Oliver felt his legs weaken as he staggered back. The stranger was Gerald Blackburn, the acting CEO of Lionheart Group, the largest multi-faceted company in the entire country, and he was also the same man who sent Oliver to prison.
Oliver did not recognize him back then, but he saw a newspaper about Gerald that day after he was released. Why would Elina betray him like this?
"Honey, who is this tramp? Is he bothering you?"
Gerald frowned and slowly slid his hand around Elina's tiny waist. The way she giggled to his touch made Oliver groan. "Get your hands off her!" the young man spat. He punched the gate with a clang, drawing Gerald’s attention. The billionaire took a closer look at him. "Oliver? Is that you? Man, you look terrible. Didn't they feed you in prison?" Elina laughed in response. That broke Oliver's heart to pieces."Oliver, Gerald was the ex-boyfriend I told you about. He has his flaws but he's rich and perfect for someone like me. I didn't ask you to defend me. You acted all on your own and that was stupid of you," Elina told him.
“Why did you choose him over me?”
"Well…You were just a commoner whose life I decided to take pity on. You know who my father is, Oliver. You know I can do anything I want to do, toy with whomever I choose."She stepped closer to the gate with the bodyguard keeping the umbrella over her head."You fell so deeply and I almost pitied you. You were even willing to go to prison for me. Aren't you so stupid? A little seduction was all it took, and there you were, jumping into prison like the pauper you are."She laughed at his face and returned to Gerald's arms."You were fun while it lasted. Disgusting, but fun. I guess I should send you off with something. So, name your price. How much do you want? How much are you even worth? Because judging by your status, it's honestly not much."Elina laughed again. Oliver gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He could not believe he had been the fool all this time. He had hoped for something that was not conceivable, and he had paid the price.Oliver’s pain exploded. “I’ll expose you both! You’ll pay for this!”"Callum, get this trash out of here. He is stinking up the place." Gerald ordered. The guard nodded and signaled to the other bodyguards.Together, they proceeded to open the gate and quickly punched Oliver in the face afterward. Oliver staggered back. Another punch sent him to the ground. Elina whispered something into Callum's ears and he nodded. He approached Oliver and shoved a hundred-dollar bill into his bloody mouth. “Here, have some alms.”The gate snapped shut afterward, and Oliver was all alone in the rain. He groaned and tried to stand up, but crashed down in weakness. He had never expected something like that would happen to him. He was a fool for believing in love. Oliver coughed out the one hundred dollar bill and looked at it. Was that how much he was worth to her? He sacrificed everything for her but in the end, he was just a pawn in a sick game.Oliver managed to pull himself together and stood up. He took a final look at Elina's mansion, sighed, and slowly walked away.The rain poured heavily on him but he was no longer concerned. It washed off the bloodstains from his face. His broken nose hurt like hell. The streets were empty, and the pounding rain was upsetting. Oliver looked around for shelter to contemplate on what to do next. He was jobless and penniless. Everything was left when he went to prison. Love makes you do stupid things, and Oliver was especially stupid.The young man took another turn. He noticed an SUV had been following him for a while since he left Elina's mansion.What was going on? Why was he being followed? He quickly dashed into an alley to hide, but when he looked around, he realized that he had made a fatal mistake.It was a dark alley, and a severe-looking tramp stood there, smoking. On seeing a hundred-dollar bill in Oliver's hand, he pounced on the young man.Oliver was pinned to the ground. The stranger whipped out a knife to threaten him."Please..." Oliver begged, dropping the hundred dollar bill. "I don't have any more money." However, the thief was manic and intent on stabbing him.Oliver was too weak to struggle. He gave up all efforts to struggle, and let it happen. It would all be over soon. However, a bang sounded right beside the thief. Was it a gunshot? The miscreant jumped to his feet with a cry and ran away.Oliver was equally struck with panic. He struggled to his feet to see a couple of men in suits carrying guns. What the hell was going on? On instinct, the young man raised his hands. "Please don't kill me!""Are you hurt, young master?" one of them asked politely.Oliver looked closer and immediately recognized the speaker as Marv, one of the inmates from prison. He always lingered around Oliver and often protected him from harm. Why was he there and why was he calling him 'young Master?'Fear and confusion filled Oliver's face."I know you have a lot of questions,” Marv said with a reassuring tone. There is someone who would like to meet you first. Let me take you to her."Oliver followed them as they led him toward the luxurious SUV. As soon as they were close enough, the glass rolled down on the passenger's side.A sophisticated woman was sitting in the car. She had dimples and dreadlocks. "Oliver Lionheart,” she said with grace. “True heir to the Lionheart Group. We have been waiting for you."Oliver could not believe his ears. He scoffed when he heard the words. The true heir to the mighty Lionheart Group? Perhaps there was some misunderstanding, or maybe Callum had hit him too hard and he died!Oliver was silent while the SUV drove through the streets in the rain. It was possible the guards and the sophisticated woman might have mistaken him for someone else. They’d cast him away once they realized the truth.But could he really be the heir to a fortune? Oliver scoffed, thinking shouldn't flatter himself. He had always been an orphan, rejected by society.Oliver looked at the woman who had introduced herself as Maria. She was dressed in a frilly black dress and draped a pricey fur coat around her shoulders. Her hair was in dreadlocks like the other men at the front of the car. She was in her early forties but was quite athletic and well-toned for her age.And, she wore no smile on her face."You must have a lot of questions right now. Perhaps you are wondering why we came for you and where we are taking you to. But do not worry, young master, all of your questions will be answered soon."She said to him and forced a smile. Her smile was even more menacing than her frown and
Mia Stone shielded her face with her palms as her boss threw away yet another batch of stories she had written. The stories flew everywhere, and the papers scattered on the ground. She quickly bent to pick them up. The Crows Broadcasting Company where she worked was stressing her out!"I have warned you about this story, Mia. Why do you intend to become obstinate? Your story is not credible." Her boss yelled at her."Sir, if you would just hear me out. I am certain that Grey Pharmaceuticals is up to something terrible. They have been involved in illicit things in the past and they keep doing it because there is no one to stop them. I am sure that this is the story that people would want to read. If only you would give it a chance." Mia said, and her boss scoffed."Do you even know how you sound now, Mia? Deranged. Grey's Pharmaceutical is one of the pioneers of philanthropy in the city. They have been helping people. Do you want to pick a fight against a company that good? They are fuc
There was a sudden hush in the air as Oliver stepped into the D&M Cars dealership. He slowly walked further inside, with Marv trailing behind him.Oliver was dressed in a black Brioni suit, with a Patek Phillipe Calamander wristwatch to match. His shoes were pure leather and were easily the most expensive pair in the building.The black mask he took from his grandfather's room was in his pocket. He had felt inclined to leave with it.Unlike Oliver who was enjoying the glances people threw at him, Marv was not so comfortable with the peering eyes. "You did say D&M Cars dealership sells the best cars in the city, didn't you?" Oliver asked Marv as he dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a black card. 'lionheart' was inscribed on the card."They have a reputation boss." Marv calmly replied. Oliver nodded afterward. The black card was a gift from his grandfather. It contained one billion dollars for shopping. Oliver wanted to get a car that suited his taste. Sure, his grandf
"What the hell just happened? What did I just witness?"Elina asked in shock as she paced around the room. Gerald had driven her home. She was visibly shaken, and she did not know what to do with her anger.Gerald on the other hand, sat calmly on the couch. His expression was mixed. The anger and embarrassment radiating through his body made him weak."Why did you just stand there, Gerald? Why didn't you do anything to stop him?" Elina asked as she dug her hand into her hair. She seemed to be losing it.She had never lost a thing in her life and it pained her so much."What did you expect me to do? Fight a man we couldn't even find?" Gerald frowned while he spoke. He could not believe her."You should have done something! Anything! You are a fucking man, Gerald. The least you could have done is defend me. Did you see the way Jeff spoke to me? He called me a liar, Gerald. And you just stood there."Elina sniffled. She sank down as her tears stained her cheeks with mascara. Gerald sighe
"Are you Oliver Cage? The man who applied for the position of a janitor here at Lionheart Group?" Stuart, the head of the staff at Lionheart, asked Oliver as he stood before the short man in his office. "Yes sir." Oliver calmly responded. His head was bowed, but he could see the sides of the office. It was modest, well-ventilated with catchy yellow blinds.Stuart thought for a moment while gazing at Oliver. He was having mixed emotions about the poor man standing before him. Oliver was still dressed in disguise, and he looked even poorer than ever."I do not think that you can work here, Oliver. You are far below what we employ here at Lionheart. You do know where you are, don't you?" Stuart asked. Oliver sighed. So, he was going to play that game, wasn't he?"Sir, please. I need this job. I cannot afford to be unemployed. If you would give me a chance, I promise to clean as best as I can." Oliver muttered.Stuart sighed as he ran his hands through some paperwork. He turned to Oliver
"No…no…no! This cannot be happening!" Gerald shuddered as he quickly turned his laptop off. His mind was filled with a lot of wandering thoughts. He tried to focus, but he was too tense to do so."Fuck!'He groaned and punched the table. The table was wooden, so it could not break. But Gerald bruised his knuckles instead."Sir, are you alright?" His secretary ran into the office after hearing the bang. Gerald closed his eyes briefly and breathed. "Cancel the rest of my appointments for the day. I am leaving the office this instant." Gerald told her."But sir, you have a very important meeting with the CEO of prime salts in an hour…""Are you fucking deaf? Cancel the fucking meeting and reschedule! Or I will find someone who can obey me." Gerald barked at his secretary. She froze."Why are you doing this, sir? You said you loved me." The secretary muttered. Tears were forming at the angle of her eyes."Love? You were just a plaything. Get the fuck out of here!" Gerald scoffed afterwar
The Grandeur Art Auction was indeed the event of the month. Millionaires trooped into that art gallery from all over the country, sending each other admirable looks, as well as looks of slander.The event was hosted by Amelia Grandeur, the daughter of Emil Grandeur, one of the art professors in the city. Amelia, like her father, had inherited a love for the arts. She established an orphanage and allowed her kids to paint. But unfortunately, the rich folks did not pay much to buy their work on ordinary days. She was broke and was at the brim of shutting down the orphanage.She had to rely on events such as this to get funds for her orphanage. The art auction then became a meeting ground for millionaires to discuss business in a fun and lively way, neglecting the children in the process."The works are terrible, aren't they? She shouldn't let her bloody orphans paint."Elina said to Gerald as she clutched to him. "Hmm." That was all he responded with. There was a particular painting
Gerald sat perfectly still on the couch as he tried to wrap his head around what had happened. He could not believe that he had been reduced to so little. He was supposed to be the acting CEO of Lionheart Group for gods sake! Why did The Crow, the biggest broadcasting company in the city devide to write about the humiliating incident? Why did they incite the public against him? Gerald still couldn't believe any of these things were happening. He felt like he was losing his mind."You have a call, sir." A servant walked up to him with a phone. Gerald picked up the phone."Yes?" "I heard what happened in the news. Are you alright?" A woman's voice said from the other side of the phone. Gerald was instantly alarmed."Mum? How are you calling me? Where are you?" He asked. "You dumped me in rehab, remember? What, did you think that I would never get the chance to speak with you again? How could you do that to your own mother?" Mrs Blackburn asked."You were a blemish on my career. You kn
"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.