"I didn't think we would meet again like this after the other time, Enzo," Paulo said with a sly smile as he poured tea from an exotic porcelain jug into a small cup.Enzo chuckled. "We would do anything to survive in this hard world, Paulo. That's why it's hard to predict humans," Enzo returned as Paulo proceeded to pour some for him."Gracie," Enzo raised the cup in appreciation towards Paulo and took a sip from it."So... why did you contact me, Paulo? I'm sure it wasn't for us to share tea on a hot afternoon when the world is clearly in chaos," Enzo gave a knowing smile as Paulo understood what he was referring to: the clash between The Santoro and Kings."Mr. Santoro sent me," Paulo started. "He hasn't forgotten you, my friend.""Oh... you now have a new ally. Commendable, my friend," Enzo replied."Like I said..." Paulo started with a shrug. "We do what we can to survive. It's more like an instinct every human is forced to conform to.""He pressed charges against Kings Distribut
"Perfect," Damian smiled as he looked down from the stairs at the decoration in the grand hall of SN Hotels. It was SN Group’s 100th anniversary, and he was determined to celebrate. "Young master," Roberto called, catching Damian's attention. "A package has arrived for you." He handed Damian a small box.Damian's lips curved into a smile as he finally held the box he had been eagerly awaiting for the past three days. He turned and walked towards the suite where he was meant to get ready for the party. "Do you have special plans for today's event? It's your first event as the new owner, and your official debut to all the employees," Roberto chatted, trailing behind Damian."I don't owe anyone an extravagant night, Roberto. I just want to have fun and experience being the host of events like this. The trial is tomorrow; that's all I care about now.""But..."Damian turned to look at Roberto as they entered his suite, which was always prepared for his stays. "No 'buts.' Let's celebrate t
Lucian cursed under his breath as he turned slowly to meet Damian’s smiling face.“Come on, Mr. Kings. The party is yet to begin, and you’re leaving. Don't make me think you’re not satisfied with the party," Damian feigned a smile as Lucian walked up to him, standing with other men who stared at him as if he were some kind of stranger they were trying to recall. However, Lucian had expected this. That was the reason why he had been reluctant about attending, but it seemed Damian had derived satisfaction from his attendance.“Mr. Kings, you’re here." Pietro feigned a smile as he walked to his side, and Lucian forced a smile, attempting not to appear miserable.Damian tried to conceal his irritated look as he observed them. The old man didn’t care about him at all.“How are you coping with the issues at the company? I can’t imagine your plight, Lucian," Mr. Welsh asked with a genuinely worried expression. Among the other men, one could say that Welsh was different.“That… we will know i
"Good," Alberto continued. "Now, can you tell the court why you chose to take out a loan when you're already earning so much?""Well, they actually approached me. They've got their men all over the streets, forcing people to take out loans!" she retorted.The court audience began to murmur at her outburst."Order in the court!" the judge immediately interjected as the murmuring subsided."We seem to have an advantage now, I suppose," Roberto said with a grin."I wouldn't celebrate too quickly," Elena cautioned, her gaze fixed on Alberto, who remained calm."You mentioned being forced? Were you tortured or blackmailed into signing for the loan?" Alberto inquired."No, of course not! But they keep coming to my shop. So, I took it anyway.""You took it anyway? Alright," Alberto nodded slowly."Now, my next question. Did you read the contract before signing?""Uhmm…," Celeste hesitated, frowning, then glanced at Elena, who shook her head."No," she quickly turned back to Alberto."Now, do
"Here with me is the statement of the accused's colleague, alleging his involvement in the illegal acquisition of people's lands and properties," Elena stated as she approached, handing over the document.Alberto turned to Lucian, who shook his head in response."What on earth is that?" Enzo asked irritably."We'll only find out once it's played," Ravenna replied, her discomfort apparent."Do we really have to wait to hear it?" Enzo's tone grew frantic, earning him a glare from Ravenna."For heaven's sake, be quiet," she snapped, and Enzo fell silent, refocusing on the proceedings."I request that the recording be played so the court can witness the defendant's shrewdness," Elena stated before returning to her seat.Although the judge appeared uncomfortable, they approved the playback of the recording."Checkmate!" Damian chuckled with pride in his study as he watched the footage."So, are the accusations against Neo Finance true?" Paulo's voice, recognized by some, echoed through the
In a hushed courtroom, the judge's gaze swept across the room as she considered the evidence presented before her. After careful deliberation, her voice resonated with authority as she pronounced her verdict: "Having thoroughly reviewed the evidence, I find Lucian Kings guilty of the charges laid against him."Lucian shifted uncomfortably in his seat while his daughter placed a hand on his cold one. He managed a smile at her as they both turned back to look at the judge.“His sentence shall include compensating all those adversely affected by his high-interest loans and tendering an apology to them on live TV, alongside a fine of €300 million."“Shit,” Ravenna cursed under her breath, turning to her father.“It’s fine, daddy,” she said.“Of course it’s not,” he muttered in rage, walking out of the room as soon as the court was dismissed.Ravenna drew in a deep breath and glanced at Elena, who had a smug look on her face.She turned and ran after her father, with Enzo trailing behind h
"Liquida-what?" she asked."I thought Kings Distribution was worth more!" She asked in fright, but Lucian turned around and brushed his hand through his hair. Marcello thought it appropriate to reply to her as he started talking."Well, it's worth a lot, you're right, miss. But the fine from the court is too much. As you know, Kings Distribution is a major pillar of Kings Group. Now, with its bad reputation, it's not worth as much as we imagine. The best decision is to sell it at a lower price," Marcello said."What? Is that the only decision?" Ravenna asked as she stared at her dad, but was still greeted by the usual silence he has been giving her."I have an idea," Marcello spoke up as they all turned to him while Marcello turned his gaze to Enzo."Ask Enzo to turn himself in," Marcello said as his intense gaze lingered on Enzo who stood up almost immediately."What the fuck are you blabbering about?" Enzo asked with a nervous chuckle."Everyone thinks you sold Neo Finance after dup
"Don't you need to rethink this?" Roberto tried to keep up with Damian's long stride as he headed to the private room where Enzo was waiting for him. After the day he was informed, the mafia wanted to see him; he had asked Roberto to make arrangements for Enzo to meet him, and that day was today."We aren't talking about this any further, Roberto. I am seeing Enzo. And that's it," Damian said as he entered the elevator, observing Roberto's frustrated expression."Coming?" He asked with a raised brow."Like hell I will let you stay alone with that two-faced bastard in one room," Roberto hissed and walked in as Damian smirked."This is my hotel, Roberto. He can't do anything to me in my own base," Damian said, dipping his hand into his pocket as the elevator started moving."You can't be too sure. He has proved that he can't be trusted in the past. I just hope you won't regret this," Roberto said with a grumpy face."Have I ever made a wrong decision, ugh?" Damian placed his hand on Rob
"In five minutes, some people will come over to your place. Old friends of mine. I might call them," Damian said as he paced majestically in his study, feeling extremely proud of himself."You might be wondering what friends I have…" Damian paused, as if expecting a response."Or maybe you already know them?" Damian asked with a raised brow."The Tigers," Damian said in a grim tone. "They've been all over the city, looking for you, dear uncle," he said, folding his arms."You…" Valentine tried to steady his shaky hands as beads of sweat formed on his forehead."Don't," Damian interrupted. "It's just five minutes," he said again. "Are you sure you want to waste your precious time battling words with me, or is saving your life more important?""How would you know who The Tigers are? You bastard!" Valentine exclaimed."Hmmm… let me think. I did a small background research on you in the past, which didn't give me much result. But then, I do have some friends in the underworld, uncle," Dam
“Who is there?” Came Valentine’s harsh voice as Leonardo felt his feet freeze to the ground while the other man approached. For some reason, he couldn’t move, shocked by what was going on and the fact that he had been played.As the door flung open to reveal Valentine's harsh gaze, Leonardo swallowed, feeling completely dumb as the other man stared at him for a few seconds.“Leonardo,” he started with a smile, like the psychopath he was.“Have you been eavesdropping?” Valentine asked as he approached, his right hand behind his back as if hiding something. Leonardo was stunned for a second, but his survival instinct kicked in instantly.At this point, Valentine was very dangerous, and getting out of this house should be his main priority.“What did you hear?” Valentine asked, cutting into Leonardo’s thoughts, who forced a smile.“You are mistaken, Valentine,” Leonardo began, shaking his head.“I came here to talk,” he said again as both men's gazes remained intent on each other.“You a
“Just talks.” He muttered under his breath after a moment of silence, that’s all you can do.“I heard you took care of Ravenna, I must commend you however you did it.” He said again. “She is not a threat to me any longer. So just step down and let me have the position.”“You don’t understand.” Damian approached him. Valentine is trying to get the position for himself.” He said and started to shake his head. “Not you brother. And the moment you continue to stay with him, I won’t be able to do anything. Like I said, he will use you….”“Bullshit!” He turned away and headed to towards the door.“Leo…..”Damian made to say again but he had started walking away, this time with determined strides and out he went of the room.“Young master.” Roberto called after few seconds passed with Damian staring blankly at the door following Leonardo’s exit as if looking for something desperately.Damian turned away from the door. “I have a bad feeling about all this.” He said calmly.“Thank God you came
The chauffeur opened the door as Damian walked swiftly in front of the huge building, that stood towering over most the buildings in that area.The Santoro headquarter building was one of biggest in the city.Damian did the button on his jacket as he walked through the exit with the security bowing down for him.His hands tucked in his pocket, he made his way through the different part of the building and straight to the boardroom confidently. He was literally unstoppable now.Immediately Elena caugh sight of him coming out of the elevator, she rushed towards him with a scared deamenor.“Young master…,”she said breathlessly as if she has been running.“Are they all in?” He asked with a slight frown.“Yeah. The remaining two shareholders that seemed to be late has arrived. They don’t care young master.” She said as rage filled Damian as he made his way past her with her trailing behind him.“Do you have a plan?” She asked as he stopped on his track, memories of his conversation with Ma
As the laughing subsided, she stared at Amiri who just watched her.“Fuck you Amiri!” She spat out as Amiri just watched her. Her laughing was out of spite.It didn’t take another second when the sound of the police siren filled the whole place as Ravenna made to turn around to look back, but stopped, probably because of her pride.She turned to look at Amiri, her eyes bloodshot with rage while Amiri stared at her lazily.“You shouldn’t be outside here, Ravenna. Living with normal people.” Amiri said as the sound of the policemen steps coming towards them increased to show how close they were.“You are dangerous to humanity.” Amiri completed as Ravenna scoffed. “And you call yourself a saint by doing this one thing?” She asked with an angry look.“You are bloody criminal, you bastard!” She shrieked angrily as the police finally got to them.“I am inspector Morales and you are under arrest for the…..”The words trailed off in Ravenna’s head as she stared angrily at Amiri, and as her ey
Amiri wasn’t sure of what to say. He just stared blankly at her.“What did you do to Paulo?” He could only manage to ask as Ravenna gave him a scrutinizing look as if that would determine if she would tell him anything or not.“You should ask what I would do to him if you don’t comply to my commands right now.” She said as Amiri’s fist clenched.“You still look as if I am lying to you.” She said with a pout. “You still think I don’t have Amiri, ugh?” She raised a brow and tuttered.“Foolish.” She snorted. “Swerville Day school. Finish his lessons by 12 noon. Has a standby driver that takes him home to his mama.” She said to spite Amiri the more as if the other man hasn’t gotten the point, the predicament he was into.“What if I switched the driver with my people.” Her lips tugged in a sinister smile as Amiri felt a bead of sweat on his forehead.She chuckled and took off his shades and put it on. “Now I can see the darkness hidden inside of you Amiri.” She murmured almost in a whisper
Amiri made to blink but for some reason, restricted himself as if scared that any wrong movement of his would lead to another problem.He watched as a smile curved up Ravenna’s lips. “Who put you to this, Amiri?” She started to removed an invisible speck of dust on jacket, as she smiled sheepishly, she raised her gaze to meet his again as she stifled a chuckle.“What?” She asked with a laughing tone, her gaze dancing on his face.“You’re crazy.” Amiri could only say as Ravenna stoped moving her hand, the smile faded as she stared at me as if the word ‘crazy’ was foreign to her.“Crazy?” She asked with an irritated, as if challenging Amiri.“Me?” She asked, as if truly hurt. But Amiri knew better. “Stop playing the victim’s game. You’re in front of the man you killed. Have some respect for this dead, Ravenna.” He shove her hand away from his chest as her hand dangled by her side as if she had no control over it.“As if you care.” She stared at him with angry gaze.She bent her head to
“We’re here, boss”. Carlos said thriugh the rear mirror as he tried to discern what was going on in his boss’s head who looked pale through out the ride.“Oh…”He replied absentmindedly as Carlos quickly got off the passenger’s sit at the front.He opened up the back seat for his boss and waited, but it seemed Amiri was still in deep thought.“Boss.” He called again as Amiri snapped out of his reverie and turned to see Carlos watching him with a mixture of worried and careful gaze.“What’s with the look?” Amiri got off the car as he straightened his well tailored suit, as he out his shade one, Carlos closing the door again. “You don’t look too well boss.” He said as Amiri started to walk down the small path that was paved in the middle of the cementry where Lucian’s funeral was supposed to hold.“Today is Ravenna’s dad funeral.” He said, without sparing him a glance as he moved ahead.“I didn’t realize you both were that close for you to feel Lucian’s death.” Carlos said as Amiri sto
“I can’t believe this.” Amiri staggered back, unconsciously locating a sofa behind him and sitting down. His hand slowly moved to hold his face, the news making his whole body shudder, hating how foolish he looked.“It’s okay if you feel embarrassed,” Damian said nonchalantly as Amiri raised his head to look at him in an uneasy manner.“Sorry,” he feigned a smile. “I didn’t mean it that way,” he added as Amiri sighed, smacking his lips together, looking away to avoid revealing how disgruntled he felt to Damian.“So?”Amiri raised his head to look at him. “What? You want me to pay back?” He asked as Damian watched him with an amused look.“What?” Amiri asked, his apprehension growing by the minute. He always portrayed himself to everyone as this strong-hearted person, deeply revered in the underground world. But this man knew how to effortlessly get to him, making some part of his life seem to almost revolve around him.“You must think so lowly of me,” Damian said with a soothing tone,