Stephen settled into the car, glancing out the window as the house disappeared from view. He couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him. "I hope the girls are getting along," he said, trying to sound optimistic but failing to mask his concern. Marianne, sitting beside him, sighed softly. "It's all a bit complicated, Stephen. We just have to trust them for a few hours." Stephen nodded, trying to push the worry aside. "It’ll be over when Ariane’s holiday is done. How many days left, by the way?" Marianne hesitated, her eyes flickering with unease. "It's not exactly a holiday. Ariane left her boarding school." Stephen turned to her, surprise etched on his face. "What? Why did she leave?" "It was too far, and there were complaints about bullying," Marianne explained, her voice tinged with guilt. "Complaints about bullying?" Stephen asked, his mind racing. "Was Ariane being bullied, or was she the bully?" Marianne looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "She was bullying other k
Stephen winced at his watch: well after the girls' bedtime. He began to make his responses for goodbyes, pushing his way through the party now heading for the door. Marianne, tapping her foot in the car, stood at the glass doors watching him, a mixture of anxiety and irritation on her face.Inside the hall, Stephen weaved his way through milling guests, sipping wine, and making small talk. On his way to the exit, Charles's voice shattered the murmur."Stephen, wait a minute," Charles called from behind.Stephen turned aroun—his eyebrows shooting up. "Yes, Charles?"He nodded toward Stephen's pocket. "Your phone is flashing."Stephen drew out his phone, hairs rising on the back of his neck at the blinking light that told him he had a message. A feeling of apprehension swamped him as he quickly read the system's message.Charles regarded him with interest plain in his eyes."I hope everything is okay," Charles said indifferently as he sipped from his glass.Stephen forced a tight smile
Stephen arrived at the Empire, the towering glass building that housed his business empire. The sleek facade reflected the morning sun as he got out of his car, greeted by Enoch with a single white lily—an action respected and loyal."Good morning, Mr. Stephen," Enoch welcomed, extending the flower in a warm gesture.He nodded, his lips curling into a fleeting smile. "Good morning, Enoch. Keeping me on my toes as usual, I see."Enoch chuckled very softly. "All part of the job, sir. Matters that require your immediate attention have arisen."Stephen inclined his head, his mind already flipping over the cards in his mental deck concerning the day ahead. "I've been considering that. Enoch, from this moment on, consider yourself my personal assistant."Enoch's eyes widened in surprise and thankfulness. "Thank you, sir. I shall not disappoint you."Stephen was greeted with nods of respect and readiness by his management team as they walked into the office. Facing him were a number of seats
Stephen left the Empire building late that evening; the heft of decisions made throughout the day weighed upon his shoulders. The sky ahead was washed in shades of orange and purple, telling the tale of another day breathed out. Climbing in his car, the lights of the city turned on, one by one, shining bright to remind—this is, after all, the city that never sleeps.The drive back to his penthouse was a silent one, a total contrast to the hectic day he had gone through. His mind replayed the meetings, the conversation with Enoch, and over and over again, he mulled over the troubled call from Marianne. By the time he pulled into the underground garage, he was feeling the weight of the exhaustion deep in his bones.Stephen rode the private elevator up to the top of the hotel and hoped for just a moment of peace. The doors opened, and he walked into the darkened living room, taking in the eerie silence. The spacious room, normally cramped, created a disturbingly empty feeling, void of th
The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a pale light on the entirety of the city. The next morning, Stephen rested his back against the car and looked at his watch. Ariane and Yuna were still getting ready for their first day at the new school, somewhere upstairs. He sighed, minding the events of last night. Who had sprung Victor from prison? And why nuance Ju Won with the poison? He could not rid himself of the feeling of looming danger. He mustn't burden Yuna with knowledge of her father's status; she had enough on her plate already. He turned as the door of the building burst open, and he was confronted by Marianne fawning over Ariane. The girl was impatient, worming away from her mother's kisses. "Mom, I gotta go!" Ariane shouted into the underground garage. Marianne's face twisted with a short shot of anger, mixed in with her concern; it consisted of her tightening her grip on Ariane's shoulder before letting her go.
Stephen drove across the city, his mind racing with questions. Morning traffic was just starting to build up, but he was still on the puzzle of Victor's escape. Entering the towering building of an empire, as he approached, he saw Enoch, waiting at the entrance, leaning against the doorframe. Enoch's expression was as normal—flat—but Stephen knew very well the man had a dislike for him."Morning, Stephen," Enoch said. His tone was invariably courteous but cold."Morning, Enoch," Stephen replied, attempting a smile to force its way onto his face. There was always a tension between them that ratcheted the undercurrent a notch higher, one he couldn't quite stamp out.They walked inside together. The echo of footsteps resounded across the spacious lobby. His mind turned back to the breakout. Could Enoch have been a part of it? He couldn't discount it, not with Enoch's background and ambiguous loyalties.As they entered Stephen's office, Enoch followed closely behind him. The office was la
Yuna's name resounded in Stephen's scream, which was immediately answered by only the sterile silence of an empty schoolyard. Then came the thick sheets of rain, hitting his clothes and his vision. He ran wildly around the silent school—his heart pounding wildly in panic. "Yuna!" he called again, but the only answer turned out to be the sound of the raindrops on the pavement.Stephen fell onto a bench, exhausted, overcome with the guilt of knowing that it couldn't be her, but he'd failed her anyway, and for what? He was only kidding himself.Then, suddenly, his eyes fell onto the beam of light. Stephen turned to face an older gentleman in security attire. "Mr. King?" chuckled the guard, his voice carrying over against the rain.Stephen wasn't surprised that the security guard knew his name. His infamy was well known far and wide. "I'm looking for a little girl, Yuna. Have you seen her?" Stephen's voice was tight with desperation.The security guard shook his head as he wrinkled up his
Charles suddenly chuckled, the deep voice echoing off the walls of the opulent room. "I don't know what you're talking about, Stephen."Stephen's eyes taut, knowing Charles well enough to recognize the act of playing innocent. The man loved power, and control, further fueling his ego with some fear in the eyes of other men. "Why did you release Victor?" Stephen demanded.Charles raised an eyebrow, feigning bewilderment. "Release Victor? I hardly know that man. How would I do that? And if I were responsible for everything, remember you are sitting in my mansion now. I could kill you right now, and nobody would even know that."Stephen rose to his feet, determination etched into his face. "When I find out you're behind Victor's prison break, I'll make sure that you pay."He walked over to Yuna, still playing happily. "We're going home," he said, trying to make his voice firm.Yuna looked up, her eyes wide. "But Daddy, I like it here."Stephen forced a smile, himself shaking with fear. "