“That little girl tried to sell me her bicycle so she could buy food for her mother.”
Adrian swallowed.
“Kids recover,” he muttered weakly.
“Even worse answer.”
The Consequence
By sunrise Viktor had uncovered the full truth.
Adrian had been running a secret extortion operation for months.
Seven families.
Forged documents.
Stolen belongings stored in a rented warehouse.
Adrian sat tied to a chair inside that warehouse while Viktor walked through the piles of stolen items.
Baby cribs.
Family photographs.
Children’s toys.
Wedding rings.
Everything stolen from families who had nothing left.
“You’re going to return every single item,” Viktor said quietly.
Adrian looked up.
“And after that?”
Viktor picked up a small pink stuffed bear.
It reminded him of Lily clutching her bicycle in the rain.
“You crossed a line,” Viktor said.
“In my world there are rules.”
He set the toy back down.
“And the most important one is simple.”
His eyes turned cold.
“You never steal from children.”
The Ending
By afternoon, trucks filled with stolen belongings rolled through the neighborhood.
Families watched in shock as their furniture, appliances, and personal belongings were returned.