One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 101 — Dealing With Oyster

The car sped along the road, the car’s engine roaring against the dead of the night.

Alexander used one hand to reply to text messages while the other hand was used to anchor Serena.

"Cody, my men are at the building already." Alexander informed. "We need to hasten up." He urged.

Cody didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped on the gas pedal, and the car increased its speed.

A few minutes later, the car rolled to a stop at an apartment complex. About five cars were parked.

When the trio stepped out of the car, one of the men from the other car approached them, and bowed slightly.

"Boss," he greeted. "Your grandfather’s men are here as well." He informed.

Serena turned to him, while both he and Cody furrowed their brows at the same time.

"The military? Why are they here?" Cody asked. He didn’t wait for a reply and was about to walk into the building when he was stopped by the man.

"We’ve surveyed the apartments. He doesn’t seem to be alone. You can’t go there alone."

Cody stopped in his tracks as he slowly turned to the man. "Maya is in there. Alone. With different men. And you are telling me I can’t go in alone. Are you for real?"

His voice was low, but the look in his eyes... the look in his eyes was dangerous and it looked like he was holding himself back.

"Sir, we need to come up with a plan. He is right, you can’t go in there alone." A man walked up to them and slightly tipped his head towards Alexander who nodded.

"Uncle Jones. You’re here." He commented with his hands folded.

"Your grandfather made sure I followed you three." He said, spreading his hands helplessly. "He wants to make sure you are not hurt."

"Can we stop the unnecessary conversation and focus on what is at stake." Cody cut in. "We need to save Maya."

Alexander nodded.

"Alex, what do we do? Maya might have a tough exterior but she’s extremely delicate. And Oyster... he knows her. He knows how to break her and he will work on it." Serena explained. Although her expression was calm, her hands trembled by her side.

Alexander thought for a while. Before he could begin, Cody started ranting once again.

His jaw clenched as he stared at the building. Every second felt wasted.

"Maya lives on the fourth floor," Serena said quickly.

"I’ve thought of something." He said, and Cody looked at him without hesitation.

"You did?"

Alexander nodded instantly. He turned to the men and said, "two of you take the stairs. You must be quiet. Check the power box on your way up. If anything feels wrong, cut the lights. At once."

The men moved immediately without questioning him.

Alexander then faced Cody. "You don’t have to rush in. If you do, he reacts."

Cody scoffed. "He already has her. He can hurt her if I don’t go in."

"And that’s exactly why you don’t rush in," Alexander replied calmly. "You distract him and let his attention remain on you."

Serena swallowed hard. "Oyster knows Cody."

That made Alexander pause as he looked at Cody who nodded.

"How?"

"They’ve met before, Maya told me today. I just didn’t expect Oyster to act this fast," she said. "He won’t ignore him since he knows him."

Alexander exhaled slowly, satisfied with this development. "Good. Then that’s our entry."

Cody’s fingers curled into fists. He didn’t argue, didn’t question Alexander’s plans. He only nodded because he wasn’t in the capacity to think anymore.

"I’m going in first," he said. "The moment I step inside, you move. Do you get it?"

Alexander placed a hand on Serena’s back, guiding her closer to him. "You stay behind me. No matter what you hear, don’t come out from behind me."

Serena nodded, though her hands were shaking.

A faint click sounded from above.

Alexander’s earpiece buzzed.

"We’ve got the fourth floor secured and the power box has been located."

"Nicely done. Wait for my signal," Alexander instructed quietly.

Cody was already walking toward the entrance.

Serena watched him go, her heart hammering against his chest. She didn’t know why he cared this much.

Neither did Cody. But she could see it in the way his shoulders were tense, in the way he didn’t slow down.

"Alexander," she whispered. "If we’re too late—"

"We are not," he cut in firmly. "Maya is strong. She won’t lose to him. She would hold on for a long time. And that time is enough to save her."

The lights flickered once interrupting the couple.

Then it went out.

Alexander straightened. "Now."

They moved with quiet precision.

The sound of electricity died and was replaced by hurried footsteps and controlled breathing.

"Fourth floor. Move," Alexander ordered under his breath.

They took the stairs.

Cody didn’t wait for instructions. He took them two at a time, his mind locked on one thing which was Maya.

The image of her voice on the phone replayed in his head. It was short, broken and somehow... gone.

By the time they reached the fourth floor, two men were already positioned at the corners of the hallway, holding flashlights in their hands.

"All clear," one whispered. "Apartment 4B."

Cody was already there. He raised his hand, knocking once.

But there was no response.

He knocked again, harder this time, gritting his teeth as he forced out the name. "Oyster."

The door opened slightly, but Cody pushed it open fully and walked in. The apartment was dark, save for the light flickering above.

"Oyster," he said calmly, though his pulse was pounding. "You’re really audacious."

The man froze for half a second, but returned to normal.

The smell hit Cody first. It was mixed with alcohol, sweat, tears and fear.

Maya was on the couch, her entire body trembling.

Her wrists were restrained loosely, not tight enough to injure, but enough to control. Her eyes lifted slowly, unfocused at first, then they widened.

"Cody... is that you?" her voice cracked.

It felt like something inside him snapped.

Oyster laughed softly. "You really shouldn’t have come here. And you came alone. How did you even know that she was in trouble?"

"Pathetic." He spat.

Cody didn’t look at him. Just like what Alexander had said, Oyster would be distracted.

Cody’s eyes stayed on Maya. "Are you hurt?" He asked quietly.

She shook her head weakly.

That was enough.

Alexander moved into the room, followed behind by Serena.

The men poured in silently. They were fast and efficient. Oyster barely had time to react before he was restrained, his arms twisted behind his back.

"Hey! What’s going on? What are you doing?" He screamed as he struggled.

One of the men hit him on his neck. It wasn’t enough to knock him unconscious, but was enough to shut him up.

"Your men have all been rounded up. You’ll have a fun time spending the rest of your days at the military jail."

Oyster widened his eyes, but he couldn’t speak. He couldn’t believe that this was the end. He couldn’t take it!

"Touch her again," Cody said quietly, finally turning to face him, "and I won’t wait for orders next time."

Oyster struggled, apparently wanting to speak, but he couldn’t.

Cody wasn’t satisfied seeing him without bruises so he landed him a punch on his face.

Alexander didn’t stop him.

Serena rushed to Maya’s side, kneeling immediately.

"It’s over," she whispered. "You’re safe."

Maya’s body trembled as the tension finally released. She leaned into Serena, gripping her dress like it was the only solid thing left.

Alexander scanned the apartment once more. He sighed.

"Take him," he ordered. "Quietly."

The men dragged Oyster out.

Cody stood there, breathing hard, knuckles aching. He didn’t approach Maya. He only stayed where he was, making sure no one came close again.

Maya looked up at him, eyes glassy. "You came."

"I told you, didn’t I? I’d always come for you."

Maya smiled softly. The thorn, her past, was finally out of life. And unable to haunt her anymore.

----------------------

When they finally arrived at Hale’s residence, the banquet had already ended, and the majority of the guests had already left.

Elias and Miles were seated on the large sofa in the living room, their eyes straying to the door every second.

"Why aren’t they back?" Miles asked, and rose to his feet. With the help of his cane, he paced around the living room.

"They’d be back soon. Jones informed me that they are done with what they went to do and that they are on their way. Old Miles, you should be worried about your health first."

Miles exhaled. "How can I remain calm when they aren’t back? Take a look at the time, it’s really late. My worry, anxiety and concern is justified."

Elias was about to reply when one of the maids rushed in.

"The two Young Masters and the Young Miss have returned." The mains reported with a strong fervour in her voice.

Miles’s face brightened as he rushed to the entrance. Elias who had a blank expression previously, struggled to his feet and rushed to the entrance as well.

When they arrived, Serena was holding on to Maya who was still trembling.

Miles’s brows furrowed. "What’s wrong?" He asked carefully.

Serena replied absentmindedly. "Grandfather, I’ll explain later. Can a room be prepared for her? She has been through a lot."

Miles nodded without hesitation and was about to signal to one of the maids when he stopped.

His hands shook as he looked at Serena. Emotionally, he probed softly, "did you just call me Grandfather?"