Marcus's penthouse apartment glowed warmly against the darkening city skyline. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the twinkling lights below, so different from the harsh fluorescents of the courthouse and police station where he'd spent most of his days while he was trying to put his enemies behind bars. The dining room table was set with fine china and crystal glasses that caught and scattered the light from the modern chandelier above. Next to him sat his trusted friends and business associates. "To justice," Marcus raised his glass of wine, looking around at the intimate gathering of friends who had become something like family during the long battle against Victoria Wong and her cohorts. Detective Zhang, Sarah Martinez, Derek Zhao, and Lori all lifted their glasses in response, the echo of the glass filling their ears as they clinked them together."I still can't believe it's really over," Lori said, shaking her head with a smile. She'd been Marcus' assis

The restaurant Marcus arrived at was he and Derek’s regular haunt. An exclusive establishment where the waiters knew their preferences and the sommelier had their favorite wines memorized. Derek was already there when Marcus arrived, nursing a glass of bordeaux and reviewing something on his tablet."There he is!" Derek stood to greet him, his enthusiasm infectious as always when he laid eyes on a somewhat sully Marcus. "You're going to flip when you hear what the R&D team came up with."“What’s going on?” Marcus asked, feigning interest as he took his seat from across Derek. A waiter arrived, placing Marcus’ usual in front of him without asking a question more and then disappearing.“So, the team came up with this software that allows us to tag our clients and trace their preferences by their online presence. I mean it sounds like stalking but that’s just the basis of it. The rest of—” Derek droned off while Marcus stayed distracted, his responses delayed as his mind was clearly else

“When you were still a child, almost two years old, you were taken from us. I had just started making good money back then, my company was flourishing and I got arrogant. I was warned by my father, your grandfather, not to take a particular deal that an older rival company was vying for but I didn’t listen. I felt like I could take them on because I had already achieved so much at a young age. After successfully getting the project started, we threw a party to celebrate the success of the project launch. Your mother and I were in attendance while you were home with your nanny. We couldn’t take you that day because you weren’t feeling well. When we came home that day, you were gone. Our home had been invaded by armed men, they killed all the security guards and the house staff. We searched everywhere but couldn’t find you, then I received a call shortly after. The CEO of that rival company called me and told me that he was responsible for your kidnapping. He wanted me to know that he w

News reporters and every form of entertainment press stood outside the Wei Conglomerate building with flashing cameras and mics hoping to get a glimpse or even a notable speech from the men that called them out that day. The crowd stretched far beyond the building's perimeter, their excitement palpable in the morning air.Marcus and his father, Micah stepped out from the building and onto the podium that stood atop the steps of the building and overlooked the crowd that formed on their property. Eric and Marcus' secretary Lori, who he had flown out to meet up with him, stood beside them as Marcus and Micah stood side by side smiling at the crowd. Marcus couldn't help but notice how similar their postures were – both straight-backed and commanding, though his father carried decades more experience in his bearing. Truth be told Marcus knew nothing about why he stood beside his father. He only knew that he was going to be announced as the next heir since the paternity test had been carr

Marcus sat back in his chair after the three board members of one of the subsidiaries of Wei Conglomerate left his office a bit disappointed as Marcus had informed them that they were doing poorly in some areas. He rubbed his chin and sighed. He knew that he was new to the job but he didn’t expect them to be a bit arrogant about it from the start. Regardless, they would have to listen to him. He was their boss after all. Just then there was a knock on his office door, causing Marcus to turn his attention to it.“Come in.” He said out loud.Lori walked in, her hair in a high ponytail and her nose buried in her tablet when she spoke. “How was it?” “As expected. They don’t respect me. Yet.” Marcus answered, putting some file on his desk to the side as Lori walked up and sat across from him. “They’ll come around. They always do. In the meantime, your next appointment is with the potential investors of Burbank. Do you need anything while you wait?” She informed him before asking, her ey