An international flight touched down smoothly. Blending into the stream of passengers, Jay stepped off the plane, his emotions tangled between anxiety and excitement. He was finally back in his homeland.
His escape to Cambodia had been a last-ditch decision. Facing simultaneous exposure for tax evasion and a sex scandal, he had known exactly what awaited him if he stayed—astronomical fines, lawsuits, and a very real prison sentence.
Life as a fugitive overseas had been miserable. The applause of fans, the flood of endorsements, the intoxicating sense of being adored—gone overnight. What remained was a gray, suffocating existence filled with fear and isolation. He had mentally prepared himself to never return.
And yet, Infinity Media had appeared like a lifeline. They contacted him. They reassured him. They laid out a flawless plan. They arranged overseas legal entities, hired elite lawyers, coordinated statements, and even explained how the US legal system could be navigated if the narrative was flipped.
He was told that once he returned, he would be released on bail within 48 hours. All he needed to do was testify that New Vision Media had pressured him into tax irregularities. With that, the responsibility would shift. The sentence would be light—possibly even dismissed.
As for the sex scandal? They claimed it had already been "handled." Settlements paid. Media silenced. The woman compensated. Once the "truth" emerged, public opinion would reverse. Netizens would feel guilty. And his popularity would explode even higher than before.
Jay had hesitated. He knew powerful people could bend rules—but this felt too smooth. Still, just days earlier, alarming news reached him: underground financial groups in Cambodia had taken notice of him. He was suddenly no longer invisible. Staying there could cost him his life.
Faced with danger on one side and "salvation" on the other, Jay made his choice. Under Infinity Media's arrangements, he boarded the flight home.
Stepping out of the airport, breathing in the familiar air, he felt tears well up. "I'm back…" he whispered.
But before relief could settle, he noticed someone moving quickly toward him. His heart skipped. Probably nothing, he told himself. This was the US. This was safe.
Then he saw another figure approaching from the side. Then another. Then another. People were converging from every direction. Panic exploded in his chest.
Jay turned and ran. He was fast—but they were faster. Before he could make it ten steps, he was tackled to the ground, arms pinned, wrists locked.
A calm, authoritative voice spoke above him. "Jay, you are suspected of federal tax evasion, illegal financial transfers, and flight from justice. You are under arrest."
His face drained of all color. His mind went blank. How… how is this possible? Hadn't Infinity Media handled everything? Hadn't they secured approvals? Hadn't they promised bail?
This looked like a pre-planned arrest—as if law enforcement had been waiting for him. But that made no sense. Infinity Media was supposed to be on his side. They were allies. They were powerful.
He didn't know that Infinity Media already belonged to Jason Carter. That every so-called approval, every reassurance, every warning about underground banks—was fabricated. A perfectly designed illusion.
Jay hadn't even begun to understand the situation when he was escorted into a vehicle and driven away. What happened next was simple and merciless.
Jay's tax evasion, flight, and collusion with Daniel in money laundering were never speculation. They were facts. And the evidence had already been sealed airtight.
First, Jay's financial transfers through Cambodian casino accounts clearly demonstrated large-scale movement of illicit funds. Originally, Daniel had deliberately orchestrated those transactions, then anonymously tipped off Cambodian authorities, triggering the freezing of Jay's overseas accounts. At the time, Daniel had relied on a legal technicality—criminal proceeds take priority over civil compensation—to apply as a "victim" in the tax case, successfully intercepting Jay's domestic assets.
Even if New Vision Media had later won its civil lawsuit, there would have been nothing left to enforce. Now, Jason Carter simply turned that blade around. Those same transactions became ironclad evidence of money laundering.
Second, the so-called "overseas signing bonus" Daniel paid Jay through shell companies was no longer a gray area. Under US federal law, cross-border payments designed to disguise the origin of funds constituted textbook money laundering.
As for tax evasion, the evidence was already conclusive. Once it was proven that the "forced tax evasion" narrative was fabricated, the case collapsed instantly. Multiple felonies. Overlapping evidence. Zero room to maneuver. Jay was finished.
During interrogation, Jay cracked within hours. Daniel was implicated immediately. So were Ethan and Edward, both of whom had participated in coordination and financial routing. The dominoes fell fast.
That evening, Daniel was at a luxury foot-massage club, finally venting the frustration that had built up over the past week. Just as he relaxed, the door was kicked open.
Daniel and the masseuse both screamed. He went limp on the spot. For a split second, Daniel thought it was just a morality raid—a fine, some embarrassment. Then the officer spoke coldly: "Daniel, you are suspected of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and instigation of financial crimes. You are under arrest."
Daniel froze. That was far worse than solicitation. A hundred times worse. His face drained of blood.
Then the officer glanced downward and added calmly, "Additionally, you are suspected of soliciting prostitution."
Daniel exhaled. Well… at least that part is accurate.
At the same time, in a private karaoke lounge, Ethan and Edward were drinking themselves numb. Once, they had controlled CloudMode International, destined for lifelong wealth. Now, everything was gone. They had clung to Daniel and Infinity Media for revenge—not just to destroy New Vision Media, but to carve out executive positions for themselves afterward.
Then Jason Carter had acquired Infinity outright. No warning. No mercy. Just overwhelming capital. Their fighting spirit had been crushed. But accepting a quiet, frugal life? They couldn't swallow it.
Then the door opened. Police entered. The room fell silent. "Ethan. Edward. You are suspected of money laundering and criminal conspiracy. You are under arrest."
The drinks slipped from their hands.
The judicial outcomes came swiftly. Jay faced the harshest consequences: federal tax evasion, three to seven years imprisonment; money laundering through international channels, five to ten years imprisonment; obstruction of civil judgments, additional three years. Financial penalties included IRS fines four to five times the evaded tax amount. All domestic and overseas assets were frozen, with hundreds of millions claimed by New Vision Media and brand partners for contract fraud and reputational damage.
Daniel was charged with money laundering and criminal instigation, facing five to ten years. Ethan and Edward, as accessories, faced lighter sentences—but still up to five years.
At that moment, a bitter realization struck them: even if they were no longer wealthy, at least they would still have food and shelter. Which, compared to total ruin, wasn't the worst ending.
The news detonated across the industry. New Vision Media's management. Infinity Media's streamers. Competing capital groups. Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.
Many had previously believed Jason Carter was soft. Kind. Easy to take advantage of. Some had even secretly plotted how to exploit his "benevolence."
There are 200 chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
patreon.com/B_A_3439