Chapter 87- Operation To Rescue Faith

Chapter 87- Operation To Rescue Faith
Austin POV

The easy trip I had anticipated did not happen. Traffic was heavy due to the string of checkpoints, seemingly placed deliberately, despite our urgency. We passed several more checkpoints before finally making progress. By the time we reached Zambales, it was already dawn, and exhaustion had made me fall asleep during the drive.

I woke up to the slight jolt of the vehicle. We had stopped on the side, and Jake was not in the driver’s seat. Noticing the light outside, I rolled down the window and saw him changing the car’s tire. Truly an all-around guy—choosing him had been the right decision.

“Jake, why didn’t you wake me?” I called out.

“You looked exhausted, sir. I’m almost done here anyway,” he replied, fatigue and sleepiness evident on his face.

“All done, sir!” he added cheerfully, brushing off his hands and clothes.

I got out and took the driver’s seat. It was my turn to drive; Jake needed rest.

“Sir? You’re driving?” he asked, surprised.

“Yes. So get in. Quickly,” I ordered.

He opened the door hastily but got into the backseat.

“Am I your driver?” I asked sarcastically as he realized what he had done.

“Just trying, sir…” he mumbled, embarrassed, before moving to the passenger seat.

The ride became quiet. I let Jake sleep.

But my heart sank when we arrived in Zambales. Faith and Jairee were nowhere to be found.

A woman approached, wailing, her eyes red and swollen from crying, barely able to breathe. It was Ate Elvie, who had been with Faith and Jairee, accompanied by her husband, Kuya Jojo, and some barangay officials. Confusion and fear were written all over their faces.

“What happened here? Where’s Faith and Jairee?” I asked, my voice heavy with worry.

Ate Elvie raised her eyes, lips trembling. “You’re Austin… right?”

“Yes, I am,” I replied firmly. “Now tell me—what happened? Where are my family?”

She sobbed before speaking, recounting everything as she had learned from witnesses. Faith and the children had been taken by armed men, moving swiftly and with precision. No one could stop them.

I was shocked. My own mother had acted quietly, ahead of me.

“Jake!” I called, but there was no response. I looked around and saw him approaching with some of our men, looking half-awake and unsure of what was happening.

“Sir,” Jake said, catching his breath, “I checked where they were staying… everyone was asleep.”

“B-boss…” one of the men interjected, shy and scared. “We don’t know what happened. Kalvin gave us juice last night, then we were knocked out.”

I quickly signaled Jake to smell the men to confirm. He shook his head. “Negative, sir. No alcohol scent.”

I exhaled. I had forbidden them from drinking, to ensure they were alert and ready. All of them were from AESS’s Black Unit.

The Black Unit was the strongest and most secretive team in Argus Elite Security Services, composed of select former operatives from the Scout Rangers, Marines, and ISAFP, trained in executive protection, covert surveillance, and hostage recovery.

Only high-risk, high-value clients were allowed to assign the Black Unit. They had special clearance to carry high-capacity firearms and execute emergency tactical operations when threats arose.

The Black Unit was precise, decisive, and strict. They never left a client behind, and no mission ever failed—so I trusted them. Yet somehow, I had been outmaneuvered. There was a traitor.

“Kalvin… he’s a traitor, boss,” one whispered.

I couldn’t contain my anger. “Not just a traitor,” I said firmly. “An accomplice. And I know this didn’t come from your agency. You know the rules,” I added.

I took a deep breath to control my rage. “Prepare yourselves. We move now.” I looked at Jake. “Report this to the police. I want an official report. Our men aren’t enough, and this is the right way. My mother goes straight to jail.”

I grabbed my phone and called Axel.

The moment he answered, I didn’t waste time. “Axel, I need the men you have with you, and I need you too. We have to end this now. It’s time to show yourself.”

For the first time since arriving, I felt not just anger but fear—a fear that it might already be too late for Faith and the children in her womb. I knew Jairee would not be harmed.

While waiting, we entered Faith’s house. I spoke to Ate Elvie and Kuya Jojo to calm them.

“I promise, your daughter and grandson will return safely,” I began. “I apologize they were caught up in our family’s chaos.”

“We trust you, sir. The safety of our daughter and grandchild… and Faith… depends on you,” Kuya Jojo replied.

“My God… Faith and the babies in her womb. I’m scared for them,” Ate Elvie said, voice trembling.

“Thank you for taking care of them,” I said sincerely.

“It’s nothing. Faith has always been kind. I wonder why she was deceived,” she said, giving me a faint smile.

“I would never do that to my wife, Ate,” I said firmly but respectfully.

“She already was!” she said immediately, making me chuckle softly.

“You’ll see the truth soon,” I said, just as cars stopped in front of the house.

Jake arrived with police, and Axel with the men I assigned to him.

“Two Austins?” Ate Elvie exclaimed.

Axel and I looked at each other, both frowning. How was this possible? We were both wearing black fitted shirts, dark jeans, identical sneakers, even our watches looked alike.

It was uncanny—like a photocopy.

We quickly gathered in the living room to finalize the plan. They wanted us to wait outside, but we refused. I had training, and so did Axel, especially in handling firearms and survival skills.

Jake laid out the map from our spy inside the enemy group, along with all intel on Faith and Jairee’s location. The intel team, led by Rylan, would ensure no traps or ambushes before we moved. Two perimeter teams would secure the area: Team A at the rear, Team B at the highway exit, preventing any of my mother’s men from escaping. Axel and I would lead the primary entry—he would silently provide initial clearance and guide us to a safe entry point. Special gear for the children was prepared to ensure their quick and safe extraction. If armed threats appeared, they would be restrained, not killed, unless I gave explicit orders. Police would immediately take control, and my mother, the mastermind, would be arrested. The signal “Eclipse” would mark the start of the operation. At that moment, we would move together. Time to end this and save my family.

After finalizing the plan, we moved quickly. During the ride, Axel and I were outfitted with bulletproof vests and armed.

“Sir, this is really not allowed, but since you two are stubborn, just be careful,” a policeman said. I merely patted his shoulder in thanks. I wouldn’t stand idle.

Upon arrival, the plan was executed. The primary entry team approached the side of the rest house where Faith and Jairee were held. Axel went ahead to the back entrance when three gunshots rang out from inside, hitting the walls directly, as if the enemy knew we were coming.

“Contact!” shouted one of the perimeter team.

We immediately dropped for cover as Team A returned fire. The intel team couldn’t clear in time, forcing us into emergency assault. We heard the rapid movements of my mother’s armed men downstairs, clearly trained killers.

“Axel, go!” I commanded.

Like a shadow, he vanished into the darkness, taking out two enemies silently before we entered. The perimeter teams neutralized armed guards outside. Some resisted, and unfortunately, casualties were unavoidable.

Upstairs, Faith was not on the ground floor. According to intel, she was on the second floor, away from direct line of fire. Even with the chaos below, I knew they were safe.

The firefight continued. Some of my men were hit, but not severely. Others surrendered. Yet, my mother was still unseen.

Once the gunfire ceased, I quickly ascended to the second floor, checking every room. There was no one—only an unconscious man.

I hurried down and headed to the back door. There, I found them—Faith and the children—standing in front of my twin, Axel. Relief flooded me. They were safe.

“Faith! Jairee!” I shouted.

“Daddy!” Jairee cried, and I saw Faith turn.

“Austin?” she whispered, almost voiceless. I rushed forward and hugged her tightly, with Jairee doing the same. I checked on the babies in her womb, revealing the truth about the twins inside.

I introduced my twin, Axel. Shock registered on everyone’s faces, especially Daphnie’s, when I revealed that Axel was Alexander’s biological father, not me. Confusion and anger were evident, but it was clear she had been completely unaware—a victim of her own mother’s manipulation.