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*“So you're not done washing my car you bastard?!”Luke slams his fists into Hardin's face and he spits out blood as he falls to the ground. “Oh. I see you're trying to rile me up huh?! Did you do this to get my attention? You seriously think my sister loves a lowlife like you huh?!"Another punch is thrown at him and he groans in pain spitting out more blood. “You. I'm going to deal with you so much today that you won't be able to fucking walk!!”…Hardin opens his eyes and breathes heavily. He was soaked in sweat as his heart pounded loudly in his chest. He takes a quick look around and sees the familiar paintings on his room walls. He was home and safe. “Sir! Are you awake?”Hardin knew who was speaking before he even turned his head to look. Layla had a worried expression on her face as she stood at his bedside with a weary smile. She lets out a relieved sigh once she saw he was staring at her. She brings a glass of water to his lips which he slowly drinks. Hardin
“What did you just say?!”Karina's phone fell out of her hands catching Dario's attention. He gets up immediately and rushes towards her. “Karina! What's wrong?!’”Karina looked at Dario with tears brimming in her eyes. “Luke was stabbed!"…Karina and Dario rushes to the hospital to see Luke laying on the bed unconscious with a handcuff on his hand chained to the bed. “Doctor. What's his state?”Dario asks calmly as Karina sobs next to Luke. “Luckily, his vitals are intact but he would have died if a guard hadn't found him on the floor. He lost a lot of blood so you'll have to give him some time to recover but he hopefully will be fine”“Thank you Doc”“Dario. He is awake!"Dario rushes to Karina's side as they both stare at Luke. “Karina?”Luke speaks in a groggy voice barely able to keep his eyes open.“Don't say much. How are you feeling?”Karina asks in worry. “Luke, tell me Who did this to you? Do you know the person?”Luke shakes his head slowly. “I don't think it was an
Hardin places a hand on his chin as he stares at the name written in bold letters on the tablet Layla showed him. “Interesting” …“It seems Luke is going to be alright darling”Karina stares at Dario through the mirror. He had a wide smile on his lips. “What makes you so sure? That place isn't safe for him. They had to send him back immediately after he healed. Those bastards didn't even waste any time shoving him back there"Dario places his two hands on Karina's shoulder and massages it gently.“I took care of the man who stabbed him”Karina looks back so fast she almost got whiplash. “You found him?! Why didn't you let me know? Who the hell is he?!"Dario sighs. “Apparently he was some man who had purchased stocks in the company and it didn't turn out well for him so he resented Luke and threatened him but all of that has been taken care of. Luke will be alright from now on”Karina engulfs Dario in a tight hug. "Oh thank you Dario!"“I'm your husband. I should help take care
Dario breaks out into a cynical laugh. “You own this hotel? Well then Mr. CEO, I am sure your hotel have rules? Shouldn't one of them be not to interfere with an event? I booked this venue and paid for it as well. So why do you come here and choose to create a scene? That isn't very professionally of you”Hardin smiles. “I simply had a question to ask which I'm sure all your investors must be curious about. Is it that hard to answer?”Dario bit the inside of his cheek to refrain from cursing out at Hardin. He had so many eyes watching him and he had to keep his cool. Dario lets out a fake laugh. “Oh alright. Uh the answer is this is not a scam. It is 100 percent legit. I wouldn't do such to my clients. I don't commit crimes unlike some people”Dario smirked daunting Hardin. Hardin narrowed his eyes. “Well I'm not so sure about that Mr. Scott”Police officers barge into the room causing murmurs to erupt from the audience. Dario stares at them in confusion. “Mr. Dario Scott pleas
“His name was cleared?”Travis sighs placing his glass of whiskey on the table in frustration. “Apparently the suspect confirmed he wasn't the one all of a sudden. It is rather suspicious but there's nothing we can do if there is no evidence that Dario was linked to him and the change in his statement doesn't help matters either”Hardin nods. He knew Dario was a sneaky man and he would do absolutely anything not to get into jail. He hadn't expected anything less from him. “I wonder what made him change his statement. Dario must have something on him”Hardin twirled his finger around the top of the cup as he delved deep in thoughts. “I wonder what it is”Hardin pulls out his phone and makes a quick phone call. “Hello Detective Kim. I want you to do a background check on the culprit. Find out if he had a bad history or any family and report to me tommorow morning”“Yes sir”"Whatever Dario has on him must be greater than him going to jail"…“Sir!”Layla walks into Hardin's office
~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