Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted

The voice on the other end of the line wasn't Blake's; it belonged to a stranger.

Dahlia furrowed her brow.

"Who are you? Why do you have my brother's phone? Where is he?" "Him?" the stranger chuckled.

"He's currently here learning how to swim." With that, the phone was passed to someone nearby, who called out, 'Hey Crosby! Your sister wants to talk to you!" Sounds of splashing water filled the receiver, followed by Blake's panicked voice, Dahlia! Please, you have to save me, they're going to kill me, Dahlia—uh—" Before he could finish his sentence, there was a sound of something being pushed into the water, accompanied by gurgling noises.

Dahlia's face turned pale.

"What are you doing? Are you trying to kill him?" The man took the phone back, smiling.

"Kill him? Mam, we are law -abiding citizens, not involved in any illegal activities.

But your brother owes our boss over ten million.

If the boss doesn't get his money back, he won't pay us our wages.

We're all waiting on this bit of money to make ends meet.

Since he refuses to pay, we're just making things happen." After explaining, he grabbed Blake's head and pulled him out of the water with a splash.

to your sister." Blake was terrified, unable

down his face as he cried, "Dahlia! Please, you have to hurry and give them the money, they're going to kill me..." Dahlia’s face grew

there still an outstanding debt of over ten million? In

the money gone?" Blake

Dahlia's heart sank further.

few seconds,

sobbed, "I thought I could double it at the

good luck those

happened, I just kept losing..." His voice trailed off as he continued,

just wanted to win some money to

cursed, her

have the nerve to go gambling! Have you forgotten how Dad died? It's because of you gambling he

strict about my spending, and

since you kept giving me money..." Dahlia's face turned red with

giving you money?!" With his life currently in the hands of debt collectors, Blake dared not anger Dahlia, fearing she

"Dahlia, I'm sorry, please save

are

them if something happens to

you were gambling, why didn't you think about your children?" Before Blake could respond, the debt collector took the phone