THE 30 DAYS Remastered

The Book

"Day 4"

"door knocks"

As Clay heard a knock on the door, he paused, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Who's there?" he called out.

A voice from the other side responded, "Mr. Clay, I have a package for you."

With a resigned sigh, Clay opened the door, eyeing the delivery person with mild curiosity. "What is this about?" he muttered, taking the package in hand.

Before he could delve further, a familiar voice spoke up from behind him.

"I think we're about to have a long night," Lucy said, her tone carrying a hint of something ominous.

Clay turned to face her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Oh, wow," he quipped, shaking his head slightly. "I think I'm too married for that."  

Lucy, her expression deadpan, cut him off. "We don't have time for silly jokes."

Clay's smile lingered for a brief moment before fading. "Yeah, I know," he replied, the humor slipping away. He glanced down at the package in his hands, then back at Lucy. "What is the damn author thinking?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else, as the weight of the situation began to settle in.

Clay chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "I read the reports," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "A little kid came to save you? You're a trained officer, Lucy. How did that happen?" His tone was light, but there was an underlying curiosity, a hint of incredulity at the idea of a child stepping in where a seasoned officer had faltered.

Lucy's expression grew serious as she replied, "There's much more to this story than you realize, Clay." She paused, her eyes narrowing as she recalled the events. "No one saw Ryan fighting except for me. These aren't just ordinary kids. He fought like he was trained, like he knew exactly what he was doing." Her tone was laced with a mixture of admiration and unease, as if she were grappling with the implications of what she had witnessed. 

Clay sighed, narrowing his eyes as he peered inside the package. His brow furrowed in confusion as he pulled out a worn, leather-bound book. "What is this book doing here?" he asked, turning it over in his hands, trying to make sense of its sudden appearance.

Lucy, noticing the change in his tone, stepped closer, her eyes fixed on the book. "What book?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern as she tried to get a closer look at what Clay was holding. 

Clay read the title aloud, "The Philanthropist's Legacy, Vol. 1." He frowned, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, come on, I hate it when I only have half of the main story," he muttered, his annoyance evident in his voice.

Lucy, ignoring his complaint, leaned in closer. "Read it," she urged, her tone firm and unyielding. There was something in the air—an unspoken sense that whatever was in that book could be crucial.

In the heart of the bustling metropolis of Crestview, amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, lived Michael and Caroline Stark, a couple whose names were synonymous with wealth, success, and philanthropy. Michael, a shrewd businessman and a well known philanthropist, had amassed his fortune through years of hard work and savvy investments, while Caroline, a former social worker with a heart of gold, had dedicated her life to helping those less fortunate.

Their love story was the stuff of legend. They had met in college, a chance encounter at a local coffee shop where their eyes locked across the crowded room, and a spark ignited between them. As they shared stories and laughter, they discovered a connection that felt as natural as breathing, as if they had known each other for lifetimes.