Felicia nodded slowly. “Either way, we need to be ready.”Leander sat back in his chair, contemplating the mix of opportunity and risk. The room had fallen into a heavy silence after Dorian’s departure. Felicia and the rest of his executive team looked to him for direction, but Leander’s mind was still processing. He drummed his fingers on the table, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows.The proposal was more than tempting—it was a golden ticket. But the speed at which Dorian had dropped this opportunity in his lap set off alarm bells. In business, when something seemed too good to be true, it usually was."Felicia," Leander said quietly, still looking out the window, "what’s your take?"Felicia folded her arms, thinking carefully before she spoke. "It’s bold. It’s definitely within the scope of where we want Veritas to go, but I’m worried about the timeline. They want this done fast, and we’d be committing a lot of resources. A single mistake could have devastating consequences f
The following day, Leander arrived in the hangar of Etherium City’s private airfield, watching as his Gulfstream G650 sat gleaming under the morning sun, its sleek fuselage promising a swift escape from the city and toward his next big deal. The meeting in Brimstone City was crucial for Veritas Conglomerate. A merger with one of the leading AI firms could revolutionize their portfolio, opening doors that even the Blackwood deal hadn’t. Time was money, and right now, time was something he didn’t have.He checked his watch. 9:45 a.m. His flight was scheduled for 10. If everything went smoothly, he’d be in Brimstone by noon, with enough time to review the final contract before the 2 p.m. meeting. Leander adjusted his suit jacket and motioned to his pilot, who was preparing the aircraft for departure. Just as he started toward the jet, a voice behind him called out.“Mr. Goldstein?”Leander turned, his brow furrowing as he spotted two men in airport uniforms approaching. One of them, a p
Leander’s breath came in sharp bursts as he stared down the airport officials. His pulse was pounding in his ears, and his hands were balled into fists. The clock on the hangar wall read 10:10. His Gulfstream still sat idle on the tarmac, ready to go, but chained to the ground by these men who refused to listen to reason.“I’m giving you one last chance,” Leander said, his voice low and dangerous. “Let me board that plane, or this won’t end well for you.”The older official hesitated, visibly uncomfortable but still standing his ground. “Mr. Goldstein, we understand the urgency of your situation, but we have strict orders. The bill must be paid.”Leander’s patience finally snapped. He stepped forward, his eyes burning with anger. “I don’t care about your orders. I will sue this entire airport for every last dollar it’s worth if you continue to waste my time. I’ll make sure none of you ever work in this city again.”The younger official flinched, clearly shaken by Leander’s intensity,
Today, Leander's birthday was expected to be marked with a sail on his new private yacht. The sleek, luxurious vessel cut through the waves effortlessly, the sound of its engines barely audible over the laughter and conversation of the guests scattered across its expansive deck. A light breeze carried the scent of the ocean, with the aroma of fine champagne and gourmet hors d'oeuvres being served by white-gloved staff.It was Leander’s 30th birthday, and he had spared no expense to celebrate. Moored just off the coast of Etherium City, the yacht was a testament to his success—a floating palace of wealth, elegance, and exclusivity. Only the city’s elite had been invited, and they were all there: CEOs, politicians, celebrities, and, of course, his closest friends, Benjamin and Wyatt.Leander stood at the yacht’s stern, leaning against the polished rail as he surveyed the scene before him. The party was in full swing. Music pulsed softly from hidden speakers, blending seamlessly with the
The drive back to Leander’s home felt almost surreal after the excitement of the yacht party. The laughter, the champagne, the endless conversations about business and life—it all seemed a world apart as the sleek car glided through the quiet streets of Etherium City.Leander leaned back against the leather seat, watching the city lights flicker past. Benjamin sat beside him, quiet for once, while Wyatt was already half-asleep in the front seat, his sunglasses still perched on his nose despite the fact that it was well past midnight.They pulled up to Leander’s mansion, its modern architecture illuminated by soft lights that made the place seem even more imposing. As they stepped out of the car, Leander spotted a familiar figure waiting on the front steps: his mother, Sophia.She was dressed elegantly, as always, her silver hair swept back in a neat chignon. Despite the lateness of the hour, she looked poised and perfectly composed, standing with an air of quiet authority that had alw
The drive back to Leander’s home felt almost surreal after the excitement of the yacht party. The laughter, the champagne, the endless conversations about business and life—it all seemed a world apart as the sleek car glided through the quiet streets of Etherium City. Leander leaned back against the leather seat, watching the city lights flicker past. Benjamin sat beside him, quiet for once, while Wyatt was already half-asleep in the front seat, his sunglasses still perched on his nose despite the fact that it was well past midnight. They pulled up to Leander’s mansion, its modern architecture illuminated by soft lights that made the place seem even more imposing. As they stepped out of the car, Leander spotted a familiar figure waiting on the front steps: his mother, Sophia. She was dressed elegantly, as always, her silver hair swept back in a neat chignon. Despite the lateness of the hour, she looked poised and perfectly composed, standing with an air of quiet authority that had
Leander walked into the grand hall, a buzz of chatter and excitement filling the air. He scanned the room, admiring the high ceilings adorned with chandeliers. The walls were lined with exquisite art pieces, each one telling a story. This was no ordinary evening; it was the annual art auction, where the city’s elite gathered to bid on breathtaking works.“Leander! Over here!” shouted a familiar voice. It was Benjamin, his best friend, waving from across the room. Leander made his way over, feeling the energy of the crowd around him.“You made it!” Benjamin grinned, adjusting his tie. “Did you see the Rothko over there? It’s stunning!”“Yeah, I saw it. I think the bidding is going to get fierce,” Leander replied, glancing toward the vibrant painting. “But I’ve got my eye on something else.”Benjamin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? What’s caught your fancy?”Leander leaned in, lowering his voice. “The sculpture by Mireille. It’s bold and captivating. I think it’ll be a great addition
Arriving home, he pulled into the driveway of his modern estate nestled in a quiet neighborhood. The moon cast a soft glow over the manicured lawn, and Leander felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him. He had accomplished something significant tonight. Stepping out of the car, he took a moment to appreciate the quiet of the night, contrasting sharply with the hustle and bustle of the auction. As he walked to the front door, the sound of his footsteps echoed softly on the stone pathway. He could already envision the sculpture in his mind, its bold presence adding character to his living space.Inside, the house was dimly lit, a warm ambiance welcoming him home. He flipped on the lights, and the spacious foyer brightened, revealing high ceilings and elegant decor. “Mom?” he called out, wondering if she was still awake. He hadn’t told her about the auction, wanting to surprise her with the news of his latest acquisition.No answer. He made his way to the kitchen, finding the soft glo