The night stretched on endlessly as I tossed and turned, each tick of the clock serving as a relentless reminder of the chaos that had engulfed my life. 3:27 AM blinked accusingly on the bedside clock, its red digits slicing through the darkness like sharp accusations. Sleep was a distant memory, chased away by the relentless onslaught of thoughts racing through my mind.The morning light began to filter through the blinds, casting a cold, unwelcome glow across the room. Dawn brought no relief, only the harsh reality of the nightmare that had unfolded just hours before.I sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by scattered papers and my laptop, trying to make sense of the chaos that had consumed my life. My phone vibrated, and I saw Henderson Rhodes's name flashing on the screen. He was the closest thing I had to an ally in this mess, and despite my racing heart, his voice was a reassuring presence amidst the turmoil.“Richard, I saw the news. What’s going on? What's this mess, man!? Te
RICHARD'S POVI stormed into my house, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. The events of the day weighed heavily on my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that lingered in the air. As I kicked off my shoes and threw my keys onto the table, I knew there was only one thing left to do: confront my brothers.With a deep breath, I dialed their number, my fingers trembling with a mix of anger and apprehension. The phone rang once, twice, before finally, it was answered."Richard?" came the voice of my brother, Jonathan, on the other end of the line."Yeah, it's me," I replied tersely. "We need to talk."There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost feel the tension crackling through the phone. "What's this about?" Jonathan asked cautiously."You know damn well what it's about," I snapped, my frustration boiling over. "Those leaked files, the accusations—did you have something to do with it?"There was a moment of stunned silence before Jonathan
RICHARD'S POVThe next day dawned with a sense of urgency hanging heavy in the air. I knew I needed to address the situation head-on, to confront the storm that threatened to engulf me before it grew too powerful to control.With a deep breath, I picked up my phone, my fingers tapping impatiently against the sleek surface as I dialed Henderson's number. The call rang, each ring felt like an eternity, the anticipation mounting with every passing second until finally, he answered.“Henderson," I greeted him, my voice tight with tension. "I need to talk to you about yesterday."There was a pause on the other end of the line before Henderson replied, his tone guarded. "What about yesterday?”"Henderson," I began, my voice clipped with frustration. "I saw you on TV last night. Care to explain why you went for that interview without informing me?"Henderson sighed, his frustration evident even over the phone. "Look, Richard, I did what I had to do. Our partnership is on the line, and invest
RICHARD'S POVThe meeting with my partner, Henderson, was nothing short of a shock. As I sat across from him, the weight of the file in my hands felt heavier than ever before. I couldn't believe what I was reading."Why are you terminating the contract?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to shatter the fragile reality I found myself in.Henderson's expression was unreadable, a mask of neutrality that betrayed nothing of the turmoil within. "Your reputation has affected my business, Richard," he replied evenly, his words cutting through the air like a knife. "I can't risk falling off because of you.""But my name has been cleared," I protested, desperation seeping into my voice. "I've done everything I can to set things right, to prove my innocence. You know that."Henderson's lips twisted into a wry smile, a bitter echo of the camaraderie we once shared. "Consider it my farewell gift to you, Richard," he said, his tone final. "It's time for us to part ways."I fel
RICHARD'S POVAn hour later, I stood in the dimly Lit parking lot behind my office building, the cold night air biting at my skin. The sound of tires on wet asphalt signaled Gustavo's arrival. He pulled up in a nondescript sedan, the back door opening to reveal a man who looked far too relaxed for someone caught in the eye of a storm. Michael Derringer, the leaker, stepped out, a slight stumble in his step, his eyes squinting as they adjusted to the dim lighting. He looked up, locking eyes with me, a flicker of recognition passing over his features before it was quickly masked by indifference. "Richard, huh?" His voice held a mocking tilt, the arrogance of his stance infuriating me further. "Why did you leak those false trash about me? And why lie about being arrested?" I asked, my voice calm but ice-cold.Michael smirked, leaning his back against the car. "Why does anyone do anything in this game? Money, Mr. Richard. It's always about the money." The simplicity of his answer, the
RICHARD'S POVI slammed the door behind me, the sound echoing through the empty hallways of my house. I could barely think straight, let alone figure out my next move. I couldn't believe the nerve of my former partner. How could he? How could Henderson sink so low?My mind churned with thoughts of retribution, every muscle in my body tense with the need for action. The smug bastard thought he could get away with ruining me, with dragging everything I had built through the mud. But he was sorely mistaken.I yanked off my tie and threw it on the couch, pacing the room like a caged animal. My first instinct was to call Jenny. She was my ally in this battle against deceit and treachery. Without pausing, I grabbed the phone from the hallway table and punched in Jenny's number with trembling fingers. I dialed it, my mind racing with plans and strategies to bring down my former partner. It rang once—twice—before she answered.“Jenny," I greeted tersely as she picked up the phone, my voice t
RICHARD'S POVThe cool, calculated air of the conference room was a stark contrast to the storm raging in my heart as I entered. The long, polished table was surrounded by familiar faces. At the head of the table sat the minister, Collins, his presence authoritative yet open. I was here for the business meeting which he had invited me to.Henderson Rhodes, my former partner, was already seated, his surprise at my arrival poorly masked by a quick, insincere smile. "Richard, glad you could join us," the minister greeted, still oblivious to the undercurrents of tension. "Thank you, Minister," I replied, nodding respectfully as I took my place. Henderson wasted no time. "Minister, I feel it's important to clarify that Richard and I are no longer in partnership. His presence here might be... misleading." The room tightened with whispered speculations, the air thick with sudden interest. The minister’s brows knitted in confusion. "Is that so? Richard, you were just discussing the pro
RICHARD'S POVWhen I arrived at the hotel, I was greeted with unexpected fanfare. My employees lined the lobby, clapping and cheering. Balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling, and a table was laden with gifts. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and for a moment, I allowed myself to bask in the glow of their admiration. I felt a swell of pride in my chest, knowing that my recent success was as much a victory for them as it was for me."Thank you, everyone," I said, raising my hands to quiet the crowd. "Your support means the world to me. Let's keep pushing forward and make this year the best one yet!" Their cheers grew louder, and a few of them even started chanting my name. Amidst the celebration, my gaze drifted to the back of the crowd where I spotted two of my staff—Mark and Lisa—standing apart from the rest. Their expressions were stern, their arms crossed, and there was a palpable tension emanating from them. Mark's jaw was clenched tightly, and Lisa's eyes bore into me with