The next day, Charles was having breakfast when the doorbell rang, and Martha went to answer it. Vera came in looking worried and shocked. “Good morning…” she said hastily, before jumping to the main reason she had come as early as that. “Why didn't you pick your calls? I've been so worried. How did it go? Is James fine?” She asked, rapidly, and Charles sighed. “Well…” “Also, the date for the competition is out. It's in a week's time.” She informed him, before she forgot about it. “In a week's time?” Charles asked, and she nodded. “What about James? Is he here? Is he fine?” She asked, looking towards the stairs. “Actually. He's fine, but at the same time, he's not.” Charles replied, getting to his feet. “Okay, that sounds scary. What do you mean by that?” She asked, looking at him warily. “He's fine, meaning he's alive, but he's not fine because he's injured badly, and there's a big issue we have at hand.” Charles explained, and she inhaled deeply. “Where's he?” She asked, and Charles walked towards the stairs. Vera followed, with her heart beating in fear, as Charles led her up the stairs, and to the room James was in. Charles opened the door, and they met Amelia sitting by his side, looking like she had shed a million tears overnight. She greeted them, and Vera replied, but was cut short when she noticed James' bandaged arm. “What's wrong with him?” She asked, looking at them, then turning back to James, who was lost in dreams. “Longman abducted the both of them…” Charles was explaining. “Mr. Longman?” Vera asked, with her wide eyes full of shock, and disbelief. “Turns out he's some kind of psycho maniac, who has to get what he wants. He wants to partner with the company by all means. He went as far as implanting a bomb into James' arm.” “Wh…what?” Vera asked, in a low tone. “A what? A bomb? Bomb?? Wait, wait, wait… there's something I'm not getting here.” Her voice suddenly rose, “Why would Longman put a bomb in his arm just to partner with you!” She asked, unbelievably, and Charles sighed. James stirred in his sleep, and Vera le5 out a little whimper. “How could they do this to someone? What kind of psycho is he?” She said, in a whisper, as she looked at James, who stirred again. “The doctor said he needs his rest, so let's do our talking outside. We shouldn't wake him accidentally.” Charles said, making for the door. Vera continued to look at James, even as she followed Charles. She was still shocked. How and why would Longman go to that extent? Vera and Charles went back to the breakfast table. "That's despicable. It's horrible!” Vera said, and continued to call Mr. Longman all manner of names. “He wants us to partner for the competition.” Charles said, and Vera hit her hand on the table, unable to control her rage. “So what are you planning on doing?” She asked, hoping Charles had something in mind, as a counteraction. “For now, I'd need you to fill in for me for some important appointments that I have scheduled for today…” He said, and Vera dipped her hand into her bag, bringing out Charles' schedule book. “Okay. I'll do that. They're really important.” She said, getting to her feet. “There's little time left for the first one. Update me on everything that happens with James, will you? It's going to be hard concentrating when I know there's something capable of blowing him up.” She said, and Charles nodded. “Sure, I'll update you on everything that happens.” Charles replied, and she left for the first meeting. Charles tidied his room just to get his mind off the heavy things weighing it down, and after a while, he decided to check on James once more. He pushed open the door, and was shocked at the sight in front of him. There was Amelia, with a dagger raised, pointing it directly at James' sewn up arm. What was she doing?? Charles immediately ran to her, and knocked the blade from her hands. She looked at him with something looking fear and relief at the same time, and James turned to them. “Why would you do that! Are you crazy? Do you know what happens the minute you do that? Do you want to kill him? Why would you try to hurt him? What's a knife going in your hands in the first place?” he asked, breathing hard, and didn't stop, until James held his hand. “I asked her to.” He said. “What?” Charles asked, stunned. “Why would you ask her to do such a thing? That's crazy.” He said, and James exhaled slowly. “It's crazy, but Longman is crazier. This is… is a huge… I don't know. I don't want you doing what you do not wish to do because of me.” He said, and Charles couldn't believe him. “It's just a partnership, and I told you I have a plan, so why would throw away your life because of something as trivial as that? I do not understand you? Does your life have no meaning to you? “This is my business, I'll take care of it. I don't need you trying to figure things out for me, so you should get rid of insane, negative thoughts.” Charles snapped, feeling annoyed that James would think like that. Then his expression softened. “Ill take care of it, okay? You don't have to bother about me. I have a plan.” He added, and James managed a guilty smile. Charles watched James for a while, as his eyes closed once more, ready to drift back to sleep. He looked at his arm once more, and wondered when he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Just then, the system whirred, and a notification came up in bold letters in front of him. It read: YOU CAN WIGGLE YOUR WAY OUT OF THIS.