BEHIND US

IX

The private jet sliced through the Parisian night sky, leaving the glittering city lights far below. Engfa, his face etched with a grim determination, stared out the window, replaying his conversation with Charlotte in his mind.  He'd kept the details vague, wanting to shield her from the escalating conflict with the Hoorne heir.  But the urgency in his voice hadn't escaped her notice.

He pulled out his phone, scrolling through recent emails.  The Hoorne family's legal threats were escalating, each one more aggressive than the last.  This wasn't just a business dispute; it felt personal, a calculated attack aimed at dismantling everything he'd built. He suspected a hidden agenda, something far more sinister than a simple power struggle.

His thoughts drifted to Snack, his eldest child.  A prodigy in programming, Snack possessed the technical skills to uncover the truth behind Hoorne Limited.  Engfa had faith in his child's abilities, but the risk was immense.  He knew the Hoornes were ruthless, capable of anything to protect their empire.  He just hoped Snack was prepared for the challenge.

The plane began its descent, the lights of Manila twinkling in the distance.  As the wheels touched down, Engfa felt a surge of adrenaline.  He was home, but the battle was far from over.  He needed to act quickly, strategically, and most importantly, protect his family.  He had to find out what the Hoornes were truly hiding, and stop them before they could strike again.  The fight for his company, and his family's safety, had just begun.

[MANILA, Philippines]

The car pulled smoothly into the driveway of their sprawling Manila home.  Engfa stepped out, the warm night air a welcome change from the Parisian chill.  Charlotte and Snack were waiting on the veranda, bathed in the soft glow of the lanterns.  Charlotte rushed to him, her embrace tight and comforting.

"You're home," she whispered, her voice laced with relief.

Engfa kissed her forehead. "I'm home." He looked at Snack, who stood a little apart, observing him with intense, curious eyes.  Snack, despite her youthful appearance, possessed a quiet intensity that mirrored his father's own.

"Snack," Engfa said, his voice serious. "We need to talk."

They moved inside, settling into the comfortable study.  Engfa explained the situation with Hoorne Limited, detailing the escalating threats and his suspicions of a hidden agenda.  He spoke frankly about the risks involved, but Snack listened intently, his expression unwavering.

"I've already started," Snack said, his voice calm but firm.  "I've identified several inconsistencies in Hoorne Limited's financial records, and I'm tracing some unusual offshore transactions."

Charlotte gasped. "You've been working on this already?"

Snack nodded. "I knew something was wrong the moment you mentioned it.  I've been quietly investigating for the past few days."

Engfa felt a surge of pride and relief.  "What have you found so far?"

Snack presented a detailed analysis, highlighting suspicious shell corporations and unexplained wealth transfers.  He showed to her dad and mom a complex web of interconnected accounts, revealing a pattern of financial manipulation that pointed towards something far bigger than a simple business dispute.

"It's not just about money, Dad," Snack said.  "I think they're involved in something far more illegal."

Engfa exchanged a worried glance with Charlotte.  The stakes had just become significantly higher.  The fight against the Hoorne's was no longer just a business battle; it was a fight for justice, and for the safety of their family.  The investigation had just entered a far more dangerous phase.

"We need to ready. Whatever Davikah is pulling off in his sleeve, we must be ready"

"So, what's the plan dad? You know I can put mom and my siblings somewhere safe without no one tracing."

"I know, but how about we should gather a meeting first. With your aunt's. They've been with us since my first fight. They are a great help dealing with this kind of matter."

"We should regroup our allies. And our best agents that are trusted." Snack, suggested.

"Yes honey. I agree with Snack. We can't just let any mole inside our company to run around." Charlotte, both as a wife and a mother, felt the surge of uneasiness.

"Yes we will. But for the meantime, we will rest first. It's been a long day. Tomorrow, we will come to a very much detailed plan." Engfa closing the conversation.

"Yes dad! Rest now and get enough sleep. Good night Mommy!" Snack kiss her mom's cheeks and head to her room where Pailiu is.

"Good night baby! Rest well too."

🐶🐰