Chapter 18

*Laurie*

Theron leaned back in his chair. One arm draped loosely over the backrest, a wine glass in the other hand. The very picture of disinterest. He was annoyed, I could feel it. Weird right?

I didn’t know how I knew… but I knew. Still, he didn’t lash out. He just smiled. That kind of wicked smile.

“I don’t do cooperation, Mr…?”

“Langston. Henry Langston.”

“Right. Langston.” Theron let the name roll off his tongue like it offended him. “I prefer results. Not promises. And especially not interruptions.”

Langston stiffened. His eyes flicked to me again, perhaps hoping I would smile or soften the blow but I didn’t. I met his gaze with the same ice Theron just served him.

Theron placed his glass down. “Perhaps another time,” he said, “Preferably never,” he concluded with a shrug.

Langston hesitated, clearly weighing his pride against his survival instincts.

“Of course,” he said, retreating behind that brittle smile. “No offense meant.”

He gave a shallow bow to Theron, and then to my absolute disgust a wink in my direction before finally stepping away. I exhaled slowly.

Theron didn’t speak for a moment. Then, without looking at me, he murmured, “It’s always the puppies that bark the loudest.”

I couldn’t help it. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

“And you,” I said softly, “don’t even need to bark to have them running.”

He glanced sideways at me.

This man was chaos in a suit.

And I was sitting right beside the fire.

I wasn’t sure when the hum of the room returned, perhaps it never really stopped but after Langston slinked away, everything felt quieter.

I reached for a grape. Plucked it slowly. My fingers didn’t shake this time. If this were a performance, I was already part of it.

Heard of first in the heels of polished shoes striking marble?

Right! A tall figure emerged through the crowd with effortless elegance. He moved like someone who was used to watching cities burn from balconies with a glass of wine in hand.

His presence struck harder than Langston’s. More refined… and somehow even more dangerous. Theron didn’t turn his head. Like he already knew who it was.

And that’s when I saw the man everyone didn’t whisper about because even whispers had too much weight.

Dark suit, no tie, a simple pin on his lapel, a red diamond barely larger than a needle's head. But it gleamed. And when he stopped in front of us, he didn’t even offer a smile.

He just said:

“Theron.”

Theron set his wine glass down.

“Luther.”

That name hit differently. There was obviously history in it. Wounds, maybe. Or secrets. Possibly both.

Luther’s gaze flicked to me in a brief, calculated way. And in that single glance, I felt something cold run down my spine. Not the same oily interest Langston had offered. No. This was the look of someone measuring worth. Asset or liability. A predator assessing another predator’s pet. Theron didn’t rise.

“Is it urgent?” he asked.

Luther stepped closer. Just enough for the low lights to catch the edge of a scar by his jaw, that was thin, almost invisible.

“Jamal… that thief is in town.”

Theron didn’t blink. He just poured himself another glass of wine. And yet… I felt the shift beneath the stillness. A storm rolling in behind glassy eyes.

“How charming,” Theron murmured.

Luther’s voice was lower now. “He wants to talk. He brought a gift.”

“A threat disguised as a gift,” Theron corrected smoothly. “He always was sentimental.”

Luther tilted his head, gaze sharper than ever. “You want me to send him away?”

Theron took a sip and smiled.

“No.”

He leaned back, eyes gleaming with darkness.

“Let him in.”

Luther gave Theron a single nod before turning and disappearing as quietly as he came. The space he left behind felt colder.

Theron shifted his gaze back to me, and the edge in his expression faded into something wicked.

“Scared?” he asked with his voice laced with mockery.

I rolled my eyes.

He chuckled. The sound was low yet sexy, warm, and dangerous.

“That's my elder brother,” he added casually, as if that explained anything.

I blinked. “Seriously?”

He raised a brow, amused. “You sound surprised.”

“I mean… You two don’t exactly scream family.”

Fuck! Just how? I thought the Blackmoor family only had one male heir? Well… maybe weirdness runs in their veins. He smirked again, the corner of his mouth lifting as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. But he didn’t offer an explanation. Just let the silence settle between us, cloaked in unanswered questions.

I wanted to ask more but I stopped myself. Something told me he enjoyed keeping me in the dark.

“Everyone here is a loyal subordinate. To rise and become strong and unstoppable is to have a capable and trustworthy ally because rising means making lots of enemies. If you have enough allies then you have nothing to be scared of.”

I didn't expect to hear that from him.

“They all look like they won't hesitate to kill you and take your place,” I remarked.

“Sometimes you don't judge by what you see." He commented.

“In each circle of socialism, there's a coded language they use in interaction. These are languages that other societies will not understand. That is why in a mixed conference, you can easily seek help from your fellows if you need one without alerting the enemies."

I didn't know Theron could speak such long sentences in one go!! Prolly shouldn't be my focus at the moment but I just couldn't help but notice.

“Interesting. But I don't understand any of it."

“You will. Soon…"

I couldn't help taking a peek at him again. How certain is he that I will?

“When you are with me, there's no way for you to get lost and when I decide to make you into something, you don't get to oppose. Just be an obedient, active cookie pie and maintain your loyalty to me, and I'll give you everything you need including me if you want, just don't ask for freedom, it is non-negotiable.”

I might have heard all those words but “including me" was the two words ringing in my head. Could I be less stupid? I felt my cheeks heat up.

“Does bringing me here count as important?"

“Of course. Letting them know you're mine now is keeping their power under proper control. In each successful field of business, the people who you'll encounter as the greatest obstacles to your growth belong to this circle. Now that they know you're mine, they won't dare counter or oppose you in any way. Countries, they'll try to leech on you to gain favours. Tch! This benefit you can only get by being with me. So think clearly and know who you belong to!"

My Goodness!! I didn't expect his power to run so deep and so forebearing. No wonder Phantom Core International has so far been unstoppable. He had all influences under his control.

If he were this powerful and still wishes that I remain under him, what is he after? What does he know and what does he want?

His hand brushed against mine. “Do you want to leave?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m hungry.”

He leaned in slightly, eyes glinting.

“Good,” he murmured. “Because I’m about to feed you like a spoiled little wife.”