76 Manager Tom's Escape
Author: MKmanyr
last update2024-11-30 19:33:13

Manager Tom sat in his office, staring at the framed photograph on his desk. It was a relic of a simpler time when his biggest concern had been balancing the books or dealing with an unruly courier. Now, his hands shook as he reached for the glass of whiskey by his side.

The news of Alice and Lana’s sudden disappearances had been all over the underground grapevine. He didn’t need to be a genius to figure out who was behind it.

Austin Blake.

Tom wiped the sweat from his forehead with a trembling hand. He had barely slept since the news broke. The idea of Austin’s shadow looming over him, even indirectly, was enough to keep him awake at night. It wasn’t guilt—not entirely. Tom had seen plenty of people fall by the wayside in his line of work. But this? This was different.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered, leaning back in his chair. His mind raced with possibilities. Run? Hide? Apologize? None of it felt like a safe option.

The decision became clearer as the days passed. Tom couldn’t
Continue Reading on MegaNovel
Scan code to download App

Related Chapters

  • Money Games: The Tycoon Overlord    77 Evans Embarrassed

    Evans stood on the balcony overlooking the grand ballroom. The chandeliers cast a warm glow over the sea of attendees, all dressed to the nines, sipping expensive champagne, and pretending they cared about charity. He hated every single one of them. “Smile, boss,” Paul said from behind him, handing him a fresh drink. “The cameras are watching.” Evans turned, forcing his lips into a tight grin. His face felt like it would crack. “They’re watching, alright,” he muttered, downing the whiskey in one swig. “But this isn’t for them. This is for the board.” Paul smirked. “The upper echelons breathing down your neck again?” “Like you wouldn’t believe,” Evans said, his voice low. He leaned on the railing, his knuckles white against the dark wood. “They think I’ve lost control. Think I’m reckless. But they were all there when we greenlit the missile, weren’t they?” Paul nodded. “Hypocrites, the lot of them. But this? This charity stunt will smooth things over.” Evans scoffed. “If on

  • Money Games: The Tycoon Overlord    78 Cyber Currency

    Austin leaned back in the leather chair, the air in the room thick with smoke and tension. The Shadow Council had gathered again, their faces illuminated by the dim, flickering light above the massive table. King Tade sat opposite him, his expression calm but commanding. His presence filled the room, even when he wasn’t speaking. “I can’t thank you enough, King Tade,” Austin said, his tone as smooth as silk. He raised his glass in acknowledgment. “Your guidance through the cyber currency markets has been invaluable.” Tade smirked, swirling his whiskey lazily. “Don’t thank me yet, Austin. This is just the beginning. Holding power is a lot harder than taking it.” Austin nodded, knowing Tade wasn’t one to mince words. He’d learned quickly that the man’s advice, while sometimes brutal, was always sharp and calculated. Shanks, seated near the end of the table, chuckled dryly. “You’ve made quite the leap, Austin. From that boy they laughed at in boardrooms to this. Who would’ve thou

  • Money Games: The Tycoon Overlord    79 Join Us Or Die

    The icy wind howled through the mountains as Austin stood by the edge of the cliff, his breath visible in the cold air. The snow crunched beneath his boots as he adjusted his scarf. Lady Katerina stood beside him, her expression as sharp as the wind slicing through the trees below. Her pale face was unreadable, but her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. “Winter’s an appropriate time for this kind of work, don’t you think?” she said, her voice low, almost conversational. Austin smirked, the cold doing little to temper his resolve. “Appropriate. Efficient. The snow hides all sorts of things.” She chuckled, the sound humorless. “Let’s make this quick. The bastard’s not worth dragging it out.” Ahead of them, the isolated cabin loomed like a shadow against the frosted trees. Inside was their target—a seventh-stage cultivator who had refused Austin’s generous invitation to join the Blake family’s fold. His arrogance had sealed his fate. ---The cabin door burst open with a thund

  • Money Games: The Tycoon Overlord    80 The Most Powerful Mafia Family

    Austin sat at the edge of the conference table, his gaze locked on Lady Katerina. Her tone was measured, authoritative, yet almost conspiratorial, like she was offering him a glimpse behind the curtain of a grand theater.“The Elders are pleased with your actions so far,” she began, her lips curling into a rare smile. “Your father will be retiring very soon, and you’ll step up as the new patriarch of the Blake family.” Austin leaned back slightly, folding his arms across his chest. His expression didn’t betray much—calm, focused—but his mind was a whirlwind. He’d expected this, prepared for it, but hearing it out loud was something else. “You’ve earned it,” she continued, her voice softening. “And now, you deserve to understand the full extent of the family’s power.” She reached into her briefcase, pulling out a set of files stamped with the Blake family crest. Tossing them onto the table, she didn’t wait for him to open them. “Our soldiers—millions of them—range from the four

  • Money Games: The Tycoon Overlord    81 Marriage?

    The room was silent for a moment after Senator Hayes’ proposition. The kind of silence that stretched thin and tight, waiting for someone to snap it. Austin leaned back in his chair, one hand resting on the edge of the polished oak table, the other drumming his fingers against his knee. He studied Hayes like a cat watching a cornered mouse, his expression blank but his mind already ten steps ahead.“You said your daughter is head over heels for me,” Austin finally said, his tone dry, almost amused. “What makes you think that matters to me?” Senator Hayes laughed nervously, dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief. “Ah, Mr. Austin, you misunderstand me. I know you well enough to know emotions aren’t your currency. But alliances are. My proposal isn’t about love—it’s about power. Mutual benefits.” “Mutual?” Austin tilted his head, arching an eyebrow. “What’s mutual about me tying myself to your family? You get the Blake name, the status, the protection. What do I get, Senator?” H

  • Money Games: The Tycoon Overlord    82 Fiscal Prowess

    The meeting room was filled with a mix of tension and ambition, the kind that made people talk just a little louder, sit a little straighter. Austin sat at the head of the long table, his gaze sweeping over the faces around him. The tech moguls, the financial analysts, the economists—they were all there, big names with bigger egos. But they all deferred to him now. He wasn’t just a player in their world anymore; he was the one holding the strings. “Let’s cut the crap,” Austin said, his voice sharp, cutting through the noise like a blade. “We’re not here to pat ourselves on the back. We’re here to change the game. And I don’t mean tweaking a few rules—I mean rewriting the entire system.” The room went quiet. One of the analysts, a thin man with wire-rimmed glasses, cleared his throat. “With respect, Mr. Blake, decentralizing finance on a global scale isn’t just ambitious—it’s unprecedented. The potential backlash—” “I’m not interested in potential,” Austin interrupted, leaning

  • Money Games: The Tycoon Overlord    83 The Antonio's Strange Behaviour

    The helicopter hummed against the heavy silence as Evans sat stiffly, his jaw locked tight. His fists clenched so hard his knuckles went white. Paul, seated across from him, shifted uncomfortably, glancing at his boss. “It’s not just strange,” Paul muttered, more to himself than anyone. “It’s downright unheard of. The Antonio group shutting down their entire territory? No one does that. What the hell are they playing at?” Evans’ glare shot to Paul, sharp enough to cut. “Do you think I’m blind? Or do you think I’m stupid?” His voice was low, dangerous, and Paul flinched. “Of course it’s strange. The bastards didn’t even bother with an explanation. Just turned me away like I’m some bloody beggar.” Paul opened his mouth, but whatever he was about to say, he swallowed it back. He knew better than to push when Evans was like this. The man’s temper was a blade—sharp and ready to slice through anyone in reach. “Pilot,” Evans barked, leaning toward the cockpit. “How much longer?” “A

  • Money Games: The Tycoon Overlord    84 World Richest Man

    ---Austin sat back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping on the glass of his whiskey as he glanced over the world economy report. Everything was falling into place. The industries he’d cultivated—oil, tech, automation, space exploration, and cyber currency—were all running at full capacity, each one driving the Blake family’s empire higher. Even without factoring in the wealth of his family, Austin had topped the world’s wealth rankings. He let the report fall to the desk with a satisfying thud. The numbers were staggering, but to him, they were just a reflection of the work he’d put in, the risks he’d taken, and the ruthless decisions he’d made. It had all paid off. He leaned back, letting the moment sink in. His empire was untouchable now. No one had the reach, the power, or the influence that the Blake family had amassed. Austin Blake was a name that people feared, respected, and envied. James walked into the room, his presence as silent and lethal as ever. He didn’t nee

Latest Chapter

  • 100 Gone

    The room was heavy with tension. The air thick, as if the walls themselves could sense the finality of what was about to unfold. Austin stood at the center of the secret basement, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of the people who had stood by him, helped him build this empire. The Blake family Elders, Senator Hayes, Farhan, and the others—his closest allies—were all gathered, eyes filled with something more than just respect.It was the weight of a journey, a history, and an unspoken understanding that this chapter was closing."Well, it’s time," Austin said, his voice calm but edged with determination. His words hung in the air for a moment before they sank into the hearts of those around him. Farhan stood beside him, arms crossed, his usual bravado replaced with a quiet, contemplative air. The years had changed them both. They had grown older, more thoughtful, more burdened by the responsibilities they’d carried for so long. Yet their connection remained unshaken. The bond of

  • 99 Old Buddies

    The whiskey glass in Austin's hand was half empty, the amber liquid swirling around as he tapped his fingers lightly against the rim. His mind, sharp as ever, wasn't focused on the business of the day. Instead, it was on the conversation that had been simmering in his mind for weeks now. Across from him sat Farhan Maleq and James, two of the few men who had stuck by him through thick and thin, who had seen him rise and fall, and now, who were part of the very foundation he had built. They weren’t just allies anymore; they were family.Farhan leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze fixed on Austin. The years had changed him, just as they had changed Austin, but there was a familiarity in the air. It was the kind of silence you could only share with people who had seen you at your worst and still stuck around. The weight of the world they’d carried together was too much for just words to explain.James, ever the quiet one, was staring into his glass, eyes unfocused but filled with a k

  • 98 New Lives

    The room buzzed with quiet murmurs and soft laughter, a stark contrast to the bloody chaos of just a few years ago. The grand hall of the Blake estate was draped in gold and white, the colors of celebration and unity. Every corner of the room radiated opulence, a testament to the new world order that Austin had built with his iron will. Emma sat in an intricately carved chair at the center of the stage, her face glowing with a mixture of pride and exhaustion. The twins lay in her arms, swaddled in soft fabrics that probably cost more than the average person’s yearly salary. Austin stood next to her, his towering frame exuding authority even as his gaze softened every time it flickered to the babies. The crowd of global elites, Mafia heads, and influential dignitaries stood below, glasses raised in celebration. Farhan, representing the El Maleq, stepped forward to speak. “To the future of our world,” he began, his voice smooth and commanding. “And to the two children who symbol

  • 97 A New World

    Austin sat at the head of the table, his presence alone silencing the murmurs that rippled through the room. Representatives from the El Maleq family, the Shadow Council, and other former Mafia factions filled the massive conference hall. Farhan stood to his right, his gaze sharp and unreadable, while Senator Hayes leaned back in his chair, his face set in an expression of calm calculation. "This isn’t a negotiation," Austin said, his voice low but carrying. "This is a reality check. The days of fractured territories and petty rivalries are over. From now on, the Blake family is at the center, and I lead the world. Anyone who can’t live with that is free to leave—preferably without causing a scene." Farhan smirked slightly, but his eyes scanned the room for any signs of dissent. The silence was heavy, the weight of Austin’s words pressing down on everyone present. Senator Hayes finally spoke, his voice measured. "No one’s questioning your power, Austin. But centralizing everyth

  • 96 Dealing With Aftermath

    Austin sat at the edge of a conference table in the Blake family’s main office. The room was packed with faces that wore varying levels of exhaustion and wariness, but none could deny the determination etched into their features. Farhan leaned back in his chair, flipping a pen between his fingers, while Emma sat opposite Austin, scanning through a list of proposed actions. “The loot from the war,” Emma began, her tone sharp and deliberate, “is more than enough to compensate every major city affected by the fighting. But if we’re not careful, this could spiral into another power struggle.” Austin exhaled slowly, his hands resting on the table. “No more power struggles,” he said firmly. “We’ve had enough bloodshed. The loot is going to rebuild, educate, and unite. Anyone who tries to hoard it or weaponize it is going to wish they hadn’t.” Farhan chuckled, though there was no humor in it. “You’re asking wolves to stop hunting, mate. They’ll need more than a warning.” “They’ll ge

  • 95 Revolutionary

    The war was over, but the silence it left in its wake was deafening. Cities that had been battlegrounds now bore the scars of Austin’s conquest: shattered buildings, scorched earth, and a populace weary of the bloodshed. Yet amidst the rubble, a new world was being forged. Austin had no intention of letting the old order crawl back from the ashes. The grand hall of the Blake family’s headquarters buzzed with activity. Delegates from the former Mafia factions sat stiffly around the long table, their postures wary. Some still bore the bruises and cuts from their recent battles, their pride as battered as their bodies. Austin entered without ceremony, his presence demanding silence. Dressed in a sharp black suit, his gaze swept over the room. He didn’t need to speak for the tension to settle like a weight on everyone’s shoulders. “We’ve spent decades clawing at each other’s throats,” he began, his voice sharp, cutting through the room. “For what? Territory? Power? Pride? And where

  • 94 Above the Ninth Stage

    Austin moved through the battlefield like a force of nature, his movements precise and terrifying. His fists cracked the air with raw power, sending shockwaves that obliterated anything in their path. The thirteen ninth-stage cultivators encircled him, their Qi radiating like a blazing inferno, but there was no fear in his eyes. Only rage. The ground beneath his feet split apart as he surged forward, faster than their eyes could follow. His first strike hit the closest cultivator square in the chest. Bones shattered audibly, the man’s body folding in on itself before he was hurled across the field like a broken doll. The others hesitated for only a second before launching their counterattack. Qi blasts illuminated the battlefield, the air heavy with energy so potent it made the surrounding soldiers—cultivators and non-cultivators alike—falter. But Austin didn’t flinch. ---“Come on!” he roared, his voice booming like thunder. His figure blurred as he leapt into the fray, weaving

  • 93 Revelation

    The hospital room was deathly quiet. The faint hum of machines barely masked the steady tick of the wall clock. Lady Katerina lay on the hospital bed, her face pale but serene. The bandages on her chest hid the severity of the wound, but Austin knew better. He stood at her bedside, his broad shoulders rigid, hands clenched into fists at his sides. “You asked to see me,” he said, his voice low, rough. He didn’t look at her face; he couldn’t. The woman who had been a pillar of strength for the Blake family now looked so fragile, her breaths shallow and strained. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her lips curved in a faint smile. “It’s time.” “Don’t say that,” he snapped, his tone harsher than intended. He turned to her finally, his eyes blazing with frustration and something deeper. “You’ll pull through. You always do.” Katerina’s smile widened, though it cost her. The pain etched in her features was evident. “Always so stubborn, Austin. But this... this is differ

  • 92 Ambush

    The battlefield was finally quiet, save for the groans of the wounded and the distant crackle of dying Qi flames. Victory hung heavy in the air, bitter and costly. Austin stood among the carnage, his blade still in hand, blood dripping onto the scorched earth. His chest heaved as he looked around, the faces of his allies weary but triumphant.“We did it,” Farhan said, his voice cutting through the haze. He clutched his side, blood seeping between his fingers, but his grin was defiant. “They’re finished. Their ninth-stage are gone. We’ve crushed them.”Austin nodded, his jaw tight. “This was just the beginning.”The words barely left his mouth when a piercing scream shattered the fragile calm. His head snapped toward the source, his heart dropping into his stomach. It was Katerina.---Lady Katerina stood at the command post, her focus on relaying orders to secure the retreating enemy lines. She barely saw the shadow until it was too late. A sharp pain exploded in her chest, and she st

Scan code to read on App