The six men rushed toward Zane, and when one swung a punch at him, he blocked it and countered with another hit of his own. The man backed up after a moment, rubbing his jaw, and then charged forward again, trying to tackle Zane. Grabbing his fist, Zane twisted until he heard a satisfying crack, and he smiled when the guard crumpled to the floor and kicked him in his head. Turning to face the second man, Zane punched his chest so that the air escaped him in an audible “Puff!” Before punching him square in the nose, breaking it instantly, with another punch in his left thigh, the man collapsed in pain. The third man came charging at him with fury in his eyes and swinging his right fist, but Zane blocked it quickly. Then he used his elbow to knock him back with an uppercut to the chin. And before the other could regain his balance, Zane drove his knee into the man’s stomach as his hands moved behind his back to wrap around his neck, lifting him off the ground and slamming him onto
A knock on their bedroom door made Logan side-eyed his wife and raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Who could it be so early this morning?” Elizabeth mumbled as she rose from her spot in the bed and walked over to answer it. “Hello?” she called out cautiously, opening the door slightly to see her daughter standing there with the most suspicious expression she had ever seen on a human being’s face. “Ava, what have you done this time?” Elizabeth cried, opening the door wider and reaching for her daughter's shoulder to pull her into their room. “We all know the company is sinking, it's flopping ! The stock has crashed and clients are pulling back like they never wanted anything to do with us.” Ava dramatically said. “Now, what are you babbling about? Your grandfather may denounce you if he hears of this.” Logan scolded his daughter sternly. “We saw what happened to NewEra. Once Mr. Alfred criticized them publicly, NewEra co. became more of a liability to the Briggs and they w
When Emma walked into the “Blueprint Tech” building with Belinda and her security detail, she kept smiling slightly at the employees and nodding gently at their greetings. But the moment she and Belinda got into the elevator, her frown returned.“He’s doing something dangerous again,” Emma mumbled, resting her head on the cold metal wall as the elevator door closed behind her guards. “I hate when he does this. I hate it so much.”Looking remorseful at Emma, Belinda hesitated for a second and then said, “I am sorry that you overheard what Yoko and I discussed. It wasn't my intention to-”“You wouldn't have told me if I didn't overhear it?” Emma asked with sadness laced in her tone, raising an eyebrow as she turned to face Belinda. “Belinda, I don't get to see him face-to-face anymore. If no one tells me anything, I know nothing. Absolutely nothing. Do you know how suffocating that is? To be able to learn little things about your man only through a few text messages and calls?" Sniffi
Not caring to dry her face, Emma looked at her grandfather and then her grandma before saying, “Stand up, please.”The two slowly did so, and Emma kept her gaze fixed on her grandfather, who lowered his tearstained face, and then he watched her bow at their feet, crying, “Mother, I am sorry.”Seeing her doing so was like a stab in his heart, and the thought made him sob even harder as he tried to compose himself. The lobby was cold with silence, everyone looking at each other, not saying a word, except for the quiet sounds of sniffling. After what felt like an eternity but had been only mere seconds, Emma stood back up and faced them, now without tears, but with a firm jaw and dull look in her eyes as she said, “I want nothing to do with the Taylor family, but that still doesn't mean I have forgotten my place. You are my grandparents, and that is a fact I have to live with till my dying breath. So, out of respect for my mother, I kindly ask you two never to do that again.”After th
From the moment Yoko’s phone buzzed, Zane had been reading his facial expressions while he stared at his screen, and the spike of worry itched behind his eyes, and the tenseness of his jaw told him something wasn’t right. When he finally put his phone away and realized that Zane was staring, he felt a dilemma to speak out what Belinda had sent him.“Want to share?” Zane asked, leaning back on the sofa. “It’s nothing.” Yoko said.No words got spoken for a while after that, but Zane's face seemed to ask, “Are you sure?” with how he looked at him. With a sigh, Zane woke from the couch and mumbled, “Suit yourself... I will be here when you are ready to talk.”“It’s best we focus on the mission right now.” Yoko said. “I promise we can talk after it goes successful.”*********The noise from members of the Taylors walking down the hallway echoed for a while, but it all when dead silent when Logan and the others arrived inside the living room and saw Mr. and Mrs. Taylor sitting on the co
The thugs seemed to circle around Zane like a bunch of vultures, observing his every movement carefully, their cold smiles growing wider as they slowly closed in.“You want to tell us what you are doing in our territory?” One of them growled, lifting up a pistol and pointing it straight at him.Zane looked down at the barrel of the gun, and then at the gangsters surrounding him with this dullness in his eyes as he calmly asked, “Where is Vel?”Hearing that boss’ name took them off guard for a second, and they paused momentarily as they glanced at each other, then laughed out loud and jeered, “What?”“Vel is your boss, and I have a job for him.” Zane explained, watching the gangsters' faces contort in confusion. He could practically see how hard the realization hit them when he added, “So am I going to be allowed to see him or not?”Another silent moment passed before one of them lowered the gun as they exchanged glances, and then one of them eyed Zane hard and spoke, “There’s mon
Subconsciously, Zane's eyes followed Yoko's pace, back and forth, back and forth, repeatedly, until his eyes felt slightly dizzy and then he mumbled, “Stop. You are making me nauseous.” Yoko paused for just a millisecond, long enough to glance at him out of the corner of his eye, before continuing on with his endless circling motion, saying, “I thought we nailed this problem in the butt, but not, it has become even more ridiculous. How are we going to get concrete evidence against Wu? Vel is messing with us.”“Okay. But at least sit down before I faint or throw up.” Zane said, gesturing towards him with one hand. With a sigh, Yoko plunged onto the couch, rubbing his face with both hands and dropping his shoulders, letting himself sink into the soft cushions like an exhausted swimmer as he mumbled, “Why can't shit be easy for us?”“In a perfect world, good things happen to good people. But we don't live in an ideal world. So, we have to suck it up and fight head-on.” Zane said, even
Drying the tears from her face, not caring for her makeup, Emma smiled at the old man and then said softly, “Come with me.”Now all the guards and others around wanted to know what the old man said that had her suddenly genuinely smiling, but they kept their silence as she headed into the building with them and him. A moment later, Emma arrived in her office with Belinda and the old man, and the moment the door shut behind them, Belinda looked at him and chuckled, “Damn, it Looks so freaking real. Even with Yoko's heads up, I still can't believe that's you.”“You knew he was going to do something this crazy?” Emma asked, her eyes widening and she looked at the old man.Walking to her, he pursed his lips as he spread his arm opened and said, “I missed you, babe.”“Zane, I want to know what your thought process was while doing this. This is another level of just unbelievable. Wow.” Emma said, dodging him as he tried to kiss her. “I can't. Not when you look older than my grandfather.”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