After a few hours had passed, the gatherings of the elite finally neared its end.The important personalities bade one another farewell, some drowning in business discussion, while others simply talked about the current trends in the world.Austin and Katerina had extricated themselves from the spotlight, leaving everything for Rebecca to handle.Although Katerina hosted the gathering, everyone still gave her face. Although some still tried their luck to rope in the new, ambitious young man, beaming with valour.Inside a private office, Austin and Katerina sat opposite each other. The subtle golden glow from the chandeliers, basking their faces in a beautiful allure.''So, when can I see my father?'' Austin asked, his eyes filled with a myriad of emotions.Upon hearing his question, Katerina Blake mustered a smile, letting out a soft sigh.''Very soon.''''He's in a business meeting abroad, and it may take a while before his arrival. However, I'm sure he wouldn't take that long,'' she
''Who are you?'' Austin jumped, straining his eyes in cold fright.His gaze stuck to the curtain, wondering if he had started hallucinating again or perhaps the dream had weighed on his mind, more than he thought.However, this place felt too real for it not to be real. Right behind the curtain, he could make out the silhouette of a human figure.Yet… there was no response.The silhouette only stood there like a statue, casting a shadow against the silky curtain fabric.''I said who are you?'' Austin yelled, his voice beginning to sound distorted from terror.As he yelled, he also tried to crawl back to create distance between himself and the enigmatic figure, but the primal fear that weighed on him strapped him down to the same place.''I-if you don't reveal yourself, I'll-''''You'll call the security guards.'' A hoarse voice rang from behind the curtains, its lingering echoes, permeating the room like a menacing spirit.''An impulsive choice, not so intelligent, but perhaps that'
Austin kept moving backwards, until his back touched the wall, halting his advancement.He dared not turn back, and at that moment, he wished the wall would vanish and allow him to continue with his struggle.''My, my… can't move further than that, eh?'' The man let out a sinister chuckle, sending chills down Austin's back.''I… we can settle this amicably.'' Austin stammered, his eyes twitching with every fleeting moment.It didn't take a genius to figure out how ugly his situation was at the moment. He stood no chance against this man, not even in his most unruly fantasies.Forget about the mystery that cloaked the assailant. He also had a gun and knife with him.Assuming he could wrestle his way considering only the knife, then what about the gun?''Damnation.'' Austin gritted his teeth.The fact that he couldn't tell what brought this man here in the first place made the situation even more spontaneous.He couldn't help but wonder if Marcus and Lana could be behind this whole set-
The soft, morning sun rays grazed Christopher Blake, Austin's biological father, as he stepped out of the plane.He held a little brown box, and from the large smile on his not-so-wrinkled face, one could figure out his present mood.He had been on Austin's neck to come take over the company. However, ever since his only son left the house after their minor dispute, he has never answered or returned his calls.He blocked him out of his life. He couldn't even invite him to his wedding. If not for his complex chains of information, he might not even know that his son had a wife.However, everything was now in the past. His son had agreed to his demand, and he couldn't wait to go see him after so many years of longing and loneliness.'I'm sure he would've grown more beards now, any even taller?' Christopher grinned, as he mesmerized himself in reverie.He had yet to even take a few steps on the solid ground of the airport when he bumped into a man.Caught off guard, the box in his hands
Feeling his heart tightening, Christopher entered the room with light footsteps. There at the extreme, Rebecca entered his view, her eyes looking in a particular direction.She had yet to realize their presence, already lost in deep thoughts. On moving closer to her, Christopher tapped her shoulder, making her flinch.Turning, she quickly rose to her feet, seeing who was before her.Her eyes looked puffy. Both dried and wet tears stain plastered her face, a testament to hours of sobbing.''Please punish my negligence.'' She fell to her knees, her face kissing the floor.Christopher paused, feeling a barrage of multiple emotions. His flat look twisted a bit as his emotions threatened to explode. However, after gnashing his teeth momentarily, he ignored Rebecca and walked forward.Right before him lay the unconscious Austin, clad in a white robe. His breathing was shallow, and his face looked pale.A bandage was used to wrap his chest. However, despite the skilled medical intervention,
The golden energy slammed Christopher to the wall as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His memories at first appeared fuzzy from knocking his head on the wall.However, he soon regained his clarity, his eyes knitting in horror, shock, and excitement.He could see Austin's body squirming. The deep gash on his chest and head twisted and wriggled as the tissues wound around one another.Black fluid oozed out of Austin's pores, and each of his breath was accompanied by a dark, foul-smelling gas.From the look on Austin's face, he could tell that his son was going through unbearable pain. Clenching his fists, he could only encourage him to persevere— the elixir was working.He could see the different wounds closing at a speed visible to the naked eye. His son's hair was falling, and even his old skin appeared to be breaking apart from his body.Everything that happened from the moment he forced the elixir into Austin's throat to the present broke logic.It's like… it's like magi
Austin gaped in shock, wondering if he heard right.''Father did you just say that you know who's behind this?'' he asked in a bewildered tone.''Absolutely.'' Christopher chuckled, his eyes revealing a sinister glint.''To think they would be brazen enough to lay their dirty fingers on the sole heir of the Blake family, my only son,'' Christopher smirked, twirling the liquor cup in his hand.''Father, who's behind this whole scheme? Why are they after my life?'' Austin bombarded his father with questions.Phew.Christopher sighed, looking into Austin's eyes with a solemn gaze.''That emblem with the tattoo you just described is the hallmark insignia of the Harl's Group bodyguards.''''The Harl's Group bodyguards?'' Austin narrowed his eyes. ''Who are they, and-''''The Harl's Group is one of the few wannabe giant organizations.''''They operate in the shadows, engaging in all forms of shady business, they don't mind taking any dirty means, so far they can accomplish their goals.'' Ch
A few hours had passed after Austin's meeting with his father. The sudden turn of events still leaving him in a daze.Wrapping himself in a white duvet, his gaze remained on the alabaster ceiling, carved with different, intricate designs interwoven into each other.A myriad of thoughts coursed through his head, from the attempt assassination— or perhaps his actual assassination if the world was sane, and down to the undercurrent his father was just letting him know about.Knitting his brows, he released a long breath, turning to the side close to the olive wall.Just as he turned, he frowned, hearing a soft knock on the door.He didn't realize it, but his heartbeat had skyrocketed, leaving his face flushed with apprehension. With a glance, one could tell that Austin had yet to get over his previous mishap.Fortunately, he was in his father's territory at the moment. He was safe here. This private estate was his citadel, the haven that would protect him regardless of what was coming.A