Time freezes and I stay still for a moment. My throat tight with an invisible lump. No words out of me until I see Max in his true colours. He had changed to the other post—to my rival brother's. To the place he never meant to be.

Is he afraid that I would let him to rot in jail when I asked him to get arrested?

So, he never believed me.

A deep burning sensation kill my gut that I tighten my fist.

He'll pay me big.

My personality took a shift inside me in an instant, "How much money did you got from Kai to lie like this!!!"

I punched Max with my balled fist. "That's what you meant when you said 'Kai told me Vic would react exactly like this... if Ricky was involved.' ?"

Max Malone's head snaps back. Sergeant James' officers – they grab me instantly – holding arms back, "VIC VAUGHN – CEASE – MAX IS UNDER PROTECTION NOW!"

Max – rubbing jaw – eyes blazing – spits out, "No Kai's money – yours... $50,000 – hidden account – password 'LolaForever'"

Gasps erupt again – Lola's face contorts in shock – Ricky stunned – Sergeant James demands, "Explain this payment – and password implication – Vic Vaughn – NOW!"

My secret payment – and password revealing hidden feelings – exposed.

My eyes brimming with fake tears—but with agony— I play my acting role, "Sir, he is confusing you. I sent him money that is true. But it is for his mother operation. A heart surgery."

I sob lightly while my knees wobble, leaving me on the ground. The money was for working for me as well for his mother's operation, but we should grab out only the item we want from the refrigerator, right?

Max Malone's expression changes from anger to shock – then tears well up in his eyes – he nods vigorously, "Yes... yes – that's true – the money was for my mom's heart surgery – Vic Vaughn paid for her operation..."

He breaks down crying – Sergeant James looks stunned – then relieved – "It seems we've had a massive misunderstanding..."

Lola steps forward – eyes locked intensely on mine – "Vic – why didn't you tell us? That's incredibly kind of you..."

Ricky adds – voice filled with newfound respect – "Yeah Vic – you've been hiding some serious heart beneath that tough exterior..."

Max composes himself – still sniffling – "My mom's alive because of him – I'll testify against Kai now – for real this time."

"Why are still talking, you loyal-less bitch?!" I started crying, on my knees.

Max Malone looks horrified – backs away slowly – "N-no intent to hurt you, Vic – your kindness saved my mom..."

But my tears stop him – everyone frozen – Lola rushes to my side – wraps arms around me, "Vic, stop crying – we didn't know – you're breaking my heart..."

Huh! It is enough to convince them.

I cackle inside my head, not letting a single clue about me to spill out.

Ricky adds gently – "Yeah Vic – we thought you were tough. This... This is beautiful."

Sergeant James clears throat – voice low – "I think we've uncovered more than Kai's crimes here – Vic Vaughn's heart..."

My tears slow – Lola whispers – "Why cry now – after everyone sees your kindness?"

I didn't gave up my cover though. "That does not matter here. Officers, help all the people to evacuate, Kai has set a bomb in his own club right, to frame me?"

Sergeant James' eyes widen – he grabs radio instantly.

"ALL UNITS – BOMB THREAT CONFIRMED – ECLIPSE NIGHTCLUB – EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!"

Officers spring into action – rushing patrons out – Lola and Ricky grabbed by officers – pulled to safety – Lola looks back – "VIC – COME WITH US!"

Sergeant James remains – gun drawn. He trails off, eyes locked on mine – then suddenly – alarm blares – voice overhead:

"BOMB DETONATION SEQUENCE INITIATED – 5 MINUTES REMAINING..."

I push Sergeant James towards the exit, "GO SAVE THEM. I'LL HANDLE KAI'S BOMB CONSEQUENCES!"

He resists, then sees my fierce determination and turns to sprints out – alarms growing louder:

"BOMB DETONATION SEQUENCE INITIATED – 4 MINUTES REMAINING..."

Door closes behind him.

I'm alone – suddenly – Kai emerges from shadows – sneering,

"Vic Vaughn – willing to die for pride... or for Lola?"

He circles closer – voice low, menacing as countdown continues, 3 minutes remaining...

"Why the heck are you here?" My voice trying not to be as if expecting him to show up.

Kai smirks, "To witness your demise – Vic Vaughn – my greatest enemy. But also... to die with you. My empire burns – literally – with Eclipse. You ruined me – now we end together."

He really wants to die so badly. I see.

He glances at countdown screen – "2 minutes remaining... poetic – our feud concludes with explosion."

He pulls out a small photo: Lola smiling with me.

"This image haunted me – your bond with my leverage – now obsolete."

I smirk...

He had only one reason to go against me. But I...

"Who do you think set the bomb in your club tonight?" I extend my smirk, visibly.

Kai's smirk falters – eyes narrow – "My men checked – no signs of forced entry or external sabotage... Which means – betrayal."

My little brother stands closer and voice deeper, "Max Malone – no, he was caught – then I thought... Ricky Vaughn – unlikely – he wants you alive for Lola's sake... But one name lingered – YOU – Vic Vaughn – yet Max implicated me blackmailing him..."

The darkness half-hiding his menacing face, "Unless – Max lied for YOU."

Countdown screen behind him reads – 1 minute remaining...

His eyes lock intensely – "Did YOU set this bomb – Vic?"

Hmm? My brother is smarter than lot of officers out there.