"After reviewing the arguments and the nature of the charges, I have decided that bail is denied. The defendant will remain in custody until the trial."The judge’s words hit like a hammer. Franklin let out the breath he had been holding in since he walked into the courtroom and slumped his shoulders, which seemed to weigh much more than before.Victoria's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. Amelia's eyes began to sting, and she gripped Jason's hand tightly. “Damn it,” Jason hissed under his breath, his tone a mix of frustration and disbelief.The judge dismissed them, and the guards began to escort Franklin out of the courtroom. Almost immediately, Jason, Amelia, and Victoria followed them outside.As they led Franklin out, he turned back to see his colleagues staring at him with eyes full of empathy and devastation.Franklin turned to the guards, his eyes desperate. "Please let me speak to them," he begged the guards. "Just let me talk to my friends for a moment."The guards e
“The anniversary party is tomorrow, and there they’ll announce the new president, and we will all be there to see exactly who it is,” he finished with a dangerous glint in his eyes.Andrew stopped his pacing and stood in place. "Farger, is that really necessary?”“Of course it is,” Stefan maintained. “Who knows? Maybe Kent is out celebrating his victory and can’t answer the phone. The presidency is only announced to the public at the anniversary parties, so there’s no other way that we can find out.” “So we will be able to confirm for ourselves if he wins,” Andrew said."Exactly,” Stefan said. “Father, what if Kent didn’t win the election?” Andrew said, feeling the anxiety rise in him.“Then we will find out who did,” Stefan simply replied, maintaining his calm expression. “I don't know about you, but I think it's high time we find out who the other man is, and if he wins, we will find out how to get rid of him.” Stefan finished, then slowly walked out of the living room while hummi
Stefan finished humming his tune at the same time that he entered his bedroom. As he began to undo the buttons on his shirt, he heard a sound that was very unpleasant to him.It was the ringtone of his third phone.Stefan had three phones. The first was the one he carried with him daily; he used it in public and whenever he needed to give out his number to family or friends—which rarely happened—he would give them the number of the SIM card on that phone.His second phone was his work phone, which he used to talk with business partners and contractors for Sinclair Enterprises.Then there was his third phone. It was also a work phone, but it wasn’t for the type of work that he was known for. It was for more off-the-book operations, and an unexpected call on that phone hardly ever meant anything good.With a heavy sigh and a huff, Stefan abruptly put a stop to unbuttoning his shirt and walked over to the bedside drawer.He opened the drawer and took out a scarf from it. He unfolded the
After Willam’s threat, Stefan didn’t say a word, and neither did William. The silence lasted for all of five seconds before William broke it.“What’s the matter, Stefan? You aren’t so high and mighty anymore, are you? I’ll send you the account details so you can transfer me my first payment,” William said smugly.“Go ahead,” Stefan finally said. His tone was calm and almost mocking."Yeah, I’m about to send it,” William replied, misunderstanding Stefan."No, not that. Go ahead and tell Jason,” Stefan scoffed.William huffed angrily. “You think I’m bluffing, don’t you?”"No, I don’t. Go ahead and give him what evidence you think you have; in fact, send the evidence over to me, and I’ll give it to him personally." Stefan mocked Stefan made sure to take extra precautions whenever he did any shady business. He was confident that William didn’t actually have any evidence against him and was only bluffing to extort him.“I can’t wait for you to speak with Jason. He’s an opportunistic lowl
“What are you talking about?” Jason asked his tone a mix of confusion and anxiety.“I can’t say much for now because there’s a possibility that I won't need to disclose the information. But let me know where you’ll be tomorrow night. If you’re lucky, then your enemy won’t meet my requirements, and I'll tell you all you want to know,” William said. Jason grew annoyed by the vague manner in which William spoke. “Can I get a name? Who is this enemy?” Jason asked.“You already know who it is. The man who tricked you and took advantage of your naivety. That’s all I’ll say. Don’t forget to let me know where you’ll be tomorrow night,” William said, then hung up before Jason could voice out any of his questions or confusion.After William hung up, Jason stared at his phone in confusion, but it only took him a second before the answer clicked.“Stefan. It has to be Stefan,” Jason muttered, his voice just loud enough for Connor, who had been listening intently to Jason’s side of the conversat
“How do I look?” Jason asked as he stepped into his living room, his presence commanding the attention of Reuben and Timothy.The long-awaited night of the Elysiam Syndicate anniversary party had finally come.Jason was dressed in a tailored, midnight-black tuxedo that hugged his athletic frame perfectly. The crisp, white shirt beneath the jacket contrasted sharply with the dark fabric, emphasising the sleek lines of the ensemble. A classic black bow tie completed the look, and polished black dress shoes gleamed with each step he took.“Mr. Timothy, quick! Call the North Pole and tell them they're missing a penguin,” Reuben said in a playful tone as he handed Timothy his phone.The three men broke into a fit of laughter before focusing back on Jason.“You look dashing, Young Master,” Timothy said, his voice full of pride."Yeah, if you end up not liking the presidency thing, then you should take up modelling. Vogue would take you in a heartbeat,” Reuben added. Even though he was exagg
“Were you around the Upper West Side recently?” Timothy asked Connor as they waited for Jason and Reuben to join them in the car.Since Timothy was sitting in the backseat and Connor was in the front seat, Timothy didn’t see Connor tense up at his question.“So he did see me the day I was in front of his house,” Connor thought to himself. “Upper West Side? No, I hardly ever have any reason to be in an area like that." Connor lied effortlessly, his voice lower than usual."Hmm, okay then,” Timothy said, but Connor knew that response well, and he knew that it meant that Timothy wasn’t convinced.Being alone in the car with Timothy was almost a suffocating experience for Connor. He felt like he was just one wrong answer or wrong movement away from being found out.He had spent so many years around him, so his fears of Timothy finding him out and ruining his plans were not irrational.After all, he had done it once before.The thing he was most afraid of was Timothy recognising his voic
“With immense pleasure, I present to you the new President of the Elysian Syndicate, the man who has risen to the top against all odds, Mr. Jason Grey.”The reaction to the presidential announcement was nothing short of a mix of emotions.There were the people who erupted into cheers and claps, the loudest among them coming from Reuben and Timothy.There were others who were slightly confused. They were sure that the new president would be a well-known billionaire or the well-known child of a billionaire, but the name Jason Grey was new to them. Nevertheless, they clapped and anticipated his arrival on stage.Then there was the final category of people—the Sinclairs. Nothing could have prepared them for the announcement. Annette, Noah, and David all let out audible gasps, not seeming to care that they were in public.Annette looked at Diana as if she would have all the answers. “Diana, tell me she isn't talking about what we’re all thinking.”“Mom… I don't-”“There’s no way,” Andrew