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
"Who the hell are you?" Keegan spat, eyeing Victor with revulsion. He had never met Victor before, and seeing him in Eva's company rang alarm bells in his head."He's Victor, Grandpa," Eva replied in his stead. "Carol's husband."Martha jumped up from her seat, wagging her finger wildly. "He's Carol's ex-husband!" she hissed. "What are you doing here, you piece of trash?! Have you entrapped another family member of ours? You are the hyena preying on Atelier girls!"Ronald gulped down his wine and banged the glass on the table. He had been drinking the expensive liquor greedily for a while and was already tipsy. "Uncle Keegan!" he exclaimed. "Victor is that loser whom Carol divorced because of his poverty and anger issues! He's come back to haunt us again!"Josh also rushed to his feet, nursing his bandaged fingers. "He's a criminal, grandpa! He broke my hand!"Amelia addressed her daughter with concern. "Sweetie, what are you doing with that horrible man? Your elders are telling you h
Raylan thought Victor was overwhelmed, and therefore, he went on."The bank's name is intimidating, isn't it? I know your bank account is empty, and you have no achievements in life. And yet you want to date my cousin sister? Tell you what… I'll cut you a deal... I'll hire you as a janitor in Talmuth Bank if you let Eva go. You'll get a salary of two thousand per month. How does that sound?"Keegan guffawed. "There you go, loser! Can you see now how important my grandson is? Talmuth is a half-billion-dollar bank run by its wealthy President, Mr. Mick Teller. It lends huge amounts to top companies in the state. Raylan draws a salary of three hundred thousand a month! A bodyguard like you can't even imagine earning that much money! And you dare to lay your hands on my innocent granddaughter?"Eva scowled at the old man. "Grandpa, enough with the insults! So what if he's a bodyguard? Does a man's occupation reflect his character? Wealth is not the only thing one must seek when deciding o
John's words received nods from around the family. There was no other explanation—Victor had tricked Mick Teller into believing he was wealthy.Instead of being offended by her father's words, Eva turned red in embarrassment. Did John just mention her marriage with Victor?"Did I ask for your permission?" Victor replied icily. Even though he had no intention of starting a relationship with Eva, her father's attitude was getting on his nerves."You peasant!" John fired back. "How dare you talk to me that way? Do you even know who I am? I am a partner in Shannon Pharma, the largest pharmaceutical company in the state! I know Edward Shannon! Have you heard of him?""I may have come across the name…""See? Now you are intimidated, aren't you? I don’t blame you, Victor. Talmuth Bank is a small entity compared to Shannon Inc., and everyone in the city bows down to Mr. Shannon! He's a legend in Springfield!"John pointed towards Edward Shannon's group, which was two tables across. The billio
Carol shook her head to ward off her conspiracy theories. Victor being Caesar was a far fetch and a ridiculous thought.The man had always been down-to-earth and middle-class. His present treasure of wealth and influence might be rooted in some other mystery."He's fooling you!" Keegan barked at Shannon, jumping to his feet. "Victor Damone is a piece of trash! Not even worthy of cleaning my shoes!"Edward Shannon turned towards Keegan, and his expression was murderous. The old man became tongue-tied under his domineering glare."You're an elderly person, therefore I am giving you time to escape. Finish your food and get lost from Edgar's Tower. If I find you or your family in Edgar Tower after thirty minutes, I will skin you alive!"Having voiced his anger, Edward bowed to Victor. "I'm sorry you faced such troubles while I was around, sir."Victor held up a hand. "It's okay, Edward. You are dismissed."The billionaire left as if he were an obedient child. The Atelier family was left s