Chapter 1 Free at Last

• The heavy iron gates of Rivervale First Prison creaked open, revealing the bustling suburban street beyond.
• A young man with a scruffy beard and unkempt hair walked out, blinking in the sunlight.
• He was Huxley Sioux, once a clean-cut hotel waiter. Five years ago, his life had taken a sharp turn.
• One night, a stunning woman stumbled into his work area, her intoxicating beauty and bold advances catching him off guard.
• Huxley was young and impulsive then. It wasn't until the morning, after the fog of the night clearing, that a horrifying realization struck him.
• His one-night stand, the woman he'd innocently engaged with, was none other than Rexanne Fairchild, Rivervale's most celebrated beauty and the heiress to the powerful Fairchild fortune.
• Before Huxley could fully process this discovery, the door was flung open, revealing Rexanne's fiance, Ian Maclean, and his menacing entourage.
• Not only did they inflict a severe beating on Huxley, shattering his legs, but Ian also fabricated a devastating accusation of rape, leading to Huxley's unjust imprisonment.
• Within the harsh walls of the prison, Huxley faced another ordeal. Ian's influence tainted his experience, as guards were paid to inflict further harm.
• However, fate intervened in the form of a mysterious, legendary inmate. This old-timer became Huxley's savior, healing his broken legs and nurturing a newfound strength and skill within him.
• One day, the old-timer vanished as mysteriously as he arrived, leaving behind only a letter and a jade pendant.
• Five years passed. Finally, Huxley stepped out of the prison gates, a free man.
• A fire now burned in his eyes. A silent oath reverberated in his heart, 'Rexanne, Ian, your blissful charade ends now. Vengeance is mine.'
• His face hardened, radiating an aura of chilling vengeance. Every inmate fell silent, a collective sense of dread settling over them. The guards on duty scrambled to secure the gates, fearing Huxley's rage might spill over onto them.
• Just then, a Mercedes-Benz G-Class screeched to a halt in front of him. Two figures emerged from the car: a woman in her twenties, her breathtaking figure turning heads, and an aura of elegance surrounding her. Her face was a masterpiece, capable of launching a thousand ships. Beside her stood a man in his forties, his stern expression demanding respect.
• "Huxley," the woman began, her voice a mix of surprise and disbelief, "are you the miraculous healer everyone's been talking about?" She couldn't believe her eyes. This guy looked like he hadn't combed his hair in years, far from the image of a powerful healer she'd built up in her head. He'd blend into a crowd easier than a chameleon.
• Huxley stared back, confused. He'd never seen the woman before, but something felt... familiar?
• Huxley kept staring at her, not saying a word. Heidi couldn't tell what he was thinking, and a spark of annoyance flickered in her beautiful eyes.
• "Listen up," she started. I'm Heidi Rune, from the capital. Patrick told me you might be able to fix my grandpa. So, I need you to come with me to the capital and treat him. It doesn't matter if you cure him; I'll pay you a cool million for your time." The woman's tone brooked no argument, bordering on arrogance.
• Unfazed by her request, Huxley remained silent. Despite her desperate need for his expertise, Heidi's demeanor reeked of privilege and entitlement. Huxley couldn't help but see her as a typical pampered rich girl.
• "A million isn't enough?" Heidi questioned, her gaze dropping to him with obvious disdain. "Alright, then," she conceded, "how about one million, one hundred thousand? Let's consider it an additional incentive," she declared, her voice heavy with condescension.
• Huxley didn't even blink, completely ignoring her offer.
• "Still not enough?" Heidi exploded at his impassive face. "You're one greedy bastard! Because Patrick put in a good word, I'll give you a million upfront. When we get to the capital, it doesn't matter if you cure my grandpa or not, I'm adding another million on top! Remember, greed is a bottomless pit. Think twice before you mess up, or you'll regret it!"
• Huxley scoffed silently.
• This woman had some serious nerve, acting like he owed her everything and blaming him for refusing her charity. Since when was his healing worth peanuts?
• "Looks like I hit a nerve with your greed, didn't I? You're just another fame-hungry fake! Miracle healer, my foot!" Seeing Huxley about to leave, Heidi quickly moved before him, blocking his path and launching into a sarcastic rant.
• Huxley remained unbothered, looking at her like she was a clueless child. Heidi's anger escalated. "Hey, did you hear what I say or understand a word I'm saying?!"
• Huxley, ever calm, replied, "Didn't Patrick mention my T&Cs when he introduced us?"
• Heidi stopped, suspicion clouding her face. "Huh?"
• "If you don't even know the T&Cs, why bother coming to me?" Huxley huffed, then walked past Heidi, ignoring her completely.
• Losing her patience, Heidi refused to waste further breath. "Just knock him out, Mr. Staber," she shouted. "Take him away!"
• If it wasn't for her trust in Patrick's recommendation, holding onto the desperate hope that Huxley might cure her grandfather, she would've taught this arrogant man a lesson and left long ago.
• But instead, here she was, reluctantly resorting to kidnapping.
• With a swift movement, Mike darted before Huxley, his voice low, "Sorry, guy."
• But just as he was about to unleash a blow, a sickening "thud!" echoed.
• Mike doubled over, a jolt of pain shooting through his stomach. He stumbled back, gasping.
• "You... you..." Mike sputtered before a powerful blow sent him crashing to the ground.
• Mike slammed to the ground, a spray of blood erupting from his mouth. Groaning in pain, he managed to lift his head, eyes wide with terror as they locked with Huxley's.
• Initially stunned by the swift brutality, Heidi scrambled back to her senses. A cocktail of fear and a strange thrill coursed through her.
• Mike, the supposed powerhouse, was crumpled at Huxley's feet, taken down swiftly!
• But then again, Huxley might be a badass fighter, but that didn't necessarily translate to medical brilliance.
• The possibility and doubt bummed her out.
• Still, her grandfather was the family's rock, and Heidi wouldn't just sit around. Even if it was a long shot, she was upping the ante to get Huxley to agree.
• "Come with me and treat my grandfather," Heidi pleaded, her voice soft yet resolute. "Cure or no cure, ten million are yours."
• Money talks; she didn't believe Huxley would turn down money. But reality disappointed her; Huxley didn't even flinch at her offer, let alone react.
• Gritting her teeth, she resolved, "One billion!"
• "One billion? Bold move, but I'm not interested." Huxley smirked, scrutinizing Heidi with a playful glint in his eyes. "Tell you what, call me 'Daddy,' and I might just take a look at your grandpa."
• Heidi's face drained of color. Her breath hitched, her full breasts strained against the fabric of her top, a sight that would ignite any man's desires.
• Huxley's "Daddy" demand was a blatant attempt to humiliate her.
• "Don't want? Then suit yourself. But next time you come crawling back, it'll be double the offer with a kowtow and a 'Daddy' on top." Huxley chuckled, a mischievous glint still lingering in his eyes.
• Then, poof! He vanished into the roadside trees like smoke, leaving no trace behind.
• "Ms. Rune, this guy ain't exactly a walk in the park. Next time you go to him, you must swallow your pride and bow real low. That might just be the charm that gets him to budge," Mike advised solemnly, wiping the blood from his mouth as he stared intently into the woods where Huxley had vanished.
• Melissa clenched her jaw, frustration flickering across her face. "Call Patrick! Find out what Huxley's damn rules are for treating people!"
• Upon hearing this, Mike immediately pulled out his phone and dialed Patrick's number.
• After a moment, he grimly put down the phone and turned to Heidi, looking like he'd swallowed a rotten egg. "Okay, so basically, Huxley's got a whole 'do not treat' list,"
• He paused and continued, "Apparently, the merciless rich ones, the evil ones, the ones from different ethnicity, mild patients – they're all out. Plus, forget it if they don't believe in him or he doesn't like their vibe. If he's not in the mood, he won't treat anyone. As long as he still breathes, he is able to snatch anyone from the jaws of death!"