"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome." Gerald's voice echoed through the hall bringing it to a complete silence.***"Distinguished guests, esteemed friends, and honored colleagues," Gerald began, his voice resonating with a blend of authority and warmth. "It is both an honor and a privilege to welcome you all to the Geralt estate this evening. Tonight, we gather not just to celebrate, but to reaffirm the bonds that tie us together as leaders, innovators, and custodians of a proud legacy."He paused, allowing his gaze to sweep across the room, taking in the faces of some of the most influential people in the country. "For generations, the Geralt family has stood as a pillar of strength, integrity, and ambition. We have weathered the storms of history, emerging stronger and more united with each passing era. This mansion, this very hall, is a testament to our enduring legacy."Gerald's eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and determination. "But tonight is not just about reflecting on the pas
Ethan moved to the edge of the hall, seeking a moment of solitude to gather his thoughts. He glanced around, seeing the faces of the elite, each one a potential ally or adversary.***He knew he couldn’t trust anyone completely, but he needed a plan. Jason’s threat was real, and the clock was ticking. The project was too important, not just for him, but for everyone involved. He couldn’t let Jason’s envy and hatred derail it.As he stood there, lost in thought, a familiar voice broke through his reverie. "Ethan, there you are."Ethan turned to see Sandra Walton approaching, her emerald gown shimmering in the soft light. She was one of the few people he had come to trust, she was his partner after all."Sandra," he said, forcing a smile. "I didn’t expect to see you here."She returned his smile, but her eyes were sharp, perceptive. "I could say the same about you. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What’s wrong?"Ethan hesitated for a moment, then decided to confide in her. "It's nothi
With a sigh, The Old Man took another sip of whiskey, his eyes still locked on the screen. The gala continued, but for the Old Man, it was a reminder of the ever-present dangers that lurked in the shadows. And he was determined to protect Ethan from them, no matter the cost.***The Geralt gala was in full swing, the grandeur of the evening unfolding in a seamless blend of elegance and opulence.Beneath the dazzling chandeliers and among the glittering guests, a tension simmered just below the surface. Sandra, the only female heir in the county and business partner of Ethan in the Monument Project, navigated the crowd with the poise of a seasoned socialite. Her gown shimmered under the lights, drawing admiring glances and whispered compliments.Across the room, Denera, a figure equally striking in her own right, observed Sandra with a predatory gaze. Denera had always coveted the position Sandra held in the Monument Project, a coveted endeavor that promised substantial influence and
Rhys, the heir of House Rhodes, stood beside him, exuding a calm confidence that belied the tension in the air.“Ethan, I have to hand it to you,” Rhys began, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “This project of yours is nothing short of visionary. But I have to wonder, how are you managing with all the... complications?”Ethan smiled, though his eyes remained sharp. “Every great project has its challenges, Rhys. Overcoming them is what makes the end result worthwhile.”Rhys nodded, his gaze drifting briefly to where Sandra stood, now alone after her confrontation with Denera. “Speaking of challenges, Sandra seems to be handling things well. But you know as well as I do that the Monument Project requires more than just resilience. It requires strategy, innovation...”“And you believe you can provide that?” Ethan interjected smoothly, steering the conversation.Rhys met Ethan’s gaze, a small smile playing on his lips. “I don’t just believe it. I know it. When you and Sandra hit tha
He stepped closer, the distance between them shrinking as the air around them seemed to thicken. “The Monument Project wouldn’t be where it is without you, Sandra. Despite our differences, we’ve built something incredible.”Sandra’s gaze softened, her guard momentarily lowered. “We have. But it hasn’t been easy. The backlash from the other houses, the constant obstacles… sometimes it feels like we’re fighting an uphill battle.”Ethan reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. “We’ve faced everything together. And we’ll continue to do so. I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side.”Sandra’s breath hitched at his touch, her eyes searching his. “"Even after everything? Even after how much we fought?”He smiled, his thumb softly tracing the curve of her cheek. “Especially after everything. Our differences have only made us stronger.”The intensity of his gaze and the warmth of his touch sent a shiver down Sandra’s spine. She leaned into his hand, her voice barely a whisper.
The signal had been given, and the grand hall of the Geralt mansion began to transform from a scene of opulent celebration to one of chaos and violence. The first indication of trouble came as the wait staff -turned- assassins moved in, their true intentions revealed by the cold glint in their eyes and the sudden, coordinated movement towards Ethan and Sandra.Ethan, engaged in conversation with Sandra, caught sight of the approaching danger from the corner of his eye. His instincts kicked in, honed from years of his life on the streets. He grabbed Sandra’s arm, pulling her closer. "Something's wrong. We need to move."Sandra’s eyes widened in realization as she followed Ethan’s gaze, seeing the assassins closing in. Just then, Paul, burst through the crowd, urgency etched on his face. "Sir, ma'am, this way! Use the backdoor! Go, now!"Ethan didn’t hesitate. "Come on, Sandra," he urged, steering her towards the hidden exit Paul had indicated. Paul and the other bodyguards, trained
They would protect Ethan and Sandra, no matter the cost. The gala had been a test, and though battered, they had emerged victorious. For now.***The gala had descended into chaos, and Ethan and Sandra were sprinting through the maze-like corridors of the Geralt mansion, racing toward the backdoor. The distant sounds of battle echoed through the opulent hallways—clashing metal, grunts of effort, and the occasional cry of pain. Each step they took was a step away from the danger behind them, but the danger ahead remained unknown.Ethan’s mind raced as fast as his legs, not for himself, he could hold out on his own, rather his thoughts focused on the urgency of their escape because of Sandra who was with him. Beside him, Sandra’s breathing was heavy, her determination driving her forward. They turned corner after corner, the path to safety seeming longer with each twist and turn.“Just a bit further,” Ethan panted, casting a quick glance at Sandra. “We’re almost there.”Sandra nodded
Ethan’s thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and determination as he carried Sandra through the garden, heading towards the gate that led to the street. “Stay with me, Sandra,” he urged, his voice a desperate plea. “Just a little further.”Sandra’s eyes fluttered open, her grip on Ethan’s shirt weak but persistent. “Ethan… you’re… you’re doing great. Don’t stop.”He pushed himself harder, ignoring the burning in his muscles and the ache in his injured arm. A SUV car sped near them, coming to an abrupt stop beside them.Fear gripped Ethan thinking it was the assassins who had come to finish them off finally.The front door flew open revealing Paul coming out of the car, with blood stains on most part of his body."Quickly master Ethan, get in!" He said as he took Sandra from him and put her in the back seat.After settling Sandra in the back seat, Ethan went to the passenger seat and got in."The Hospital, Paul, quickly!" Ethan said with urgency as soon as Paul entered the car."At once