Edgar butted in. "What are you talking about? You want to date your cousin's ex-wife?"The young man shrugged in a carefree manner. "Carol is still young and probably the most beautiful woman in Springfield. She's the attraction of this rotten town."His grandfather shook his head. "You didn't have to come to this city if you considered it rotten. This place is native to the Damone family and is sacred."Sebastian waved a dismissive hand. "I don't care about that. I have a meeting with the Triumvirate regarding the Springfield Rapids Project."George and Karen gasped in unison. The Rapids Project was touted to be the biggest commercial project over the last three decades. Its urban plans would transform the city and the country, catapulting the land into the next era. However, the project's leading investor's identity was secret. He had funded the Triumvirate with billions in seed money and even invited the Blackwells. Falcon Inc., owned by Lector Damone, was the third-largest congl
Victor reacted instinctively and grabbed Edgar before he collapsed. He lowered the old man slowly to his seat."Are you alright, Grandpa?" He asked with concern. "Shall we rush to the hospital?"Edgar shook his head. After having a sip of water, the old man patted his grandson reassuringly. "I'm fine now… Just felt unwell for a moment.""Please don't be flustered by these people. Your health is of primary concern."Victor let Edgar go and turned to Sebastian. "Have you come here with a death wish?" His aura spiked, and his icy stare made the young man wither for a second. Reading his bloodlust, the four guards stepped forward."Shall we teach him a lesson, sir?" One of them asked, making a fist. "He seems to be asking for it."Sebastian scoffed and shook his head. "Don't sully your hands in this wastrel's blood. He's already steeped in poverty and misery. Not even this homeless woman would want to marry him. No wonder he is on a downward spiral, about to hit rock bottom in his life!"
The three beauties, Haley B, Rose, and Claire, stood behind Victor's seat as if they were his three wives. They touched his shoulders affectionately as if they were lovers. The man ignored their advances with his stony expression.Sebastian was so frustrated by this unexpected image that he rushed over to Haley B. "Miss Haley… I am Sebastian Damone, the CEO of Falcon Inc… You haven't been returning my calls and emails. Please, will you go out with me?"Haley eyed him as if he were a two-headed alien. Falcon Inc. was a vast company, but Sebastian himself was not a popular man, especially compared to an international celebrity. "Nah, I am not interested," she replied without even looking at him.Sebastian stepped back in shock. Did she just reject the CEO of a top-ranking company publicly in front of his family? More disturbing was the fact that Haley B, Rose, and Claire loomed over Victor as if they were under his spell. Why would they be so interested in a mere bodyguard from a loser
Under Victor's orders, the Triumvirate billionaires founded the Springfield Rapids Project Office. He supplied them with three hundred million dollars as an angel investor. The funds were used to set up an office in the most expensive skyscraper in Crawford Square. The location was the prime business hub of Springfield, and its purchase drew attention from around the state.Clive Baron had already begun renovation on the building even before the partners first gathered for discussion. Therefore, now that the project launch date was near, it was only a matter of the project staff moving and settling in. Representative offices of all major partners were installed for easy coordination. Victor had meticulously planned all events so that it ran like a well-oiled machine.The Springfield Rapids Project Building was renamed Edgar Tower after Victor's grandfather. However, this fact about coining was kept a secret.Two weeks later, the partners received invitations for the grand launch party
Oh, Mr. Blackwell," Martha said, wringing her hands. She didn't want to miss the opportunity to flatter such an important figure. "We are so lucky for the opportunities your company has provided us. Carol was living a pointless life until you arrived and rescued her."Josh also chimed in. "Your involvement really turned things around for our sinking family, Mr. Blackwell. We are eternally grateful."Damien looked pleased with the unsolicited praise. Lately, he had felt inadequate because his little sister, Courtney, upstaged him at every turn. Alexander favored her on all occasions; Damien was merely the figurehead CEO."It's nothing," he replied with a smirk. "Stay loyal to our family, and you will be rewarded accordingly."Heads turned as Rose entered the Registrar hall. She was dressed in a business suit and looked both attractive and professional. Carol and Rose were twins, but their dressing styles, mannerisms, and fashion sense were quite different. She accepted her envelope and
Victor parked his bike near Crawford Square and observed the tumultuous crowd outside Edgar Tower. Reporters, celebrities, billionaires, governors, artists—nobody wanted to miss the event of the century. The Springfield Rapids Project would transform the nation; everyone wanted a piece of the cake.The Triumvirate had followed Victor's orders to the dot, and everything seemed to be in order for the grand launch. There was a slight delay after Mayor Gunderson disappeared mysteriously. Victor killed him along with others during his poisoned state. However, Gunderson's dark connections with the terror group Monolith came to the fore eventually. The media called it a terrorist execution.Victor had no regrets about ending the lives of the Mayor, the Black Dragon gang lieutenant, and the Chief Auctioneer, Philips Sotheby. Their crimes outweighed their punishments. However, ordinarily, he wouldn't sully his hands with the blood of such common scum.Gunderson's son, Toby, took charge as the
Victor was taken aback by her words. Even though Eva was an adult now, she was still a child in his eyes. It would be difficult even to imagine her as a sexual partner."What are you talking about?" he asked grimly, retracting his hand. "That's impossible."Eva furrowed her brows, which made her look even more adorable. "Impossible? Why?""You are seven years younger than me.""So what? We are both consenting adults!""It's not that…""Then what? Am I not attractive enough?" Instinctively, she got up and twirled around for him.Victor pursed his lips. Indeed, she had turned into an attractive young woman. Any guy would be lucky to be her partner."That's not the case," he replied."Tell me the reason. I assure you I never had a boyfriend. I am a virgin." She spoke the words confidently, but her cheeks turned red as soon as she did.Victor shook his head. "I just got divorced and am not looking for new relationships." This was Victor's standard response to most proposals; recently, the
Greg and Cara are working as Vice Presidents in my company," Keegan added. "While John and Elaine have a deal with Shannon Pharmaceuticals here in Springfield." Carol nodded at her uncles and aunts with admiration. They were all competent and successful family members, bringing acclaim to the Atelier family. She wished Josh would work hard to build his career as well."Thank you." The old man offered her a snide smirk. "Greg and John will take over the project for you," he concluded. "You can relax."Carol furrowed her brows. "Grandpa… What do you mean by taking over the project?""How difficult is that to understand, dear? They will manage the Rapids Project instead of you."The young woman widened her eyes, flabbergasted. Then, the realization dawned upon her. Her grandfather wanted to reap the fruit of her labor and snatch away the $200 million deal."I don't need any help with the sub-project, Grandpa. I just need a twenty million dollar loan for the working capital."Keegan loo