~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
“Excuse me sir, we will be closing now”Hardin looks up from his empty glass of whisky which he had been staring at for the past few minutes lost in thought. His wife, Karina had suddenly asked for a divorce over he past few weeks but he had refused to sign the papers. It wasn't like he was treated well in the family but he couldn't believe the woman he had loved so hard would give up on him so easily. “Sir?”Hardin slams a rough dollar bill on the table and staggers out of the bar. It was their anniversary night and he had asked Karina to go out with him in an attempt to convince her not to divorce him but he had foolishly waited for hours and she hadn't bothered to show up. Why was he holding out on a hopeless marriage when he was constantly abused? Redemption? Maybe he could work hard and prove to his wife that he could be the rich man she had always wished she married. Tipsy, Hardin takes a cab back to his house ready to face his furious wife forcing him to sign divorce papers
“No!”Police officers come up to Hardin and drag him away. “No! I didn't do! I swear I didn't do it! Karina! Why did you do this to me?! You were the one who abused me! Tell them the truth! Confess it all! You set me up!”Karina rolls her eyes and gets up. Dario walks up to her and right in front of Hardin's eyes they both share a kiss. Hardin falls to his knees and the police officers try to pick him up. He couldn't believe the sight he had just witnessed. His mouth hung open and a tear dropped from his eyes “D-Dario? Dario! Did you two plan this?!”“Shut up already you bastard!”“Dario! I swear I will never forgive you for this! I won't forgive all of you!”The police officers push Hardin out of the door while Karina and Dario wave him goodbye with smug looks on their faces. It finally all made sense to Hardin. Karina and Dario had joined hands to put him behind bars to make sure he got a divorce so they could finally be together. Hardin hadn't known their affair had been going
Hardin had been skeptical about getting into the car with a stranger. He didn't know if he was being driven to his doom or his fortune. Either way, he was willing to take the risk. If he was going to be taken to either Karina or Dario. He would make sure he ended their life on the spot as his revenge. After what they had done to him, they were better off dead. “Master, we are here”The old man, Sebastian steps out of the car and the chauffeur opens the door for Hardin. Hardin steps out and his mouth hangs open at the huge mansion standing in front of him. Astonished, he looks over at Sebastian. Who the hell owned such a mansion? The person must be very powerful and wealthy. But what did they want with someone like him? “This way sir”Hardin is escorted into the large mansion. He is in awe at all the luxurious items that surround him. Spiral stairs, Gold Walls. Expensive paintings. It looked like a castle. “Who is this person you want me to meet?”Sebastian gestures towards a door
“Cheers!” Karina giggles as she wraps her arms around Dario's neck. They were having a mini celebration for her suceeding her father's company. “How do you feel my love?”Karina gets up and places a hand on her chest with a huge smile on her face. She twirled around the office with a glass of champagne in her hand. “I feel so much joy, honey. I just can't believe it. I've waited for this moment for a very long time and now…”Karina ran her fingers over the nameplate with her name inscribed on it. She lets out a little laugh. “It's all mine. It feels like everything is in place. Like I have it all. Ever since that bastard was finally out of my life it was like a portal opened up! And my life was finally being put in the perfect place!”Dario claps and stands up putting an arm around his wife's waist. He was glad to see the delight on her face. Indeed everything was going so well for them, he had taken over the company Hardin had worked in and made so much money from it that he was
“No!!!!”Karina shoves the bottles of perfume on her dresser to the floor. They all smash into pieces and she stares at her disheveled state as anger coursed through her veins. “Karina! What the hell are you doing?!”Dario scolds feeling angry himself. Karina scoffs. “Didn't you see that bastard at the party! Didn't you see how well-dressed he was looking?! That damn smug look on his face! He came to daunt us I'm so mad!”Dario lets out a deep sigh as he sits on the bed silently fuming. “I can't believe he made his way into the elite society and what? Did he change his name? How could it be that he acquired all that wealth?”Karina glares at Dario. “Why didn't you figure out he was released already?! He was meant to be there for five fucking years Dario! How the hell is he out?!”Dario rises to his feet and grips Karina's shoulders. “Calm down Karina! Pull yourself together! Don't turn into a mess because of that bastard”Karina pushes him away. “Then you need to do something an
“What?! Who the hell is back?!”Luke Hamilton, Karina's older brother had almost spat out his drink once his sister broke the news of Hardin's return to him. Karina sighs, sipping her glass of cold wine to help her stay sane. Lule places a hand over his forehead. “Oh Damn! This is bad. He wasn't supposed to be out until like five years. How the hell is he out?”Karina looked so drained that she spoke in a calm tone. She had to struggle to accept the fact it was not all a dream and Hardin had actually come back. “He was granted bail”Luke frowns. “By who?”Karina sighs. “By his father”Luke lets out a short-lived laugh. “Father? Karina, are you forgetting that bastard is a dirty orphan?”Karina cursed under her breath as her wine finished. “I need more”Luke takes away the bottle from her. “What? You're going to day drink and drown yourself in alcohol till your death because of that idiot?”Karina glares at her brother. “You really haven't realized how much of a nightmare this
“Thank you for your help with the investors Travis”Hardin shakes hands with his childhood friend Travis whom he had grown up with at the orphanage. He was now a police officer. “It's nothing at all. I am super glad I could be of help”Travis suddenly gets a call and he gets up after it ends.“It looks like I have an emergency to take care of being a cop and all. However, you should let me know if you need help in any way. I'm here for you”Hardin smiled. He was finally getting enough Allies. A few minutes after Travis exits the office, Layla rushes in with a look of panic on her face. “Sir! There's an emergency”Hardin sighs. “Calm down and tell me what it is”Layla catches her breath.“Attorney Park was involved in an accident”Hardin gets up. “What?!”…Hardin stared at Attorney Park who lay on the hospital bed covered in bandages. Luckily he had surgery and he was alive. The doctors were focusing on his condition. Hardin receives a call. “Hello, Detective Kim?”Hardin sits
~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