Bennet, Elena, Margaret, Jennet and Brown left the restaurant as soon as the meeting had concluded, feeling giddy.“Things are looking good for us”. Brown said excitedly.“For once, I agree with you”. Bennet said with a nod. “At least we have a direction, and we don't feel so exposed anymore”.“Hold on”. Bennet said, stopping them. “How about I take you all clubbing”? He asked.“Where”? Margaret asked. “Hope you won't take us to some low-class clubhouse”. She responded.In response, Bennet chuckled dryly. “All of you seem to forget that I'm actually not a random person and I have access to some places you'll primarily not get into”.“What are you driving at”? Elena asked.“I have a place that we can get into on short notice”. Bennet replied.“And where is that”? Elena asked.“Have you guys heard of the sleeping jewel”? He asked with a smirk.“I've always dreamed of going clubbing there”! Brown said excitedly. “But despite trying several times, they never let me in”. He added dejectedl

The rhythmic thumping of the club's music resonated through Mark's chest, with a stark contrast to the anger that filled him a short while ago. He had expected the feeling of revenge to be more satisfying, but instead it felt hollow and empty.The air pulsed and crackled with whispers and nervous glances, accompanied by the occasional stare and pointed finger. Mark's eyes darted from side to side as he took in the atmosphere, gently sipping his cocktail from the wineglass he twirled carelessly in one hand. A satisfied smirk played across his lips. However, the arrogant swagger and air of finesse that he was expressing were long gone, replaced by a sense of unease and sheepish avoidance.Elena, her face was filled with rage, as she clutched her small purse with a white-knuckled grip, silently fuming. Unable to contain her rage any longer, she turned to face Bennet, who stood next to her."This is all your fault, Bennet". She spat. "All this wouldn't have happened if we had listened to

The ride home flew by so fast that Mark had to be wakened up by the time his limo arrived at the Darius estate. "Mr. Darius, we have arrived at the estate sir," Johnson, the driver, announced as he switched off the engine of the automobile."Oh, okay. Thank you, Johnson," he responded, wiping the remainder of whatever sleep still lingered in his eyes, then he came out of the car and began walking towards the entrance of his mansion.Walking back, the events of the evening's meeting kept pouring back into his mind. Initially overcome with anxiety and tension, Mark's eyes darted from side to side, taking in the room around him as the first round of questions started rolling in."Relax, son, you got this," Gabriel, his father, said reassuringly, placing a gentle arm on his shoulder. And as if he cast a magic spell, all the anxiety and tension he felt was gone in an instant."Now, young Mr. Darius, can you please give your account of what allegedly transpired between you and the group of

Mark adjusted his tuxedo, the fine fabric shone in the thousands of lights that glittered from every corner of the room. The weight of the stress of weeks of tireless work was heavy on his shoulders. The barrage of press conferences which he had tackled with all the calmness and resolve that he could muster, and the countless employee meetings he had to attend to. Despite all the preparations though, via the late-night strategizing sessions with David, he still felt a sense of unease. Unbeknownst to him, the gala he had spent weeks planning and organizing held a cheeky surprise ahead for him.Smiling and exchanging pleasantries with the countless dignitaries and proposing toasts, Mark navigated his way through the sea of people with an air of confidence that he never knew he possessed and was determined to use the socialization as a means of escape from the apparent trouble he had been dealing with for the past few weeks.Across town, however, in the home of his adversaries, there rad

The air in the room shifted noticeably as Mark’s attention stood piqued by David’s latest revelation.“What do you mean ‘She's vanished’?” He asked again for good measure.“Mark, my friend, you know something about accusations, especially when they’re false, they happen to disappear into thin air once there’s a counteracting measure of good. People are easily moved by what they hear". David launched into a round of explanation as he settled comfortably into the seat across from Mark’s.“But that still doesn't shed any light on Toni’s disappearance". Mark maintained, his eyes still crinkled at the corners with confusion.“Well, clearly, she wasn’t working on her own, as I’m pretty sure you’re well aware of that, already. You see this game you’ve begun playing with your adversaries, it’ll be naive of you to think that they’re willing to play nice and fair.There’s only one thing to do: to be five steps ahead.” David took a pause and looked into Mark’s eyes, giving him time to process th