Amidst the reconstruction, Oliver Lionheart sat with one of the constructors on a stack of concrete blocks, the parched frame of his company rising from the ashes behind them. The man fidgeted nervously under Oliver's piercing gaze, aware of the influence he wielded and how easily a snap of Oliver's finger could turn his life into a beautiful fantasy or a nightmare.Oliver, eyes gleaming with both anger and desperation, leaned forward. "We're not just rebuilding; we're going bigger this time." He faced the man. "We'll rise stronger from the ruins," he declared, his words carrying the weight of both a command and a plea.The constructor nodded, hesitating before speaking, "Mr. Lionheart, it's risky. We've never taken on a project of this scale."Oliver's gaze softened, the intensity giving way to vulnerability. "I need this. We need this," he admitted, the desperation seeping into his voice. "I can't afford to lose more allies to Viktor's Grey."The constructor had always been one of
As Manuel walked into his luxurious home, the weight of the day's activities still lingered in his mind. He'd left the office briefly after a meeting with his workers to spend little time at home.Manuel was aware that Oliver was looking for him, which was why he had hidden Gerald's mother in another one of his owned apartments.Just as he settled in, his phone rang, interrupting the silence of his residence. A smirk played on his lips as he answered, expecting another move in the chess game with Oliver. Manuel had been nothing short of entertained ever since the streak of threats he'd been sending began.Oliver would; Manuel Manuel was sure of it. Somehow, he'd make sure that he stood at the top. "Boss, there's a fight at the company," the voice on the other end crackled.This had to be Oliver, Manuel thought. Was this really Oliver's genius plan to draw him out? If it was, then it was going to fail woefully.A hearty laugh escaped Manuel's throat. "Oliver's trying to play me, huh?
Elina's departure from the troubles swirling around her felt like a breath of relief. She'd been planning the vacation for so long, and now seemed like the right time to explore that option."Do you have to go by this time?" Viktor asked. He didn't particularly like the idea of her leaving, but he'd sit with it since Elina wasn't one to listen to instructions at whatever cost."I have to," she sighed, watching her father's bodyguard and driver carry her luggage to the vehicle parked outside. "It's only a few weeks. Maui is quiet and peaceful, unlike this god-forsaken town!"Viktor nodded. There wasn't much he could say or do, especially since she'd rejected going with bodyguards. He just had to make sure she got on the plane safely and unnoticeably.Maybe Elina's leaving was for the best. It'd give him time to fight the war that was slowly beckoning.Her father bid her farewell with a forced smile, concealing the tumultuous emotions beneath the surface. With a bodyguard next to her, E
It had been four hours, maybe five, since Gerald's conversation with Viktor. He sat at the corner of the room, a place where he could keep an eye on Elina. As feeble as she seemed, she was just as conniving as her father.Elina began to grunt tirelessly, calling on Gerald's attention with her muffled cries. He tried to ignore it, focusing on his next series of plans, but her struggle grew more raggedy— like she was trying to say something.Gerald reluctantly walked up to her, pulling down the towel covering her mouth. A stoic expression on his face as he asked what she wanted. "I wouldn't want to have to knock you out, Elina."She gasped, panting to catch her breath as she glared at him, his imposing figure hovering over her. "What kind of kidnapper doesn't give their victims bathroom breaks?!" She yelled at the top of her lungs.Elina couldn't seem to get scared of Gerald. Her father was the target, not her. Even though a lot about him had changed in such a short period, she still kn
The sleek black car glided through the city streets as Oliver stared out of the window, lost in his thoughts, until Bill broke the silence."Oliver, we need to talk about something," Bill said, his eyes focused on the road.Oliver turned to look at him, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "What's going on?" He asked in a husky tone. Bill took a deep breath before diving into the unsettling story that seemed to be flying around. "It's about Elina and Gerald. Seems like trouble is brewing."Elina and Gerald? Was there ever a moment of peace with those two? Oliver raised an eyebrow, concern etching lines on his forehead. "Trouble? What happened?"Bill recounted the situation, describing how Gerald had forcefully taken control of Manuel's company and was now holding Elina hostage. Oliver's jaw tightened as he processed the gravity of the situation."Not to mention, Manuel Harper was the sick lad's father. How fucking surprising is that?""Gerald? The same guy who used to be a mere pawn in t
The room was completely dipped in silence as both parties held each other's gaze, waiting for one to speak first. Oliver was seated on a chair next to Gerald's hospital bed. The air was choked with the pungent smell of antiseptics and drugs that made the experience worse for Oliver.It had been two days since Gerald had been in the hospital, but this was the first time Oliver was setting eyes on him. No matter how hard Oliver tried to push down his anger, he couldn't seem to forget how much of a scumbag Gerald had always been. And now, they sat before each other, struggling with internal deliberations until Gerald finally pierced through the silence with his hoarse voice."I'd repay you for this, I promise," He said, groaning as he got up. "I'd have died back there if it weren't for you. I couldn't possibly-""Stop patronizing me," Oliver interrupted harshly. "Rather, tell me why I was the only person you could reach out to. Is this another game of yours? Did Viktir send you?"Gerald,
A strange wave of anxiety reverberated through her bones as she stood by the door. The open icon pasted on the door wasn't enough reason for Elina to knock. The anxiety was eating her up from the inside, yet this step was necessary in the course of returning her peace of mind.After a while, Elina knocked, and a voice came from the other side of the door, ushering her in. This therapist was one of her closest friend's recommendations, and Elina planned to get the best out of it. The last couple of months had been a spiral from one traumatic experience to another. It had sucked her dry. The nightmares were consistent, but she couldn't leave. Her safety was dandling, and her father's foes would stop at nothing to use her as an avenue to punish him. There was no escaping it.Just as Gerald had done, there would be many more. And Elina wasn't ready for it. She needed to heal and become stronger. Quietly, she walked into the brown, furnished office where a man sat at the end of the room,
Alexander was well aware of his sister's hate for the Lionheart family. Every single one of them, especially Oliver's father. Gianna had gotten into a series of unfortunate happiness with that household.After all this while, it hadn't still ended. George Lionheart was gone, and Oliver was just as much of a nuisance as his father was. He poured his sister a glass and tossed it to her. Gianna downed it in a go, her hands ruffling her hair as memories from the past started to gush in, gnawing at her stability.Alexander could tell from the way Gianna paced the room that her anger had gone over the roof— as it always does. Gianna's heart started to ache. She hadn't healed at all after all this time had passed. It was shameful.Extremely shameful by a man who barely cared about anything but himself! Oliver's father was her unbecoming, and even in his death, his deeds remained deeply engraved in her heart. If she still had one.Gianna took another sip of the whiskey and slammed the glass o