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
“Suicide?”Unbelievable. Why would a man who had a wife and a kid kill himself? Hardin didn't want to believe it was true. Was it Dario's doing to get rid of him before he would put him in trouble? Could it actually be? “Alright”Just after Hardin had ended the call with Detective Kim, he got a call from Travis informing him of the suicide and that his presence will be needed at the station. “Is everything all right?”Hardin puts on his suit jacket in a haste. “I'm sorry I have to take care of an urgent matter Natalie but I'll give you a call and we can catch up soon”Hardin was pleased with how he was leaving like that after Natalie's apology. “No it's okay. You should go quickly if it's important”“Sure. I can give you a ride if you'd like”Natalie smirks. “Why don't I come along with you”Hardin quirks an brow at her. “No. It won't be necessary”Natalie gets up and grabs her purse. “You're headed to the station right? Was the man who attempted to kill you caught already? Di
Natalie’s car came to a slow stop in front of the sprawling, ivy-clad house that her Uncle Scott and Aunt Nina's called home. The evening sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawn, but the sight that once filled her with comfort now brought a bitter taste to her mouth. She stepped out, slamming the door harder than she intended, and stormed up the stone path to the front door.The door creaked open before she could knock. Aunt Nina’s face appeared, all delicate lines and soft concern, but Natalie didn’t miss the flicker of surprise—or was it guilt?—in her eyes.“Natalie, darling, we weren’t expecting you,” Aunt Nina said, her voice tentative.“Clearly,” Natalie replied, her tone sharp. She brushed past her aunt and entered the hallway, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings with a new, unforgiving light.Uncle Scott appeared from the study, his reading glasses perched on his nose. “Natalie, what a surprise,” he said, attempting a smile, but it faltered as he caught sight of
Natalie stood outside Dario’s office, her heart pounding in her chest. The hallway was eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity in the building reduced to a distant murmur. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind a dozen times, but now that she was here, facing the heavy wooden door that separated her from Dario, the gravity of what she was about to do weighed heavily on her.Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open without knocking. Dario was seated behind his sleek mahogany desk, his gaze focused on the papers in front of him. He looked up, his expression flickering with mild surprise before settling into a guarded neutrality.“Natalie,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”Natalie didn’t bother with pleasantries. She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her with a deliberate click. “We need to talk, Dario.”Dario’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his voice remained calm. “About what? I thought we already discussed everything at the hou
“Master, You have a guest”A frown appears on Hardin's face. He wasn't expecting anyone. “Who is it?”“It's Nat!”Hardin looks up from the table where he’s been reviewing documents. His face is a mix of surprise and concern as he sees Natalie. He gestures for her to sit down."Natalie, what are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you”Natalie sighs taking a seat and making herself comfortable. "I couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. I know what Dario did to you, and I want to help. As a journalist, I have resources and connections that could be invaluable."Hardin’s expression hardens. He leans back in his chair, studying Natalie with a skeptical gaze. "I appreciate your offer, but this is dangerous. Dario has powerful connections, and getting involved could put you in harm’s way. You don’t know what you’re dealing with."Natalie leans forward. "That’s exactly why I want to help. I have access to information and a platform to expose Dario’s crimes. I’ve already started digging in
Jane's house is elegant but quiet, far from the prying eyes of the world. Jane has always liked it that way. A place to keep secrets. Tonight, the warm glow of the lamps is dimmed by the tension in the air. Jane isn’t expecting company, and when the doorbell rings, she hesitates, her hand pausing mid-reach. She peeks through the window and sees an unfamiliar figure standing outside—a man, well-dressed, sharp. Someone who doesn’t belong in her world.With a sigh, she opens the door cautiously, her eyes narrowing at the stranger."Who the hell are you?”"Jane, right? We’ve never met, but I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Dario."Jane stiffens, her grip tightening on the door. She doesn’t trust men who appear unannounced, especially not ones who know her name without introduction."I don’t know you. What do you want?"Dario steps forward slightly, his gaze calm but calculating. He knows he’s walking into unknown territory, but he’s confident. Too confident.“I’m not here to cause trouble.
The evening sky is turning dark, and Hardin is rushing to his next meeting, one that could be crucial for the future of his company. His car is giving him trouble, so he flags down a taxi and hops inside, feeling the pressure of being late. "Weston Avenue, please. I need to be there soon."The driver nods without a word, pulling the car smoothly into the street. Hardin leans back, glancing at his phone to check the time and sending a quick message to the investor. A few minutes pass, and he notices the car is taking an unexpected turn.Hardin frowns. "This isn’t the right way."The driver doesn't respond, the car continuing down an unfamiliar road. The city lights start to fade, replaced by empty streets and abandoned buildings. Unease begins to creep into Hardin’s mind. He leans forward, trying to make eye contact in the rearview mirror.Hardin speaks more firmly. "You’re going the wrong way."Still no response. Hardin’s pulse frowns as the taxi moves deeper into a deserted area.
~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