Volume 5: Wall Street Rises Again
Summary: Jack returns to Wall Street, only to find that things are far more complicated than he imagined. Richard's remaining influence still lingers, and an even greater conspiracy awaits him. He must proceed with extreme caution if he is to eliminate these threats and restore order to Wall Street.
Chapter 1: Return to the Battlefield
Jack stood at the heart of Wall Street, feeling the suffocating energy of this concrete jungle—and the intoxicating excitement that came with it. Sunlight was fractured into countless shimmering shards by the towering skyscrapers, almost blinding him. Those towering glass monoliths loomed like ravenous beasts, silently devouring ambition and greed, proclaiming the iron law of money above all else. It had been three long years since Richard's elaborate trap had cast him into oblivion, and now, he had finally returned to the land that once belonged to him.
He inhaled deeply. The air was thick with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the subtle scent of expensive cologne worn by the suited Wall Street elite. Once a familiar part of his daily life—symbols of success and power—it now carried a bitter note of irony. His gray suit, purchased with the first real wealth he'd earned after surviving the underworld, was tailor-made by an old Savile Row craftsman. Every stitch spoke of meticulous detail, marking his transformation from a homeless wanderer to a man reborn as a member of the elite.
In his right hand, he tightly gripped a paper cup from Starbucks, his knuckles white from the pressure. Three years of hardship had carved deep lines into his face—lines that time alone could not erase. There were new wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, remnants of poverty and despair etched into his skin. His jawline had hardened, his gaze sharpened by survival and loss. He was no longer the confident, brilliant young man who once believed he was untouchable. He was a man forged in fire, tempered by hell—a vengeful phoenix rising from ashes.
He looked up at the site where "Lehman Brothers" once stood. A new name now adorned the building, but the essence remained unchanged. Though the financial crisis had erased Lehman from history, another company had swiftly taken its place. The tower still symbolized power, still reeked of money and control. And at the center of it all was Richard—the man who had once been his mentor, his friend, his betrayer. That well-dressed hypocrite, that venomous snake, had thrown him into ruin.
"I'm back, Richard," Jack murmured, his voice low and rough, yet carrying the cold edge of vengeance buried beneath ice.
He wouldn't rush to confront Richard—not yet. That would be reckless, dangerous. He needed to understand the new Wall Street, to uncover Richard's current influence, to learn his secrets, to identify allies and enemies alike. Three years was enough for everything to change. He had to move carefully, step by calculated step, to ensure nothing went wrong.
Jack pulled out his phone and quickly dialed a number. After a few rings, someone answered—a voice tinged with surprise and cautious disbelief. "Jack? Is that really you? Good God, you're back! I thought you were… never mind. You're here now, and that's all that matters. Where are you? Let's meet."
Kevin had been Jack's colleague, one of the few who had always believed in his innocence. Even when Jack was at his lowest, Kevin had risked everything to help him in secret, keeping him informed about Richard's movements. For three years, Kevin had been Jack's only link to Wall Street.
"I'm outside the Starbucks, the old spot." Jack gave a brief reply before hanging up.
Less than ten minutes later, a middle-aged man in a blue suit came running up, slightly out of breath. His hair was thinning, dark circles under his eyes, exhaustion evident on his face. Upon seeing Jack, he nearly jumped with joy, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Jack! My God, it's really you! Where have you been for the last three years? That bastard Richard—he deserves everything coming to him!"
Jack patted Kevin's shoulder, signaling him to calm down. "I'm fine now, Kevin. The past is behind me. What matters now is, what kind of power does Richard hold? How strong is he?"
Kevin sighed, pulling Jack into the café and choosing a corner seat by the window. He glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before lowering his voice. "Richard is now the president of Golden Stone Capital. He's at the peak of his power, riding high. Over the past three years, he's grown rapidly—rumor has it that he's backed by some very powerful people, though I haven't identified them yet. Also…" Kevin hesitated, then whispered even lower, "He's surrounded by loyalists—people who helped frame you back then. They've all profited handsomely."
Jack narrowed his eyes, a flicker of danger flashing across his face. "That's what I expected. Richard won't let me go easily. He'll try to stop me, maybe even kill me again."
"Exactly!" Kevin nodded gravely, his expression darkening. "You need to be extremely careful, Jack. Richard isn't the same man anymore—he's got connections everywhere, and he's ruthless. If you make a mistake, if you tip him off too soon…"
Jack smiled faintly, a confident yet mocking curve to his lips. "Don't worry, Kevin. I won't give him any chance. If he wants to play games, I'll play along. This time, he's going to pay for everything—with blood."
As he saw the burning fire of revenge in Jack's eyes, Kevin felt both exhilaration and deep concern. He knew Jack's resolve—but he also knew how formidable Richard had become. This battle would be brutal. One misstep, and Jack might fall into the abyss once more.
"What's your next move? Is there anything I can do to help?" Kevin asked earnestly.
Jack took a sip of his coffee, letting the bitterness soothe the tension inside him. "First, I need to dig deep into Golden Stone Capital. I want every secret they have—especially Richard's weaknesses and whoever is backing him. Then, I'll start eliminating his remaining supporters, so my path remains clear."
He paused, set the cup down, and locked eyes with Kevin, his gaze sharp like a hunting leopard. "The first step in returning to the battlefield is to let them know—I, Jack Carter, am back. And this time… I won't show mercy."