50Derek stared at the now silent phone, his pulse pounding in his ears. Everything was falling apart faster than he could manage. Allvar had gotten the upper hand, and Marcus had turned into an unexpected liability.His mind was spinning—this wasn’t supposed to happen. Marcus was out, Allvar had won a high-profile job, and everything was spiraling out of his control.But the worst part? He hadn’t just failed to keep Allvar down. He’d made him stronger.Derek swore under his breath. “Damn it,” he muttered, clenching his fists. There had to be something he could do. 'Anything.'Just as he began pacing, trying to force his brain to think of a solution, a sharp knock at his office door snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts.“Who is it?” he barked, his patience running thin.Fiona, his ever-persistent assistant, stepped in cautiously. Her usual crisp confidence was tinged with anxiety as she took in Derek’s disheveled state. “Mr. Hawthorne, are you alright? You look—”“Not now, Fiona,
51Derek’s heart skipped a beat. If what Dean was saying was true, this could be the leverage he needed to take Allvar down once and for all. “Why are you telling me this? What’s in it for you?”Dean’s voice was casual, almost playful. “Let’s just say Allvar’s success doesn’t exactly align with my interests either. We both stand to gain if we can knock him down a peg.”Derek’s mind was spinning, weighing the risks and rewards. He didn’t trust Dean—he never had—but if this information was real…“Alright,” Derek said, his voice firm. “What do you want in exchange?”“Nothing much,” Dean replied, the smirk evident in his tone. “Just a little favor down the line. I’ll let you know when the time comes.”Derek’s stomach twisted. He didn’t like owing anyone, least of all Dean. But if this was his chance to regain control, he had no choice. “Fine. What’s the information?”There was a pause, and then Dean’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Check Allvar’s contract with Waterfall. Specifically, the c
52The following week, Allvar found himself sitting across from his father and Mr. Lorentz in the expansive, sunlit study. A gentle breeze flowed through the open window, rustling the meticulously arranged papers on the desk. Allvar fidgeted with his coffee cup, glancing from his father to the butler, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension.“Dad, can we talk about something?” Allvar began, hesitating for a moment. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the company… and what I want to do with it.”Leonard Falck looked up from his notes, a spark of interest in his eyes. “Of course, Allvar. What’s on your mind?”“Well, for starters,” Allvar said, crossing his arms, “I want to understand more about our conglomerate. I mean, I know we’re big, but I didn’t realize how big until I started digging into the reports. Can you give me a rundown of what we actually own?”Mr. Lorentz straightened, leaning slightly closer. “A solid question, young master. Knowledge of your assets is crucial.” “Ri
53 They walked down the long marble hallway, crossing several guards who stood at attention as they passed. Allvar couldn’t help but notice the sheer luxury of everything around him. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their lights dancing on the pristine floors. Expensive art adorned the walls, each piece more extravagant than the last."Does everything in this house have to be so... over-the-top?" Allvar muttered, half to himself.Lorentz glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your father likes to keep things grand. It's part of the image, young master."Allvar rolled his eyes but stayed silent as they continued down the corridor, finally reaching a set of large double doors at the far end. Lorentz unlocked the doors with a swipe of a key card, and they stepped outside, the sun warming Allvar’s skin. A paved path stretched ahead, lined with carefully trimmed hedges, and at the end of it, the garage loomed.They passed a few more guards, all wearin
54Allvar slid into the driver’s seat of the fiery red Ferrari, the leather cool beneath him. Mr. Lorentz took the passenger seat with a composed nod, fastening his seatbelt as Allvar stared at the sleek dashboard in awe. “This thing is unreal,” Allvar muttered, running his hands along the steering wheel.“Ferrari’s craftsmanship is unmatched,” Lorentz said, glancing out the window. “But, of course, it’s not just about the car—it’s about how you handle it.”Allvar chuckled, firing up the engine with a throaty roar that echoed through the garage. “I guess we’ll find out.”As they pulled out of the estate and onto the wide, winding road that led down the hill, Allvar felt a surge of adrenaline. He eased the car onto the road, the engine purring as they left the estate behind. It was still early, and the morning sun bathed the street in golden light.“You’re doing well, young master,” Lorentz said calmly, watching Allvar’s movements. “But remember, these cars respond to even the slighte
55“You don’t know a damn thing about me,” Allvar said, his voice low but steady, trying to keep his cool.The man in front of him, Mark, looked surprised for a second, but quickly his smirk returned. “Really?” Mark scoffed. “You’re just some spoiled rich kid, right? Got everything handed to you on a silver platter, and now you think driving a car like this makes you somebody? News flash, you’re nobody.”Allvar’s jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. He knew this type of guy all too well—the ones who preyed on others' insecurities just to feel better about themselves. But Allvar wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction.Before Allvar could respond, one of Mark’s buddies stepped forward, looking uneasy. “Hey, Mark, maybe we should just let him go,” the guy muttered. “This isn’t worth it, man. He’s not worth the trouble.”Mark shot him an irritated glare. “Shut up, Travis. I’m not done here.”Allvar could feel the tension rising, but he stayed silent, eyes lo
56As they drove in silence for a few moments, Allvar felt the lingering effects of the confrontation still coursing through his veins. The Ferrari’s engine purred beneath him, almost as if sensing the change in his mood, but he kept his grip steady on the wheel.“You didn’t let that guy get under your skin,” Lorentz finally broke the silence, his calm voice cutting through Allvar’s thoughts. “That’s a sign of maturity. Many wouldn’t have handled it as well.”Allvar shrugged, his eyes still focused on the road ahead. “I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. Guys like that are all talk anyway.”“Still,” Lorentz added, glancing out the window as the city skyline came into view, “knowing when to walk away is a valuable skill. Not everything requires a fight.”Allvar’s lips twitched into a smirk. “So, you’re saying I should’ve just let him walk all over me?”Lorentz chuckled softly. “Not quite. But sometimes, being the bigger person is the most powerful statement.”Allvar considered
57A week had passed, and Derek was beyond impatient. He sat in his office, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden desk, the ticking of the clock the only sound filling the room. His jaw was clenched so tight it ached, his mind running wild with frustration. Ethan hadn’t found anything yet, and Derek’s patience had run thin.The office door swung open, and Ethan walked in, looking exhausted, dark circles under his eyes. Derek didn’t wait for a greeting.“Well?” Derek snapped, not bothering to hide his irritation. “It’s been a week. What the hell have you found?”Ethan sank into the chair opposite Derek, sighing deeply. “I’ve been through every piece of that contract, Derek. Every single page. There’s nothing on outside funding.”Derek’s eyes narrowed, his fists clenching on the desk. “What do you mean, nothing? Dean made it sound like there was something buried in there—something important.”Ethan shrugged, looking frustrated himself. “I don’t know what to tell you. I we
Emily had never been one to back down, but as she stumbled towards the door, her face flushed with humiliation, her thoughts were a tangled mess. How could she have been so blind? How could she have dismissed him so easily? The man she had thought was just some arrogant, rich playboy was, in fact, a billionaire with more power than she had ever imagined. The realization was like a punch to her stomach, leaving her breathless.She could still feel the weight of Allvar's gaze on her, his icy eyes cutting through her with the precision of a sharp blade. It wasn’t just the shock of his wealth that had shaken her—it was the way he had handled the situation. The way he had turned the tables, dismantling their arrogance with effortless ease. The way he had put Derek and Serena in their place without so much as raising his voice. It was as if he had orchestrated the whole thing from the very beginning, knowing exactly how it would play out."Did you hear him?" Serena whispered, her voice bare
Derek’s face hardened as he tried to muster whatever defiance he could. "What do you want from us? Haven’t you done enough already?" His voice was laced with false bravado, but his shaking hands gave him away.Allvar stepped forward, his polished leather shoes clicking softly on the marble floor. His sharp, tailored suit made him look even more imposing. He tilted his head slightly, studying Derek as if he were an insignificant insect. "Done enough?" he repeated, his voice calm, dangerously so. "You mocked me, insulted me, and attempted to humiliate me in public. And now, you think you can walk away without facing the consequences?"Serena whimpered, clutching Derek’s arm tighter. "W-we didn’t know who you were! We didn’t mean—""Didn’t mean?" Allvar’s icy gaze locked onto hers, cutting her off mid-sentence. "What you mean is you didn’t think I was someone who could fight back. That’s always the problem with people like you. You respect power only when it’s shoved in your face."Emily
209Mr. Alves froze, the receiver trembling in his grip as the weight of the words settled over him. He couldn’t breathe, his eyes flickering nervously to Allvar, who still stood there, calm and composed."Y-you can't be serious..." Alves whispered, as if trying to reason with the invisible figure on the other end of the phone.The voice was cold and unforgiving. "I don’t make jokes about business, Mr. Alves. You’ve disrespected someone you shouldn’t have. Pack your things. Security will escort you out shortly."The line clicked dead.For a moment, no one moved. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the restaurant's air conditioning. Derek and Serena gaped at the manager, their smug smiles wiped clean."What did—" Derek started, his voice cracking."Vacant?" Serena’s voice was a high-pitched squeak. "H-he said vacant!?"Mr. Alves stumbled back, his face still ghostly pale. "T-this is impossible," he muttered, eyes darting to Allvar, who now smiled ever so faintly,
208Allvar clenched his fists in anger, grinding his teeth at Derek's audacity. Serena scowled with flaming cheeks, rolling her eyes dismissively.Allvar remained composed, arching a brow at their reaction. "There seems to be an issue here that requires your assistance," Allvar replied calmly into the phone.On the other end of the line, the voice grew sharp with concern. "What sort of situation, Young Master? Are you alright?"Allvar couldn't help but let a small, wry smile flicker across his face, his eyes glinting with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "I've been accused of theft, of all things," he explained, his voice laced with disbelief. "The manager here refuses to believe the gold card is mine. He's threatening to call security on me."He went on and relayed all the events that had transpired, describing how he had been openly mocked and ridiculed by the manager.The butler listened attentively, a frown forming on his aged face. Such disrespect towards the young master wa
Allvar's lips curled into a faint smirk, his calm demeanor betraying none of the turmoil his accusers expected. “How… How did this hobo come into possession of this?" Mr. Alves gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief as he scrutinized the exclusive card in his hand. Allvar remained impassive, his posture relaxed as he watched Mr. Alves struggle to reconcile the elegant card with the man before him. The manager cleared his throat, masking his astonishment with an air of accusation. His gaze darkened as he fixed Allvar with an intense glare. “You’re a criminal! Where did you get this card? This isn’t something just anyone can own. Where did you steal it from?” “From my family," Allvar replied casually, his tone devoid of concern. Emily froze, her pale face reflecting her confusion. She trusted Allvar's integrity but couldn't fathom how he had acquired such an item. In stark contrast, Derek and Serena scoffed simultaneously, their eyes rolling in unison. “Like your pathetic fam
206“Hey!! You're making a mistake here!” Serena called out in a harsh voice, her face scowling at the waiter, who turned slightly to acknowledge them once more.“Do you know who this man is?!” she demanded, pointing dramatically at Derek, who had the audacity to look smug. Emily could only roll her eyes at their theatrics.With newfound determination, Serena stomped toward their direction, intent on blocking their path. She crossed her arms and glared daggers at the trio. Pleased with the development, Derek swaggered forward to join her, standing beside her like a soldier in solidarity. He eyed the waiter and Allvar with disdain, sneering as if he owned the entire establishment.“Do you know who I am?!” Derek bellowed, his voice dripping with arrogance. “Do you realize what weight my family name carries? How dare you relegate me to the background just to attend to this nobody?!”He jabbed a finger toward Allvar, his contempt thinly veiled, while the waiter’s face twisted in confusion
205Allvar took a slow, deep breath to calm himself. Then, with steady hands, he reached into his wallet and extracted a sleek gold card his father gave him, it shimmered under the restaurant's ambient lighting. He placed it on the table with quiet confidence."I would like to be considered a VIP as well," he declared, his voice steady, betraying none of the inner storm churning within him.Derek's response was swift, his laughter sharp and full of disbelief. "Oh, come on! You think that piece of plastic makes you special here?" He leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing into a mocking glare. "This isn't some game where you can just buy your way to the top. It's about who you are, and clearly, you're playing out of your league."As Serena joined in, Allvar's gaze turned toward her, wondering what had ever drawn him to such a cruel woman. Her beauty was undeniable, but now, her biting cruelty far eclipsed any physical allure she once held."Absolutely, darling. It's adorable you think a b
204Their heated exchange was abruptly interrupted by a waiter, who approached with an apologetic yet firm demeanor. “I must ask you to keep the noise down. This is a respectable establishment, and we need to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.”Derek’s face, now a picture of barely restrained fury, turned towards the waiter, his fists clenched at his sides as if he were physically holding back his anger. “Fine,” he spat out through gritted teeth, the words venomous. “But we refuse to sit near these… individuals.” His eyes, sharp with disdain, flicked towards Emily and Allvar, a clear line drawn.Serena, echoing Derek’s sentiment with a venomous edge to her voice, added, “Absolutely. We’d rather not share our space with such… bastards.” Her lips curled around the word, her disdain palpable. She tossed her hair, an attempt to regain some semblance of control, though the slight tremble in her hands betrayed her composure.The waiter, taken aback by the harshness of their words, replied in a
203Derek and Serena exchanged glances, scrambling to regain their footing after Emily's deft rebuttal.Derek cleared his throat, forcing a tight smile. "Now see here, we simply want the best for you both. It would be a shame if...appearances were deceiving." He glanced meaningfully at Allvar.Emily's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Derek. His arrogant demeanor was starting to crack under the pressure. "Appearances? Or your fragile egos now that the tables have turned?"Serena clenched her jaw, nostrils flaring as she watched the exchange. How dare this woman speak to them this way! And yet, she was wary of making another misstep against a business tycoon like Emily.Drawing in a deliberate, slow breath, Serena adopted a smooth, almost affectionate tone as she turned her attention back to Emily. "My dear, we're only trying to offer you some guidance. You see, Derek's father, Victor Hawthorne, holds a significant presence in the City, owning numerous businesses, including the expansiv