Oliver stirred from a deep slumber as his peaceful morning was interrupted by his ringing phone, cutting through the silence of his bedroom. He reached for the device on the nightstand, picking it up groggily with his eyes still heavy with the remnants of sleep. Reluctantly, he answered, a sense of tiredness settling over him.It was barely five am in the morning. What could be the problem? Oliver had slept late as usual. He spent half the night trying to sort some files."Yes?" Oliver answered grumpily as he placed his phone against his ear. His worker's voice crackled through the phone, delivering news that turned Oliver's sleepiness into disbelief and profound shock."The company, sir, it's on fire."The words hung in the air, heavy with urgency, and for seconds, Oliver couldn't bear to believe it. "What are you talking about?" He sat up. "What are you talking about?"His worker explained they found it ablaze, offering no clarity on the cause. "The security resumed at dusk, sayin

The news of Anson's death had hit town, revealing to Oliver that there was someone else who wanted him dead and was working in the shadows.All in all, Anson was gone now, and Oliver focused his attention on rebuilding his company as soon as possible. Anson's actions had caused him so much loss, and it was only a matter of time before other ugly activities began to rear their heads when they learned that he was in a pickle.After spending the entire day supervising the construction going on, Oliver set out to head home after Mia called. He missed her and would want to spend the rest of the evening in her arms. All the struggles seemed to pull him away from the peace only Mia could offer.Even thinking about her made him want to leave sooner. Oliver arranged his suitcase and headed out of the site . He had the entire evening to feel loved. Finally, a day without interruption.Maybe he spoke too soon. Oliver watched as a vehicle parked before him, right next to his car. It was an expens

Protection that unearthed secrets from the first moment it started to happen. That was the case with Gerald and his mother. He hadn't spoken to her about it since he met Manuel and had been working his way to the top.But tonight. It was going to be different. The engine raged to a halt at the front of the building. It was nighttime— a moonless night that cast darkness through every corner. Gerald sighed, holding a cigarette between his lips as he leaned against the car.He'd come to see his mother, and he knew the discussion would come bursting through his containment. Gerald had been trying to sink into the fact that Manuel was his father, and his mother never mentioned it.Anger would quite describe what he felt. He wasn't mad at her for keeping the truth from him, he was just hurt. A lot of things would have played out differently if he knew the truth. And now he had to face it.That was why his keg seemed to sink into the ground as he walked into the building. Gerald didn't belie

As Manuel walked into his luxurious home, the weight of the day's activities still lingered in his mind. He'd left the office briefly after a meeting with his workers to spend little time at home.Manuel was aware that Oliver was looking for him, which was why he had hidden Gerald's mother in another one of his owned apartments.Just as he settled in, his phone rang, interrupting the silence of his residence. A smirk played on his lips as he answered, expecting another move in the chess game with Oliver. Manuel had been nothing short of entertained ever since the streak of threats he'd been sending began.Oliver would; Manuel Manuel was sure of it. Somehow, he'd make sure that he stood at the top. "Boss, there's a fight at the company," the voice on the other end crackled.This had to be Oliver, Manuel thought. Was this really Oliver's genius plan to draw him out? If it was, then it was going to fail woefully.A hearty laugh escaped Manuel's throat. "Oliver's trying to play me, huh?

It had been four hours, maybe five, since Gerald's conversation with Viktor. He sat at the corner of the room, a place where he could keep an eye on Elina. As feeble as she seemed, she was just as conniving as her father.Elina began to grunt tirelessly, calling on Gerald's attention with her muffled cries. He tried to ignore it, focusing on his next series of plans, but her struggle grew more raggedy— like she was trying to say something.Gerald reluctantly walked up to her, pulling down the towel covering her mouth. A stoic expression on his face as he asked what she wanted. "I wouldn't want to have to knock you out, Elina."She gasped, panting to catch her breath as she glared at him, his imposing figure hovering over her. "What kind of kidnapper doesn't give their victims bathroom breaks?!" She yelled at the top of her lungs.Elina couldn't seem to get scared of Gerald. Her father was the target, not her. Even though a lot about him had changed in such a short period, she still kn