The room was filled with journalists, cameras snapping away, quiet voices enveloping the mood. Eliana sat in the front row, impassive. Saben sat next to her, as calm as always.With the cameras rolling, Eliana leaned forward, voice firm but biting."I'm not going to stand here and have my reputation trashed by a man who earns his living at dishonesty," Eliana began, her icy eyes flashing into the lenses. "Nathaniel Harper has fabricated things to discredit my company, and I am not going to let him do that."The reporters burst out into a mad scramble of questions.One of the reporters in the front row stood up. "Miss Thompson, are you denying the accusations?"Eliana's lips curled into a small sneer. "Oh, I'm not denying them—I'm proving they do not exist."Gasps filled the room.She went on, her tone tinged with steel. "While we're sitting here, our lawyers are building proof of who actually sponsored these unsubstantiated allegations. And I can promise you—when we get to the truth,
Eliana rested against the table, drumming fingers in thought. "And if we can demonstrate him created doctored records, the case collapses?"Mark nodded. "Yes, but we're looking for solid evidence.Julia extracted a folder and pushed it across the table. "We have it."Saben's eyebrow went up. "Already?"Julia smiled. "Nathaniel erred."Eliana opened the folder, a triumphant smile curling her lips as she read over the fake documents. "He relaxed." She glared at Julia. "You are amazing."Julia shrugged. "I had a little assistance."Saben leaned forward. "Who?"The door opened and a man in a sharp suit entered. "Me."Nathaniel's former financial advisor, Richard Lawson.Nathaniel's second in command.Eliana's eyes glittered. "Ah, betrayal is so beautiful."An Hour Later Nathaniel was pouring himself a drink when his phone vibrated.Richard's voice answered. "We need to talk."Nathaniel chuckled. "Guilty for asking Eliana out?"There was a silence. "You should be worried, Nathaniel."Natha
Eliana leaned against the table, tapping fingers in contemplation. "And if we can prove him created falsified records, the case crumbles?"Mark nodded. "Yes, but we are looking for something concrete.Julia pulled out a folder and slid it across the table. "We have it."Saben's brow shot up. "Already?"Julia smiled. "Nathaniel made a mistake."Eliana opened the folder, a smug smile twisting her lips as she scanned the phony documents. "He relaxed." She glared at Julia. "You are incredible."Julia shrugged. "I had a little help."Saben leaned forward. "Who?"The door opened and a man in a crisp suit walked in. "Me."Nathaniel's old financial advisor, Richard Lawson.Nathaniel's second-in-command.Eliana's eyes sparkled. "Ah, betrayal is so lovely."An Hour LaterNathaniel was pouring himself a drink when his phone buzzed.Richard's voice responded. "We need to talk."Nathaniel laughed. "Guilty for asking Eliana out?"There was silence. "You should be afraid, Nathaniel."Nathaniel spun
Nathaniel's voice echoed in the room, his arrogance merely ruffled."Do you believe you won, Eliana? By sending me to jail? I will come back. To Sabrina Ultra—we are not done yet! I know you are watching this, Eliana. You don't have enough evidence. You can hold me for a couple of hours, but I will escape from here!"The cameras panned in on his angry face as the police led him to the police car. The reporters, starved for a spectacle, thrust microphones in front of him, recording each and every word.But Eliana?She just stood there.Unfazed. Unrattled. Unfazed.The press conference was over, but the real game was only beginning.Eliana stood at the front of the long, glass conference table, her team gathered around her. The huge screen behind her pulsed with information—live feeds from IT, remnants of Nathaniel's fake emails, and the financial skeletons still hidden in Harper Global's systems.Sabrina's voice crackled through the speaker once more. "He's applying for bail, Eliana."
NATHANIEL HARPER ARRESTED—CORPORATE FRAUD EXPOSEDHis fingers gripped the paper, the corners tearing in his hands. His son, next emperor of the Harper empire, being led off in handcuffs like some street punk.Not acceptable.His office door creaked open, and Victoria Harper stepped in, the sharp clicking of her heels on the marble floor filling the air. "William, did you see this?" She dropped a tablet onto his desk, the screen still glowing photos of Nathaniel's arrest.William took a slow breath, laying the newspaper down. "I've seen it.""This is a travesty!" Victoria cried, striding back and forth across the room. "Our name—our reputation—is being ruined because of him!"William sat quietly for a moment, then leaned back in his chair, fingers crossed. "Nathaniel was irresponsible."Victoria halted in her stride, her eyes narrowing. "You're writing him off?"He chuckled darkly. "On the contrary." His gaze turned sharp, dangerous. "I built this empire. No one—not Eliana Thompson, no
Nathaniel Harper lay slumped against the cold hard bench of his detention cell, fists clenched at his sides. His arrest still seared in his blood. Beyond the walls, the world watched—or rather, laughed—as Eliana Thompson flaunted her supposed triumph.He seethed.This was not finished yet.The cellblock door creaked open, and the sharp sound of high-end shoes on the concrete floor clicked behind him. Nathaniel's eyes lifted as his father, William Harper, entered, his attorney, Richard Cavanaugh, by his side.William's very presence thickened the air. The man was a power, a controller. But tonight, his blue eyes snapped with something else—revulsion.Nathaniel rose, locking eyes with his father. "Father."William didn't reply to the greeting. Instead, he sneered, shaking his head as he advanced a step. "What a sorry figure," he spat, his voice bitter and stinging. "My son—my heir—housed in a cage, while that Thompson girl struts around as if she's already conquered." Nathaniel's jaw c
Nathaniel Harper wasn't angry—he was raging. The glass screen of his phone was broken, the pieces scattered across his desk like a symbol of his shattered plan.Eliana Thompson had caught him off guard. Again.William Harper leaned against the window, his eyes fixed on the city below. His very presence was stifling, his silence more frightening than any tantrum."She humiliated me," Nathaniel snarled, running his hand through his hair. His chest seethed with the sting of failure, something he would not have. "She played you," William snapped back, his voice as hard as steel. "And now she's a victim and you're the villain to the world. Clean it up."Nathaniel's face clenched in anger. His father never did think him worthy, and this night was yet another failure for the books.William spun, eyes flashing with something deadly. "I told you, son. To win, you don't fight clean. You crush."Nathaniel breathed slowly, struggling to think. His father was correct—Eliana had used the sympathy
Eliana stormed into her father's private office, arms folded, irritation running under her skin. Incidents of the last twenty-four hours ran through her mind—the attempted kidnapping, Nathaniel's threats, and now that her professional relationship with him had all been a cover for sabotage.She was done playing his game.The door opened and Saben stepped inside, his jaw clenched and firm. He had two bruises on his jaw from last night's fight, but his blue eyes flared with anger."You require protection," Saben said succinctly.Eliana halted her pacing. "I don't require bodyguards Saben."Saben swallowed a bitter breath. "Listen, Eliana. Nathaniel is not going to let go. He's released you last night because he wanted to make a point, but next time?" His voice was constricted. "Next time, he won't be so kind sis.""I can take care of myself.""Eliana—""Stop it."Both responded to the door opening as Benedict Thompson stepped inside.Eliana's father was a major presence, big and tall, w
The centuries' weight—of blood and greed and war—hung heavily in the air.William chuckled, spinning the glass of whiskey in his hands. "You think you're superior to me? Different?"He approached closer, his voice as icy as cold water. "You bear my blood. You can fight it all you can, but you'll never be anything else but my son."Nathaniel's jaw snapped shut. "Then I'll spend the remainder of eternity denying you."William's eyes blazed with something—disappointment? No, anger.He slapped the whiskey glass on the table, and it broke. The sound echoed through the big room. "Then you leave me no choice."Nathaniel stood up. "What do you mean?His father's face hardened, his own face hard and unyielding. "You want to be allied with the Thompsons? You can. But listen to this, Nathaniel… from this moment on, you are not my son."The words cut deeper than a knife.Nathaniel's breath was trapped, but he strained himself up. "Then that makes two of us."For the first time in his life, he did
The drive back to the Thompson estate was tense. Eliana was in the backseat, her thoughts racing with Nathaniel's threat."There's another attack coming. Tonight."Damian was beside her, his face a mask as he checked his gun twice. The atmosphere was tense, heavy.Eliana addressed him. "Do you think he meant it?"Damian didn't look up. "Does it matter?"She frowned. "Of course, it matters."."No, Eliana." He finally met her gaze, his tone tough but soft. "The thing is, we have to assume he's lying. Because if he is, and we don't act, people die."She didn't appreciate that he was right.Eliana breathed in, smoothing out her hair. "If his father is involved, he won't stop until he gets what he is after."Damian leaned into the seat. "Then we don't let him have his way."His determination made her heart pound.For once, she wasn't alone in having to cope with this.Benedict Thompson stood in the security room, watching the live feed of the grounds of the estate. His jaw was clenched as
Nathaniel Harper did not look back when he left his father. Each step he made felt heavier, as though the burden of his family's transgressions was finally coming to catch up with him.He had spent his entire life attempting to validate himself before William Harper. Attempting to meet the standards of a man who regarded emotions as frailty, ethics as folly, and strength as the only concept worthy of consideration.Benedict Thompson stood before the fireplace, his fists gripping behind his back. The instant he discovered about the altercation at the commercial convention, he instructed for heightened security on the estate.He wouldn't let them have another attack.Sabrina sat facing him, her face set. "Are you certain about this, Benedict? Provoking them could create a greater problem."Benedict took a hard breath. "And doing nothing will leave us target practice. I won't sit idly by for that to happen."Wendy Taylor, Eliana's great-grandmother, struck her cane on the floor. "He's co
Damian took position beside her, his presence unbending. His hand was resting uncomfortably close to his gun, and Eliana knew that if she even moved her finger, he'd kill this man dead.But she was not going to let William have the pleasure of watching her lose control.She smirked. “That’s funny, Mr. Harper. Because from where I’m standing, you’ve already lost.”A muscle clenched in William's jaw. "You really believe that, don't you Eliana?""I don't believe. I know Mr.Harper." Eliana crossed her arms, her tone icy. "Your son is losing hold of his own conscience. Your empire is disintegrating. And soon enough, everyone will see you for what you actually are—a desperate old man holding on to whatever power he can still command."The room hung in silence. Everyone stared.Nathaniel sighed beside his father. He wasn't with William, definitely. He wasn't going to get himself caught up in things, though.William smiled, low and threatening. "Always had a quick mind, Miss Thompson. Too bad
The following day,The grand ballroom of Tokyo International Business Convention hummed with marble floors. CEOs, industry leaders, and investors walked around the room, sipping champagne glasses and making high-stakes business deals. Golden lights of chandeliers reflected against shiny marble floors, with a power and richness.Eliana Thompson pushed through the throng, demanding the notice of all present. She dressed in simple but elegant black that complemented her toughness, but under the coarse exterior smoldered fire. She did not come to make deals—she came to fight.She was not looking for this meeting.Nathaniel Harper stood in the middle of the room, talking to foreign investors. Wearing a well-fitted blue suit, he showed careless charm, his trademark smirk etched on his face as he shook hands with foreign investors.Eliana's fists clenched. Her own heart thudded in her ears as she stepped between them.Nathaniel hardly had time to react when she strode up to him, eyes blazing
Nathaniel closed his jaws. The words stung, betraying pain he had struggled to keep hidden all these years."Grandpa Paul suicided because he wanted to, Dad," he stated stubbornly but his voice did tremble with emotion. "Yes, the Thompsons were in the wrong, but both of them weren't he perfect. He himself well knew what he was letting himself in for when he fought it out with them.".William's eyes went black. "Don't you ever apologize to them! We were ruined by Benedict Thompson and his family! They sullied our name, they robbed us of all we had, and you—my own son—are here questioning me?Nathaniel balled his fists in his hand. "I'm asking you because I don't wish to be like you." His chest strained to fill the air for the effort of his words. "I don't want blood on my hands. And I sure as hell don't want to begin where a war should have ended after Grandpa Paul.".William's laugh was brutal and not amusing. "You do believe in peace? You actually think they're going to forgive and f
Wendy's head nodded in confirmation. "Exactly so. We don't have to spill blood to kill him—just cut him, in pieces."Benedict ran his hands through his face, the frustration percolating just beneath his placid surface. "This is risky. You all realize that, don't you? Once we go down this path, we can't turn back."Eliana remained steadfast, despite the burden of the impending war. "We crossed that line when they tried to kill me and Saben."Silence filled the room.Wendy breathed deep, holding on to her cane. "Then it's settled. We fight."Silence filled the room.Wendy breathed deep, holding on to her cane. "Then it's settled. We fight."Sabrina swallowed, holding Benedict's arm and she spoke again. "I just do not want to lose any of you."He softly said; in that instant she knew exactly what he meant. "I understand that feeling so well. I know the tears of this place will chase us out someday, but if it has happened, why should we let everything go while crying?"Eliana moved toward
Nathaniel pounded his fists on the desk. "The explosion! You tried to kill them!"William sat back from the desk, adjusting his suit. "And if I had?"Nathaniel's gut roiled. "She doesn't deserve it, Dad. Eliana—she doesn't deserve this."His father's expression hardened. "Innocence is weakness. And if you haven't learned that yet, then you're pitifuler than I think you to be."Nathaniel's own breath was caught in his throat. "And this is the lesson Grandpa Paul taught you? To kill whoever gets in your way?"William's lip twisted into a snarl. "Your grandfather taught you something—you're master of the game or you're someone else's pawn."Nathaniel shook his head, retreating. "You're crazy."His dad grinned, his glass clinking a second time. "No, son. I am a survivor," he said firmly. "You need to pay attention and learn from my experiences."Nathaniel's gut churned at his father's words. Nails against palms scraped as his fists clenched into hard balls. "Learning from you? You're show
And so he simply walked away and disappeared down the infinite corridor, from the man who had ever been his dad.Nathaniel's footsteps rang out down the hall as he walked away, the burden of his choice heavy in his gut. The man he had just left-behind the man who had shown him how to ride a bike and tied his tie for him-was not his father.He was a monster now."Nathaniel."His father's voice was unbreakable, yet nobody dared meet the venom boiling below. Nathaniel was unwavering but would not turn his head away."If you take one inch on the other side of that door, you are my enemy."Nathaniel swallowed with effort, fists gripping at his hips. He knew it. He'd known it the minute he'd thought to disobey him."Then it's settled, Dad," Nathaniel said quietly but confidently. He felt his heart beating fast as he stepped closer. William Harper released a slow, mirthless chuckle. "You have no chance, boy."Nathaniel slightly rotated, a glinting coldness within his eyes. "We shall see abo