You Can't Escape Little Fool
EPISODE 1
The Reed Estate was hidden far away from the city, surrounded by endless snow-covered mountains and thick pine forests. It was the kind of place people only heard about but rarely ever saw with their own eyes.
The private road leading to the estate stretched for miles, winding through the mountains until it finally reached a pair of enormous black iron gates with the Reed family crest engraved in the center.
Two armed guards standing outside immediately straightened when a convoy of black SUVs approached.One of them glanced at the security monitor before speaking into his radio.
Anybody
"The boss's convoy is back."
Within seconds, the heavy gates slowly began to open.
The vehicles drove inside one after another, their tires leaving fresh tracks across the snow-covered road.
Even after entering the estate, the mansion was nowhere in sight.
The driveway continued for several more minutes, passing frozen gardens, neatly trimmed pine trees, a private lake covered in a thin layer of ice, and several smaller buildings used by the estate staff.
Finally, the mansion appeared.
It stood proudly in the middle of the estate, large enough to make anyone stop and stare. Warm lights shone through the tall windows, giving the place a welcoming feeling despite the freezing weather outside.
Inside, the mansion was just as lively.
Housekeepers carried fresh towels upstairs while a few maids arranged flowers in the entrance hall.
Somewhere in the kitchen, the chefs were arguing over tonight's dinner menu, and the smell of freshly baked bread filled the air.
Staff members greeted each other as they passed through the hallways, everyone busy with their own work.
The mansion never felt empty.
Hundreds of people worked here every day, and over the years, many of them had started treating it as their second home.
On the third floor, behind a pair of large wooden doors, the atmosphere was completely different.
The Reed family's private meeting room was quiet.
A long table filled most of the room, covered with maps, files, laptops, and several photographs.
Vince Reed sat at the head of the table, reading through a thick file without saying a word.
To his right sat Ethan Reed, carefully studying a map spread across the table.
Ryan Reed, the youngest, leaned back comfortably in his chair while absentmindedly spinning a pen between his fingers.
After nearly a minute of silence, Ryan finally looked at his brothers and let out a quiet sigh.
Ryan Reed
"So... are we going to spend the whole evening staring at papers, or is someone finally going to tell me why we cancelled dinner for this meeting?"
Ethan didn't even look up.
Ethan Reed
"You complained about dinner before you even walked into the room."
Ryan Reed
"Because I knew this meeting was going to be long."
Ethan Reed
"It'll only be long if you keep talking."
Ryan Reed
Ryan smiled.
"There he is. I was wondering how long it'd take before you started complaining."
Ethan ignored the joke and slid a photograph across the table.
Ethan Reed
"Our shipment leaves in three hours."
Ryan picked up the picture and looked at it.
Ethan Reed
"The northern route has gone quiet."
Ryan Reed
"What do you mean 'quiet'?"
Ethan Reed
"We've only received two reports since this morning."
Ryan placed the photograph back on the table.
Ryan Reed
"Maybe the weather knocked out communication."
EPISODE 2
Ryan Reed
"Maybe the weather knocked out communication."
Ryan Reed
"Or maybe our men are busy driving instead of chatting over the radio."
Ethan Reed
"Our men never miss scheduled reports."
Ryan Reed
"So you think someone's waiting for us?"
Ethan Reed
"I think someone wants us to believe the road is safe."
Ryan rubbed his chin thoughtfully before looking toward Vince.
Ryan Reed
"You've been quiet."
Vince calmly turned another page before closing the file in front of him.
Vince Reed
"Cancel the shipment."
Ryan Reed
Ryan blinked.
"...Seriously?"
Ryan looked at Ethan as if hoping he'd disagree. Instead, Ethan simply folded his arms.
Ethan Reed
"I was going to suggest the same thing."
Ryan couldn't help laughing.
Ryan Reed
"Do both of you wake up every morning and decide to make my life difficult?"
Ethan Reed
"No," Ethan replied calmly.
Ethan Reed
"We only do that when necessary."
Ryan rolled his eyes before turning back to Vince.
Ryan Reed
"That's nearly fifty million we're talking about."
Ryan Reed
"The buyers won't be happy."
Ryan Reed
"We'll lose money."
Ryan let out an exaggerated sigh.
Ryan Reed
"Can you at least pretend this decision hurts?"
Vince rested his hands on the table.
Vince Reed
"Money can be earned again."
Vince Reed
"But if I ignore my instincts and send loyal men into an ambush they don't come back."
Ryan's smile slowly disappeared. For a few seconds, nobody spoke. He had worked beside Vince long enough to know one thing.
Whenever Vince made a decision that quickly, there was always a reason behind it.
Before anyone could continue the discussion, a knock echoed through the room.
A senior staff member stepped inside.
Anybody
"Mr. William Carter has just arrived."
Ryan Reed
"William Carter?"
Ethan Reed
Ethan looked surprised.
"I thought he wasn't coming until tomorrow.
Ryan Reed
"So did I," Ryan muttered.
Anybody
"He says he needs to speak with you immediately."
Vince stood, buttoning his suit jacket.
Vince Reed
"Take him to my father's study."
Anybody
"Would you like me to prepare anything?"
As the staff member left, Ryan looked at Vince with obvious curiosity.
Ryan Reed
"What do you think this is about?"
Vince picked up his coat.
Vince Reed
"If William Carter changed his plans and drove all the way here without notice..."
He paused for a moment before opening the door.
Vince Reed
"...then whatever brought him here is important."
Without another word, he walked out of the meeting room.
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EPISODE 3
Vince walked through the quiet hallway at an unhurried pace, his polished shoes making soft sounds against the marble floor. Behind him, Ethan and Ryan followed without saying a word.
Unlike a few moments ago, none of them looked relaxed anymore.
The playful conversation from the meeting room had disappeared the moment business returned.
William Carter wasn't just another guest. He was one of the few people their late father had trusted.
As they reached the end of the hallway, Vince stopped outside a pair of dark wooden doors.
Vince finally reached for the brass handle and slowly pushed the doors open.
Richard Reed's study remained exactly as it had been years ago.
Tall bookshelves covered the walls from floor to ceiling. A large fireplace burned quietly in the corner, filling the room with comforting warmth. Their father's desk still stood in front of the wide window overlooking the snowy mountains, every pen, every book, and every photograph resting exactly where he had left them.
It almost felt as though Richard Reed had simply stepped out and would return at any moment.
William Carter stood near the fireplace with a cup of untouched coffee in his hands.
The moment he saw the three brothers enter, a faint smile appeared on his face.
William Carter
"You've all grown into fine men."
Ryan was the first to speak.
Ryan Reed
"It's been a long time, Uncle William."
Ethan stepped forward and offered his hand.
Ethan Reed
"It's good to see you again."
Finally, his eyes settled on Vince.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
William couldn't help but notice how much Vince resembled Richard.
Not in appearance alone. It was the way he stood. The way he observed before speaking. The quiet confidence. Richard used to carry himself exactly the same way.
William Carter
"You've become your father," William said with a small smile.
Vince Reed
"I've heard that more than once."
William Carter
"I'm sure you have."
Vince gestured toward the seating area near the fireplace.
The four men took their seats.
A maid quietly entered the room, placed fresh coffee on the table, and left without interrupting the conversation.
For several moments, nobody touched their cups. William looked at each of the brothers before letting out a slow breath.
William Carter
"I wasn't planning to visit until tomorrow."
Ethan Reed
"So what changed?" Ethan asked.
William rested both hands on his walking cane.
William Carter
"I need a favor."
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