Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, in a small café at the corner of a nearly deserted shopping complex, four young men sat around a round table.
The hanging lamp above them swayed gently, casting a dim yellow glow over the wooden surface stained with old coffee spills.
Outside the window, a light drizzle tapped against the pavement, creating a slow rhythm that deepened the already heavy atmosphere.
Braddy sat at the head of the table, leaning back with his arms crossed.
Jay rolled up his sleeves, staring at his now-cold cup of coffee.
Jackson kept glancing at the wall clock with an empty gaze, while Reggy looked restless, lighting one cigarette after another.
“Celestine wants us to bring Flora home,” Braddy finally said, his voice flat but filled with pressure.
“But if we cause a scene, everything could fall apart.”
Jackson yawned softly, his eyes still fixed on the ticking clock.
“It’s almost nine. We’ve been sitting here since the afternoon, and we still don’t have a plan.” Jay leaned his head back against the chair, staring at the ceiling in exhaustion.
“That girl’s slippery. If she finds out we’re working for Celestine, she’ll run again.”
Silence fell over them.
Only the faint clink of a spoon against a cup and the distant rattle of a motorcycle chain outside the café could be heard.
Braddy tapped his fingers against the table, his eyes sharp and calculating.
“She has plenty of friends—maybe even protectors. If we make one wrong move, it won’t just be Celestine’s name at stake. It’ll be ours too.”
Reggy exhaled a stream of cigarette smoke.
“So what? We just kidnap her and get it over with?” Braddy shot him a cold look.
“You think Celestine wants that kind of risk? She wants everything clean. No traces. No accusations.”
They sank into silence again—until suddenly, Braddy’s phone vibrated on the table.
Christine’s name appeared on the screen.
He answered quickly.
“Christine, any news?”
“Flora has an online loan,” the woman’s voice came through—cold and precise.
“The amount isn’t big, but the lenders are dangerous. They’ve started sending threats. I got information from one of her friends—debt collectors have already been looking for her address.”
Braddy frowned.
“And that… has something to do with us?”
“That’s exactly it. You can use this situation,” Christine replied calmly.
“If Flora feels threatened by someone else, she’ll look for protection. And that’s where you come in—as her saviors. Offer help, and she’ll trust you.”
Jay lifted his head, staring at Braddy in disbelief.
“So you want us to pretend to be heroes?” Braddy asked, his tone laced with restrained sarcasm.
“You’re smart, Braddy. Exactly,” Christine replied, as if smiling on the other end.
“Use her fear. There’s no more effective method.”
The call ended.
Braddy placed the phone on the table and took a deep breath.
“Christine just gave us a brilliant idea. We don’t need to force Flora. We just need to make her believe the world is against her.” Jackson looked uncertain.
“So now we play dirty?” Braddy exhaled slowly.
“Play dirty? This isn’t a game, Jack. This is survival. Celestine is already too deep in this. If Flora talks, we all go down with her.”
Reggy tapped the table lightly.
“Alright, then we do it. What’s the plan?” Braddy’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“I’ll handle it. Tonight we rest. Tomorrow morning, we take the first step.”
The next day, rain fell again—heavier than the night before.
On Bambu Raya Street, the narrow road in front of Flora’s house was muddy and filled with puddles.
The house itself stood modestly, with peeling paint, a rusted gate, and worn-out curtains hanging in the windows.
Braddy stood at the front door with Jay, Jackson, and Reggy.
They were dressed neatly, as if attending a business meeting—not carrying out a mission of manipulation.
He knocked firmly.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
The door opened slightly.
A middle-aged woman appeared, wearing a faded house dress and a worn shawl.
Her gaze was sharp and suspicious.
“Who are you looking for?” she asked hoarsely.
Braddy smiled politely, bowing his head slightly.
“Excuse us, ma’am.
We’re old friends of Flora.
We’d like to see her.”
“She’s already left for work at this hour.
What do you want?” Her eyes scanned them from head to toe, still wary.
“We just want to help, ma’am,” Braddy replied gently.
“Help? Help with what?” Her suspicion deepened.
Braddy stepped closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.
“We heard Flora is having trouble with an online loan.
We know she’s being chased by debt collectors.
Our boss wants to help pay part of it.”
“Boss?” her eyebrow lifted.
“Yes,” Braddy said with a faint smile.
“His name is Peter.
Flora’s ex-boyfriend from high school.
He heard about her situation from an old friend and feels deeply concerned.”
“Ex-boyfriend?” the woman repeated, as if trying to recall something.
Her expression softened slightly.
“Yes, ma’am. Six months ago, our boss’s wife died in an accident. Since then, his life has been falling apart. But when he heard about Flora, he wanted to help. He said maybe talking to someone from his past could give his life meaning again.”
Theresia—the woman’s name, as they had learned from Christine—fell silent.
Her eyes drifted toward the floor before she spoke softly, “She never told me about that.”
“Flora is quite private, ma’am,” Braddy replied quickly.
“But they used to be very close. Peter even still keeps their old high school photos.”
Jackson chimed in, adding more weight to the story.
“Now Peter owns a big company—Dexter Enterprise. The largest money changer in the city.”
At the mention of the name, Theresia’s eyes lit up.
“Dexter Enterprise?
The one in the city center?”
“Exactly,” Braddy said proudly.
“If everything goes well, not only Flora will benefit—but your family too, ma’am.
This house…” he glanced around the modest living room, “is too small for someone as kind as Flora.”
Theresia stared at him intently, greed beginning to flicker in her eyes.
“Are you serious?”
Jackson nodded quickly.
“Of course, ma’am.
We just want to speak directly with Flora this afternoon.
Peter wants her to come to his house.
No pressure—just an invitation.
Think of it as a small reunion.”
“In that case, why don’t you come back later with her?
She gets home around five,” Theresia said, her tone now friendlier.
“But if you’re serious about helping, I’m sure she’ll agree.”
Braddy pulled out a thick envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.
“This is just a small token of our sincerity.”
Theresia stared at the envelope, her eyes gleaming.
Her trembling fingers opened it slightly—and her eyes widened at what she saw.
Money.
A lot of it.
“This… is for me?” she asked hesitantly.
“To make communication easier, ma’am,” Braddy said with a warm smile.
“We’ll come back this afternoon. When Flora returns, please convince her. Tell her Peter just wants to meet and talk. No pressure.”
Theresia nodded quickly, almost too eagerly.
“Of course, of course. She’ll definitely be home by five. I’ll make sure she agrees.”
Braddy nodded politely, then signaled his friends.
They walked away calmly—but his sharp gaze lingered on the house window.
Once their car left the alley, Braddy spoke quietly, his tone turning cold.
“Theresia will be our entry point. People like her are easy to buy. A little money, and she’ll open every door.”
Jay nodded.
“But what if Flora gets suspicious?”
“She won’t have time to,” Braddy replied with a sly smile.
“The moment she hears ‘debt collectors’ are coming to attack her house, we show up right on time… like saviors.”
Reggy glanced through the rearview mirror, his face tense.
“You’re really going to create a fake threat?”
“Not fake,” Braddy said softly.
“Christine has arranged it. Some people will come tonight, posing as debt collectors. They just need to shout outside the house. After that, we appear… as if we’re rescuing her.”
Jackson swallowed hard, his expression tightening.
“That’s insane, Brad.”
Braddy smiled faintly.
“That’s exactly what makes it brilliant. Flora will trust anyone who makes her feel safe. And after that… she’ll come with us willingly.”
Their car turned at the end of the road, leaving the small house behind, now wrapped in drizzle and shadows.
Inside the house, Theresia stared at the envelope in her hands for a long time.
It felt heavy—not because of its contents, but because of something unspoken behind it.
A dark agreement she did not fully understand.
But in that moment, she only smiled.
Money had silenced her reason.
And Braddy’s cunning game had just begun.
Outside, the rain fell harder—drowning out the footsteps of manipulators who had just set the stage for the next wave of chaos.