The Demigod's Reckoning

Chapter9: The Demigod's Reckoning

Chapter 9: Rivalries and Secrets

The sleek, modern facade of Chronos Corporation gleamed under the midmorning sun. Inside, the air hummed with the quiet intensity of high-stakes business. Devon Liangster paced the polished floor of his office, phone pressed against his ear, his frustration building with each unanswered ring.

“C’mon, Theo. Pick up already,” he muttered, his usually composed tone fraying at the edges. He hit redial, tapping his fingers impatiently against the desk. The shrill buzz of the line echoed in his ear once more.

Still no answer.

Devon’s nerves were on edge. Today wasn’t just another day at Chronos. Investors, some of the most powerful in the country, were seated in the grand conference room, waiting for Theo Stavros, the company’s enigmatic CEO, to present their latest groundbreaking project.

“Out of service again?!” Devon groaned, raking a hand through his dark hair. “Of all days to vanish, Theo…”

He was mid-rant when the door swung open. Theo strolled in, nonchalant as ever, his tailored suit pristine and his hair perfectly in place. He adjusted the gold cufflinks on his shirt, then glanced up with an amused smirk.

“Finally!” Devon exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air. “Where have you been?! Investors are inside, and they’re getting restless! You look like you’ve been out all night!”

Theo shrugged, straightening his watch. “Let’s just say I had... pressing matters to attend to.”

“Pressing matters?!” Devon sputtered, his voice rising an octave. “I’m losing my hair and my patience over here, and you’re strolling in like it’s a Sunday brunch!”

Theo chuckled softly, patting Devon on the shoulder as he walked past him. “Relax, Dev. They won’t leave without hearing what I have to say.”

With that, he pushed open the conference room doors, leaving Devon to mutter, “One of these days, this guy’s going to be the death of me.” He sighed and followed Theo inside.

---

The conference room exuded luxury: polished marble floors, a massive mahogany table, and sleek leather chairs occupied by some of the wealthiest investors in the country. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and faint cologne lingered in the air.

Devon took charge, as he always did, presenting their newest innovation—a cutting-edge technology that promised to revolutionize the energy sector. His voice was smooth and persuasive, commanding the room’s attention.

About halfway through the presentation, a voice cut through the air.

“Excuse me,” said Aidan Moore, a striking man with a sharp jawline and tousled brown hair. He sat near the head of the table, his tailored navy suit exuding wealth and confidence. His tone dripped with sarcasm. “How can you guarantee this innovation will meet global demand? Because from where I’m sitting, it seems... incomplete.”

The room went silent.

Aidan leaned back in his chair, his charm radiating an air of superiority. “In fact,” he continued, “if you combined it with some of my ideas, you might actually have something truly remarkable.”

Theo, who had been sitting quietly at the end of the table, finally raised his eyes. His gaze locked on Aidan, sharp and unyielding.

“And here I thought,” Theo said smoothly, his voice low and commanding, “you were here to listen, not to pitch your second-rate ideas.”

A faint ripple of amusement passed through the room, but Aidan’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it grew wider.

“Second-rate?” Aidan echoed, his tone playful but with a hint of menace. “Coming from the man who shows up late to his own presentation?”

Theo leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. The weight of his presence filled the room. “Better late than never,” he said, a razor-sharp grin playing at his lips. “Besides, the real question isn’t about my innovation—it’s about your motives. Tell me, Aidan, are you here as a potential partner, or are you just here to stir the pot?”

The tension crackled like static electricity. Aidan’s eyes glinted with amusement, but something darker simmered beneath the surface.

Before he could respond, Devon cleared his throat loudly, stepping in to diffuse the moment. “Gentlemen, let’s stay focused on the matter at hand, shall we?”

The rest of the meeting proceeded without further interruptions, though the undercurrent of rivalry between Theo and Aidan lingered in the air. By the end, the investors seemed satisfied, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries as they left the room.

All except Aidan.

---

The conference room was empty now, save for Theo, Devon, and Aidan. The latter sat casually in one of the chairs, swirling a glass of red wine as if he owned the place.

Devon, ever the diplomat, approached with a polite smile. “Mr. Moore, is there something else you’d like to discuss?”

Aidan took a slow sip of his wine, savoring the moment before answering. “Actually, yes. But this isn’t about business.” His tone was calm, almost too calm.

Devon glanced at Theo, who gave a subtle nod. It was a silent signal, one they’d perfected over the years.

“I’ll give you two some privacy, then,” Devon said, his hesitation evident. He cast Theo a wary glance before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.

Now it was just Theo and Aidan.

Theo leaned against the edge of the table, his arms crossed. “Alright, Aidan. What’s this really about?”

Aidan set down his glass and stood, his movements slow and deliberate. “You’re not the only one who knows how to keep secrets, Theo,” he said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.

Theo’s eyes narrowed. “Is that so?”

Aidan took a step closer, his demeanor shifting from playful to dangerous. “I know what you are,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The words hung in the air like a heavy weight.

Theo didn’t flinch, but his posture stiffened ever so slightly. “And what, exactly, do you think I am?”

Aidan smirked, leaning in just enough to make the moment uncomfortable. “Something ancient. Something... unnatural. You're not a human. What are you?”

Theo’s expression remained unreadable, but the tension in the room was palpable.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Theo said coolly.

Aidan chuckled, the sound low and mocking. “Oh, don’t play coy with me. I’ve been watching you, Stavros. The way you move, the way you speak. You’re not just some corporate hotshot. You’re... different.”

Theo’s jaw tightened, his calm facade cracking ever so slightly. “If you’re trying to threaten me, I suggest you think carefully about your next words.”

Aidan stepped back, his grin never wavering. “Threaten you? No, Theo. I’m here to warn you. Because whatever it is you’re hiding... you’re not the only one with secrets.”

With that, Aidan turned and walked toward the door, pausing just before he exited. “Oh, and one more thing,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “That woman you’re so interested in? You’re not the only one watching her.”

Theo’s blood ran cold.

Before he could respond, Aidan was gone, leaving Theo alone in the empty conference room.

The sound of the door clicking shut echoed ominously, and Theo stared at the spot where Aidan had stood, his mind racing.

Who was Aidan Moore, really? And how much did he know?

But more importantly... who else was watching Zhariah?