Drawing his wet eyes off Zane, Yoko looked at the other guards and shouted, “Sweep the premises and see if there are any more of them!”“Shit!” One of the thugs in the second van shouted, pulling the binocular from his eyes. “They are coming for us. Damion is dead. We need to drive.”“And Zane,” The driver asked as he twisted the key, revving the engine. “We will get him another day.” “Boss is not going to like the sound of that.”“I bet his brother's death would even the scale.”After hitting the accelerator, the driver kicked the car in gear just when the guards spotted them and reached for their guns.Before they could open fire, the van lurched forward, swerved around, and drove in the opposite direction at full speed as bullets hit its back repeatedly.When Yoko and Larry joined the group because of the sound of the gunfire, the van was already far down the road, and soon, it disappeared, making Yoko's frown deepen.“Does he have a pulse?” Jersey asked from behind Zane, startli
The moment Emma heard the sound of cars entering the fence, she jumped from her bed, rushed to the window, and peeped through the curtains, clutching the cloth a bit tighter in her hand. As she was about to turn to rush out when she saw Zane getting out of the car, she spotted her father approaching him, and she froze, watching the two as Zane embraced Mr. Alfred. When the two parted, Mr. Alfred looked at Zane long before saying, “I am sorry again. I-” Grabbing Mr. Alfred's shoulder, Zane smiled and said, “We already discussed this. It will be more of an advantage to us if you do this. I know your heart for me, and even though this next stage is going to push us against each other, we must do this to overcome what we have to.” Even though Zane's words gave a great assurance to him, Mr. Alfred's heart was heavy as he hung his head and mumbled, “I know, but I am worried about what she's going to think of me. Doing this is going to put a rift between the two of us in the public eye, I
Everyone's eyes were now on Jason as he stood there, listening to the caller say, “Mr. Duncan is not answering any of his calls and has not turned in to work all day.”“Damnit! I'll get there right away.” Jason growled, hanging up the phone. Then his eyes shot around the room, and he glared, “We have to get to the company immediately!”“Wh-at... What happened?! What did that person say about the company?” Austin stuttered, panic seeping through his words as his breathing quickened, sweat forming on his forehead and upper lip.Giving his brother a death stare, Jason hesitated and then said, “Someone cleaned out the company's entire savings accounts.”The atmosphere seemed to stiffen, and silence was broken as the siblings looked at each other in disbelief. A minute later, Leon spoke, getting past his shock, “But that’s not possible… not without the chairman's signature.”His words immediately made everyone turn towards Austin, who instantly realized that he had messed up and yelled, “W
Every employees of the accounting and finance department of NewEra was nervously standing in the boardroom as the rest of the Briggs family members sat at the table, reviewing the bank transaction documents from yesterday. So far, only Mr. Duncan was missing from the group, and after Jason ended his call with the bank, his icy gaze rested on his brother.“How come the signature on the check that Mr. Duncan carried to the bank was yours, and they can confirmed that it wasn't forged?”“He-he- must have been good at copying signatures. I swear to you, Jason… I didn’t authorize Duncan to make that withdrawal!” Austin cried, feeling the cold eyes of the others burning a hole through him. His head began to ache, as if he had just drank an entire bottle of coffee. “Look, I really don’t know what happened. How can I authorize someone to wipe out the entire company account? What would I gain from such a thing?” A scoff left Jason's lips as he watched the sweat bead at his brother's forehead,
Hand bonded with ropes and eyes tied with cloth, Mr. Duncan sat in a chair, his heart pounding as fear consumed him. His breathing came faster and louder, and he looked around anxiously, blind as a bat. He felt trapped, unable to move his body, scream out, and defend himself as someone walked over to stand behind the chair. They leaned their hands on it, and Mr. Duncan’s body went cold at their touch. “You are not an Uber driver, are you?! Who are you? What do you want with me?” Mr. Duncan demanded in a raspy voice, regretting his decision to leave his hotel room to grab something to eat from a cafe.Even though he got no answer, he could feel the presence of more than one person in the room, which send a shiver down his spine. “Is it money that you want? I can give you and your men a million dollars if you let me go! Tell me what you want, and I'll get it!” Mr. Duncan said desperately. “You are a bold man, offering money that is not yours.” When he heard those words, his heart st
A buzzing sound made Austin sat up in bed, stare at his phone on the night stand and reach for it.The calmness he felt from a well rested night immediately faded as he read the text, “Mr. Briggs, I thought you were a man of your words. It saddens me to find out that’s not true. And now, I am coming to collect my debt.”“What kind of madman is this!” Austin cried, hitting the call icon.But the number rang and rang and rang without any answer, and suddenly, the air-conditioned room started to feel a bit claustrophobic.“I swear to you. I am going to get the money! Just give me time. Please!!” Austin wrote back. "I will have it by tomorrow, please."But his message was received by silence, and fear gripped him tightly as he remembered he had no other way to pay since Mr. Duncan seemed to have vanished and the trails Jason's men were using to find him had gone cold.Feeling like he was about to have a heartache, Jason quickly got dressed, rushed from his room, and searched the entire h
The sight of the waves as the ocean crashed upon the rock and the wind in his hair made Zane feel free of his responsibilities and obligations. It was silent for a while before Yoko disrupted it, saying, “Your uncle has finally decided to meet with Mr. Alfred to discuss NewEra.”“He called you?” Zane mumbled, raising his gaze.“Yes. Mr. Alfred been trying to call you to inform you about this. Your phone had been switched off.” Yoko replied.Turning away from the ocean, Zane stared back at the resort and said, “I guess my two week vacation is over… I thought it was going to take Jason more than that to grieve his brother. Burying him that early was wild of him and cold.”“It was smart for you to leave. And with everything that is happening with Golden Key, you need the rest. Plus, the media had been bloodthirsty and on their tail since Austin got shot before their eyes.” Yoko said. “I still don’t know how to feel about his death.” “Me either.”“I still can’t believe Derek went throug
The waiting room was calm as the quietness settled in, but Mr. Alfred could feel the tension Austin was bringing to the atmosphere and he could tell from his body language that he didn’t trust him.But for someone who has been in the business circle for years, he knew his way around these types of situations, and with a calm expression, he rested back in his seat, staring at the transparent wall and said, “To be honest with you, I am using your family…”Just as Jason had suspected, but then again, it didn’t make sense to him that Mr. Alfred would just come clean to him without even denying a bit, especially if he was working in line with Zane.“The truth is, I am afraid of that boy…” Mr. Alfred added, turning his focus back on Jason with a worried look in his eyes.“Now… Now. A man like you fears a prodigy you created?” Jason asked mockingly, leaning forward and folding his arms against the table. “Forgive me for not being a believer in that.”Frowning slightly, Mr. Alfred hesitated b
Dear Readers, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Your support for my novel has been nothing short of remarkable, and it fills my heart with joy to know that my words have found a place in your lives. Writing a book is a solo labor, but it's in the hands of readers like you that the magic truly happens. You have breathed life into the characters and explored the worlds I have created. It's your enthusiasm, your feedback, and your dedication that keep me inspired to continue writing. I'm humbled by the messages and reviews that you have shared, and I'm deeply touched by the personal connections many of you have made with the story. Your support is a writer's greatest motivation, and I can't thank you enough for being a part of this journey with me. For an author who struggled with their mental health from time to time, as I continue to write and create, please know that it's with you in mind, your support for authors like me is wh
~~~~~*Two years later*~~~~~The sun casts a warm glow through the large windows of Zane's office, creating a serene and inviting ambiance. For a while, Yoko sat nervously on the plush leather couch, his fingers fidgeting with the delicate box hidden in his pocket. Then he stole a glance at Zane, who was engrossed in a stack of paperwork on his desk. Summoning his courage, Yoko cleared his throat, capturing Zane's attention. Zane looked up, his eyes filled with curiosity. Yoko could feel his heartbeat quicken as he slowly withdrew the box from his pocket, holding it delicately in his trembling hands. His palms were clammy.As the pen dropped from his grip, Zane's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he observed Yoko's gesture. Then he teased, leaning back in his chair, his words dripped with playful sarcasm, the glint in his eyes betraying his amusement, "Well, well, Yoko... I knew you were a charmer, but I already have a stunning wife." Chuckling, Yoko narrowed his eyes, and he
A sense of shock washed over Zane like an icy wave as he stood frozen, unable to comprehend the scene unfolding before him. His eyes widened, fixed on the figure of Jason, whom he had believed to be dead. The turmoil within him intensified as Jason and Deborah stopped just a couple of feet away.Then Jason's eyes bore into Zane's soul, a mix of anger, anguish, and madness swirling within them. Without warning, he tossed a gun towards Zane, the metallic object spinning through the air before landing with a thud at Zane's feet. "Take it!" Jason spat. "It's yours, Zane! Your thirst for revenge has ruined all our lives! So go ahead, pick up the gun, and satisfy your anger! End her!"Looking away from the gun and at his uncle, Zane's mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest. Confusion clouded his thoughts, and he found himself unable to form a coherent response, and he just stared blankly at Jason.Frustration and desperation radiated from Jason, his face contorted with rage. "Kill th
After shutting the door, Zane's footsteps echoed through the grand hallway of the mansion. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts crashing into each other with relentless force. All he could focus on was the heaviness in his chest, the weight of the day's events bearing down upon him.As he made his way further into the mansion, Zane's eyes darted around, avoiding the gazes of the staff who lined the corridors, silently going about their duties. Both Emma and Damon were sitting in the living room, and when she saw Zane, walking through the doorway, she woke from her seat and rushed to him.His grip tightened around her waist as he pressed a kiss to her lips, letting it linger there for several seconds before pulling back slightly. "Are you okay?" Emma asked, concerned.With a forced smile, he nodded and said, "Yes. I'm fine." The way Zane refused to meet her eyes caught Damon's attention, and he watched his son carefully, trying to figure out what was going on in his boy's
The sun crept over the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow through the curtains of the small bedroom, and Emma stirred in her sleep, her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly awoke. Rolling onto her side, she found Zane lying next to her. His eyes were open, but they were distant, lost in thoughts that refused to let him be."Zane," she whispered, her voice still heavy with sleep. She reached out and brushed her fingers across his cheek, gently coaxing him to turn his gaze toward her.With a weak smile, he turned to face her, his eyes filled with shadows, and she traced the lines on Zane's face with her fingers, trying to read his emotions. "You are hurting because of his death, aren't you?" she asked softly.Shutting his eyes, Zane let out a deep sigh, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his emotions. "I don't know, Emma," he replied, his voice barely a whisper. "Leon and I were never close, never got along. But now, knowing he's gone, there's this void that I can't exp
With a look of madness in her eyes, satisfied that she had gotten her wish and murdered Zane, Deborah suddenly turned the gun on both men.Before they could react, she fired several shots, and they died as the bullets pierced their chests, each of them falling lifeless to the ground.Looking up at Zane, lying motionless, Deborah chuckled to herself, and then she quickly walked over to him."I hope you and your mother rot in hell." She whispered, reaching for the bag and yanked it off his head.Immediately, her hand started trembling as tears welled up in her eyes, and she picked him off the ground, resting his head on her lap, and whispered, "My beautiful baby boy...!! My child! Leon, please open your eyes! Leon, Mommy is sorry, open your eyes, please. I beg you ..." Her voice cracked as tears rolled down her cheeks."No! no, no, no!... No, Leon! Please! I need you! I love you! Wake up! Open your eyes!" She screamed hysterically, hugging Leon tight as tears streamed down her cheeks u
The hospital room was filled with silent tension as Belinda and Emma cautiously entered. Their eyes immediately fell upon Zane, who was sitting by the bed, his head resting on the mattress. Yoko, who had been keeping a watchful eye on him, glanced up at the sound of their arrival. Placing his hand to his lip, he whispered, "Shh-shh... Since we got to the hospital yesterday, he just fell asleep." But just as the words left Yoko's lips, Zane's eyes fluttered open, and he sat up, his gaze fixated on the two ladies standing before him. There was a mixture of relief and weariness in his eyes, and a faint smile crossed his lips. Unable to contain her emotions, Emma stepped forward and enveloped Zane in a tight hug, her arms wrapped around his neck. Her voice, barely a whisper, trembled with concern, "How are you hanging in?" As his weary gaze met Emma's, Zane managed a small smile. "I am just glad that this idiot is fine," he replied, his voice laced with a touch of humor, but his e
At the count of eight, the tension in the atmosphere reached its peak. Each second seemed to stretch out endlessly, as Leon sat behind the wheel, his finger itching to pull the trigger. "9!" Zane shouted, raising his hand to signal his men. "And..."But as the count reached "10!" Leon's pent-up rage exploded. In a split second, he burst out of the car, his hand gripping the gun tightly. He aimed directly at Zane's head, his eyes wild with a murderous intent.Time seemed to slow down as Yoko reacted instinctively. He leaped in front of Zane, covering his boss with his own body. The bullet tore through the air, finding its way into Yoko's arm, tearing to his skin and blood oozed out.Pain seared through Yoko's body, but he barely registered it. His sole focus was protecting Zane, even at the cost of his own life. He gritted his teeth, feeling the impact of the bullet as he absorbed the blow.In that instant, the atmosphere erupted with chaos. The crack of the gun reverberated through t
In the midst of the tense silence, Zane sat at the head of a long mahogany table, his gaze steady as he surveyed the board members of NewEra as everyone waited for him to speak.Taking a deep breath, Zane began, his voice strong and his eyes bored into them one after the other, "Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you today to address the mistakes of my past and to offer my unwavering dedication to the revival of NewEra. I know that I have gone against this company countless times, but from this day forward, I promise to use my knowledge and skills to help rebuild what was once the lifeblood of this organization."His words hung in the silence, and Zane's gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of each board member, their expression still that of fear."I owe this to my late mother," Zane continued. "Her life was taken so this place can get built, and it is my duty, as her son, to honor her legacy and ensure that NewEra rises from the ashes."A hushed silence filled the room as