CHAPTER 5

 

Damien

“…Let’s pretend neither of us saw anything tonight.” She held out her coffee cup with a small smile. “Deal.” For a brief moment… The night felt strangely peaceful. Then

Buzz. My phone vibrated inside my coat pocket. I glanced at the screen. Marcus: URGENT. We found the leak.

 

The warmth in my expression disappeared. Business. I slipped the phone back into my pocket. Miss Bennett tilted her head. “Bad news?”

 

I met her curious gaze. “Something that requires my attention.” “So… you’re leaving?”

“Yes.” She frowned. You really know how to ruin a conversation.” A corner of my mouth twitched. “I don’t remember us having one.” “Oh, we were.”

 

“I was winning.” She rolled her eyes.  “Good night, Miss Bennett.” Without waiting for her reply, I turned and walked toward my Aston Martin.

 

I could feel her staring at my back. Confused. Annoyed. Some questions were better left unanswered.

Twenty-five minutes later… The private elevator opened directly into my penthouse. Marcus was already waiting. His face was unreadable.

 

That alone told me everything. Something had gone very wrong. A man was forced onto his knees.

His hands were tied behind his back. Blood stained the sleeve of his white office shirt. His breathing was uneven. His eyes were filled with fear.

 

Ethan leaned casually against the bar, slowly swirling the whiskey in his glass. For once... He wasn't smiling.

 

I walked past everyone without saying a word. The only sound inside the penthouse was the steady click of my shoes against the marble floor. I stopped in front of the man.

 

He refused to look at me. "Look at me." My voice was calm. He hesitated. Marcus grabbed his hair and forced his head up. Our eyes met. Recognition flashed across his face.

 

Then terror. I knew him. Daniel Brooks. Senior analyst. Finance Division. Five years with Blackwood International.

"Do you know how I built Blackwood International?" The employee stayed silent. I took another step closer.  "By trusting very few people."

 

A faint smile appeared on the man's bruised face. "Then enjoy that trust while it lasts, Mr Blackwood..." "What is that supposed to mean?" The man laughed weakly.

 

Marcus handed me a black folder. Inside were printed copies of confidential Blackwood documents. Information is worth billions."You've made a very expensive mistake." I closed the folder. "You disappoint me, Daniel."

 

"I... I can explain." I raised a hand. He fell silent immediately. "I don't want excuses." "I want a name." His breathing became heavier. "I don't know what you mean."

 

I looked at Marcus. Marcus pressed a button on the remote. The giant television switched on. Security footage. Daniel. Entering the restricted archive.

 

Copying files onto a flash drive. His face drained of colour. “I'll ask again." "Who sent you?" I walked closer until only a few inches separated us.

 

"You stole from me." "You betrayed my company." "So tell me..." "Who convinced you it was worth dying for?"

 

His shoulders shook. The employee cries. "They..." "They'll kill my family." I crouched until we were eye level. "Then you've chosen the wrong man to fear."

 

For a second... I thought he was going to speak. His lips parted. "He..." Suddenly, his body jerked violently.

 

Foam appeared at the corner of his mouth. Marcus moved instantly. "Sir!" Daniel collapsed onto the marble floor. Within seconds...

 

He stopped breathing. Marcus checked his pulse. Nothing. Ethan's expression darkened. "He poisoned himself."

I stared at the lifeless body. No anger. No surprise. Only one thought crossed my mind. This wasn't a desperate employee. This was a trained pawn.

 

Marcus searched Daniel's pockets. Wallet. Keys. A cheap burner phone. He handed it to me. The screen lit up by itself.

 

One message.

IF YOU'RE READING THIS... YOU'RE ALREADY TOO LATE.

 

Before anyone could react, the screen went black. Every file erased itself. Marcus cursed under his breath.

 

I slipped the useless phone into my pocket and walked toward the window overlooking the city. Somewhere beneath those lights... Someone had just challenged me.

 

A faint smile crossed my face. "Interesting." Ethan looked at me. "You know who it is?"

I kept my eyes on the skyline. "No." "But whoever they are..." "They've just declared war on Blackwood."

 

Lightning flashed across the sky. For the first time in years... I wasn't thinking about winning. I was wondering.

“Who dared to make the first move?”

 

While handing me the glass of whiskey, Etha says, "Should I start looking?" I took the glass of whiskey. "No." "Let them think they've won."

 

Marcus receives another call. He answers. His expression changes.

He looks at me. "Sir..." "There's been another breach."

 

I turn slowly. "What was taken?" Marcus hesitates. Then says: "An employee file."

I ask, "Whose?" Marcus looks down.

 

"Aria Bennett."