The restaurant buzzed with a low hum of chattering and soft music as Michael and Elina sat across from each other. Elina's eyes sparkled with a glint of excitement, wearing a wide grin that showed how happy she was to be with him."I'm really glad we could do this, Michael. I've been looking forward to it," Elina said, her voice filled with warmth. "And I think I'm getting better, thanks to you. I found love in my therapist!"Michael, keeping up a facade, nodded, forcing a smile. He seemed to dislike her the more he spent time with her."Me too, Elina. It's nice to spend some time together," He responded blandly.As they divulged into casual conversation, Elina couldn't hide her enthusiasm, sharing stories about her life and experiences as the daughter of Viktor Grey, while Michael, on the other hand, couldn't wait to get out of there.Halfway through the date, Michael took a deep breath, his gaze avoiding Elina's eyes. "Elina, there's something I need to tell you."Her excitement tur
In the midst of a shareholder meeting, Viktor Grey engaged in a lively conversation about expanding the company's reach, and ideas flowed freely among the group, discussing the potential growth and strategies.Viktor knew he had to act fast, especially now that Oliver was back in business. It was only a matter of time before he started losing to him.As the discussion commenced, a security official abruptly burst into the room, sweaty and disturbed. He looked like he'd been struggling.With urgency in his voice, he relayed to Viktor, "Mr. Grey, someone is attempting to enter. We tried to stop him, but he insisted on coming in.""If you'd please excuse me," He quickly said to the shareholders. Viktor, angered by the interruption, furrowed his brows. "Who is it? We have a large body of security officials, so who?!" He dropped his file on the podium and came down to attend to the matter at hand.Before he could get an answer, the doors swung open dramatically. Alexander, making a grand
The next day, Michael welcomed Rosa into his apartment, attempting to create any semblance of normalcy just so he had her tangled in his webs. She'd be of so much good to him if he played his cards right.Laughter echoed in the room as they shared stories and jokes, not to mention the frequent kisses Rosa gave him, which was even more confirmation that he had her. Michael couldn't help but feel excitement rumble in his stomach— the price of a job well done.As they settled on the couch, Rosa's smile faded into a more sober expression. "Michael, I can't help but feel guilty about Elina. I'm betraying her trust, and it hurts me. Do you know we've been friends for so long? I can't help but feel like I should tell her the truth, you know…about us."Michael, his eyes searching hers, reassured her, "Rosa, we're doing what we have to do. Elina will be fine, and in the end, it will all make sense. But I don't think it'd be a good idea to tell her now," He lied. "When it's the right time, I'll
Viktor, appalled and enraged, stared at the gruesome evidence that Michael had sent— Raymond's head. The same man he had dispatched to retrieve Elina. The shock and horror washed over him, realizing the situation had escalated far beyond his control. He couldn't ever handle losing his daughter, ever. The mere thought of it drove him to the brink of insanity as he ruffled his already messy hair.His office transformed into a scene of chaos as Viktor threw a fit. "Incompetent fools! I can't believe you let this happen. My daughter is out there because of your incompetence!"The guards, bewildered and tense, exchanged uneasy glances as Viktor fumed. He knew he couldn't handle this alone; he needed help. With a heavy heart and a sense of bitter irony, Viktor made the decision he had long avoided. The decision that he knew would bite him back— hard, but it was necessary if he ever wanted to see her again.He gathered a few trusted bodyguards, his voice strained with hesitation. "We need
"Did you make the phone call, Micheal?" Alexander asked, his voice booming through the walls of the nearly empty hall.Micheal, leaning against the wall, just a step away from Elina, nodded his head, flashing the phone in Alexander's direction. "I have. It'd be traceable to this address."He clicked his tongue and cocked his head to the side. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't seem to think this was a good idea. "Are you sure this is the best shot we've got? We could have asked him to come willingly, you know?"A short chuckle slipped out of Alexander's mouth. "Funny of you to think Viktor would walk in here by himself to get his daughter. This plan is the best. Now we wait for him to track the IP address and come barging in with his dogs!""What if he doesn't take the bait? Or what if he comes with more aid? No matter how I think of it, it-""Enough, Michael!" Alexander shunned him. "You must think you now have a mind of your own, don't you? Remember how this started. I!
Ricardo was frozen in his seat when Oliver placed the documents on the table, and the explanation followed. He couldn't seem to understand what Oliver was trying to pull off.Bill had contacted him just yesterday, saying The Oliver Lionheart wanted an audience with him. It had caught him off guard because he wasn't worthy of such an opportunity. He was just a lowly entrepreneur to whom life seemed to dish out all sorts of trouble."Y-you want me to take over Grey's Pharmaceuticals?" Ricardo asked in disbelief as he stared down at the documents. "Me? I don't understand."Oliver leaned back, fully aware of how much of a shock it'd be for the poor businessman. He clasped his hands together and explained. "In 2013, while you worked under Mason Oils, you developed project Agatha, didn't you? The now famous oil distribution method."Ricardo nodded slowly while Oliver continued. "The idea was stolen and taken over by the CEO, after which you were fired and sought a Job in another company. Y
Standing on the platform was Viktor, his keen eyes watching all of the members of the table settled in their seats, waiting for him to talk about the reason he'd called up an impromptu meeting.He stepped forward, adjusting his collar and the hall fell into silence, their gazes on him. "Listen, all of you," Viktor began, his voice strained with urgency. " I'm sure we're all aware of the recent unfortunate happenings regarding my company."A few of them nodded, while others just stared blankly at him like it was a puppet show. Viktor continued. He'd come to ask for their help anyway. He could deal with the embarrassment. "Oliver Lionheart not only took over Grey's Pharmaceuticals but handed it to someone else. I need your help."Before Viktor could dive further into the details of the predicament that had befallen him, Prescott Williams, a figure known for his stern personality, raised a hand to interrupt.Viktor shot Prescott a glare, already having a hint of his opinion, but he co
His driver parked at the entrance of the bar as Viktor alighted with his bodyguards. The anonymous person had led him there to meet.Viktor still didn't know who it was, but he was eager to meet them, especially after the conversation they had. This person seemed to know much about him. While aware that this could either be an opportunity or a trap, Viktor gestured to his bodyguards. "Wait here, I'll be right back."They nodded in unison as he walked in. Upon entering the VIP section, Viktor's gaze swept the room until his eyes landed on the figure that had called him to meet. A shock of disbelief flickered across his face as he stared at the person who stood before him—his sister, Gianna. Time seemed to freeze momentarily as the siblings locked eyes, and Viktor's heart skipped a beat. First, it was Alexander, now Gianna? She was deadly, way deadlier than Alexander, and meeting with her rarely resulted in anything good.Gianna, breaking the silence, rose to her feet with a warm yet