The head office of Damone Industries was located in the Seaboard Industrial Block. The latter block was among seven industrial blocks in Springfield. However, it was ranked lowest because of a poor turnover. Not only was business slow, but competition among the companies was toxic, leading to underhanded practices which damaged each others' profits.
As Victor walked into the premises of Damone Industries, he saw seven men outside, smoking cigarettes even though it was banned by company policy. Two of them, who looked middle-aged, stepped forward. Victor recognized them as Alec, the Head of Sales, and Seagal, the Head of Marketing Division. They were the two most significant employees of the company."Here's my resignation letter, Mr. Damone," Alec said with a smirk. He knew that his exit would land a crushing blow to the company. "Oh, wait. I should call you… Victor."Victor ignored his taunt and accepted the letter. He signed it without any argument. While his indifference was noticed, five others also stepped forward, and he signed all the resignations.They were surprised that Victor did not even ask for any cause or try to convince them to stay. Alec figured perhaps the young man was inexperienced and did not understand the impact of what was happening. "I hope you realize what this means, Victor. Your company is dead after we leave." "Yeah," Seagal chimed in. "You can board up the doors and windows, or homeless people will live there." The group sniggered on hearing the joke. It implied that the Damones would be homeless soon.Victor eyed Alec and Seagal. They had been working since the company's foundation and yet did not shy away from betrayal in such a delicate situation. "Alec, while your resignation is accepted and you are no longer an employee, I want to ask you something. "Weren't you a jobless, homeless man without a family twenty years back? When Edgar saw you in a dire situation, not only did he rescue you, but he also saw your potential. He gave you a job and loaned you money to rent a home? Because of him, now you own a house and lead a luxurious life. Is this how you intend to pay him back?"Alec scoffed. "Oh, really? I didn't take my salary for free, Victor. I've worked hard to contribute to this company's growth. But business is business. I will join Shannon Inc., which has offered three times the salary and company shares. That's a deal I would be foolish to miss."Victor raised an eyebrow. "Worked hard, huh? Is leaking our clients to Shannon Inc. your definition of working hard?"Alec's face flushed, and he exchanged glances with Seagal. "I don't know how you came to know that. But you can't prove it."Victor nodded without expression. He had all the answers he needed. "I see.""That right there!" Seagal spat. "Your cold attitude always pisses me off! Do you think you are better than us? You are a loser like your grandfather and will be out on the streets in weeks! And we'll be flush with money! Let's see who's better than whom then!"Victor turned to the last employee who had not turned in his resignation yet. He was a twenty-two-year-old who had joined as an intern last year. However, due to his inherent talent and hard work, he rose to become a manager."Alan… What about you? Won't you resign as well?"Alan exhaled and spoke up. "Sir, even though I graduated from a third-grade university, I was hired by the company. Besides, Edgar Damone helped my family get a proper house. I cannot forget these favors. Earlier, I was going to resign under peer pressure. But even if Shannon offers me five times the salary, I will not betray the Damones!"Victor nodded. "Good. You will be working as the new CEO of Damone Enterprises and will have ten percent of the company share.."Alan gasped while the resigning employees laughed at his words."Handing out sea shells, are you, Victor?" Alex said, snickering. "It doesn't matter what your offer is. Be it the CEO or the Chairman position or a hundred percent of company shares. It means nothing. Damone Industries will sink in twenty-four hours. Why make Alan captain of a sinking ship?""You can leave," Victor said coldly.The traitors left, mumbling insults at him."He's lost his mind due to bankruptcy.""Alan, leave now, or you'll be drawn into his poverty.""I will throw pennies down from the Shannon Inc. building when this guy comes begging."Victor walked into his office and asked Alan to file all resignations while making mental notes of all their names.Please leave a review and follow my account if you like the story.
Shannon Inc. was the largest company in the Seaboard Industrial Block. It had an imposing grass and granite skyscraper reflecting the skies.Alec, Seagal, and others who quit Damone Industries that morning, dressed up in formals and entered the Shannon Inc. building. They went through the large swiveling door, eyeing the main lobby with wonder. It was pristine, with waxed hardwood floors and rustic armchairs. A pretty receptionist instructed them to go up to the fourteenth floor, where the CEO's office was situated.Rick McBride was the current CEO, a brilliant man in his early thirties. He welcomed them in his private lobby but looked as if he was in a hurry. Rick asked Alec and the others to wait for their orientation since he was expecting a visit from the Chairman of Shannon Inc. Many key people of the company had gathered in the private lobby as well."What happened, Mr. McBride?" Alec asked. "Is something new happening in the company?"Rick turned to him and said absentmindedly,
"You have been duped!""This man is Victor Damone, heir to a sinking company in this industrial block. He is on the verge of bankruptcy and has already lost his mind. Now he has the audacity to scam you all!" "Yes! He's worse than scum, this man. He's taken us for fools!""Whatever lies he has fed you, don't believe them! Throw them out of the building now!"The silent Rick McBride rushed forward and landed consecutive slaps across Alec and Seagal's faces. "You bloody idiots! How dare you speak about our patron this way! You are nothing more than bugs in his presence!"Patron? The two traitors caressed their stinging red faces, confused. How was Victor a patron of Shannon Inc.? That did not make any logical sense. Didn't all six of them resign from his drowning company this morning? They crunched the numbers to discover that Damone Industries would be boarded up in a week! "Who are these clowns?" Edward Shannon asked Rick with an annoyed expression.Rick looked guilty. "I'm sorry, s
Victor's new bike was a Ducati Scrambler Nightshift, a modified model with a retro masculine appeal. It was perfect for fast conveyance and was relatively inconspicuous as a vehicle. The last thing Victor needed was attention.Clive Baron had complained that the price of fifteen thousand dollars was too low but eventually had to give in.Victor sent Clive back to the office and took the new bike for a drive around the city. Amidst the chaos of his grandfather's issues and trying to keep his cover secret, he had been bogged down by pettiness and mediocrity. People not worthy of being his servants had looked down on him and humiliated him. 'Everyone will get their due,' he thought. But at the moment, he had other concerns. Haley B was arriving in Springfield. She was beautiful like an angel but stubborn like a mule. If he did not appear at her concert, she'd fulfill her threat and expose him. The celebrity Haley B did not accept no for an answer. Victor had reached the city's outskirts
Victor casually walked towards the car's trunk and slipped his fingers under the hatchback handle."Are you an idiot?" bushy-brows said. "Do you think we'll keep the hatchback open? It is locked and protected with military-grade armor. Even a missile cannot break through!"With a grunt and a heave, Victor pulled. With a creak and a crack, the entire hatchback was ripped open.Both bushy-brows and the driver were shocked to the core. A young man in his twenties just tore apart a military-grade locker! Was he the strongest man alive?Inside the trunk, Victor found a classy young woman. Her hands and legs were tied, and her mouth was gagged. Still, she was making a surprising amount of noise. He immediately recognized who she was. The face was prominent in newspapers and social media."I'll get back to you in a moment," Victor reassured the woman, who protested even more."Is she Claire Holt?" he asked bushy-brows. The driver had also joined his accomplice. They had their guns drawn at hi
James Colbert's Mercedes AMG passed through East Springfield, drawing pedestrians' attention. He would usually avoid such semi-urban parts of the city. However, he had to meet a consultant at Springfield Rapids. Apparently, a huge conglomerate was about to start a thirty-million-dollar project in the area, and James wanted a piece of the pie. Colbert and Sons primarily built sewage systems, and this project would be a big break for them.However, the consultant offered him a meeting at Baron International, the most successful company in Springfield. They had brokered the deal with the city authorities.After securing an interview with Baron International the next day, James made a pitstop to pick up tickets to the Haley B concert from a broker. The mega event had triggered a bidding war in Springfield, pitting all the big leagues against each other. James' father, Saul Colbert, had secured four entries to the mega-event at ten thousand each. Josh sat in the adjacent seat, glaring at t
"This one." Clive projected Claire's Inst@gram post on the office wide-screen. She had taken a selfie while riding on the rear seat of a bike. The rider's back was visible. It triggered a social media guessing game to establish who her new boyfriend was. Many celebrity names were taken, including many Hollywood hunks."Claire Holt?" the protégé exclaimed. "Did she finally start dating someone? Lucky chap, that guy. But what does the picture have to do with Emperor Caesar?"Clive Baron looked up and pursed his lips. "Don't use that name publicly, Eddie. You can call him Mr. Damone for all intents and purposes. That is his will." Clive was a three-star ranker in the New World Order. However, Edward Shannon was still a one-star, being groomed by the former. He was the luckiest person in the world to have met the legendary man and been privileged to serve him.Edward nodded. "I understand, sir. Apologies. But what does Claire Holt's picture have to do with Mr. Damone?"Clive winked at him
Victor had explicitly asked Carol not to meet James Colbert again or allow his flirtatious advances. That man's sole aim was to manipulate her to file for divorce. James was obsessed with Carol and wanted to demonize Victor and steal his bride. The billionaire was willing to go to great lengths to fulfill his lewd intentions. It was evident from the hurdles Victor had to face in Springfield Hospital."Carol!" Victor barked, jumping off his bike. He rushed towards the Mercedes group with veins popping on his forehead. Many other ticket-holders turned to look for the source of the commotion. "Victor?" Carol asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"She looked ravishing in a long, silver satin gown. Her beautiful coffee-brown hair was tied up in a bohemian bun, making her appear like a vintage beauty. Victor realized her dress must have cost a fortune and did not belong to her wardrobe. James must have gifted it to her. The realization made him smolder in jealousy. How close was sh
Victor saw Carol was serious. She must be under great strain already for want of answers. He massaged his temples and dropped the leather bag in his hand."There's two million in this bag," he said coldly. "Take six hundred thousand and pay back Colbert his six hundred thousand. You can keep the rest for Edgar's pending bills."Carol saw the bag but did not pick it up. Was her husband bluffing now that he was caught red-handed? "I'll tell you where I got the money from," Victor continued. "Claire Holt, the CEO of Holt Enterprises, had an accident near Springfield Rapids. I was on a ride to clear my head and found her desperately needing help. In return for my services, she offered me a reward of two million dollars." "What…" Carol mumbled."The woman you see in the picture is Claire," her husband said. "Here, look at this."Victor showed her a receipt from Holt Enterprises. "Claire Holt herself signed it. That should be proof enough."Claire's anger subsided, but a look of disbelief