“Sir, the allegations and news reports are getting worse. Most of the stations we paid to keep the drug scam undercover have released more news with the claim that an anonymous source offered them a higher amount. What’s going to happen now? We have absolutely no control over the media at the moment.”Luke refused to let the worry that currently ate at his heart show. It was ten hours since his meeting with the Colton brothers and the entire world seemed to be working against him.He folded his fingers into fists and leaned his head against the cool glass of his floor-to-ceiling windows.“What are they saying now?”He heard Mirabel fumble with her iPad. It was after work hours but she’d volunteered to stay back with him and the PR team to help salvage as much as Luke’s and the company’s reputation as they could.So far, Luke could say that they hadn’t made any real progress.“Well… are you sure you want to listen to this, sir? Most of them are pretty depressing. I don’t think it’s adv
The tension in the room ricocheted dangerously. Luke half rose from his chair, his entire body already vibrating with rage.“Mr. Hillary. The proposition was between both of us. What’s the point of bringing in a third party?”Hillary shot him a dark glare while Danny just sat there with a strange smirk on his face. “Sit down, Luke.” Luke was ready to go further but Hillary’s cold expression stopped him in his tracks and had him sinking into his seat once more.“Just in case I haven’t told you yet, I saw the news concerning your involvement with the whole drug scenario.”Luke tried to cut in but Hillary raised a hand, effectively cutting him off.“I saw the news, Luke. The story is everywhere. Now, my point is that in order to mitigate the damages and the public relations horror from that news, I came up with the idea of sharing the contract between you both. Fifty fifty.I’m sorry, Luke but you’ll have to choose between sharing the contract with Danny and completely stepping away fr
From the slackened expression on Danny’s face, Luke could tell that he was shocked. He settled more comfortably into his seat and smirked. “You wanted this but you do not seem too happy at the thought of working with me, partner. What could be the problem?”Danny narrowed his eyes in annoyance.“Are you really going to accept this?”Luke shrugged. “Isn’t that what you wanted?” A pause. “Wait. Were you expecting me to back out?” He smiled coyly and picked up his glass of wine. “I’m sorry but that’s not happening. I understand that working with Hillary is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m willing to do anything in my power to keep that opportunity… even if it means working with you.”Luke could tell that both Hillary and Danny seemed very uncomfortable with his presence. Instead of lingering around, he drained his glass of wine and got to his feet, bowing slightly before saying;“I can tell that you both have a lot to catch up on. Please excuse me. I have other pressing matters to
“Are you being serious right now?” Luke whispered, his chest tightening with shock and anger. “How’s that even possible?”“How else? The Colton Brothers are well aware that you and the Carmichaels are not exactly buddies. They approached Mr. Carmichael because it was obvious he’d be the easiest to manipulate. The Carmichaels desperately want to see your downfall. They would do anything at all to make sure you fail.”Luke walked numbly to his desk and sank into the chair. “I know they hate me… but I thought Mr. Carmichael left all the plotting and scheming to his wife. I didn’t realize he was also actively involved in all of this.”He shook his head and refocused his attention on Mason.“How did he sponsor them?”“He paid for some of their equipment and advertisement deals. He also promotes their company with his associates. Their main aim is to beat your net profit. So far, they haven’t been able to succeed.”Luke rubbed a finger across his jaw, already imagining the numerous ways he
Everyone shot to their feet, different levels of confusion written on their faces as McGregor burst into the room accompanied by two other officers. On a closer inspection, Luke realised that he had two bloodied scratches on his cheeks and his once pristine white shirt had dirt spots.“What the hell is going on here, McGregor? What is this?” Lord George was the first to speak up. Luke watched impatiently as the detective walked further into the room and dumped his briefcase on the table.“What happened is that my car was run off the road by a hit and run driver a few minutes ago.”Luke blinked in shock.“What? How?”McGregor paused.“Trust me, I do not have the answer to that question, but I’m sure the people who hired the driver do.”“What are you saying? Who hired the driver?” Lord George asked.McGregor focused his attention on Luke.“They’re right in this room, your lordships. I’m honestly wondering why they haven’t spoken up by now.”Stone cold silence instantly reigned in the
Danny and David looked like their most precious dog just died. David completely forgot about his brother, leaving him to groan alone on the ground in pain.“Five hundred million dollars?” He whispered. “How do you expect us to pay you so much money? We can’t afford that.”“David!” Danny interrupted in a warning tone. “Be careful what you say.”The signs of distress on David’s face burned brighter at that biting reprimand. He shot his brother a stiff, dark look.“I’m telling the truth, Danny. Don’t you think it’s high time you stopped your stupid games?”Luke watched the exchange with rapt attention and mounting confusion.“What games are you talking about?” He finally asked.“Don’t tell him anything.” Danny wheezed, giving his brother a cryptic look. “Remember that he’s not on our side. Don’t say anything.”David looked really indecisive. At that moment, Luke knew he’d be easy to manipulate.“Tell me the truth, David, and maybe I’ll be willing to help you. What games are you talking a
The flashing lights of cameras and shouts from media men and women rent the air. Luke leaned against the leather seat of his Limousine and shut his eyes, wishing Nina was there to hold his hand and lead him through this. Unfortunately, she’d gone to visit her pregnant cousin and best friend at far away Birmingham and wasn’t able to make it.Today was the day of the press conference. The day Luke’s innocence will finally be announced before the entire world. The day everyone will realise they’d accused him wrongly. Today was the day. His driver finally came around and pulled his door open, exposing Luke to the shouts and screams of the journalists. The moment his Tom Fords touched the ground, cameras began to flash anew and everyone started speaking on top of one another.“Look this way, your lordship.”“What fashion brand are you wearing tonight, your lordship?”“Is it true that you’re here to confess to your crimes?”“Are you here to relinquish your office as the head of the Diamon
“Is he awake?” The first voice asked.“No, I don’t think so.” Another voice replied. “We need to wake him up before the boss arrives.”Luke laid stiffly on the ground, trying not to move a single muscle. Although he could hear the people above him loud and clear, he did not want to alert them to the fact that he was actually awake. “How do we wake him, then? He’s not even moving.” The first voice asked.“Water. We need water.”The ground underneath Luke’s back felt like a collection of sharp rocks. The stones dug sharply through his suit and into the skin of his back, adding more discomfort to the pain he already felt.He took a deep breath but his throat and mouth felt like sandpaper. He finally tried to move but pain erupted from his hands, legs and back, causing him to wrinkle his face in discomfort. He was just about to struggle to his feet when he heard heavy, booted footsteps slowly approach. Before Luke could lift a finger, cold, freezing water rained down on him, soaking thr