MR ZILLIONAIRE’S ROAD TO REVENGE

The Unexpected Ally

Chapter seven

The bright full moon hovered in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the park. Nikolai laid on the grass, pain radiating from his shoulder where the bullet had torn through. His breaths were shallow, and the world around him seemed to blur in and out of focus. The woman he had saved moments earlier was still standing over him, her face a mixture of shock and concern.

“Get him to the hospital. Now,” she ordered, her voice filled with urgency.

Her bodyguards wasted no time. With swift efficiency, they lifted Nikolai off the grass, carrying him toward the luxurious Rolls Royce parked nearby—the very same car he had admired earlier that night. The irony of it was lost on him as he drifted in and out of consciousness. The woman followed close behind, her face set in a determined expression.

The ride to the hospital was a blur. Nikolai’s thoughts were muddled, his arm filled with pain as the adrenaline wore off. The soft leather of the car seat felt like a distant comfort as the vehicle sped through the streets.

They arrived at the hospital, and Nikolai was rushed inside. Nurses and doctors took over immediately, assessing his wound and stabilizing him. His vision faded in and out, but the last thing he remembered before the darkness took over was the sterile white lights of the hospital ceiling.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the hospital window, piercing Nikolai’s eyelids. He winced, feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder. he sat up, glancing around the room. The events of the previous night came rushing back—his new job, the robbery, the gunshot.

He slowly touched the bandage on his arm, grimacing. His thoughts were interrupted by the soft click of the door opening. He turned his head to see the woman from last night walking in, exuding an air of authority. Behind her were the same bodyguards who had come to her rescue.

She approached his bedside with confidence, her gaze sharp but appreciative. “You’re awake,” she said, “How are you feeling?”

Nikolai took a breath, trying to steady himself. “Like I’ve been hit by a truck,” he muttered, his voice still groggy.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Understandable. You were shot, after all.”

Nikolai rubbed his temple, feeling a dull ache in his head. “I guess that explains the headache.” He paused, looking her over. “You’re okay, right?”

She nodded, her expression softening for the first time since she entered the room. “Thanks to you, yes. I didn’t get the chance to properly thank you last night. You saved me, and I appreciate that.”

“It was nothing,” Nikolai said, waving it off. “Just did what anyone would’ve done.”

“Not everyone would have,” she corrected him. “Most people would have walked away. You didn’t.”

Nikolai shrugged, which caused him to wince in pain. “Guess I’m not most people.”

The woman moved closer, extending a hand. “I’m Amy Sinclair. CEO of Martins Tech.”

Nikolai blinked. The name hit him like a ton of bricks. Martins Tech was one of the biggest tech companies in the city—perhaps even the country. And, more importantly, it was a direct competitor to Ivanov Industries. He hadn’t expected to be rescuing someone with that kind of stature last night.

Nikolai shook her hand, trying to hide his surprise. “Nikolai Ivanov. Ex-CEO of Ivanov Industries.”

Amy’s eyes widened slightly. “Nikolai Ivanov?” She paused, as if connecting the dots. “I thought you looked familiar. I remember reading about you... the man who went to jail for his wife.”

Nikolai’s jaw tightened. Hearing it phrased like that felt like a fresh slap to the face. “Yeah,” he said dryly. “guilty as charged.”

Amy’s gaze lingered on him, a mixture of curiosity and something else—pity, perhaps. “You’ve had a rough few years, haven’t you?”

“You could say that,” Nikolai replied, leaning back into the hospital bed. He didn’t feel like recounting his whole sob story to a stranger, especially one as powerful as Amy Sinclair. But it seemed she already knew enough.

Amy pulled up a chair beside the bed, her expression thoughtful. “I’ve heard some rumors about what happened with Ivanov Industries,” she said carefully. “Your brother... he’s been making waves in the business world since you went away.”

Nikolai clenched his fists under the blanket. “Yeah. I’m well aware.”

She hesitated, as if deciding whether or not to continue. “And your wife... she’s with him now, isn’t she?”

Nikolai’s silence was enough of an answer. Amy sighed softly, sitting back in the chair. “I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you.”

“It is what it is,” Nikolai said through gritted teeth. “I’m not here to whine about it. I’m going to get everything back. That’s the only thing on my mind.”

Amy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Everything?”

“Everything,” Nikolai confirmed. “The company. My reputation. And maybe a little revenge along the way.”

Amy smiled faintly, though there was a coldness behind it. “Revenge is a powerful motivator, Nikolai. But it’s a dangerous path. Trust me, I know.”

He studied her for a moment, wondering just how much she truly understood. “You don’t seem like someone who has a lot to worry about.”

“You’d be surprised,” Amy said, her tone darkening. “In this world, everyone has enemies. The higher you climb, the more they try to tear you down.”

Nikolai nodded slowly, recognizing the truth in her words. “I’ve already been torn down. Now I’m climbing back up.”

Amy tilted her head, regarding him with new interest. “I might be able to help with that.”

Nikolai frowned. “Help me? Why would you do that?”

“Because we share a common enemy,” Amy said simply. “Your brother.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Martins Tech and Ivanov Industries have been rivals for years,” Amy explained. “But since your brother took over, he’s been playing dirty. Underhanded deals, buying out my suppliers, cutting corners wherever he can. It’s only a matter of time before his actions catch up with him.”

Nikolai leaned forward, intrigued. “And you want to bring him down too.”

Amy smiled, but it was a smile without warmth. “Something like that.”

For the first time since his release, Nikolai felt a flicker of hope. Maybe fate had handed him an opportunity after all. “What’s your angle here?”

“My angle?” Amy echoed. “I’m a businesswoman, Nikolai. I look for opportunities, just like you. And right now, you’re an opportunity.”

Nikolai let her words sink in. He didn’t fully trust her—not yet. But if she was willing to help him, then maybe he had a chance to strike back at Mikhail and Olivia sooner than he thought.

“Alright,” Nikolai said finally. “What do you have in mind?”

Amy stood up, smoothing out her suit jacket. “We’ll talk about that later. For now, focus on recovering. You’re going to need your strength for what comes next.”

Nikolai nodded, watching as she turned to leave. But just before she walked out the door, she glanced back at him. “One more thing, Nikolai. Don’t trust anyone too easily. Not even me.”

With that, she left the room, her bodyguards following behind her. Nikolai stared after her, a strange feeling settling in his chest. He didn’t know what Amy Sinclair’s true intentions were, but one thing was clear—his fight was far from over.

And now, he had a new ally. Or at least, someone with mutual interests.

As the door clicked shut, Nikolai leaned back against the pillows, his mind racing. He had no idea what Amy’s plan was, but he was ready for whatever came next. For the first time in years, he felt like he had a real chance to take back everything that had been stolen from him.

But he couldn’t shake Amy’s parting words: *Don’t trust anyone. Not even me.*

The road ahead was dark and full of uncertainty, but Nikolai knew one thing for sure: he wasn’t going to stop until Mikhail and Olivia paid for everything.