's instructions—deny everything if arrested, then implicate Bronson Maddox at dawn.

"Landon must have everything under control by now," he thought.

The ashtray filled with stubs.

Beads of sweat formed on Leonard's forehead.

Suddenly stubbing out his cigarette, he barked, "I demand to see Terrence Ashford!"

An officer glared. "The Chairman isn't at your beck and call."

"I have a confession!" Leonard stood abruptly. "Can you afford the consequences of delaying justice?"

Ten minutes later, Terrence entered with a stenographer.

Leonard suddenly adopted an officious tone. "Chairman Ashford, I'm still the village chief. Show some respect."

Terrence clenched his jaw. "Chief Croix, get to the point."

"I'm hungry." Leonard rubbed his stomach. "And so are my sons. You can't starve us."

Gideon gritted his teeth as Terrence signaled for breakfast.

An eerie silence settled over the interrogation room.

Leonard narrowed his eyes, plotting his next move.

The real game had only just begun.