Chapter 24 (Surrender)

"Ivan, please don't do anything stupid," Callistus whispered to himself in bed.

—

"One on one?" Ryan immediately accepted the challenge, cutting off Valentina before she could object.

Ryan signalled everyone to lower their guns. Ivan's eyes flicked to Ryan's hand, silently demanding he drop his weapon too. Ryan grinned, tossing his gun toward the wall.

Shantel and the others relaxed, their guns pointed at the ceiling as they stepped back. Ryan pulled out a pocket knife, ready to fight.

"Let's dance," Ivan said, his gaze steady with a smirk on his face.

Without hesitation, Ryan lunged at Ivan.

—

Back at home, Callistus tried to distract himself by watching shows on mute, but he couldn't focus. Eventually, he turned off the TV and checked his phone—9:45 p.m. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, making him jump.

"What the fuck?" Callistus muttered, staring at his bedroom door in disbelief. Ivan wasn't back yet, or at least, he didn't think so.

He stepped out of his room onto the indoor balcony, which overlooked the living room. From there, he could make out a silhouette outside. The bell rang again. Taking a deep breath, Callistus headed downstairs.

He checked the security camera—Mia? Confused, he opened the door.

"The fuck?" he asked, letting her in.

Mia stepped inside, locking the door behind her. "Sorry if I'm late, but there's a lot of shit we need to talk about," she said.

"Wait!" Callistus interrupted. "Where's Ivan?"

"He's in a one-on-one with Ryan," she replied. "Now, tell me everything Ryan said to you about your deal."

—

"Who said knives were allowed?" Ivan asked, catching his breath, blood dripping from the cut on his head.

"You never said anything about weapons," Ryan replied smugly. "So, what's the catch?"

"If I surrender, I'll save your company. But if you surrender, you can never contact us again," Ivan said, lunging at Ryan.

Ryan blocked him with his knife, nearly stabbing Ivan, but Ivan grabbed his arms, preventing it.

"This is no joke," Pavanya whispered. "What happens if one of them… dies?"

"No idea," Star replied, eyes on the fight. "We just hope it goes according to plan."

Ryan pushed Ivan away and jumped at him, the knife aimed straight at his chest. Ivan managed to hold Ryan's arms tight, but the blade still pierced through, staining Ivan's shirt red.

With a surge of strength, Ivan slammed Ryan's head into the wall, one hand choking Ryan's neck, the other throwing the knife away. Ryan struggled to loosen Ivan's grip, gasping for air.

A click echoed in the room. Ryan's eyes widened, staring at the gun Ivan aimed at his forehead.

"I didn't say anything about weapons," Ivan said coldly. "Three… two…"

"I give up! I surrender!" Ryan gasped, voice raspy.

Ivan released him, backing away. "You said what you said. Now, you and your team will never contact us again."

Ryan nodded frantically, catching his breath.

Valentina, furious, shouted, "This isn't fair! He didn't even let me—" But Shantel stepped in front of her, pistol raised.

"Back off," Shantel ordered, pointing the gun at Valentina's heart. "You don't want to end up like Ryan, do you? Then back the fuck off."

Valentina hesitated, her hand hovering near her gun, but fear kept her still.

"CloudWave Vapours are no longer allowed any contact with Chase Auctions," Ivan declared, knowing he had won. "We'll live our lives separately. The wedding will no longer continue."

Ryan lay on the ground, glaring up at Ivan with hatred. Ivan noticed but ignored him, turning away as he led his team out.

—

"What?! What were you thinking—" Mia started, but Callistus cut her off.

"I don't," he said, his voice firm.

Mia slapped the back of his head before her phone rang. She answered the call, listening intently to Star on the other end. 

"In the hospital? Now?" Mia's eyes widened. The voice on the phone suddenly paused before changing to a deeper one. Mia listened before reassuring the other caller, "Don't worry, he's still safe here." She nodded and hung up.

Without a word, she got up and headed to the office room on the ground floor.

"Hey! What's going on?" Callistus called after her as he followed.

Mia ignored him, rummaging through the room. "You still can't remember, can you?" she asked.

Callistus was both confused and annoyed. "I can barely remember you sometimes—what are you talking about?"

Mia pulled out an old photo, handing it to him. It showed Callistus in middle school, smiling and hugging another boy who looked remarkably like Ivan.