Chapter 1.The room was cloaked in blackness, light that illuminated the room was the single flickering Xander at the center of the table. Everyone knew that Viktor Grey was a man of colossal power and influence, he had called for a meeting among the billionaire and it felt as if he held more power than them, like the fate of the whole world was in his hands. As they took their seats, the atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation.Viktor cleared his throat, the sound echoing through the room, even though the weather was warm, everywhere in the room was filled with a chilling sensation. “This is why we are here,” Viktor started, he was about to lay out his plans, “I want to head this table. It’s about time I take over. It’s about time I take what’s mine. It’s about time for Oliver’s reign to end.” Viktor was saying all of these to make the other billionaires turn against Oliver. He was really urging them to be on his side, the seemingly untouchable force that had dominated their wo
Oliver walked into the company of one of the billionaires in the country. He made his way to the receptionist and rested on the counter gently while looking straight into the receptionist's eyes. She stared at him waiting for him to talk but he didn't."What do you want, Young man," She finally said and he stood up straight as if that was all he was waiting for."Now, that is how you know a good receptionist with great customer service but it took you long enough," Oliver said with a smile broadened on his face but the receptionist did not return the smile. "Well, I want to see Mr. Roger," he added and she bent her head to pick at Mr. Roger's schedule."What is your name?" She asked and he ran his hand through his head."It's Oliver," He answered and she kept staring at him. He didn't understand until she raised her eyebrows. "Just Oliver," he added and she smiled, taking a peek again at Mr.Roger's schedule. Oliver waited patiently as she rolled her eyes on the book, checking every na
Viktor Grey felt a heavy knot of worry in his chest as he stepped into the sterile, fluorescent-lit hospital room where his daughter Elina lay, frail and weak in a patient’s uniform, beneath white sheets. She had been in a car accident, and he was desperate to see her, but what he encountered was not the warm welcome he had hoped for.The machines around her beeped rhythmically, a constant reminder of her fragile state. Viktor had barely seen her since the accident that had left her in this condition, and guilt gnawed at him. He couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed even though his absence was justified where he had to attend to his other daughter, Mia.Elina's face, usually so gentle and caring, contorted with anger. Her eyes once filled with warmth and love, were now clouded with jealousy, as she spotted her father. "Where were you, Dad? You're always with Mia, and now you show up here?!" Her voice trembled with a mixture of pain, malice and resentment. Mia, his other daughter from a p
Chapter 4.It was on a Thursday, Mia was at home, and she was heavily on duties because she had deadlines to meet, she had stories to finish and published. While she buried her head in her laptop as she work oblivious to what was going on around her.She had planned to stay home today and canceled all her schedules which included meeting with Oliver, but when it comes to scheduling work, Oliver understands and there were times when she puts everything on holds just to be with him, and it was worth it.Unlike today, she really needed to finish work.Mia had put her phone on silent to block distractions and locked herself in, she sat on her favorite couch, wearing a black leggings and oversized shirt, apparently it was Oliver’s shirt. Her neighborhood was usually quiet and something unusual was happening, Mia thought, she was hearing the sound of cars speeding through and abruptly stopping, getting distracted and out of curiosity, Mia got up and went to the window, she noticed that th
Chapter 5Oliver was in his office, he barely had much work to attend to, he had been thinking about Lionheart Group and how to elevate the company to new heights. As he sat at his desk, contemplating his next move, a notification popped up on his computer screen. It was an email from his assistant, informing him that they had arrived.Oliver, being determined to take his company to new heights, made a strategic decision to establish a board of directors. He believed that having a diverse group of individuals with different expertise and perspectives would greatly benefit the overall company's growth. Also, the levels at which company would want partner with him will be with company thy are on the same page as him, he didn’t want to go through the stress of having to partner with a company that wants to grow except if it’s a company that he bought to save from liquidation.Oliver knew that finding the right people to choose to be among is board of directors was crucial for the succe
Betty, Oliver's secretary quickly stepped down from the cab as rumbling thunder sounded in the sky. She paid the cab man and as he zoomed off, she quickly dashed into her house. It was starting to drizzle by then, and when she searched for her key, some of the waters fell on her.Her house was a good one standing by the side of the street. Other than the most neighbors and the dog that always barked whenever it sees her coming, it was a pretty good place to stay. There were several flowers adorning the front of the houses, and the green field in the front made it seem like the landscape was dreamy.Betty quickly opened her door and stepped inside. She locked the door behind her, and pulled off her coat."Brit, I'm home..." She called out to her cat. Betty looked down and saw that the cat had not eaten a single meal from it's plate. It was unlike her to do so. "Brit..." She called out again as she took the plate to search for the cat. By that time, rumbling thunder sounded wiu flashe
"Boss, have you heard the news?" Marv asked Oliver who frowned in response. Lydia stood there as still as Ice and watched all of Oliver's reactions."What news?" Oliver asked Marv."It's about your secretary, sir..she was murdered last night in her house," Marv told Oliver who quickly jerked up from his seat. Lydia pretended to be startled, and and she grabbed her files and tighter."How did this happen? Was she in any brawl with someone? How did she get herself Killed?" Oliver asked Marv who exhaled."I do not know boss, but I have our people working on it right away. We will come up with answers soon." He told Oliver before he hung up. Oliver sighed, and clenched his fist. He had so many questions in his mind. What happened? Betty was one of the most peaceful people he knew. There was no way she could get herself Killed just like that. Oliver suspected a murder. It had to be."Forgive me sir, but is everything alright?" Lydia asked as she adjusted her large glasses. Oliver sighed."
"Boss, we do not have any latest development," Marv said over the phone as Oliver watched Lydia walk out of the office. He was certain that he would be keeping a late night that day. Oliver returned to his seat and sank into the comfy chair."What about Pascal? Have you been able to get a hold of him?" He asked Marv."No, boss. He's been inaccessible since the incident. I don't know where he went to." Marv told Oliver who just nodded"Alright. Keep me posted, and do not leave anything out. And Marv, I want you to check out somewhere for me. Now!" Oliver said. He could hear the elevator bell ring, and he knew that Lydia had stepped into the elevator."Who is it boss?" Marv asked him. "Lydia Amira. I want you to tell me everything you can get on her. She showed up today as a secretary, and she's... weird." He told Marv. Marv could detect a hint of embarrassment in Oliver's tone. He has been a Shadow for a very long time and so he can detect those things."I will look into her boss. Is
"How is the child holding up?" Jake asked Viktor Grey over the phone while he fixed his attention on Stacy. The little child was obviously terrified, and the constant dripping of water from the leaking pipes made her even more unsettled."She is coping better than I imagined. Now all that is left is for us to kill that bastard cop and Oliver with it," Viktor Grey said to him."I know that Oliver will reach out soon. And when he does, I will be ready for him. You have dozens of my men to guard you there. You will be fine," Jake told Viktor Grey and then hung up. As soon as he did, Viktor returned his attention to Stacy.She whimpered and dragged herself back as he approached her..he had a wicked laugh on his face."Don't be afraid little one. I will not hurt you. I just want to hurt your daddy and the man he works with. You see, I used to have a daughter like you. Her name was Elina. She was very beautiful and she was brilliant. But the man your daddy works with killed her and so, I wa
"This can be a trap. Tell me why I must believe you," Oliver asked her and Beth sighed. She could not believe that she was making some sort of negotiation with Oliver."Left for me, you will be behind bars right now. But I am doing this for Steven and I am breaking my code to do it so do not make it harder than it already is," she said to him and Oliver smiled."I like you. Come with me," he told her and then led her to his study. Miranda was there clicking furiously on the systems there.. when Beth approached, she stopped what she was doing and then gazed at Beth for a while."Miranda, meet Beth, Beth Miranda. She's our eyses in the sky. I have a feeling that you'll both be friends. Beth, tell me where you think Stacy is," Oliver asked."Somewhere in St Lambert's City. The tiger gang has a secret hideout in St Lambert's that they use for various dangerous activities. My best guess would be that they brought her here to avoid suspicion from the cops. Besides, it was probably a diversi
"Heard what?" Oliver could feel his anger rising. The heat in the room suddenly increased and when he approachd Pascal, Pascal jerked back to avoid the possible punch that was coming his way "I did not know about Mia. I am really sorry Oliver. I am broken beyond what you can imagine. And I am furious! I am so furious that I wan to vent my anger on someone and I don't know who," Pascal said to him."And why are you here then? To vent your anger on me?" Oliver asked while raising his eyebrow. Pascal sighed defeated as his shoulders dropped."No, not at all. I just came here to help you in your mission.. I know that you will not sit tight and watch those who killed her be at peace. I know that you will destroy them. So I want to join you. Please Oliver forgive me. I need your forgiveness. I know that I do not deserve it but I just want you to please forgive me," he said to oliver. Oliver did not feel his anger subside, not even for a moment. He gazed at Pascal again and Wondered what mi
"No, fuck! This cannot he happening to me!" Steven tried to breath as the words found their way out of his mouth but he just could not fathom the degree of pain that he was feeling. Anger would not help him at that time he thought. Jake had decided to Target his family and the only way that he was getting his family back was if met Jake's forces with one that was equal to the task, or if he surrenders.Steven quickly took the phone. He dialed Oliver's number and waited for him to pick up the phone."Steven," Oliver said as soon as he picked us up."Oliver. He has my daughter. That bastard has taken my daughter and I do not know what to do. He said he'll send me a location to meet with him and I have to decide whether or not I'll give my life for her," Steven blurted out."Take it easy Steven. Nothing will happen to your daughter or to you. I will ensure it," Oliver told him."But what can you do? Jake said that you cannot help me. My only option is to die for my daughter to live. I ha
"Like we said earlier, we do not allow anyone without an invitation to pass. I don't care if you are the chief of police. You are not stepping into this house," the guard repeated and that made Steven to wonder just how bad it is that the police force in Marshtown had fallen. If they could have no respect for his badge, then he just had to beat the living shit out of them"Let me pass. I will not ask you again," Steven said to the guards. One of them brought out his gun and gazed at Steven with fierce eyes."You need to leave now, mister or we will have a oribkemy," he said to Steven and just as Steven was about to make a move at them, the front door opened.. it was the judge"Let him through. He and I have some catching up to do," the judge said and the bodyguards let Steven pass. Steven followed the judge to The living room and there the judge settled himself into a chair. He even appeared to be Richer than he was some months ago."I can see that you are back from the dead, Steven.
"Chief, what are you doing here?" Steven asked the chief as he slowly approached him. The chief paid close attention to the files that was in Steven's hands and then his eyes roamed to Steven's."Don't tell me you still plan on pursuing that case. I told you it was dangerous, Steven and you do not want to listen to me. That case will get you killed," the chief said and Steven dropped the files in his hand. He paid a closer look to the chief and for real he could see worry in the man's face."I don't understand. Why are you telling me all of this?" He asked the chief really desperate for answers. The chief sighed."When the tiger gang found out that you were following them, they planned to have you killed. They reached out to me and asked me to do the job otherwise they would kill my family. I tried to beg them but they were adamant. They would not take no for an answer. So, I made up my mind about you," the chief stopped, and then observed the dark face that Steven was wearing at that
"Come in, you will be safe here," Bill said to Avira. She gazed into the well furnished apartment before she stepped inside. The warmth of the place enveloped her and for a moment, she was feeling secure."I still don't understand why I'm hwre. I told you I was fine. You didn't need to go through all of this for me," she told him."Nonsense. You were lucky that day that you stepped out to get coffee while he explosion occurred. If Oliver's enemies wanted to know something about him, who do you think will be in the best position to tell them what's happening with him? Of course it's his secretary. I want to keep you safe so that no harm will come to you," he added. Avira could feel her heart melting. But she refused to admit it."Well in that case, I hope there is something to drink. Where are we exactly?" She asked him."This is my house. I come here sometimes to relax for a moment and then focus my thoughts." He told her."You are really loyal to Oliver. You literally forget to live
Oliver drove his car to the address on the envelope. It was an expensive restaurant, one that he had planned to visit with Mia after their honeymoon. He shoved back the painful thoughts and then stepped down from the car. Oliver gazed the entrance one more time and then stepped into the restaurant."Good evening sir, how may I be of assistance?" A waiter asked him and then oliver smiled."Good evening. I am looking for this table," he said and then showed her the number on the envelope. The girl smiled at him again."Please come with me sir," she said and then led him away. Oliver followed her closely, and as they walked through the scanty place, he could feel the eyes of some people on him. He knew who they were immediately, they were part of Jake's group."In here sir," she said to him and Oliver Stepped into the room that she was pointing towards. As soon as he entered the well decorated space, he looked around.There were beautiful lighting all over the place and the large chairs
"So you mean to tell me that that lowlife cop decided to show again in my town?" Jake asked over the phone and the chief of police sighed"I gave him explicit warnings and told him not to ever return to this town but he did not listen. I don't know how he managed to work his way back. My instructions were very clear on him sir. That cop Should never set foot in Marshtown, that was what I said." The chief of police stated and Jake laughed."It seems like he is begging to die. I suppose that I should Grant his wish then. If he wants death, who am I to say that I will not kill him?" He said to the chief of police."Give him some time sir. I am sure that I can persuade him to return to St Lambert's City. He cannot gain anything from being here. He will only make things worse. He came back and started accusing the tiger gang of being responsible of some crimes. I will take care of him myself. You do not need to worry," the chief of police stated. He wanted to save Steven's life at least.