The room froze, it was like everything happened in slow motion. Some couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed; had the mayor been shot right in front of them? Others, too terrified to think beyond their own survival, scrambled for safety.Panic erupted in the ballroom. Screams filled the air as chaos took hold. Guests scrambled for cover, tables overturned, and a stampede surged toward the exits. Julian’s heart beat rapidly, worrying for the mayor's life, but his focus never got affected by this. His eyes were still locked on the shooter, who was already making his escape.But Julian wasn’t going to let him get away, he walked through the terrified crowd chasing after the shooter. It wasn’t easy because bodies pressed against him, some ducking behind overturned tables, others panicking as they rushed for the exits. But he still pushed forward relentlessly. By the time Julian burst out of the ballroom and into the narrow corridor beyond, the assassin had gained significant groun
"Hello, is this Julian Blackwood?" a smooth, feminine voice inquired. Furrowing his brows, Julian Blackwood replied, "Yes, it is." Standing just outside the mansion’s front door, he paused and asked in a curious voice, "Who’s this?" The feminine and professional voice on the other end of the line, sounded relieved to hear his confirmation. "Hi, Master Julian, I'm Vera Turner. Our firm has been trying to reach you for a while now," the woman explained. "I'm calling to remind you that you don't have much time left to claim your inheritance. If you don't act soon, the government will step in and seize everything." Julian frowned, realizing who was calling him. "Oh, it's you people again. I thought I made it clear the last time that I have no interest in inheriting anything. Let the government take it." His frustration was understandable. He’d changed his number to avoid these persistent calls, yet they’d somehow managed to track him down again. "Master Blackwood," Vera continued, he
Julian froze as he saw someone who looked like Claire disappear into the corridor with a man. His heart skipped a beat. Was it her? he wondered to himself. No, it couldn’t be. But that laugh was definitely hers. And the figure? No doubt about it. But what was she doing with that man she was with, walking hand in hand, like two people in love? Curious, Julian's feet moved before his mind could catch up, and he started moving towards the corridor, ignoring Gabe and everyone He walked through the corridor, hesitating as he wondered if perhaps he was mistaken and it was not Claire and his boss. The last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself, by badging in on people having a private moment. Deciding to confirm he followed the way they went. After walking on the opulent corridor, he turned a corner, and there it was the bathroom door. The door was slightly opened, and he could hear voices coming from inside. As Julian got closer, the voices became clearer. He recognize
Julian stormed out of the building, the sound of their laughter fading behind him. The feeling of betrayal was sharp, the worst of all the emotions coursing through him. How could she do this? He had trusted her, believed she was different—someone who could see beyond his scars. But now, as he replayed her cold, indifferent expression, he wondered if any of it had ever been real. Had she always been this heartless, or had he simply been blind to the truth? He wished it were all just a dream, that he could wake up and find everything back to normal. But it wasn’t. Julian’s thoughts wandered back to the haunting emptiness he’d carried since he was a boy. From the moment he lost his family at seven, that void had never left him. For years, the only family he’d known was the butler who had taken him in. But even that was taken away, and after the butler’s death, Julian was left alone, sinking deeper into darkness. Then he met Claire, and for a brief time, she had changed everything.
Julian blinked open, for the first time since he passed out in the bar the previous night and he had no idea of what had happened after he passed out. His vision was hazy as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. To his surprise, he realized that he was lying in a large, plush bed, wrapped in crisp white sheets that felt soft against his skin. The room around him was bathed in soft morning light, streaming through the large and opulence windows. The decor was rich, with dark tones accented by elegant touches, creating a sense of luxury and comfort. Everything around this room screamed of luxury and elegance, it was nothing like his cramped apartment or anywhere he’d ever been before. Questions flooded Julian's mind: What was this place, and what was he doing here? How did he get here in the first place? “Damn, here comes the hangover, maybe drinking a dozen bottle's wasn't really a good idea.” Julian's head pained him as he tried to sit up, memories of the previous night
The silence from the woman as she stared at him, was unsettling Julian. “I really have no idea, believe.” He said. The woman’s eyes narrowed, her voice cold. “You seriously have the nerve to stand there and pretend you don’t know what happened?” She sat up, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. “Half-dressed in my bed. Do you just wander into random women’s rooms, or am I just the lucky one?” She didn't sound as angry as earlier, because she was starting to realize something. She suspected that she might be the one at fault here. Maybe she was the one who invited him, but with no memory of the night, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it could still be his fault. Julian clenched his jaw, frustration building. “Look, I don’t know what happened either. I was at a bar, had a few too many, and woke up here. That’s all I remember. I'm not at fault here.” He said. She raised an eyebrow, giving him a skeptical once-over. She wasn't as uncomfortable and enraged as she was initial
Julian and Scarlett averted their gazes from each other at the same time, turning toward the door as it swung open. Julian’s heart skipped a beat as people stepped inside. Scarlett muttered under her breath, her demeanour shifting visibly. "This is bad. I’m so dead," she said, barely audible. This was what she had been trying to avoid when she told him to leave through the window. She didn't want her family to see him. A striking woman in her mid-thirties, with curly brunette hair and a sharp, disapproving gaze, stepped forward. Her eyes swept the room: Julian, dressed in shabby clothes, standing awkwardly, and Scarlett looking uncomfortable as if she had been caught red handed commiting a crime. The woman smirked coldly. “Wow, Scarlett. Bringing men to your room now? But really, did you have to bring a homeless guy?” Not appreciating the remark, Julian shot her a cold look. She had barely met him, and yet she was already calling him a homeless man. How could she judge him so quic
Before Julian could reach the door, Scarlett’s cousin shouted, “Guards, don’t let him leave!” She instructed. Almost immediately, two burly men stationed nearby sprang into action. The door flew open, and they seized Julian by the arms before he could react. Their speed caught him off guard. Julian struggled, but it was futile. The men were too strong. They dragged him back to the room. “You think you can just waltz in here and act as you please?” Mr Lancaster leaned forward, his gaze locking with Julian’s. “You’ve overstepped, boy. And now, you’ll face the consequences.” “I didn’t ask to be dragged into any of this,” Julian said as he fought to free himself from the men's grips. Mr Lancaster straightened up, giving a subtle nod to the guards. They shoved Julian hard, forcing him to stumble but not fall. Julian straightened up his clothes, feeling so angry he wanted to fight the two men who had dragged him back here, however he didn't, not wanting things to get worse than
The room froze, it was like everything happened in slow motion. Some couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed; had the mayor been shot right in front of them? Others, too terrified to think beyond their own survival, scrambled for safety.Panic erupted in the ballroom. Screams filled the air as chaos took hold. Guests scrambled for cover, tables overturned, and a stampede surged toward the exits. Julian’s heart beat rapidly, worrying for the mayor's life, but his focus never got affected by this. His eyes were still locked on the shooter, who was already making his escape.But Julian wasn’t going to let him get away, he walked through the terrified crowd chasing after the shooter. It wasn’t easy because bodies pressed against him, some ducking behind overturned tables, others panicking as they rushed for the exits. But he still pushed forward relentlessly. By the time Julian burst out of the ballroom and into the narrow corridor beyond, the assassin had gained significant groun
The man was unconscious, stripped down to his boxers and vest. Julian’s eyes narrowed in surprise. But, it didn’t take long for Julian to put together what was happening; the man who had left the room wasn’t a real waiter. He had overpowered the actual staff member and taken his uniform as a disguise.Julian crouched beside the unconscious man, checking his pulse. It was faint but still beating . Letting out a sigh of relief, he quickly activated his earpiece. “Celeste, the situation is worse than I thought. The suspect has incapacitated a real staff member and is disguised as a waiter. He just left the room heading toward the gala.”Celeste’s voice came through, calm but urgent as usual. “Understood. I’ll alert the team to keep an eye out for anyone acting suspicious. We’ll tighten security immediately.”Julian returned downstairs where the gala was taking place. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the suspect. The waiter’s disguise should have made him easier to spot, but ther
Julian? Her mind raced. What was he doing here… with Helen? Did the two of them know each other already? She watched how close Helen was standing to him, as if they were very familiar with one another, and it didn’t sit well with her. Perhaps it was jealousy she was feeling. After all, who would be happy to see their friend acting so close to their husband?Deep down, Scarlett knew it herself: the reason she was this uncomfortable seeing Julian so close to Helen was because she had started to develop a soft spot for Julian…. And maybe even feelings for him. She wouldn’t admit it to his face, though.Her expression shifted briefly, but she quickly masked her surprise,or the jealousy. “Hi,” she said, her tone smooth, her lips curving into a controlled smile. “What are you doing here?” she asked, directing her question at Julian.Julian smiled slightly. “I’m here on business.” he said casually.Helen didn’t pay that much attention to their exchange as she was eager to introduce them. Sh
The mayor sighed, his voice heavy with regret as he continued,“At first, they seemed harmless. Backroom deals, a little influence here and there, some people to help me push policies. But as time went on, the favors got… darker. They wanted things that went against everything I believe in: dirty money, shady deals.” He paused, taking a shaky breath. “I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be controlled like that.”Julian’s eyes narrowed, understanding dawning on him. “And they couldn’t have that. They needed someone they could control.” It was easy for juliam to understand what the mayor was saying and what the organization was hoping for in return for helping the mayor. After all these were tactics Julian was all too familiar with. Growing in a powerful family he had witnessed firsthand how the same practices the organization was using were used by his grandfather and father to control people in key positions.In fact, Julian vividly remembered one of the lessons his father had imparted about
The mayor’s eyes widened in alarm. “What… what are you talking about?” His eyes darkened slightly as he gritted his teeth. “The Sterlings again…they’ve been relentless. But they won’t win. Not this time.” His tone hardened, as though trying to convince himself as much as anyone else.The Sterling family had long been fierce rivals of the Sullivans in both business and politics. When Wendell Sterling had lost the mayoral election, he had apparently stooped to drastic measures, resorting to attempts on his opponent’s life.Julian couldn’t help but wonder if the same Sterlings the mayor was talking about had any connections to this organization. And if they were connected—and it also turned out that the old woman, Elizabeth Sterling, whom he had met at Harper & Co. Headquarters had ties to them, then Julian would need to be wary of her intentions.Helen sighed, exasperation evident in her words. “Don’t worry, Master Julian. We’ve set up enough security to handle the Sterlings. There’s no
Master Julian? Who the hell was that? Helen had no idea who the new woman was talking about but she couldn’t help being intrigued because the title meant he was important.The mayor, despite not being in control here, had a dark expression as he asked. “Who are you, how dare you…” “Quite, mayor Sullivan.” Celeste demanded sharply as she stopped beside Julian and Nyx.Julian finally stepped forward, addressing the mayor directly. “I can assure you that I'm not here to cause harm. “ He promised.The mayor and Helen both seemed to ease slightly at his words, but Helen’s expression quickly hardened into a scowl. “What do you want, then?” she demanded, her voice sharp. “And did your friend really have to kill our security team?”Julian’s gaze drifted briefly to the bodies on the floor. He couldn’t suppress the faint chill that ran through him at the sight. Nyx’s methods, while undeniably effective, were far from ideal. He didn’t approve of the bloodshed, but he also understood the reality
For the first time, Helen’s aloof mask slipped, revealing some doubt in her eyes. Seeing how unfazed Julian was, despite his life being on the line here, she wondered why? What was he planning? No, a better question was who was this man?“Is that supposed to be believable?” she began, her voice laced with sarcasm.Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of heavy footsteps filled the air. Julian turned to see more than a dozen men entering the terrace. At their center, walking with them into the terrace was an imposing and intimidating figure: the mayor himself. His presence commanded respect, but his sharp gaze was filled with suspicion as he shot julian a look.“Father,” Helen said, her voice shifting to relief. She felt relived knowing that she didn have to deal with this assassin, the mayor would take care of it.The mayor didn’t acknowledge his daughter because his attention was locked on Julian. And, with a single hand gesture from the mayor, his men pointed their weapo
Juliam quickly shook off the shock he was feeling after hearing that the pretty woman was the mayors daughter. He smiled, “Well, that would make sense. You have the same commanding presence.”The woman, Helen Sullivan didn’t smile back, her expression still as cold as ever. “That still doesn’t explain who you are or why you’re here. Were you even invited?” She asked. Of course, she was suspicious. Julian was giving off unsettling vibes, like he was up to something. The way he asked about her father immediately raised red flags. What worried her even more was the earpiece in his ear. He was clearly communicating with someone, probably his associates who were n't visible. What if this guy was here to harm her father? After all, her father, the mayor, had been the target of numerous assassination attempts recently. This guy might just be the latest threat in disguise.Julian ran a hand through his hair, deciding on his next move. He could sense her suspicion growing, but he couldn’t
Inside the opulent hotel, Julian adjusted the cuffs of his sleek black suit as he walked through the grand hall. He had an earpiece on his ears, as he communicated with his security team. “Master Julian, can you hear me?” Celeste's voice came through the earpiece, smooth and professional. Julian frowned at her voice, his irritation barely concealed. As if it wasn’t already bothersome enough to be accompanied by a dozen security personnel, including Celeste, now he had her voice in his ear too?“What is it, Celeste?” he asked, his voice not hiding the annoyance he was feeling.“Just checking in to ensure everything’s running smoothly,” Celeste replied, sounding unfazed by his annoyance. “If anything goes wrong, let us know immediately. Additionally, Nyx is keeping a close watch on you… scratch your ear as a signal if you’re in trouble, and she’ll intervene.”Now he was being watched by Nyx? Julian rolled his eyes slightly but kept his composure. The idea of being babysat, even discre