167Ray stiffened as the four men flanked Darius, forming an imposing phalanx behind their apparent leader. His lip curled in a sneer at their obvious intent. Ray suppressed a curse - Darius' hired muscle, come to intimidate at their master's whim. He'd walked into this meeting expecting danger, bu
168For the first time, a flicker of annoyance touched Darius’ features. "I grow tired of empty threats. If you insist on antagonism over cooperation, litigation may be your only recourse.” His men tensed at the implied threat, hands drifting casually near holstered weapons. The escalating tensions
169The moment the sleek Eclipse vanished from sight, Ray's fury boiled over. He punched the hood of his car with a resounding thud, knuckles whitening under the force. Welsh and Michael exchanged uneasy glances, knowing their leader's temper all too well."That son of a bitch," Ray seethed. "He thi
170Darius appreciated the offer and the sentiment behind it. "I’ll certainly keep that in mind. For now, let’s not let this ruin our evening. I’m sure things will settle down soon enough.""Very well," Elena replied, her voice easing back into a more relaxed tone. "But remember, if you need anythin
171The next morning at Sanchez Industries, the atmosphere was noticeably lighter. The previous day's confrontation still lingered, but for the moment, both Sanchez and Darius found solace in their shared amusement. Darius reclined in his chair, a smug grin playing on his lips as Sanchez bustled aro
172An hour later, Sanchez returned to the office, carrying a neatly bound folder. He placed it on Darius’s desk with a sense of satisfaction. “Here you go,” Sanchez said, his tone now casual but tinged with a hint of pride. “I’ve compiled everything you asked for. It’s all in here—company names, p
173The next morning, Darius awoke in his spacious, modern bedroom. The sun’s first light filtered through the large windows, casting a soft glow over the room's minimalist decor. Rising from the king-sized bed, he stretched briefly before heading to the en-suite bathroom. A quick, invigorating show
174The gatekeeper, aiming to de-escalate the situation, quickly interjected, "It's him—" He gestured toward Darius, but at that moment, Darius had his back turned, distracted by the architectural marvel of the Apex Innovation building.As Darius turned around, drawn by the rising volume, the man’s