Chapter 16: The Man Who Never Died

The video ended, leaving the hospital corridor in complete silence.

Devon stared at the frozen image on the tablet screen.

The elderly man sitting in chains looked exhausted.

His silver hair had grown long.

His face was weathered by time.

Yet the resemblance to Benjamin Hamilton was unmistakable.

"Uncle Richard..." Devon whispered.

"He's really alive."

Benjamin slowly took the tablet from Luca.

The moment he saw the man's face, his hands began trembling.

"Richard..."

Tears welled in Benjamin's eyes.

"After all these years..."

"He's alive."

Miriam covered her mouth in shock.

"I thought nobody had seen him for over two decades."

"Neither did I," Benjamin admitted.

"Victor kept him hidden all this time."

"Why?" Devon asked.

"Because Richard is the only person who knows where the original trust documents are," Benjamin answered.

"Victor never found them."

"That's why he needed me."

"And now he needs Richard."

Luca looked toward the ICU doors.

"Boss needs to know immediately."

"He's still unconscious," the doctor reminded him.

"Then we wait."

Just then, the ICU monitor emitted another sharp beep.

The doctors inside moved quickly around Marco's bed.

Everyone watched anxiously through the glass.

"Come on, Boss..." Luca muttered.

"Wake up."

Several tense minutes passed.

Finally, the chief surgeon stepped outside.

"His condition has stabilized again," he announced.

"But he still hasn't regained consciousness."

"Can he hear us?" Devon asked.

"Sometimes patients can hear familiar voices."

"There's no guarantee... but it's possible."

Without another word, Devon walked back into the ICU.

Marco looked peaceful despite the tubes and machines surrounding him.

Devon pulled his chair closer.

"You're probably going to tease me for talking this much when you wake up," he said softly.

"But I don't really care anymore."

He gently held Marco's hand.

"Victor has my uncle."

"Apparently my family has been lying to me since I was born."

"And somehow... the only person I trust right now is lying unconscious in this hospital bed."

He laughed quietly through tired eyes.

"That's a strange realization."

"So please... wake up."

"I can't do this without you."

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then...

Devon felt the faintest movement.

Marco's fingers twitched.

"Doctor!" Devon shouted.

The medical team rushed inside.

"Marco?"

"Can you hear me?"

Slowly...

Very slowly...

Marco's eyes opened.

The bright hospital lights made him blink several times.

"Boss!" Luca exclaimed as he entered.

Marco looked around the room before finally focusing on Devon.

"You look terrible," Marco said weakly.

Devon laughed in relief.

"You almost died and that's the first thing you say?"

"Someone has to be honest."

"You're impossible."

"I've been told that before."

The room filled with relieved laughter.

Even the doctors smiled.

"Welcome back," the surgeon said.

"Try not to move too much."

"I'll do my best."

Once the doctors finished their examination, everyone except Devon and Luca stepped outside.

Marco immediately noticed their serious expressions.

"Something happened," he said.

"Victor released a video," Luca answered.

"Richard Hamilton is alive."

Marco's expression instantly changed.

"Show me."

After watching the footage, Marco remained silent for a long moment.

"He's forcing us to make another move," he finally said.

"But this time... he's becoming desperate."

"Why do you say that?" Devon asked.

"Because he's showing us Richard alive."

"A smart hostage-taker never reveals his final bargaining chip unless he's running out of options."

"Meaning?"

"Victor couldn't find the trust documents."

"Richard never broke."

"Now he's hoping you will."

Benjamin entered the room.

"Marco..."

"I owe you my life."

"Forget it," Marco replied.

"We're not finished yet."

"Actually... I know something that may help," Benjamin said quietly.

Everyone turned toward him.

"Richard once told me something before he disappeared."

"At the time, I thought it was meaningless."

"Now... I think it was a clue."

"What did he say?" Devon asked.

Benjamin closed his eyes, trying to remember.

"He said..."

"'When the White Lion loses its crown, follow the river where steel meets stone.'"

The room fell silent.

"That's it?" Luca asked.

"That's all I remember."

Marco slowly smiled.

"No..."

"That's exactly what we needed."

"You know what it means?" Devon asked.

"I think I do."

Marco pointed toward an old map hanging on the hospital wall.

"Thirty years ago, Hamilton Steel operated a factory beside the Hudson River."

"Its company logo... was a white lion wearing a crown."

"When the factory closed, the crown logo was removed."

"'The White Lion loses its crown.'"

"And the river where steel meets stone..."

"The abandoned Hamilton Steel Foundry."

"Richard hid something there."

"Or..." Luca added.

"Victor is keeping him there."

Marco slowly stood despite the doctor's protests.

"Boss! You're in no condition to leave!"

"I don't have a choice."

"Victor made his next move."

"Now it's our turn."

Just then, Marco's secure phone vibrated.

An encrypted message appeared on the screen.

Unknown Sender:

"If you want Richard Hamilton alive... come alone."

"Midnight."

"Hamilton Steel Foundry."

"Bring Devon..."

"Or you'll receive his uncle's body instead."