Dario bursts out into a laugh. “You're joking right?”Hardin wasn't smiling one bit. “You took away my place in your family, took away my wife, took away my company and took away my freedom”Hardin glares at Dario. The more he looked at him to more pain he felt. He was standing in front of the man who tried to ruin his life. “I can't take back the others I've already lost but I can take my company back. I worked hard to build it”Dario matches Hardin's glare. “I made that tiny business you started into what it is! I expanded it and made it one of the top. Me! I did that so it belongs to me! You will never have it Hardin!"Hardin chuckles briefly. Of course Dario wouldn't give it up so easily. “Did you just like stealing things that you couldn't start your own company and had to take mine? Is that all you're good at Dario? Stealing?"Dario deepened his glare. “Watch your words Hardin!”Hardin stares into Dario's eyes and places a hand on his shoulder. He sends him a small smile
“I hate this one. Don't you guys have any better suits?!”Luke tosses the suit on the the worker. “I'm sorry sir. We will get you another one”Luke lets out a heavy sigh. He had been stressed for the past few days and now he had to attend the the upcoming event for business owners. Luke's phone buzzes as he received a text from Hardin. A frown appears on his face as he reads it. 'I want what you promised by tomorrow'Luke grits his teeth. “By tommorow? That fucking bastard!"The next day was the day of the event. Luke felt uneasy wondering if Hardin's plan was to expose Karina's secret at the event. Could he sit back and watch his sister get humiliated like that? “Sir, why don't you try this on? It is from the brand chanel and-”Luke tosses it away. “I'm done shopping. All the thing you people sell are so damn ugly!”…Hardin stares at the text he had sent Luke yesterday. It was unanswered. “Is he trying to get on my nerves?”Hardin picks up his dress shirt from his closet.
Murmurs fill the entire room which is now pitch black. “What is going on here?!"Dario sighs in frustration. Hardin feels small fingers gripping his arm tightly. He hears heavy breathing and he is suddenly concerned. He could tell who it was from the scent of her perfume.“Layla. Are you okay?”“I-I'm afraid of the dark”Layla managed to whisper while she hyperventilated. Hardin places two hands on her shoulders barely seeing anything. “Relax Layla! Take deep breaths okay”The lights suddenly come on and everyone is relieved. Layla is on the floor covered in sweat as she struggled to breath. Hardin pat's her back softly until she regains her regular breathing. “Thank you sir”She manages to stand to her feet looking pale. “Are you sure you don't want to go home? Maybe we should go to the hospital?"A loud shriek is heard from a group of guests. Hardin, Layla, Dario and Karina all rush to see people huddled together as multiple screams are heard. Hardin pushes his way through to
“Drugged? How is that possible and why would you even swallow such a pill?!"Luke clears his throat. “I must have mistaken it for something else”Karina scoffs. “Were you completely out of your mind?”Karina leans forward just enough so that Luke could hear her. “You've been acting strange these days and now what? You're taking drugs or you're being drugged? How the hell are you living your life Luke?!”Luke felt his nervousness grow inside. It was after he had stolen those tapes from Hardin that his pills got exchanged. He was certain they were normal up until then. Did Hardin do it because he was ignoring him and hadn't brough information yet? Luke tries to shake off those thoughts from his head. Hardin no longer had leverage over him. He had destroyed any evidence that would ruin him. However, He kept on receiving those threatening note. Was that Hardin's doings as well or did he really have another enemy? “Luke! Are you even listening to me?!”Karina snaps her fingers in Lu
Hardin steps out of the police station and is instantly hit by the sunlight and fresh air that gives him a sense of relaxation. “Sir!”Layla walks up to Hardin gesturing towards the car. Once they had gotten home, Layla knocks on Hardin's officer and enters inside. She was worried that he would be terrified after being accused with evidence but Hardin looked totally fine that she wondered if he was just putting up an act. “Sir? May I come in?”Layla comes in with Hardin's permission and he is seen going through some files he had missed out on since being at the station in the morning. “Sir, did everything go well? I know you didn't commit any crime I was there with you. I can make my own statement if you want”Hardin pauses from writing. It was just like last time. Dario had promised to testify in court and save him but he had turned around to stab him in the back. He had gave him so much hope and caused him so much pain. Hardin could never trust anyone again. If his own family
Luke pushes Travis to the side and runs away. Travis chases him all the way down the stairs. “Hey you! Stop there!”He sighs as he chased him down the stairs. Luke was only making this tough on him. “I'm calling for backup!”Luke makes his way outside the back door feeling relieved but his happiness was only short-lived. A bunch of police cars surrounded him instantly pointing their gun towards him. “Hands behind your head and on your knees! Now!”Luke froze. Was this the end of his life? Or was it all just a nightmare?Once he opened his eyes. Would he be back in his bedroom living happily? “I said on the ground!”The officer yells and he is being grabbed by two huge officers and forcefully dragged away. “No!!!”A loud shriek is heard and Luke turns to see his sister Karina run up to him with tears in her eyes. She gives him a brief hug. “No! Officer! You cannot arrest him! Let him go this instant! My brother is innocent! I said let him go!”Karina is pushed away by an officer.
“Dario!”Karina bursts into Dario's office with her heels aggressively clicking on the floor. She places two hands on his desk looking pissed. Dario looks up at her in concern. She had bags underneath her swollen red eyes. It was obvious she had been crying and her make-up was an utter mess. “What's wrong my love?”Dario says getting up and placing an arm around Karina but she pushes him off. “You said you were going to deal with that lowlife but you haven't done anything and now look what has happened?!”Dario scrunches his face in confusion wondering what had gotten Karina so worked up. “What happened?”Karina scoffs. “How do you not know what's happening? Damnit! It's all over the fucking news!"Karina slumps on the couch next to her and places a hand on her forehead. Dario whips his phone out from his pocket and checks the news. His lips form into a thin line as he reads the headline news. “When did he start dealing drugs?”Karina looked up at Dario with a stunned expressio
Hardin leans back in his seat with a blank expression. “Threatening you? Why would I do that?”Hardin shakes his head. “I wouldn't hide behind and play games. I'm no coward Mr. Hamilton”Luke searched Hardin's eyes wondering whether to believe him or not. “You once accused me of threatening you and I'm sure I made it clear to you to check the rest of your enemies”Luke sighs deeply as fear swirls in his eyes.“You have to help me find the person! I know you can do that”Hardin chuckled. Was this a joke?“Have you lost it Mr. Hamilton?”Luke didn't care if he was asking his enemy for help. Of course he had despised Hardin for what he did to him but he was more afraid of losing his life to an unknown person.If Hardin could dig up a deep secret like his drug trafficking history then he believed catching the blackmailer would be a piece of cake for him. “I beg of you. I am already serving my punishment over here without any complaints. I only ask you for this favour”Hardin was start
~Flashback~Noah stared at Hardin’s body sprawled on the kitchen floor, his heart pounding in his chest. The only sound was the distant ticking of the clock, a stark reminder that time was slipping away. Hardin lay motionless, his face pale and breath shallow. Noah’s stomach twisted with a mixture of panic and exhilaration. The man who had always overshadowed him was now vulnerable, and it was all part of his plan.He felt a rush of adrenaline as he knelt beside Hardin, his mind racing. This was the moment he had been waiting for—an opportunity to escape the suffocating grip of his boss. Noah had been planning this for weeks, watching Hardin closely, studying his habits, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And now, with the project launch looming, he had finally taken action.Noah stood up, glancing toward the door, ensuring no one was coming. He needed to move quickly. The chaos would provide cover for his departure. It was time to execute the second part of his plan. He sprint
Dario was sitting in his sleek office, sipping a glass of whiskey when his phone rang. The number was unfamiliar, but something told him to pick up.“Hello?” His voice was smooth, but the sharpness in his tone hinted at impatience.On the other end, a soft, professional voice replied, “Mr. Dario, I’m calling from St. Mark’s Hospital. I thought you’d like to know—Hardin is in a coma. He was poisoned, and his condition is critical.”The nurse’s words hit Dario like a bolt of lightning, but he quickly composed himself, letting a slow grin spread across his face.“Is that so?” he replied calmly, but inside, excitement bubbled up like lava. “Thank you for informing me. I’ll make sure to… send my condolences.”He hung up the phone, staring out of the large office window with a look of satisfaction. Hardin in a coma? It was too perfect, almost like a gift falling into his lap. With Hardin out of the way, nothing would stop him from seizing control.Downing the rest of his whiskey, Dario stoo
Layla stood in the middle of Hardin’s luxurious living room, adjusting her sleek evening dress for what seemed like the hundredth time. She glanced at her watch, impatience growing with every second. The launch event was just around the corner, and Hardin still hadn’t come down from his room.“Where is he?” she muttered under her breath, pacing slightly.She walked to the bottom of the grand staircase and called out, “Hardin? Are you ready? We’re going to be late!”There was no response.Layla frowned, her heartbeat quickening with unease. Hardin was never the type to make people wait, especially not for something as important as his project launch. He should’ve been down by now, dressed to impress like always.After a few moments of silence, she called his name again, louder this time. “Hardin?”Still nothing.A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. Layla’s mind raced with possibilities, but she quickly brushed them aside. He was probably just preoccupied, working on last-minute pr
The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the city as Hardin stood at the edge of the grand event hall, watching his crew make the final preparations for the launch. Everything was coming together—the grand stage had been set, the investors were already buzzing about the project, and Hardin was determined that tonight would be his night.Next to him stood Layla, her brow furrowed as she meticulously reviewed the checklist in her hands. She had been his right-hand throughout this entire process, ensuring every detail was in place. As his secretary, Layla had always kept her emotions in check, but today, even she seemed nervous.“Catering’s done, stage lights are set” Layla muttered as she scanned the list. “Security is doubled, and the guest list is confirmed. What’s left is just the final sound check. I think we’re ready.”Hardin nodded, but the tension in his gut hadn’t loosened. After the sabotage with the cables and discovering the mole in his team, h
The dimly lit bar was quiet except for the low hum of jazz music playing in the background. Jane sat at a small table near the back, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her wine glass as she waited. The invitation card Hardin had sent her sat on the table in front of her, mocking her with its pristine white edges and elegant calligraphy. She had no intention of going, but it still irked her to receive it.A few minutes later, Dario strode in, his usual confident smirk in place. He spotted Jane instantly and made his way to her, sliding into the seat across from her with a grin. "I got your message. What’s so important that you couldn’t wait until tomorrow?"Jane, without saying a word, flicked the invitation card toward him. Dario raised an eyebrow as he picked it up, his eyes scanning the embossed text. He chuckled, tossing the card back onto the table."Ah, Hardin’s project launch. So, he sent you an invite. What’s the problem?"Jane let out an exasperated sigh and took a
Hardin stood at the head of the table, the tension in the room thick as he waited for everyone to settle in. Layla, Natalie, and Travis all sat around him, their expressions a mix of concern and focus. The events of the day weighed heavily on them, especially after the near-death experience with the chandelier and the sabotage that had already put the project launch at risk.Hardin begins. "I’ve gathered you all here because I believe we have a serious problem on our hands." His voice was steady, but there was a sharp edge to it. "This sabotage—it’s not random. I have reason to suspect that Dario and Karina are behind it.”Layla shifted in her seat, glancing around the room before speaking. "It makes sense. Dario’s been desperate to get ahead, and Karina has a grudge, especially after what happened to her brother. If anyone has a reason to sabotage the launch, it’s them."Natalie, who had been quietly listening, crossed her arms, her journalist instincts kicking in.Natalie nods.
Hardin paced the vast hall of the event venue where his project launch was to be held the next day. The place buzzed with workers running back and forth, setting up lights, arranging tables, and ensuring everything was in perfect order. The event was crucial for him—it marked the launch of his new business venture that could shift the entire market. Investors, business moguls, and media outlets were all expected to attend.Hardin had spent weeks planning every detail. The project was too important to fail. He had thought of everything—except, perhaps, for sabotage.Just as he was double-checking the final arrangements with his assistant, a crew member rushed over, his face pale with panic.The crew member was out of breath "Mr. Richard, we’ve got a problem."Hardin frowned, sensing trouble. His heart raced a bit faster as he asked. "What is it?"Crew member swallowed nervously. "The main cables... someone cut them. The entire power system for the launch presentation is down. It’ll
Natalie walked into Hardin’s home office with her laptop tucked under her arm, her steps purposeful. She had spent the entire weekend digging through sources, tracking down every piece of information she could find on Dario. Today, she was ready to hand over what could be the breakthrough Hardin needed.Hardin was sitting at his desk, his eyes focused on a stack of papers in front of him, but he looked up when she entered. His expression shifted from tiredness to curiosity.Natalie smiles widely. "I’ve got something you’ll want to see."She pulled out her laptop, placing it on his desk, and opened a file filled with emails, financial documents, and incriminating information. Hardin leaned forward, scanning through the pages. His brows furrowed, then a slow smile crept onto his face.Hardin looked impressed. "This is good, Natalie. Really good. How did you even get all this?"Natalie smirks widely feeling proud of herself. "I have my ways. Dario’s been covering his tracks, but not
Karina sat at the café, her polished nails tapping nervously on the marble table. She was waiting for someone she had thought of as not only a close friend but also a potential savior for her company: Angela Matthews. They had known each other for years, and Karina had counted on this meeting to secure Angela as a shareholder for her struggling business after Luke’s arrest had caused a loss of investors.Angela arrived, all smiles and pleasantries at first, and they exchanged the usual small talk. But as soon as the conversation turned to business, the atmosphere shifted.Karina smiles widely. "I think you'd be a great fit as a shareholder, Angela. We've always worked so well together, and I know you trust me."Angela glanced down at her coffee, stirring it quietly before speaking. She clears her throat awkwardly. "Karina... I really wish I could help. I mean, I want to... but, given everything going on with Luke—"Karina interrupts. "That has nothing to do with the business. Luke