2025-01-16 03:55:59The gates of the prison creaked open, and Dimitri stepped out into the world he hadn’t seen in seven long years. Beside him, Klaw, Marcelo, Zarina, Emery, Dylan, and the salesman followed, each wearing expressions ranging from cautious optimism to cold determination. The sun was bright, almost mocking, as if daring them to face what awaited outside.
Dimitri’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down at the screen and saw Celeste’s name flashing. He answered quickly. “Celeste?” Her voice was tense, almost trembling. “Dimitri, listen to me. Quinn’s hired men—they’re waiting for you on the main road leading out of the prison. They’re armed and ready to kill you.” Dimitri’s jaw tightened, his hand clenching the phone. “What?” “They’ve been instructed to make it look like an accident. You have to take the back route….the service road. It’s narrow and unpaved, but it’s your only shot. I can’t stall them for long,” she warned. Dimitri turned to Klaw and the others. “Change of plans. We’re taking the back road.” Klaw raised an eyebrow. “Trouble already?” Dimitri nodded grimly. “Quinn’s men are waiting for us. Let’s move.” Marcelo chuckled, pulling out a small handheld GPS he’d cobbled together during his time in prison. “Good thing I’ve got this. Let’s find that back road.” As they veered off the main path, the group moved quickly and quietly. Dylan kept a sharp lookout, his tracking instincts honed from years of evading authorities. “Quinn doesn’t waste time, does he?” Zarina muttered, her eyes scanning the surroundings. “He’s desperate,” Dimitri replied. “He knows we’re coming for him.” --- Meanwhile, at the ambush site, Quinn’s hired killers waited impatiently. One of them, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, paced the area. “Where the hell are they?” he growled. “They should’ve been here by now,” another man said, checking his watch. Minutes turned into hours, and when it became clear that Dimitri and his group weren’t showing up, the leader of the crew called Quinn. “What do you mean they’re not there?” Quinn barked over the phone, his voice laced with fury. “They must’ve taken another route. There’s no sign of them,” the man explained nervously. Quinn slammed his fist onto his desk, sending papers flying. “You had one job! How hard is it to ambush a bunch of ex-cons?” “We’ll keep looking….” “No,” Quinn interrupted, his voice cold. “You’ve already failed me. Don’t bother coming back.” He hung up, seething with anger. Ava entered the room just as he hurled his phone against the wall. “Trouble?” she asked, sipping a glass of wine. “Dimitri,” Quinn spat. “He slipped through our fingers. Again.” Ava smirked, unfazed. “He’s clever, I’ll give him that. But cleverness won’t save him for long.” --- Later that evening, at a secluded beach house overlooking the ocean, Dimitri stood on the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against his face. The soft crashing of waves was almost soothing, but his mind was far from calm. A soft knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see Celeste stepping inside, a leather folder in her hands. “You made it,” he said, his voice softening. “Barely,” she replied, closing the door behind her. “Quinn is more paranoid than ever. He’s watching everyone like a hawk.” Dimitri gestured for her to sit. “What did you find?” She handed him the folder. “These are original documents…transfer orders, financial statements. Quinn is moving assets to your father’s old rival, Richard Hargrave. He’s selling off parts of the company piece by piece.” Dimitri’s brow furrowed as he flipped through the papers. “Hargrave? That snake’s been after Apollo Empire for decades. If Quinn hands him control, everything my father built will be gone.” Celeste nodded. “Quinn is desperate to secure his position. He knows the board is losing faith in him, and he thinks selling to Hargrave will buy him more time.” Dimitri closed the folder and looked at her. “You’re risking a lot by bringing me this. If Quinn finds out…” “He won’t,” she interrupted. “I’ve been careful.” He stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. “Be careful, Celeste. I can’t afford to lose you now.” Her breath hitched as she met his gaze. “You’ve changed,” she murmured. “You’re not the same Dimitri I knew seven years ago.” He tilted his head slightly, a shadow of a smile playing on his lips. “Neither are you. But I needed those seven years to learn what’s worth fighting for.” She reached up, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “And what’s that?” “You,” he said simply. The moment hung between them, electric and charged. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, their lips met. The kiss was intense, a collision of years of longing and suppressed emotions. Celeste’s hands slid up to his shoulders as he pulled her closer, his touch firm yet gentle. They moved to his room, the sound of the waves outside mingling with the passion inside. --- Afterward, Celeste lay beside him, her fingers tracing the faint scars on his chest. “You really are different,” she whispered. “Stronger. More dangerous.” Dimitri stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. “I had to become someone else to survive. The weak son they discarded wouldn’t have lasted a day in prison.” She propped herself up on one elbow, her expression serious. “You’re not weak, Dimitri. You never were. They just never saw your worth.” He turned to her, his eyes dark. “They will. Soon.” Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping them out of the moment. She glanced at the screen and cursed under her breath. “What is it?” Dimitri asked. “Quinn,” she said, showing him the message. It was short but chilling: ‘Where are you?’ “You should go,” Dimitri said. “Don’t give him a reason to suspect anything.” She nodded, reluctantly getting dressed. As she reached the door, she turned back to him. “Be careful, Dimitri. They won’t stop until they destroy you.” He gave her a small, determined smile. “Let them try.” As the door closed behind her, Dimitri walked to the balcony, staring out at the dark ocean. His fists clenched at his sides. It’s time to strike back. Dimitri pulled out a hidden box from under the bed, opening it to reveal a collection of forged IDs, blueprints, and a loaded pistol. He picked up the weapon, his resolve hardening. “They’ll regret underestimating me,” he mutters, his eyes cold as steel. —------------ “Explain to me how the system got breached!” Quinn shouted, slamming his fist on the boardroom table, the sound echoing across the room. The IT manager flinched but held his ground. “We… we don’t know yet, sir. Whoever did this is operating on a level we’ve never encountered. They stole nearly half of our customer data and…” “And?” Ava cut him off sharply, stepping forward. “Spit it out!” “And the stock has dropped nearly 20% since the news broke,” the manager admitted, his voice trembling. Ava let out an exasperated sigh. “Incompetent fools. This will ruin us if we don’t fix it. I thought our systems were impenetrable.” “They were,” the manager replied. “But this was a targeted attack. Someone wanted to hurt us specifically. This wasn’t random.” Quinn leaned back in his chair, seething. “So, you’re telling me someone out there is playing games with Apollo Empire, and you can’t even trace it?” “We’re trying, sir. Whoever did this covered their tracks well, but we’re running a deep trace now.” “You’d better find them,” Quinn growled. “Because if this gets worse, it’s your head on the chopping block.” Ava crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “Do you think this could be related to… him?” Quinn’s lip curled into a sneer. “Dimitri? Please. The man just got out of prison. He wouldn’t even know where to begin with something like this.” “Still,” Ava said, her voice cold and calculating, “don’t underestimate him. He’s had seven years to stew and plan.” Quinn stood abruptly. “He’s not our priority right now. Find out who did this. I want names, and I want them today.” The IT manager nodded and rushed out, leaving the mother and son in the tense silence of the room. “Do you really think it’s not him?” Ava asked quietly. Quinn smirked. “Even if it is, he’ll regret trying to play with me.”
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REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR Danger is the only game worth playing.
Quinn stormed into the grand Apollo mansion, his tie loosened and face red with fury. Ava followed closely behind, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. “I cannot believe the board would even dare question us like that!” Quinn ranted, throwing his briefcase onto a nearby chair. “Do they forget who’s in charge?”“They’re vultures,” Ava replied coldly, brushing invisible dust off her tailored blazer. “We need to act quickly before they gain more ground.”“I’ll deal with them tomorrow,” Quinn muttered, heading toward the living room. But as they entered, both froze in their tracks.Dimitri was sitting calmly on their father’s old leather armchair, impeccably dressed in a sharp black suit. A confident smirk played on his lips as he swirled a glass of brandy in his hand. Behind him stood Klaw, his imposing figure making the air in the room feel heavier.“What the….” Quinn blurted, his face paling.“Surprised to see me, brother?” Dimitri’s voice was smooth but carried an edge
REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR A dangerous seduction.
“Leaving already?” Dimitri’s smooth voice stopped Havana in her tracks as she grabbed her clutch from the bar.Havana turned, her emerald-green eyes narrowing slightly as she recognized him. “And who are you to care if I do?” she shot back, her tone playful yet guarded.Dimitri stepped closer, his tailored suit catching the dim light of the club. “Someone who knows a woman like you doesn’t belong surrounded by vultures.” He glanced at the men eyeing her from the shadows. “Let me guess. they’ve all been circling you tonight, hoping for a piece of your attention?”Havana tilted her head, a small smirk playing on her lips. “And what makes you different? You seem like the same type.”Dimitri chuckled, his confidence unwavering. “Oh, I’m nothing like them. I don’t circle. I take.”Havana raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. “Is that supposed to impress me?”“No,” Dimitri said, his voice dropping slightly as he leaned in. “It’s supposed to interest you.”For a moment, Havana held his
REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR No more games??
“You’re telling me who she left with?” Tobias’s voice was dangerously low, his fingers tightening around the whiskey glass.The man across from him hesitated, swallowing hard before speaking. “Dimitri Apollo.”The glass shattered in Tobias’s hand. He barely flinched.For a moment, silence filled the dimly lit study, save for the slow trickle of whiskey dripping onto the mahogany desk. His jaw tightened, his breathing steady but sharp.The man shifted uncomfortably. “She…she left the club with him last night. Spent the night at his villa.”Tobias closed his eyes briefly, his temper a slow-burning fire. When he opened them, there was only ice.“Leave,” he ordered.The man practically sprinted out.Tobias pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing at the blood from the tiny cuts on his palm. Then, slowly, he reached for his phone.The call barely rang before Quinn answered.“What do you want, Tobias?” Quinn’s lazy drawl grated on his nerves.“Your brother,” Tobias said, voice lethal,
REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR The key to chaos.
“You need to get to Rome,” Celeste’s voice came through the line, low and urgent.Dimitri frowned, gripping the phone tighter. “Rome?”“There’s a small church… Santa Maria della Luce. Find a priest named Father Vittorio,” Celeste continued, her voice slightly shaky. “He might know about it.”Dimitri’s pulse quickened. “The key?”Celeste inhaled sharply. “I think it’s there. But listen to me, you don’t have much time. I overheard Ava speaking with Tobias. They suspect you’re getting close.”Dimitri exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. “How sure are you about this?”Celeste hesitated. “Dimitri, I wouldn’t be risking my life to tell you this if I wasn’t sure.”His stomach tightened. She had a point.“Then I leave tonight,” he confirmed. “Are you safe?”A pause. “For now.”Dimitri didn’t like that answer. “Celeste….”A rustling noise interrupted her, followed by a sharp gasp.Then the call went dead.Dimitri’s blood ran cold.“Celeste?” He checked the screen….Call Ended.A second later, he
REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR scandal repercussions.
Levan paced the room, the fine Persian rug muffling the sharp clack of his Italian leather shoes. His jaw tightened with every glance at the newspaper crumpled on his desk. The bold headline screamed “Corporate Playboy Quinn Destroys Business Ties with a Scandalous Affair!” Below, a grainy photo of Quinn, draped over the shoulder of a stunning brunette, captured the essence of the humiliation.The door swung open, and Quinn sauntered in, oblivious to the brewing storm. His tailored suit hung casually on his lean frame, his confident smirk adding fuel to the fire.“You called, Father?” Quinn’s tone was annoyingly flippant.Levan didn’t respond. Instead, he crossed the room in three long strides and slapped Quinn hard across the face. The sound echoed in the grand office, silencing even the ticking grandfather clock in the corner.“What the hell, Dad?” Quinn staggered, clutching his cheek.“You shameless fool!” Levan thundered, throwing the newspaper at Quinn’s chest. “This! This is wh
REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR consequences.
Quinn stormed out of the building, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. His jaw was set, the muscles straining as he tried to suppress the storm of anger building inside him. His car, a sleek black sports car,a perfect symbol of both his wealth and recklessness…sat waiting just outside.He yanked the door open and slid inside, gripping the steering wheel with a force that turned his knuckles white.“Stupid old man,” he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with frustration. The engine roared to life, its guttural growl mirroring his simmering rage. “Always needs someone to blame.”The tires screeched as he pulled onto the street, weaving through traffic with a careless urgency. The city lights blurred past, streaking into gold and white smears against the dark windows. But no matter how fast he drove, the sting of his father’s words clung to him, refusing to let go.---In the quiet, marble-lined hallway, Dimitri leaned against the cold wall, his postu
REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR Betrayal unfolding.
The evening passed in a tense silence as Dimitri sat in his room, the glow of his laptop screen casting a pale light on his face. He had tried to lose himself in the work, but the thoughts of his family, the constant tension with Ava and Quinn, lingered in his mind. No matter how much he tried, he could never escape the suffocating grip of their disdain.The door creaked open, and Quinn's mocking laughter echoed from the hallway. Dimitri closed his eyes, steeling himself for what was to come."What's the matter, Dimitri?" Quinn's voice oozed with sarcasm as he sauntered into the room. "You look like you’ve been crying."Dimitri clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to lash out. He wasn’t a child anymore; he had to maintain control. But Quinn’s words hit harder than expected, each one like a needle digging into his skin. He glanced at the floor, trying to avoid his stepbrother’s eyes."You know, I never understood why Father even tolerates you," Quinn continued, stepping closer. "You’ll
REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR imprisoned.
The clang of metal echoed through the cold, sterile walls of the prison as Dimitri was ushered into his new, unwanted reality. The officers pushed him roughly into a small cell, the heavy door slamming shut behind him with a deafening sound. He stood there, his hands shackled, his mind spinning in disbelief.What had just happened? How had everything fallen apart so quickly? His father was dead, and he had been blamed for it without a single chance to defend himself. No trial, no hearing. Just accusations and a sentence.His mind felt numb, the weight of the injustice pressing down on him like a heavy cloak. He hadn’t even been allowed to explain, to plead his case. They had simply dismissed him. The case was closed.As the guards left, Dimitri sank to the floor of his tiny cell, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. His thoughts swirled in a haze of anger and confusion. How had Ava and Quinn managed to turn the entire world against him so easily? How had they orchestrated thi
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“You need to get to Rome,” Celeste’s voice came through the line, low and urgent.Dimitri frowned, gripping the phone tighter. “Rome?”“There’s a small church… Santa Maria della Luce. Find a priest named Father Vittorio,” Celeste continued, her voice slightly shaky. “He might know about it.”Dimitri’s pulse quickened. “The key?”Celeste inhaled sharply. “I think it’s there. But listen to me, you don’t have much time. I overheard Ava speaking with Tobias. They suspect you’re getting close.”Dimitri exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. “How sure are you about this?”Celeste hesitated. “Dimitri, I wouldn’t be risking my life to tell you this if I wasn’t sure.”His stomach tightened. She had a point.“Then I leave tonight,” he confirmed. “Are you safe?”A pause. “For now.”Dimitri didn’t like that answer. “Celeste….”A rustling noise interrupted her, followed by a sharp gasp.Then the call went dead.Dimitri’s blood ran cold.“Celeste?” He checked the screen….Call Ended.A second later, he
No more games??
“You’re telling me who she left with?” Tobias’s voice was dangerously low, his fingers tightening around the whiskey glass.The man across from him hesitated, swallowing hard before speaking. “Dimitri Apollo.”The glass shattered in Tobias’s hand. He barely flinched.For a moment, silence filled the dimly lit study, save for the slow trickle of whiskey dripping onto the mahogany desk. His jaw tightened, his breathing steady but sharp.The man shifted uncomfortably. “She…she left the club with him last night. Spent the night at his villa.”Tobias closed his eyes briefly, his temper a slow-burning fire. When he opened them, there was only ice.“Leave,” he ordered.The man practically sprinted out.Tobias pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing at the blood from the tiny cuts on his palm. Then, slowly, he reached for his phone.The call barely rang before Quinn answered.“What do you want, Tobias?” Quinn’s lazy drawl grated on his nerves.“Your brother,” Tobias said, voice lethal,
A dangerous seduction.
“Leaving already?” Dimitri’s smooth voice stopped Havana in her tracks as she grabbed her clutch from the bar.Havana turned, her emerald-green eyes narrowing slightly as she recognized him. “And who are you to care if I do?” she shot back, her tone playful yet guarded.Dimitri stepped closer, his tailored suit catching the dim light of the club. “Someone who knows a woman like you doesn’t belong surrounded by vultures.” He glanced at the men eyeing her from the shadows. “Let me guess. they’ve all been circling you tonight, hoping for a piece of your attention?”Havana tilted her head, a small smirk playing on her lips. “And what makes you different? You seem like the same type.”Dimitri chuckled, his confidence unwavering. “Oh, I’m nothing like them. I don’t circle. I take.”Havana raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. “Is that supposed to impress me?”“No,” Dimitri said, his voice dropping slightly as he leaned in. “It’s supposed to interest you.”For a moment, Havana held his
Danger is the only game worth playing.
Quinn stormed into the grand Apollo mansion, his tie loosened and face red with fury. Ava followed closely behind, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. “I cannot believe the board would even dare question us like that!” Quinn ranted, throwing his briefcase onto a nearby chair. “Do they forget who’s in charge?”“They’re vultures,” Ava replied coldly, brushing invisible dust off her tailored blazer. “We need to act quickly before they gain more ground.”“I’ll deal with them tomorrow,” Quinn muttered, heading toward the living room. But as they entered, both froze in their tracks.Dimitri was sitting calmly on their father’s old leather armchair, impeccably dressed in a sharp black suit. A confident smirk played on his lips as he swirled a glass of brandy in his hand. Behind him stood Klaw, his imposing figure making the air in the room feel heavier.“What the….” Quinn blurted, his face paling.“Surprised to see me, brother?” Dimitri’s voice was smooth but carried an edge
First strike,Half somebody.
The gates of the prison creaked open, and Dimitri stepped out into the world he hadn’t seen in seven long years. Beside him, Klaw, Marcelo, Zarina, Emery, Dylan, and the salesman followed, each wearing expressions ranging from cautious optimism to cold determination. The sun was bright, almost mocking, as if daring them to face what awaited outside.Dimitri’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down at the screen and saw Celeste’s name flashing.He answered quickly. “Celeste?”Her voice was tense, almost trembling. “Dimitri, listen to me. Quinn’s hired men—they’re waiting for you on the main road leading out of the prison. They’re armed and ready to kill you.”Dimitri’s jaw tightened, his hand clenching the phone. “What?”“They’ve been instructed to make it look like an accident. You have to take the back route….the service road. It’s narrow and unpaved, but it’s your only shot. I can’t stall them for long,” she warned.Dimitri turned to Klaw and the others. “Change of plans. We’re
A rude Awakening.
“You’ve got that look again,” Klaw said, leaning against the bars of Dimitri’s cell, a sly grin spreading across his scarred face. “The one that says you’re about to burn the whole world down.”Dimitri, sitting cross-legged on the cot, didn’t look up. His hands toyed with a crumpled piece of paper, the remnants of Marcelo’s latest findings. “Not the world,” he muttered. “Just theirs.”Klaw’s grin widened. “That’s the spirit. Seven years, huh? Feels like we’ve been waiting a lifetime for this.”Dimitri finally glanced up, his sharp green eyes meeting Klaw’s piercing gaze. “You think they’ve forgotten about me?”“They haven’t forgotten,” Klaw said, pushing off the bars. “They’re just hoping you did.”Dimitri chuckled darkly. “They’re in for a rude awakening.”---Apollo Empire Headquarters – Boardroom“I’m not asking for miracles, Quinn!” an older board member shouted, his fists slamming the polished oak table. “I’m asking for leadership, which this company clearly lacks!”Quinn Apollo
THE SIX
Dimitri sat alone in the prison cafeteria, his eyes scanning the table in front of him. His food was barely edible, but it didn’t matter. His thoughts swirled in confusion and anger. The days had blurred into one another, each one dragging him deeper into the reality of his new life. His father’s death, the betrayal from Ava, and the shocking twist of being thrown into a life sentence…all of it was too much to process. But he had no choice. This was his new world, and he had to survive.As he poked at his meal, a commotion broke out nearby. A group of prisoners, led by a burly man with a scowl on his face, started making their way toward Dimitri. He could feel the hostility in the air as they circled around him, sneers on their faces. Dimitri’s pulse quickened. He had learned quickly that in this place, weakness was a target. He wasn’t sure why they had singled him out, but he knew he was about to be in trouble.“Look at this one,” one of the prisoners taunted, shoving Dimitri’s shoul
imprisoned.
The clang of metal echoed through the cold, sterile walls of the prison as Dimitri was ushered into his new, unwanted reality. The officers pushed him roughly into a small cell, the heavy door slamming shut behind him with a deafening sound. He stood there, his hands shackled, his mind spinning in disbelief.What had just happened? How had everything fallen apart so quickly? His father was dead, and he had been blamed for it without a single chance to defend himself. No trial, no hearing. Just accusations and a sentence.His mind felt numb, the weight of the injustice pressing down on him like a heavy cloak. He hadn’t even been allowed to explain, to plead his case. They had simply dismissed him. The case was closed.As the guards left, Dimitri sank to the floor of his tiny cell, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. His thoughts swirled in a haze of anger and confusion. How had Ava and Quinn managed to turn the entire world against him so easily? How had they orchestrated thi
Betrayal unfolding.
The evening passed in a tense silence as Dimitri sat in his room, the glow of his laptop screen casting a pale light on his face. He had tried to lose himself in the work, but the thoughts of his family, the constant tension with Ava and Quinn, lingered in his mind. No matter how much he tried, he could never escape the suffocating grip of their disdain.The door creaked open, and Quinn's mocking laughter echoed from the hallway. Dimitri closed his eyes, steeling himself for what was to come."What's the matter, Dimitri?" Quinn's voice oozed with sarcasm as he sauntered into the room. "You look like you’ve been crying."Dimitri clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to lash out. He wasn’t a child anymore; he had to maintain control. But Quinn’s words hit harder than expected, each one like a needle digging into his skin. He glanced at the floor, trying to avoid his stepbrother’s eyes."You know, I never understood why Father even tolerates you," Quinn continued, stepping closer. "You’ll
