The next day dawned bright and early. Luke was already seated behind his desk, flipping through his schedule of meetings for the day and the various event centre proposals submitted by his employees.So far, non of the centers appealed to him. Non of it was furnished with the necessary facilities for the conference’s exhibition.He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes and took a sip of his coffee, hoping the strong liquid will wake him up.He’d not slept a wink last night. Haunting images of the public disgrace his grandfather might suffer if the conference was not held successfully kept him awake throughout.Finally unable to deal with the murderous rage that swamped him at the thought of Jimmy Petersen and Anotoine, he gave up trying to sleep by three in the morning and spent the remaining early hours in home gym, beating the hell out of the punching bag.Now, he sat down jittery with anticipation as he awaited Detective McGregor’s call.Finally, at a few hours to noon, his phone final
Luke froze in his seat as the detective kept on speaking;“Exactly five years ago, a rival automobile company, Fountain Automobiles, was established in Paris. According to my investigations, that company alone sold more than five hundred thousand cars in less than two months because apparently, they dealt with affordable and durable automobiles which the French people were clearly after.In the third month, Antoine sued the company with claims that they used fake materials in the manufacture of their vehicles. He was however not able to prove this claim in court and the case was dismissed.Two months later, the entirety of France was agog with the news that Fountain Motors had surpassed Antoine’s company, recording the highest sales between both companies in five months.Their CEO received an award of recognition a week later. That same night, a fire started in the company’s warehouse. The warehouse and factory were in the same building. It took that fire two hours to burn the entire
Luke watched as a knowing smile curved Fiona’s lips. To his surprise, instead of rubbing her success in his face, she stepped back and blinked at him coyly. “I’ll think about it but I’ll let you know soon.” She said before stepping out of his office.Minutes after she’d left, the room was still quiet and stiff with tension.Finally, Nina spoke up.“I do not trust her.” She said quietly. “Not one bit. I think she’s up to something.”Luke leaned back in his seat, rubbing his chin as his mind whirled in a billion different directions.“You’re definitely right. This only means we have to watch her more closely than before.”Nina leaned forward, her brows furrowed.“Do you think she had anything to do with the fire? I mean, she was so intent on making sure you blamed me for it. I cannot help but wonder if she had a hand in it.Luke remained quiet and thoughtful for a while, then he finally said;“There’s no denying that I believed she had something to do with it before. However, all of Mc
Luke arrived at the police station in record time and was immediately escorted into the building by one of the officers on duty.“This way, sir. Detective McGregor is already awaiting your arrival at the interrogation room.”Luke followed silently behind him, his blood already thundering in anticipation. They walked through a hallway and maze of offices until they arrived at a steel doorway.“This way, sir.” The detective said over his shoulder as he pushed the steel door open and stood aside for Luke to walk in first.Luke obliged. Immediately he stepped into the small room, he looked at his surroundings, noting another steel door which no doubt led to another room beyond, as well as the floor-to-ceiling glass which separated both rooms.When he finally noticed Jimmy Petersen through the wall of glass, slumped against a chair in the next room, Luke’s fists curled involuntarily as anger shot through his veins.“Your lordship. Glad you could make it.”Luke turned at the sound of that vo
After another thirty minutes of trying to get Jimmy to speak without any trace of luck, Detective McGregor decided to take a break.Luke watched as the detective stepped out of the interrogation room, his lips and brows pinched tight to show his displeasure.Luke was not very pleased about the situation either. If anything, Jimmy Petersen’s meagre confession had only succeeded in rendering him even more confused.Now, he had no idea who to suspect. If Antoine was not responsible for the fire, then who the hell orchestrated it?This only meant that he had to ramp up his guard. Every single person was a suspect. His grandfather had already told him that in this world, the enemies he did not know were even more dangerous than the ones who choose to show their hatred against him in public.“Detective,” Luke called. “Do you think he’s lying about the whole Antoine situation?”The detective was silent for a moment, then he said;“No. Sadly, I do not believe Jimmy is lying. I’ve put him un
Luke’s spine stiffened in shock at Jimmy’s statement as he watched the detective help him up and make sure he was properly settled in his chair.His brother? Really? What sort of twisted maze was really going on here?His pulse thundered wildly against his throat as McGregor sat back in his seat and resumed his interrogation.“Tell me everything you know about this man, Jimmy.”Jimmy’s lips twisted in a sneer.“Father always loved him more than he loved my sister and I.”Okay. Now Luke was floored. Jimmy Petersen had a sister?“Father used to hit our mother, you know. He would hit her with his fists, an iron rod, the soup ladle, his belt…basically anything he could get his hands on. When he hit her to the point that she couldn’t take it anymore, he’ll turn his anger on my sister and I.I was just ten at the time and Isabella was five. I tried as much as possible to shield her from his madness but I couldn’t do much. I was just a child.”Jimmy’s eyes brightened suspiciously and second
Luke leaned back in his seat, his gaze frozen on Jimmy as his mind whirled in a billion different directions. Minutes later, detective McGregor walked out of the interrogation room. Seeing Luke’s horrified expression, the older man shook his head and went to him.“Your lordship. I’m sure you must’ve already heard what Jimmy had to say.”Luke blinked rapidly, trying to wrap his mind around the fact that someone who he’d genuinely thought was in support of him and had his back was rooting for his downfall.Andrei Konstantin. The one human being in the business world whom he felt he could trust. He lowered his throbbing head into his palm as anger, hot and venomous, shot through his bloodstream.He was angry at Andrei for not being the friend he thought he was. He was angry at himself for trusting the sneaky bastard in the first place.“I can’t believe this.” Luke growled, getting to his feet. “I cannot fucking believe this.”“I’m sorry, your lordship, but that is what it is. Jimmy ha
Luke’s mind buzzed with curiosity as he followed Antoine into one of the numerous personalised sitting areas. He took his seat without being asked and watched silently as the Frenchman ordered two glasses of red wine with lots of ice.Finally unable to bear the silent scrutiny, Antoine shot him a hard look.“I’m sure you now realize that I’m not responsible for the destruction of your event centre. Can you stop staring at me like I’m some kind of criminal now?”Luke narrowed his eyes.“The fact that you didn’t do this…which I do not completely believe yet, doesn’t dismiss the fact that you are indeed a criminal.”Antoine opened his mouth to argue but Luke leaned forward, bracing both forearms on the table.“Don’t think I do not know about the sudden dismissal of those cases. Don’t even for once believe I am not aware of the havoc you wrecked on your competition in France. I know about the company you burnt down. You disgust me, Antoine.”To Luke’s surprise, instead of arguing or get