Destiny Turn

Chapter 5: Love and Traps

Time passed, and Cross continued to establish himself—not only in the underworld but also in the underground business community. His network expanded, bringing in profit and earning respect from both allies and rivals. Yet, at the height of his success, Cross realized that not everyone was sincere, especially in love.

The Fateful Encounter with Lily

One night at an upscale club where crime bosses often gathered, Cross happened to meet Lily, a captivating woman with long black hair and a sharp, knowing smile. She was a friend of one of his business partners, but the moment their eyes met, an undeniable attraction sparked between them.

"I've heard of you," Lily began, swirling a glass of wine in her hand. "You're the guy who fought his way up from the streets, right?"

Cross chuckled lightly. "Sounds like I'm some kind of urban legend."

"No," Lily winked. "I just admire those who fight for what they want."

Her boldness intrigued him. They quickly grew close, and Lily seemed to understand Cross in a way no one else did. However, Marcus warned him, "That girl is dangerous. Don't let her looks fool you."

A Rift with Mia

As Cross became more involved with Lily, Mia grew increasingly distant. She could not hide her frustration at seeing him drawn to someone else. One day, she confronted him.

"Do you even know who Lily really is?" Mia demanded. "She’s not someone you can trust."

Cross frowned. "Mia, what are you saying? Are you jealous?"

"This isn't about jealousy!" she snapped. "I just don’t want you to destroy yourself over someone like her. You need to wake up."

The conversation ended in tension, and Cross realized their relationship was no longer the same. Yet, he couldn’t ignore the guilt that surfaced when he saw Mia in pain.

The Shocking Betrayal

One night, as Cross was resting in his private apartment, Hai burst in, his face filled with worry.

"I just got some bad news," Hai said in a hushed tone. "Lily is working for a rival gang. They’re planning to take you down."

Cross felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice low and tense.

Before Hai could respond, Cross received a call from Marcus.

"Kid, you’ve been played. Lily and her crew know all about your operations. They're targeting your main warehouse."

Without hesitation, Cross gathered his men, but when they arrived, the warehouse had already been emptied. One of his trusted allies, Rico, had been shot and was in critical condition. Cross clenched his fists, fury boiling inside him.

Confronting Lily

After the attack, Cross tracked Lily down at an upscale restaurant she frequented. When he entered, she barely showed surprise before regaining her composure.

"Cross," she greeted with a smile, but the warmth he once saw in her was gone.

"Drop the act," Cross said coldly. "You betrayed me. Why?"

Lily looked at him, a flicker of emotion crossing her eyes.

"You think I had a choice?" she whispered. "They have my family. If I didn’t comply, they would have killed them all."

Cross remained silent, his mind in turmoil. Despite her betrayal, he couldn't ignore the desperation in her eyes. But he also knew that in this world, mercy was not an option.

Chapter 6: The Secret of Origins

After Lily’s betrayal and the devastating losses that followed, Cross took time to reflect on himself and his life. Deep inside, he had always longed to uncover the truth about his origins. Who had abandoned him? Why? Was there still someone out there waiting for him? These questions had haunted him for years, but he had never had the time to search for answers—until now.

An Unexpected Clue

One day, Marcus came to Cross, holding something unusual in his hand—a worn silver necklace with an engraved symbol.

"I found this among the old belongings of someone who once knew your family," Marcus said, placing the necklace on the table. "They didn’t say much, but I figured you should know."

Cross picked up the necklace, examining it closely. "Who was this person?" he asked.

Marcus shook his head. "They’ve been gone for a long time. But I know someone who might be able to help you—a woman named Evelyn. She used to work with a major syndicate in New York and knows a lot about powerful families. If anyone knows something about you, it’s her."

The Journey to Find Evelyn

Determined to seek answers, Cross set out to find Evelyn, despite the risks of leaving his territory. Mia accompanied him, as their relationship had started to mend after the recent turmoil. They arrived at an old apartment complex on the outskirts of the city, where Evelyn lived in seclusion.

Evelyn was an older woman with sharp eyes and a cold voice. When Cross showed her the necklace, a flicker of recognition flashed across her face, but she quickly masked it.

"This necklace," Evelyn murmured, her voice thoughtful. "It belongs to the Crosswell family—one of the wealthiest, yet most ruthless families in New York. They control an entire business empire and have ties to countless illicit dealings. You’re right—this necklace is special. But I’m not sure you truly want to know the truth."

Cross clenched his fists. "I have to know. Were they the ones who abandoned me?"

Evelyn gave him a cryptic smile. "The answer lies in the documents I kept. But be careful—the more you know, the greater the danger."

Facing the Truth

Evelyn handed Cross a folder containing records of the Crosswell family's dark dealings, along with several names. As he scanned the documents, he discovered a shocking revelation—he might be the son of Alexander Crosswell, a key figure known for his ruthless power and influence.

But the most painful truth was the reason behind his abandonment. The Crosswell family had been entangled in a major scandal, and to protect their reputation, they had chosen to erase their "stain"—Cross, the unwanted result of an illicit affair. He hadn’t been left behind because they couldn’t care for him, but because of their selfish ambition and thirst for power.

A New Threat from the Shadows

As Cross struggled to process the information, an old enemy—Max—had tracked him down. Now working for a rival gang, Max launched a surprise attack on Evelyn’s apartment.

Gunfire erupted down the hallway as Max and his men stormed in. Cross quickly pushed Evelyn and Mia to safety before standing his ground alongside Hai. A fierce battle ensued, with Cross using every skill and tactic Marcus had ever taught him to fight back.

When Cross finally faced Max head-on, he glared at him and growled, "You still think I’m just some worthless street kid?" And with a decisive, brutal strike, he forced Max to retreat, ending the battle—for now.