The next day, early morning, as the sun casts its first light, Terrence Bentley was very much awake, he needed to do things, especially with his employees being all nosy and his most trusted worker betrayed him for his brother, he needed to be up and running and to make sure he doesn't overlook any details. A few hours later, he was sitting in his office, his back against the wall of windows that overlooked the Blue Net headquarters. He was very much lost in thought, until a knock was heard at the door, it brought him back to reality. "Come in," he called, The door opened, and his son, Logan Hudson Bentley, walked in looking bright and sharp. Logan was very ambitious and determined, even cold much to Terrence's satisfaction and of course loyal, it is his son after all. Logan had recently been promoted within Blue Net’s security division and had proven himself capable of handling even the most delicate issues that came with the family empire. Logan looked at his father, s
In the basement of where has turned to her prison beneath the headquarters of Blue Net Group in Amsterdam Netherlands, Anna Kim sat on the cold concrete floor, the dim glow of a lightbulb was her only source of light. There was nothing to prevent the cold as she was shivering from it. Her little hope of William coming to save her began to waver at each passing hour. She hadn’t seen another soul since they had thrown her in there, but she knew Terrence’s eyes were on her, there was no place his eyes couldn't reach. As she sat there in silence, the heavy steel door creaked open, and Logan walked in, his tall figure strodded gently in there. He looked down at her, his eyes fixed on her and was filled with a mixture of pity and disdain. “Anna," he greeted, his tone was quite gentle; "How has your stay been?" She glared up at him, refusing to let him see the fear in her eyes so she uttered; "I know why you’re here, Logan. You want me to turn against William. But it won’t happen.
Logan’s eyes narrowed, his tone growing colder. "Stubbornness won’t save you, Anna, the longer you hold out, the worse this will get." But she refused to give them any details, she wasn't going to speak so as not to lose her remaining hope. "I’m not giving you anything, if I say a word I am dead, and I will keep this so that when William comes for me, I will tell him how much I held our little secret.” Logan’s patience snapped, his face twisting with frustration. "You think William actually cares? You think he’s out there, planning some grand rescue for you?" He leaned in and continued; “He’s gone, Anna. He has left you to rot in here because that’s all you are to him, a tool, a means to an end. So stop pretending you’re anything more than that as it's demeaning and it doesn't speak well of you.” "Then why are you so afraid of him?" She blurted out loudly in anger. "If he is as selfish as you say, then why are you so desperate to stop him?" “Logan clenched his hands, he was
Troy Reece well, he was already at rock bottom, he had tried so hard to get back up but that has proved to be. He had already gone to an unthinkable length of giving up his own daughter, and even that hadn't secured him the fresh start he'd hoped for. The money he’d gained from that monstrous exchange was nearly gone, and with every drink and drag he took at the bar, he felt himself slipping further into despair. As he sat there, his thoughts grew dark and desperate. While he was at it, suddenly, like a spark in the darkness, an idea crossed his mind. An idea that, in any other circumstances, he might've dismissed, but in his current condition, the idea seemed too great to dismiss. He thought maybe he could track down his ex-wife, Elizabeth. Maybe he could use the charm he once wielded over her to squeeze out a few dollars, just enough to survive a while longer. But what he didn't know was that, a year is more than enough to change someone and that was what he was going to f
Garry has stayed longer than he had anticipated in Mike's place in the United Kingdoms, when he felt he wasn't downhearted anymore and he couldn't keep running away from his responsibilities. He decided he would have to go back to his father's mansion and try as much as possible to learn about the entire syndicate. Because from his conversation with Nolen, he has no idea what the syndicate was all about. After bidding Mike and Natalie bye promising he would come visit soon enough, he left. Arriving in the Netherlands, his driver came to pick him up from the airport and he went straight home to his father's mansion. Garry set his bags down in his dimly lit hallway, the familiar scent of his cologne and old books, proves that he was Home. But he barely had time to inhale the scent and look around before a knock sounded at his door. Opening it, Garry found Nolen standing on the doorway looking as serious as always. “Uncle Nolen, what brings you here so late at night?” he asked.
Bentley’s words filled Garry's mind and he just couldn’t help but feel the weight of what he’d just stepped into. He’d thought he knew, thought he’d been prepared, but the reality of the syndicate was starting to press on him like a cold grip around his heart. It's been days since they had that conversation but it hasn't been easy, the syndicate was deeper than just dealing with the men. There were secrets, about the syndicate that he just couldn't fathom. He had another meeting with Terrence Bentley today, so he dressed up and went to him, besides he was still learning the ropes about this whole thing. “Oh Garry welcome, He is waiting for you.” Damon Salvatore uttered and led him to Terrence's study. Bentley set his glass of wine down and stood up, beckoning Garry to follow him. They walked down a narrow corridor, their footsteps echoing in the silence. Bentley glanced back as if sensing Garry’s unease. “I know it feels like a betrayal, Garry,” he said and continu
The night air was cold as Garry slipped into the passenger seat of the black GLK, Nolen was silent in the driver’s seat, his eyes fixed straight ahead. “Do you know where we’re headed?” Garry asked, glancing over at Nolen. Nolen nodded, and uttered “Paris… Elena Donovan’s last known location was a safe house in the 7th Street. She’s been on the run for weeks. The syndicate has people watching her, but no one has gotten close enough to make the grab.” Garry let out a slow breath, trying to shake the tension in his chest. “And you’re just… watching? No advice, no help? Aren't you supposed to give me a tip?” Nolen glanced at him, a smirk appeared on his face. “This is your assignment, kid. Bentley wants to see what you’re made of. I am just here to make sure you survive it.” Garry swallowed, feeling the weight of that statement, he then nodded and uttered; “I can handle it.” Nolen’s smirk grew slightly. “We’ll see.” The drive to Paris felt like a test of endurance, every mile
She laughed softly and uttered; “Oh no, I didn’t betray him, Garry. He betrayed himself, and he betrayed you. If you knew the things he did… if you knew what the syndicate truly is, you wouldn’t be sitting in that seat, driving me back like some obedient dog." Garry’s grip on the wheel tightened, anger flaring in his chest. "You don't know anything about him or about me." "Don’t I?" she countered, and blurted out; "He kept so much from you. Did you ever stop to wonder why? Did you ever question Bentley’s true intentions? Or are you just blindly following orders, hoping you’ll live up to a memory that’s only half the truth?" Garry’s jaw clenched, a cold, gnawing doubt beginning to creep in. He thought he’d understood his father, thought he’d known the man who had raised him, but Elena’s words stirred something deep within him, an uncomfortable feeling, like a shadow lurking around beyond his reach, somewhat far-fetched. It was like this just might be bigger than he is and the onl
The glow of the sunset shone bright through the windows, casting a golden light across the room. Elizabeth sat on the edge of the couch, her hands placed on her laps. She was deep in thoughts. Her delicate features were calm, but her eyes told a different story, one of desperation and unyielding hope. Across from her, Liam watched in silence, his face softened with love and understanding. He reached out and placed a reassuring hand on hers. "Elizabeth, I hope you know that nothing, absolutely nothing, changes how I feel about you. You're my everything. A child or no child, I love you just as you are." She smiled faintly, but her lips quivered. The tears she had been holding back spilled, as they ran down her cheeks. "I know, Liam, but I can't let it go. I can't. It’s not just about us. It's about me. It’s about... proving something to myself, to the world." His brow furrowed as he moved closer, kneeling before her. "Elizabeth, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone
As the battle and issues escalated, both sides prepared for a climactic showdown or change. Malcom, who was feeling great by his victories, pushed harder, taking greater risks. Wren, ever the strategist, cautioned him to stay on the course. “We can’t let emotions cloud our judgment,” Wren warned one evening. “You mean my judgment,” Malcolm snapped and continued; “Don’t you forget, Wren, I am the one who has everything to lose here Patricia would hate me for sure.” “And I’m the one ensuring that you even have a chance to win,” Wren shot back, she continued; “Remember who put you in this position, Malcolm. The council doesn’t and would never tolerate failure or in your case, insubordination.” Malcom glared at her but said nothing. She was right after all, if not for the impute of the council he wouldn't have even been able to shake Blue Net Group the way he has. So rather than get cocky, it would be better to keep a low profile for now as the Council is who he could rely on to g
Over the next few weeks, Malcom and his mysterious ally who he had just met, began working in the shadows, unraveling secrets that could bring Blue Net Group and Logan Bentley to their knees. But Logan wasn’t oblivious to what was happening, with the help of Sean they began to dig. He began noticing cracks in his perfect world, his supposed business partners withdrawing support, contracts falling through, whispers of his father's past being dug up, his as well being married before. Late one night, Patricia found him pacing in his office, his face filled with worry. “Logan, what’s wrong?” she asked very concerned about him. “I don’t know yet,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair. “But I think Malcom is back.” Patricia was quite confused, she uttered; “Isn’t he and his father in jail? Even if he is out, what do we do?” Logan turned to her, and uttered; “We have no choice but to fight. Whatever he is planning, we have to stop it, for good this time.” “I will b
****A Week Later**** The boardroom of Blue Net Group was buzzing with tension. Logan Bentley, tall and confident with charisma, stood at the head of the table, addressing his team. “Our reputation is about to be punctured if it hasn't already we need to make all those horrible rumours disappear like it never happened,” Logan said, his voice steady. “But we need to ensure that there are no loose ends. I want every department to triple-check and make sure it all goes away.” As he spoke, Patricia Howard entered the room, her presence like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. She smiled at Logan, and for a moment, Malcom, watching through a concealed security camera feed, felt his rage ignite anew. “Look at them,” he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. “So perfect, so untouchable. I’ll wipe that smug look off his face if it’s the last thing I do.” William D'Cruz chuckled beside him as they were both in the same supposed holding cell, but they have never lost contact with the w
When Bethany got home from the photo studio, she had no idea that she was being followed by Troy. Inside her apartment, Bethany lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. After having a long day and the fact that she saw someone she didn't expect to see, gave her instant insomnia. Sleep wouldn’t come, Troy’s face, his words, his pleading tone they way he looked at her, all of that kept playing in her thoughts endlessly in her mind. She sat up with a frustrated sigh, wrapping a robe around her shoulders. She needed some water so she moved to the kitchen after pouring herself a glass of water. She heard the faint sound of a car door just outside her house, well it made her pause. She kept the glass down and moved to the window, peeking through the curtains and surprisingly, there he was. Troy, leaning against his car, his face turned up toward her building. Bethany’s pulse quickened, a mix of anger and unease knowing that he didn’t leave. She grabbed her phone and s
Bethany’s breathing was quite rapid, her chest rising and falling as she stared at him. Memories of how she was longing for him came flooding. Her mind also raced with images of sleepless nights and searching faces in every crowd or movment until she finally found her daughter. “They could’ve been monsters,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You gambled with her life, Troy. With my life, all of our lives.” “I know,” he murmured, his voice soft, he knew the magnitude of what he has done; he added; “I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I had to tell you, I needed you to know I never stopped thinking about you or about her.” Bethany shook her head, tears streaming freely now. “You don’t get to do this right now. You don’t get to come back and play the victim. I’ve rebuilt my life, Troy. Without you without any of your excuses.” “Bethany, please,” he begged, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not asking for anything. I just wanted to see you. To say I am sorry.” She took
Alex stepped forward and uttered; “Then we split up.. .Sean and Miss Patricia will work on disabling the detonation from here. I and Logan, will go to the facility and stop whoever planted this.” Terrence nodded. “Fine. But if this is a trap, you’ll need backup and I will be there.” Logan grinned darkly; “I’ve got enough firepower to deal with anything he throws at us.” Alex and Logan arrived at the power hub in record time, the countdown ticking ever closer to zero. The facility was quiet, but the tension was suffocating. “They’re here,” Logan muttered, scanning the shadows. “William wouldn’t leave this unguarded of course.” As if on cue, gunfire erupted from the far end of the hall. Logan bent for cover, returning fire as masked operatives swarmed the area. ‘Council agents? They are here too? Did they sign up with William?’ Logan thought and uttered; “William’s pulling every string he has got, I believe he is working with Council Members.” Alex then reloaded his weapon,
Logan folded his arms, looking deep into his father's eyes, he then said, his tone skeptical; “And you believe that?” Patricia, seated beside Logan and didn't say anything. Damon Salvatore uttered; “William is not someone who relies solely on physical resources. His greatest weapon has always been his mind. If he’s saying he’s still a threat, we should take that seriously.” Sean, leaning against the wall, chimed in. “Sorry to say this but, I have been monitoring chatter from the Council. It’s been unusually quiet lately… too quiet.” “Well, keep an eye on them, the bone of contention here is William.” Damon Salvatore retorted. “Sorry sir, the thing is, if William has connections, they might be lying low, waiting for the right moment.” Sean said. Terrence slammed his hand on the table, his voice firm and stern; “Enough. I won’t let that snake dictate how we live our lives. We’ve fought wars on multiple fronts before now, so we can handle whatever is coming.” Patricia who has
Days later, while the Council were mourning and regrouping, Terrence Bentley decided to go see his brother William D'Cruz in prison. The air inside the prison was tense. Terrence Bentley walked through the dimly lit corridors, his shoes echoing as he walked gently and took one step at a time. The guards gave him curious looks but stepped aside as he passed, recognizing the power of authority he carried. Finally, he reached the holding cell where his supposed brother, William D'Cruz, sat slouched on a bench looking even more pathetic than the last time they met. The man who had once been a master manipulator and Terrence’s greatest rival was now a shadow of his former self, dressed in a gray jumpsuit, his face gaunt but his eyes burning with determination.. Terrence smirked as he approached, leaning casually against the bars. “Well, well, well,” Terrence Bentley uttered, his voice filled with mockery; “Look who finally got a taste of justice. I almost didn’t believe it when