After hanging up, the manager turned back to Elijah with an even brighter smile. “Everything is being expedited as we speak. And once this is complete, you’ll have access to all our VIP privileges—financial advisors, exclusive investment plans, you name it. We’ll cater to every need of yours.”The manager leaned back slightly, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. He glanced at the records on his screen, his brow furrowing slightly. “If I may ask, Mr. Elijah, your account activity until recently wasn’t reflecting such large transactions. But from hours ago, your transactions seem to have jumped significantly. Is there a story behind this sudden change?”Elijah’s jaw tightened slightly, but he maintained his calm demeanor. He wasn’t about to share the details of how he got the money. Instead, he offered a vague explanation. “My trading account blew up.”The manager’s eyes widened, a mix of awe and respect spreading acros
Sierra didn’t reply, but her lips pressed into a thin line as Daniel closed the distance between them.As Daniel got closer, his confident smile widened, and he casually slid his phone into his pocket. His eyes locked onto Sierra, ignoring the buzz of whispers and stares around them."Well, well," he began smoothly, his voice rich and playful, "if it isn’t Sierra Lane, the most beautiful sight on this campus. Should I assume you’re the reason the sun is shining so brightly today?"Betty snickered, nudging Sierra slightly. "Smooth as ever," she muttered under her breath.Sierra raised an eyebrow at Daniel, crossing her arms. "Is that your opening line now, Everhart? Did the Audi come with that level of cheesiness, or are you just getting rusty?"Daniel laughed, undeterred. "Ah, you wound me, Sierra. Here I am, pulling off those drifts just to get your attention, and this is the thanks I get? No applause?
Sierra narrowed her eyes at Betty, a playful suspicion lacing her tone. "Tell me, Betty, did this guy pay you or something? You're always supporting him, no matter what."Betty gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Me? Paid by Daniel Everhart? Oh, Sierra, how could you accuse me of such betrayal!""Betty," Sierra said flatly, "you're literally grinning right now."Betty burst out laughing. "Okay, fine, maybe I just like seeing you squirm. It's entertaining. But hey, if he did pay me, I’d be driving that black Audi of his by now."Sierra shook her head, trying to hide her smile. "You’re impossible.”Betty wagged her finger teasingly. "No, no. I'm just here to make sure you have an epic college story to tell one day. 'Remember that time Daniel Everhart, the campus heartthrob, begged me for a dinner date at one of the most expensive restaurants in the city?' Sounds pretty good, don’t you think?"Sierra rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Yeah, sure, Betty. Next time he bri
Elijah nodded calmly.Robert blinked, then offered a sheepish chuckle. “Well, I must say, Mr. Elijah, you’ve certainly surprised me. Not many clients come in with such… readiness.”“I like to get things done,” Elijah said simply.Robert nodded, his demeanor now fully respectful. “Well, let’s not waste any more of your time. If you’ll follow me to my office, we can go over the available properties and find something that suits your preferences.”As they entered the spacious, elegantly furnished office, Robert gestured for Elijah to take a seat in one of the plush leather chairs across from his desk. Elijah sat down, his expression calm but attentive as he observed the room—polished wood surfaces, framed certificates, and a large screen displaying luxury properties.Robert took his seat opposite him, folding his hands neatly on the desk. “Now, Mr. Elijah,” he began with a polished smile, “before we proceed, I must tell you that you’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for exclus
Elijah leaned back slightly, keeping his voice steady. “You could say that. Why is his picture here?”Robert’s smile widened, clearly eager to talk about the man in the photo. “General Marcus Steel is somewhat of a legend in this area. A lot of the high-ranking officials and influential people around here admire him. He's a king in the real estate business too so most real estate companies have his picture.”“Long ago, when he was in this city, I heard he bought a big house here, that's like decades ago.”Elijah’s brows furrowed slightly as he studied the image. He wasn’t aware of this detail about his father’s life, and it caught him off guard. “He bought a villa here?”Robert nodded enthusiastically. “Indeed, he did. He was a man of precision, much like his reputation in the military. He personally oversaw the modifications to the property. It’s still one of the most admired houses in our portfolio. Although...” He paused, glancing at Elijah. “He hasn’t been back in years. I believ
The assistant quickly snapped out of her shock and hurriedly retrieved a set of forms from a nearby drawer. "Mr. Steel, please fill these out to finalize the process," she said, her tone much more respectful now. Elijah nodded, took the forms, and began to fill them out with his usual calm demeanor. Robert and the assistant exchanged glances, still unable to fully process what had just happened. When Elijah finished, he handed the completed forms back to the assistant. She double-checked them, nodding in approval. “Everything’s perfect, Mr. Steel,” she said with a smile. Robert stepped forward with a small, elegant box. "Congratulations on your new villa, Mr. Steel," he said warmly, opening the box to reveal a set of sleek, modern keys and two automatic door cards. “These are your house keys and the door access cards,” Robert explained. “The cards are programmed to open all entry points in the villa, including the garage. If you need additional keys or cards for family or staff, ju
The master bedroom was a masterpiece in itself. It was spacious, with a king-sized bed positioned in the center, flanked by nightstands and elegant lamps. The windows stretched across one wall, offering an unobstructed view of the city. There was a walk-in closet filled with neatly organized shelves and drawers and an en-suite bathroom that rivaled a spa, complete with a Jacuzzi, rainfall shower, and double sinks set into marble countertops.“Not bad,” Elijah muttered, his expression calm, though inwardly, he was impressed.The staff beamed. “Shall I show you the rest of the villa, sir? There’s a home office, a private gym, and even a home theater.”“Go ahead,” Elijah replied, his curiosity piqued.As they moved through the villa, Elijah noted how everything was designed with a seamless blend of comfort and luxury. By the time they finished the tour and returned to the living room, he was convinced he’d made the right decision.The staff turned to him with a satisfied smile. “If there
Later that evening, Sierra Lane stood in front of her full-length mirror, her reflection nothing short of breathtaking. She wore a fitted wine-red highlighting her curves. The neckline was modest yet elegant, and the dress flowed down to just above her knees, revealing her toned legs. Her hair was styled in soft waves, cascading over her shoulders, while a pair of simple yet stunning silver earrings complemented her glowing complexion.Getting to the hall, her mother sat on the plush cream sofa, sipping tea and scrolling through her tablet.As Sierra walked in, her mother's eyes shifted up—and immediately widened in astonishment. She placed the cup of tea down and set her tablet aside, her gaze locking on Sierra."My goodness, Sierra," her mother said, standing up. "You look... stunning. Where are you going dressed like this, with your bag and all? Is there some event you didn’t tell me about?”"Just dinner?" Her mother folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Dressed like this? And with
The house wasn’t bare anymore. It was... alive.He wandered into the kitchen, where shiny new utensils were neatly arranged. Foodstuff lined the shelves, and a delicious aroma wafted through the air. Curious, he lifted the lid of a pot on the stove to find perfectly cooked jollof rice. Beside it, there was a separate pot of stew and a tray of meat.“Damn,” he muttered, impressed, before moving on.The fridge had been brought in and stocked with bottled water and an assortment of drinks. Even the wine bar was arranged with a selection of wines, most of which had low alcohol content. He inspected everything—plates, glasses, and small touches that made the space feel like a home.He returned to the living room, glancing at Sierra with a soft smile. She’d done all this. Kneeling beside her, he murmured, “You must be tired,” and gently reached out to touch her cheek.Before his hand made contact, Sierra yawned and stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked, startled by the pair of eyes
Meanwhile, Sophia was still happily talking to Damian when they saw Laura walk over. As Laura approached, her expression was cold and filled with restrained anger. She locked eyes with Sophia, who returned the look with equal disdain. For a moment, the tension between the two women hung thick in the air.Damian glanced between them and frowned. "Laura, I thought you should be working. What do you want here?"Laura took a deep breath, standing her ground. "Boss Damian, I need to discuss something important with you.”Damian crossed his arms. "What is it?"Laura hesitated, her eyes flicking to Sophia. "With you and me only. Not her."Sophia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms smugly, while Damian shook his head. "You can say whatever you need to right here. Sophia isn’t going anywhere."Laura clenched her fists at her sides but managed to keep her composure. "Fine," she said, lifting her chin. "I want to talk about the promotion. I believe there’s been a mistake.”Sophia frowned heari
The room erupted into a mix of applause and astonishment, with several workers looking at each other in surprise. Sophia, standing among them, froze for a moment, her heart racing although she was aware she was the one to be promoted. She felt dozens of eyes turning to her.Damian extended his hand toward her and said warmly, "Miss Bennett, please step on stage.”Sophia inhaled deeply, smoothing her already pristine office wear as she walked forward. Her heels clicked against the polished floor, and the applause grew louder. As she reached the stage, she turned to face the crowd.Damian gestured for her to stand beside him. "Ladies and gentlemen, this promotion is not just a reward but a reflection of consistent effort and excellence. Congratulations, Miss Bennett."Sophia nodded politely, her lips curving into a gracious smile as she acknowledged the crowd. "Thank you," she said, her voice clear and steadyAs Sophia stood on stage, basking in the applause, the murmurs among the worke
The men remained silent, their shame deepening under Victor's harsh words. One of them finally stammered, "S-Sir, we tried our best, but that man... he wasn’t ordinary. His men... they were like machines—""Enough!" Victor roared, slamming his hand on the armrest, making some of the men flinch. "Excuses don’t interest me. You’ve embarrassed me and my son!"Daniel stopped pacing, his face twisted with fury. "They’re pathetic, Father. I told you they were useless! Elijah humiliated me in front of everyone, and these fools couldn’t even defend me!”Victor leaned back in his chair, his expression darkening. "I underestimated this person," he said, his voice low and calculating. He turned his gaze back to the kneeling men. "Get out of my sight. I’ll deal with your incompetence later.”“Sir,” one of them began, clutching his injured shoulder, “we… we need some money to treat our injuries.”Lawrence’s expression darkened, and without a word, he rose from his seat, the golden necklace around
"Save it!" Daniel interrupted, pacing back and forth as his anger boiled over. "You think this is minor? Do you know how badly this has gone? Do you know how humiliated I am?! You're the one who sent men and now look! It's a disaster!”The bystanders who hadn’t already dispersed began whispering amongst themselves, their curiosity growing at Daniel’s outburst. Daniel’s father sighed heavily on the other end of the call. "Listen to me, Daniel. Don’t make things worse for yourself. Leave the place now.""But Dad—!" Daniel began, his voice shaking with frustration."Enough!" his father interrupted, his voice sharp and commanding. "I’ll send someone to pick up those ten useless men you hired. They’re of no use to you now. Just leave before you embarrass yourself further."Daniel gritted his teeth, but he couldn’t argue with his father’s authority. "Fine," he muttered, though his tone was far from calm."And as for this Elijah," his father continued, his voice colder now, "don’t worry abo
Minutes later, Sierra walked out of the fitting room, and Elijah’s attention immediately shifted to her. The dress she had chosen fit her perfectly, its simplicity complementing her natural beauty. She adjusted the hem slightly, brushing a hand down the fabric as if to get used to the feel of it. Elijah’s lips curled into a subtle smile as he watched her approach. “Looks good on you,” he said sincerely. Sierra glanced at him, her expression soft but slightly self-conscious. “It’s just a dress,” she muttered, trying to downplay it, though a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. Brandon, still standing at the counter, looked at Sierra and then at Elijah, visibly holding back his words. It was clear he hadn’t expected Sierra to actually leave the fitting room with a new dress that had been paid for. Elijah picked up the bags of clothes and sneakers, holding them effortlessly. “Ready to go?” he asked Sierra casually, as though the tension in the air from earlier didn’t exist. She nodded,
As Elijah reached the counter, he immediately recognized Brandon. His lips curled into a light smile, and he greeted politely, “Good afternoon.”Brandon, however, wasn’t having it. He crossed his arms and frowned deeper. “What do you want, please?” he asked with obvious irritation in his tone.Sierra noticed the hostility immediately, her brows furrowing. “Is that how you frown and speak to customers?” she questioned sharply, her voice carrying an edge.Brandon shot her a glare, clearly unbothered. “Customers?” he scoffed. “He came here yesterday and lied about buying clothes. After picking out $28,000 worth of items, he didn’t even have the money to pay. I’m yet to hang them back!” Brandon’s voice dripped with condescension as he turned his eyes back to Elijah. “Did you come to waste my time again?”Before Brandon could continue, Elijah cut in calmly, “Yesterday, there was a fault with my bank. Don’t worry, everything is working now. The clothes are still available, right? Just hand
The head of staff hesitated, still processing what had happened. "Uh... I—I think it’s around $15,000, sir. That includes the tables, chairs, glassware, and a few damaged fixtures."Elijah nodded and looked back at Daniel, his eyes cold and unyielding. "You heard her. Fifteen thousand dollars. Pay it now."Daniel’s face flushed red with anger and humiliation. "Fifteen thousand? Do you have any idea who I am? Why should I pay—"Slap!Elijah delivered a sharp slap to Daniel’s face, cutting him off. The crowd gasped, and even Sierra flinched slightly. Elijah’s voice was low but firm. "I’m not asking. You caused the damage, and you’ll pay for it. Or do you want me to call my men back to convince you?"Daniel swallowed hard, his fear evident. His hands trembled as he reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. He opened a payment app and shakily asked the head of staff for the restaurant’s account details.The head of staff quickly provided them, and within moments, the transaction wa
Elijah’s cold gaze settled on the four remaining suited men. His tone was calm but carried an edge of command as he spoke. "Join him. All of you. Take those seven down together. I want to hear screams. Break their bones… and do it well."The suited men nodded sharply, no hesitation in their movements. One of them smirked, cracking his knuckles. “It’ll be over before you know it, Master Elijah.”Without another word, the five men advanced like predators closing in on prey.The seven men with weapons, now visibly shaking, tried to stand their ground. “Come on! We’re not scared of you!” one shouted, though his voice cracked.The air erupted into chaos as the suited men reached them. Screams pierced the evening, echoing through the area.“No! Please—ARGH!” one of the seven howled as his arm was twisted unnaturally, the sickening crack of bone splitting the air. Blood spattered the ground as another man tried to swing his bat, only to have it ripped from his hands and shattered across his