Five Years up, I Reveal I'm the Richest _ He Kneels And Begs Novel - Chapter 85

Chapter 21 : Jailhouse Reflection Rain lashed against the windows of a seedy Saint - Denis hostel . Zane Blackthorn huddled on a stained mattress , the reek of mildew and cheap disinfectant thick in the air . Neon signs bled through grimy glass , painting his gaunt face in garish , shifting colors . On the nightstand , his phone glowed - a fifteenth debt - collection text : [ 48 HOURS . OR FOR CONCRETE OVERSHOES . ] His trembling hand found a half - empty bottle of rotgut whiskey .

The burn down his throat mirrored the fire on the flickering TV screen : [ Ivy Callahan arrested in Helvemont for transnational fraud and money laundering . Stolen funds exceed € 230 million ... ] The broadcast cut to Veridian Police Headquarters . Ivy , handcuffed , her once - perfect curls a wild tangle . When reporters shouted questions about the missing millions , she suddenly shrieked at the cameras . " Zane Blackthorn ordered it ! All transactions went through HIM ! " The bottle slipped from Zane's grip , whiskey soaking into the threadbare carpet .

He stared at her contorted face , hearing her last threat echo . " Hurt me ? The Blackthorn Empire becomes my funeral pyre ! " She'd kept her promise . His phone buzzed - a bank email : [ BLACKTHORN GROUP SHARES LIQUIDATED . ASSETS FORFEITED . ] The century - old empire was erased . Fists hammered the door . Heavy - accented roared , "Blackthorn ! Open up or we torch this shithole with you inside ! " Zane staggered to his feet .

The fly - specked mirror showed a ghost - hollow eyes , streaks of premature gray in unwashed hair , the rancid stench of his ruined Brioni suit clinging like a shroud . Glass shattered . A torch flew through the window , flames licking up the curtains . Zane grabbed his coat and bolted - colliding in the hallway with stone - faced debt collectors . " 48 hours are up , Blackthorn , " the leader smirked . " Where's the cash ? A switchblade kissed his throat . " Boss says final chance . " The blade bit deeper . " You spoiled that Callahan bitch . Get her stolen millions for us ...

or bleed out in this hallway . " Zane's laugh was a broken wheeze . " Find her yourself . Veridian Women's Prison . " Blood welled hot beneath the steel . " You've already taken ... everything else . " Police sirens pierced the night . " Merde ! Cops ! " The thugs vanished into smoke - stairwells . Zane slid down the wall , fingers pressed to his bleeding neck . A sob tore loose - then became a raw , gasping laugh . " I was wrong ... " He choked into his palms . " God , I was wrong ...