"So, what’s the plan?" Nurse Cara asked the moment they settled at the cafeteria. There weren't many people around, just a few who might have come to see their family and friends who were patients in the hospital."Akash couldn’t get his mother away from Dave, so we were going to try the more subtle approach," August replied."We? Since when did the two of us start working together?" She asked, giving him a weird look."I meant to say 'I and my team,' but you will definitely join the team soon," August said quickly.She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Why should I help you? The main reason I left the oncology department is that I don’t want to care anymore.""Will you really be okay if the woman dies? Tell me you’ll be fine, and I’ll leave without saying another word." It was a big lie. Nurse Cara was his last resort. He would definitely not move an inch if she said otherwise.She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "She is dying," she started to shake her head. "According to the doctors
Akash answered the call without checking the caller’s ID.“Hello, am I speaking with Mr. Akash?” A feminine voice spoke over the phone.“Yeah, you’ve got him,” Akash replied, sparing a glance at Dave, who was staring at him as if curious about his caller.“Sir, I am sorry to inform you that your mother has just passed away and….”The voice trailed off. Akash's body went stiff for a moment, then the phone slipped from his hands freely, his hand slowly coming down to stay by his side. His whole weight suddenly felt too heavy to hold on, and the only thing that would relieve him at that point was slumping on the floor.“Akash?” Dave called and made to touch him, but was surprised when Akash lunged at him and grabbed his collar. “You bastard! You killed her!” He yelled at Dave as Brooks rushed to get him off his boss, but Akash was annoyingly strong at that point.“You killed her!” Brooks managed to get him off Dave and stood between them. “Stay back, Mr. Akash, or I will be forced to cal
"So, August, what’s the plan? You haven’t really told me the reason why I needed to stay in Arizona Robotics," Akash said, dropping the glass of champagne on the table and resting back in his chair, a curious look on his face.“How is project AKIRA going?” August turned to look at him. He nodded confidently. “Like I said, it’s going to be the biggest robotic project the world has ever seen. The abilities of AKIRA can’t be measured because the moment AKIRA is launched and allowed to interact with humans for a long time, it would transcend in intelligence and will literally be able to do anything,” he explained.“More reason why we can’t let Arizona Robotics be its sole owner,” August said.“You plan on stealing AKIRA?” Akash asked, disbelief hinted in his voice as August nodded confidently.“How?” Dan asked. “Dave would certainly not let you do that.”“I won’t be stealing AKIRA now,” August said with a smirk. “It would be on its launch day, when Dave would think he has won.” August sai
The atmosphere in the spacious auditorium was electric as reporters from various media outlets, their cameras poised and pens ready, eagerly awaited the unveiling of AKIRA, the highly anticipated superhuman AI robot. The stage was bathed in soft, ambient light, with a large screen behind it displaying the sleek silhouette of the robotic marvel.The host walked onto the podium as everyone settled, with Dave taking his place in the front seat set aside as the high table, trying not to dwell on the call he had received from August. He would be kidding himself if he believed August had sincerely called him to congratulate him.“Sir, you don’t look good. Is anything wrong?” Brooks, who was sitting at the chair behind him, moved forward to ask.Dave drew a deep breath and forced himself to focus on the event. “Yes, I’m fine,” Dave said, diverting his gaze to the right end of the high table on the stage where Akash and his team sat, a table in front of them with speakers at their mouths. Aka
As the video ended, AKIRA started to speak again. “This video shows how my creator has been blackmailed for the past six months by Dave Arizona,” AKIRA continued.“Stop that,” Dave breathed slowly, but Brooks didn’t hear what he said at first. For some reason, Brooks didn’t know why he stood still and watched the footage in fear. He could have done something to stop it. But was he scared the agreeable crowd would lash out at him?“Stop it, you bastard!” Dave seethed under his breath and looked at Brooks, who immediately rushed off to the backstage, got something to turn off all power as darkness descended on the hall.While sitting in the darkness with the reporters trying to find their way in the dark room as they turned on their phone flashlights, Dave was unbelievably relieved as he sat there quietly with no one aware. But he still couldn’t change the fact that the deed had been done. He was ruined. Not only the highway project of his life… Arizona Teaching Hospital was going to be
August stood in front of the ABC Construction building, which towered above most of the companies in the area. It was the leading construction company in the world, and the CEO was about to retire.He had been thinking for the past few days about how to accomplish his new task. The ABC Construction Company secured big construction deals worth millions, while smaller construction firms settled for smaller deals worth a few thousand. Now, August had come to the conclusion that he would acquire the company by owning the majority of shares.Now, he had more than enough to buy shares. After AKIRA became affiliated with the Trillion-dollar company, investors started to take notice of the company both domestically and internationally. For the last few days, the number of shareholders in the Trillion-dollar company had increased drastically. Their new building now stood among the other big companies, elevating their status.August advanced into the company’s building. He was going to negotiat
"You son of a bitch!" Dave exclaimed, his voice shaky as he fired at August, but August stunned him by landing another slap across his face. Dave held his face, his eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropped in disbelief. Never would he have imagined such humiliation.By now, they had attracted attention as people around started taking pictures. Of course, who wouldn’t? It’s not every day you witness a once-revered CEO being humiliated in a company's lobby."I will make sure you pay for this, August Sullivan!" Dave made to rush at him but instinctively stood back, knowing the implications of trying to hit August. Not only was he no match in status, but also in physical strength."Sir, you will have to leave the company or…" the manager interjected."Shut the hell up!" Dave raved at the manager while August watched him with a smirk. "Aren’t you pathetic enough? You should quit while I am being nice. It wasn’t like I slapped you randomly. You had done something wrong, Dave Arizona," August
“You seem to be doing well compared to how you imagined,” Allen said, noticing the distressed look on the young man’s face. He knew he had just been sarcastic, but he knew Dave Arizona so well from the past when they had briefly interacted. He hated it when his downfall was being rubbed in his face. That was why he admired the young man and had so much respect for him.“I guess so,” Dave understood what he was trying to do, so he just smiled and nodded.“What brings you here? Did Pa Satya send you?” Dave thought for a moment Pa Satya must have seen the video and felt sorry for him, thus asking to meet. Even though Dave doesn’t play the pity game, he realized that he needed it now more than ever. He didn’t care anymore. But once the construction company becomes his again, he would definitely make those who looked down on him pay.“No,” he replied, as Dave’s heart sank.“What… What?” Dave didn’t mean to show so much expression of shock and helplessness as Mr. Allen walked over to the lo
“I think you’re mistaken, Miss. I hope you can check through again in case you missed something….”“Are you trying to teach me my job?” The receptionist snapped, shocking Aliya with her abrupt outburst.A mere receptionist was talking to her rudely, and there was nothing she could do. They weren't in the same league, but if she caused a scene with this secretary here, what would the trillion-dollar company think of her?She pressed her lips together for a while, trying to suppress the growing anger within her.“I am not trying to teach you anything, Miss. I only want a chance to meet the chairman,” Aliya managed to muster in a calm tone.“And I am telling you right now that there is no room for you, Miss. Please leave, or I will have security drag you out,” she hissed impatiently and shifted her attention to the system in front of her.Aliya wasn’t sure how to behave afterward. Even from the beginning, this whole thing had worn her out. Pushing through was something she was barely cop
“I can’t believe you agreed to it just like that, Grandfather.” Simon walked into Pa West’s study room later that evening to vent. Even though he had looked calm when everything was concluded earlier, deep down he was pissed.“Don’t be such a fool. Didn’t you realize the stunt that loser was trying to pull? He is trying to delay the vote to take down his wife.” Pa West took a gulp of his liquor while seated on the luxurious leather seat in the room. He relaxed backward and gave a satisfied groan as the liquid went down his throat.“If we had dismissed his suggestion like that, the shareholders might start to think we only want to remove Aliya due to personal reasons. These people don’t give a fuck about sentiments. All they care about is profits. And Allen, that weird pauper, knew that and played his card well.” He placed his hand on his chin, a thoughtful look on his face. “I wonder how he got the idea to bring in the trillion-dollar company into this. He talks about the company like
“The both of you could compete for who could bag the contract with the trillion-dollar company,” August suggested with a confident look. “I am sure the owners won’t mind if they see that the West Corporation is enthusiastic to work with them.”“Don’t be ridiculous,” Simon chuckled as he tried to wave off the suggestion. “They would think the company is divided if my sister and I submit different proposals to them for the same company.”“And who said you would be the next chairman if it isn’t Aliya? What do you take me for?” Landon immediately cut in as Simon shifted his gaze slowly to meet his enraged brother.“Shut up and stop embarrassing yourself, Landon.” Pa West seemed to be pissed too as a deep frown formed on his face.Landon gritted his teeth as he tried to hold himself from speaking again. But he knew better. His grandfather, who was his only backer, was solidly behind Simon. It felt like all he had been working hard for was a waste. He had been fighting Aliya all this while
“This is why I keep talking about the importance of marrying people with brains. How could you just suggest something like that?” Landon spoke up, immediately seizing the opportunity to humiliate August again while August maintained his calm and composed look.He stared straight ahead without sparing Landon a look. He knew Landon was dying to see him crumble. Too bad he was done being a punching bag to them. This would be the beginning of their sorrows.“You always end up saying nonsense whenever you open that mouth of yours. What the hell do you know about business, huh?” Pa West asked.“Do you truly care about my sister? Do you actually want her to lose her position deep down?” Simon asked with a cocky grin. As always, he was the only one who made a point.Normally, they were supposed to just agree to it and watch Aliya fail because bagging a deal with a trillion-dollar company is like an ant trying to move a mountain. The West Corporation is a small company and not among the top th
Simon noticed how Aliya entwined her fingers together. He could already see how tense she was, and he would definitely use that to his advantage. He was always like this—watching with sharp eyes like an eagle and pouncing on his prey when they let their guard slightly down.“Are you tense, sister? If you’re uncomfortable about the whole arrangement and would prefer not to go through with it, you can just step down willingly. Everyone would understand that you’ve grown wary over the years and would like to focus on your family now,” Simon said with a cool gaze, making a face as if he was truly looking out for her.“Don’t be ridiculous, brother. Just because I am a married woman doesn’t make my career hopeless. Forget about stepping down—I dare you to say you are capable of handling West Corporation half as well as I have,” Aliya said in a cocky tone, causing Simon to clench his fist, which was placed on the table.It wasn’t always easy to get her brother to lose his composure, but when
“Did the beating affect your head? What the hell are you saying?” Aliya laughed, not taking his words seriously. He didn’t blame her. He is a pauper with nothing to his name. How could he possibly help her?“You will see how I will make everything easy for you.” August sat up, brushed away the hair covering her face, and placed a peck on her forehead. Aliya watched him, unsure how to react.She pressed her lips and watched him in silence as he lay back. “Could you get me an apple, please?” he asked politely.Aliya, who was deep in thought, shook her head as she came back to reality. She flashed him a smile and nodded. “Sure,” she said and started to walk out of the room.“Babe,” he called when she grabbed the doorknob and was about to open the door. “Make sure to take your time,” he said with a calm smile.Aliya gave him a half-suspicious look before nodding.Immediately after she left, August located his phone by the bed stand and dialed Lila.“That was quick,” she commented the mome
“I will do neither, and none of you has the right to make me do any of it if I don’t want to,” Aliya said stubbornly.“You are testing my patience, girl,” Pa West gritted his teeth. As Aliya made to say something, August held her hand. She turned to look at him, an almost helpless look on her face. August shook his head.“I don’t care,” Aliya still turned around to say. “You all should go to hell for all I care!” she blurted in annoyance and made to leave when Landon rushed after her and grabbed her other hand.Aliya swung around to find Landon staring deadly at her. He raised his hand to slap her. “How dare you speak to Grandfather like that!” he berated.August couldn’t believe what had just happened. He stared wide-eyed at his wife’s now reddened face. He grabbed Landon by the collar. “How dare you!” he fired at him.Landon had never seen August like this. August rarely spoke, but now he looked like an enraged lion about to pounce on its prey.“You crazy psycho. Get your hands off
“What! No!” Aliya blurted out almost immediately, glaring at anyone who dared to look at her.“Are you glaring at me right now because of this piece of trash?” Pa West asked, a disgusted look on his face as August's fist clenched. This wasn’t him. He wasn’t used to people treating him like trash. In the past, he would usually put whoever tried to cross him in their place. Dave's case was a perfect example. At that moment, he felt a sudden urge to reincarnate that part of him that he killed years ago.But he couldn’t do that. He had managed through all this while. Besides, he barely cared about insults as long as Aliya was still very much in love with him. But what he wouldn’t tolerate was anyone trying to take her away from him.“She is feeling like a big shot because Dad made her the CEO, Grandfather. Uncultured people like her, who are raised by nobodies, will always act like they want. It’s so disappointing,” Landon chipped in, indirectly insulting her mother.“How dare you insult
August walked into the room that seemed as quiet as a graveyard. It was the exotic living room of the Wests. They were among the wealthy people in the country, more like among the second tier when it comes to ranking from top to bottom. But theirs was the best of the second tier. They were not to be trifled with at all. With the kind of achievements Aliya had made for the company, it had grown significantly over the last five years. Besides that, August used his secret connections with influential people he had worked with in the past to help Aliya secretly.“Babe, you’re here,” Aliya said, walking toward him the moment she noticed August standing in the doorway.August was carried away by the sight of the familiar yet unfamiliar man sitting on the single-seat couch in the middle of the room. He suddenly realized why nobody bothered to use that particular seat in the room. It was reserved for someone.Pa West. The head of the West family who had been away from the family for the past