Bianca’s cold eyes flicked from Edward to the rest of the executives, and there was no mercy in her expression. She took a step closer to Edward, who remained kneeling and trembling before her.“I’m not going to let this slide, Edward,” Bianca said, her voice colder than ever.“You dared to threaten not only a fellow employee but someone who is far more important than you could ever imagine. And for that, you will be severely punished."Edward’s heart pounded in his chest, his clothes now cold with sweat.Who was this cleaner that he should not have offended?He glanced back at Nathan, who did not even spare him any sympathy. Then he brought his gaze back to Bianca.“Please…” he whimpered like a child.His mouth was still bleeding, and the sharp pain from Bianca’s slap had not even gone away.But all of that was nothing compared to the terror flooding his veins now.Bianca's gaze moved to the security men standing at attention by the door.“Cut off one of his fingers,” she said in a
As Bianca exited the room, there was still a chilling silence, and everyone remained in a state of shock.Nathan, however, remained composed as he continued sweeping up the shattered glass as if nothing had happened and it was just a normal day at work.He glanced toward the unconscious Edward, blood pooling around his cut-off finger, and the terrified executives still trembling on their knees.A few minutes later, Nathan found Bianca, who was waiting for him in a quiet hallway, far from the prying eyes of the other employees."Lord Cloud!" Bianca lowered her head in respect. "I apologize for the way you were treated, sir.""Imagine that fool asking you to kneel to him!" Bianca's anger began to boil once more as her mind went over what had just happened.Nathan's voice was as low as possible. “Bianca,” he began. Bianca paid rapt attention. “There is even more to their crimes.”"What is it?" Bianca asked with raised eyebrows.“The executives,” Nathan said, glancing around cautiously
Vanessa stepped out gracefully, followed by Nathan, who gave a small nod to acknowledge the staff.Within seconds, the manager himself appeared, sweating nervously as he hurried to greet them. “Sir, Madam, it’s an honor to have you here tonight. We’ve prepared the VIP section for you.”Nathan offered a polite smile.The manager bowed, gesturing for them to follow him. They were ushered into the VIP section meant for the Cloud family.Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, making the room look even more beautiful. All the waiters in the hotel were ordered to leave whatever they were doing and attend to Lord Cloud.The waiters brought out a selection of the finest wines and dishes.As the waiter discreetly stepped away, Vanessa leaned back in her chair, eyes fixated on Nathan. "So how was your day, my love?" Vanessa asked as they began to eat.“Today was... eventful,” he began, his voice calm, but it still sounded strained.Vanessa raised an eyebrow. “Eventful? What happened?”Nathan sighed
Edward’s face twisted with fury, his bandaged hand twitching. “Even after losing my finger, I’m still in this! I’m not giving up! Don't be a coward” He leaned in, his eyes burning with madness. “If you leave now, you might as well be digging your own grave. Lord Cloud will find out eventually, and he’ll come after you whether you’re in or out. At least if you stay, we have a chance to fight back.”Sylvester stood up abruptly, his chair screeching across the floor as he pushed it back. “I don’t want any part of this madness anymore. I’m not risking my life for this.”Hastings stood as well, towering over Sylvester. “You fool, you can't just walk away. Your hands are also stained like the rest of us.""You’ve benefited from the stolen money just like we have. You think Lord Cloud’s going to spare go if you suddenly grow a conscience?”Sylvester’s face was tight with fear, but he held his ground. “I’ll take my chances. Goodluck to you too.”Edward slammed his fist on the table again, th
The stolen money is being laundered with the help of someone on the outside—someone with deep connections. The outside help is Darius, your brother-in-law. Nathan’s fingers tightened around his phone as he read Bianca’s message. His jaw clenched, and a wave of anger surged through him.He had known something was wrong, but to find out that Darius, Vanessa's own brother, was involved in betraying Cloud Corporation?He thought he had put that bastard in prison. How did he get out?Nathan's phone buzzed again.**Bianca:** Darius has been laundering money through various shell corporations. I’ve attached the financial transactions here. He’s working with Hastings and Edward. They’re planning one final heist, and they also want to bring you down.Nathan’s hands trembled as he opened the attached files. Bianca had been thorough, as always. There were several transactions made to offshore accounts, large sums withdrawn under fake identities, and coded messages between Darius, Hastings, and
He could feel the control slipping, the urge to lash out growing stronger by the second.But the receptionist remained unfazed. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. “I’m not calling anyone. And I suggest you leave before I have security escort you out.”Nathan’s blood boiled. He had no time for this.Every second wasted was a second closer to disaster, and yet this woman, this insignificant individual, dared to stand in his way.“I don’t have time for this,” Nathan growled, his voice dropping to a dangerously low tone. “You will call her. Or I’ll—”“Or you’ll what?” The receptionist smirked, clearly enjoying the power trip. “How dare you threaten me?Is it because I am trying to be polite with you?What gave you the guts to walk into Royal Corporation, the number one partner of Cloud Corporation, and start making demands?You must be out of your senses!!!”The tension between Nathan and the receptionist escalated as the silence in the lobby became thicker.
The receptionist, pale and speechless, took a step back. “Mrs. Cloud... I... I didn’t know...”"She even called me a lunatic and called the police on me,” Nathan added, making Vanessa even more furious.Vanessa’s eyes widened, her face darkening with fury. “You what?”“I—” The receptionist stammered before swallowing hard. She knew she had made a very grave mistake. “I didn’t know, Mrs. Cloud. I thought... he’s wearing a cleaner’s uniform, and he... he said he was Lord Cloud, but I...”Vanessa’s face twisted in disbelief and anger. “You thought?” she repeated, her voice rising. “Is that what I pay you for? "My husband came here, and you didn’t even bother to check with me? You just assumed he was some lunatic because of what he was wearing?”The receptionist opened and closed her mouth, unable to find the words to defend herself. She could not come up with anything.“I... I didn’t mean...”“You dare to disrespect my husband? You even had the audacity to call him a lunatic and call th
The police officers stood back, watching. “Is there anything else you’d like us to do, Mrs. Cloud?”Vanessa shook her head, her eyes still locked on the receptionist being dragged out. “No, Officer. You can go.”Nathan stood silently beside her, his arms still crossed, watching as the receptionist was dragged out of the lobby. Her cries echoed through the room, but neither Nathan nor Vanessa flinched. At that moment he was not really angry but filled with satisfactionHe had warned her, he had given her multiple chances to back down. She she still chose to challenge him, just like everyone who dared to challenge him, she was paying the price.As the doors swung closed behind the doctors and the sobbing receptionist, the lobby became quiet. Vanessa then turned to Nathan. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that, Nathan,” she said, placing her hand round his arm. Nathan’s eyes softened as he looked at her. “It’s alright, dear. You don't need to apologize on her behalf."Vanessa nodded, h