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
The Briggs’ mansion was dead silent even though there were Five people and a bunch of servants living there, and it was almost like they were all dead inside. When Jason walked into the dining room, it grew dead quiet as Deborah threw him a cold glare from across the table.Dropping her fork on the plate carelessly, Sohpie scoffed, “Are you playing dress up or something? Why the fancy suit?” “Maybe he's going to some shady meeting to double-cross us since he refused to properly share our father's properties with us, his rightful heirs.” Theo added snidely as he leaned back in his chair, looking wholly bored by his uncle's presence.Adjusting his coat hands, Jason's lips twitched in a slight smirk, and then he said, “I wasn't the one who told your father to have some capable lawyer protecting his interest. Until we can get his death certificate, it's risky to make such a drastic move.”Then he turned his focus on Sophie and stated proudly, “Well, my dear niece, since I am in such a g
Already having an awful gut feeling about the conversation, Emma frowned as she asked, “What about them?” “Well, the receptionist claimed that she reached Ava earlier and your cousin claimed that your grandparents traveled out of the country after agreeing to sell Vex co. away, and you are the only one who has ties to the company-”“That’s insane. Grandpa would never...! Where is Ava and the others now?”“Not at the company. This I know because she said so.” “Thank you, Luke. I got to go.”After ending the call, Emma looked at Belinda and said, “We got to get to the Taylor Mansion. My grandparents are missing.” “What?” Belinda asked, stunned.“I will explain in detail on the way.”“Okay,”The two grabbed their belongings and walked off with the bodyguards, and Emma could feel herself tearing up, not knowing why she was suddenly becoming emotional.******The atmosphere within the walls of the Taylor mansion was tense as everyone looked at Logan, who stood in front of them, a cold a
A knock on the bedroom door made Zane look back at it and sigh before getting up from the bed. When he opened the door, he found Yoko standing there, and he stepped aside for him to come in. After walking into the room and waiting for Zane to shut the door, Yoko stated, “It’s safe to say today is the day. I have been monitoring Mr. Hester, and after a month of recovery, he has shown up at his company for three days straight, at eight o'clock, which means-”“We have a chance today.” Zane said, looking over at him, and Yoko gave him a small smile and nodded. “Then we set the plan for seven o'clock this morning.”Stepping away from Yoko, Zane headed to his closet and opened it, reaching for a black hoodie before stopping and saying, “About the other thing?”“We have no lead yet, boss. There are no records at any airline about Mr. and Mrs. Taylor buying tickets to leave the country.” Yoko said.A dull ache hit Zane’s heart at the thought of what this meant for Emma, and then he took out
Just as Zane had instructed, news about Mr. and Mrs. Taylor's disappearance was all over the media like wildfire the next morning, and Mr. Alfred made sure that it was what every news platform was talking about.“Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had suddenly gone missing, and the police, FBI, and a few other authorities are on high alert as they search for the couple. A five million dollar reward has been offered for any leads or information regarding Mr. Taylor and his wife.” Turning to face Yoko as the news’ Lady's voice echoed in his ear, Zane said, “Searching in silence for a month might have set us back, but I trust there will be three outcomes from this new approach we have taken. One, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are out there enjoying themselves, the news could draw their attention, and Emma would get a call from them or something..”With a shrug, Yoko said nothing, but thirty days of searching had made him doubtful that the couple had even left the country.“Secondly, if they are in danger, then
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