Chapter 8

LTM AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

BOARD ROOM

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the LTM Automobile Industry headquarters as Richard strode into the boardroom, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. Dressed in a tailored black suit that accentuated his commanding presence, he carried a stack of files under one arm. Cheng followed closely behind, his usual easy smile replaced by a serious demeanor.

The moment Richard spread the files across the long mahogany table, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. Several investors and board members went pale, their eyes widening in disbelief. Leaked documents, design blueprints, and marketing strategies for LTM’s upcoming revolutionary motorbike—the Apex Rider—stared back at them. But the worst part was the rival company’s advertisement plastered across the pages: Vanguard Motors had already begun promoting an eerily similar model, and their launch date had been moved forward by two weeks.

Whispers rippled through the room. Everyone understood what this meant. Someone had snitched. Core data had been sold to the enemy.

Richard remained standing at the head of the table, his face an icy mask. Inside, fury burned hot, but he refused to let it show. He had built LTM from the ground up with Cheng, turning it into one of the most innovative automobile giants in the industry. Betrayal was not something he tolerated lightly.

“Someone in this room has betrayed me,” Richard said, his voice low and dangerously calm. “This isn’t the first time. The last man who tried something similar didn’t live to see the end of the week.”

A heavy silence fell. A few board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

“I am a law-abiding citizen,” Richard continued, his eyes scanning every face. “I will never kill anyone with my own hands. But don’t mistake that for weakness. I have enough backing to make sure anyone who crosses me regrets it for the rest of their life.”

Before anyone could respond, Richard raised a hand. “This morning, when you all entered this meeting, your phones were collected at the door. No one leaves until we settle this.”

With a nod from Richard, Cheng dimmed the lights. The projector flickered to life, and a chilling video began playing on the large screen. The footage showed a man being brutally beaten and murdered in a dark alley. Gasps and murmurs of horror filled the room. Some looked away; others stared in frozen shock.

“That man,” Richard said coldly, “was the last traitor. He siphoned two billion dollars from this company to fly his family abroad. He thought he could escape justice.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

“I’ll ask only once: Who did it? I don’t want to use my connections to find out. I already know the leak could only have come from two departments present in today’s meeting—the board members themselves, the construction department, or the finance department. After a quiet investigation, I’ve confirmed that neither the construction nor finance teams had access to the full blueprints or launch timeline. That leaves only one possibility.”

All eyes darted around the table. Board members exchanged nervous glances. Sweat beaded on several foreheads.

Finally, a middle-aged man with thinning hair and trembling hands stood up slowly. Mr. Edward Watt, one of the longest-serving board members. A flicker of genuine shock crossed Richard’s face before he masked it perfectly.

“Why?” Richard asked, his tone deceptively soft.

Mr. Watt’s voice cracked as he spoke. “I… I had no choice. Victor Kane, the CEO of Vanguard Motors, kidnapped my wife and son. They already cut off one of my wife’s fingers and sent it to me as proof. I couldn’t… I couldn’t let them die. Please, Mr. Logard, you have to understand.”

The room erupted in stunned whispers. Richard’s jaw tightened, but his expression remained composed. He had suspected internal betrayal, but hearing the rival’s name—Victor Kane—confirmed his growing suspicions. Vanguard Motors had been a thorn in LTM’s side for years, always one step behind but increasingly aggressive.

“Cheng,” Richard said without looking away from Mr. Watt, “handle this. Ensure Mr. Watt’s family is recovered safely and discreetly. As for the Apex Rider… it launches before Vanguard’s copy. Push the team. Work day and night if necessary. We will bury them in the market.”

Cheng nodded sharply. “Consider it done, sir.”

Richard dismissed the meeting with a single command. “Get out. All of you. And remember—this company protects its own, but it destroys traitors.”

As the board members filed out in tense silence, Richard remained standing, staring at the now-blank projector screen. Victor Kane had gone too far this time.

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Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Jenny stirred awake to the soft morning light streaming into the bedroom. She reached out instinctively, only to find the other side of the bed empty and cold. Richard was already gone.

She didn’t think much of it. He was a busy man—the CEO of a major automobile empire. Urgent business could call at any hour. Still, a small part of her felt the sting of disappointment after last night’s surprisingly gentle goodnight.

Shaking off the thought, Jenny stood up and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. When she returned to the room to change, her eyes widened in shock. Several large designer bags and boxes were neatly arranged on the chaise lounge and beside the wardrobe. Curiosity drew her closer.

She opened the first bag and gasped. Inside were rows of exquisite dresses from top luxury brands—silk, chiffon, and tailored pieces that looked like they belonged on a runway. Another bag held elegant shoes in various styles: heels, flats, and boots. There were necklaces, earrings, and delicate bracelets sparkling with diamonds and precious stones. Makeup kits from high-end brands sat beside them, along with bottles of perfume that smelled divine.

Then she opened a smaller, more intimate bag.

Lingerie.

Sets in delicate lace, satin, and silk—different colors and sizes, all clearly chosen with care. Her face turned beet red instantly. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she stared at the delicate undergarments.

“How can a man buy something like this for his wife… or rather, his arranged partner?” she whispered to herself, mortified. Her heart raced. It felt too personal, too intimate for the cold man she had married.

Embarrassed beyond words, she quickly shoved the lingerie bag aside and dashed back into the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. After composing herself, she carefully selected one of the simpler yet elegant dresses—a soft cream-colored sundress that fell gracefully to her knees. It fit perfectly, as if tailored just for her.

Once dressed, Jenny calmly removed the old bandage from her hand, cleaned the small wound, and applied a fresh one. She then took her time arranging all the new clothes, shoes, and accessories neatly into the spacious wardrobe. The gesture from Richard—though overwhelming—made her feel strangely cared for.

With everything organized, she headed downstairs, her steps lighter than the day before.

Granny Emma was already in the sunlit dining area, sipping tea and reading a newspaper. The older woman’s face lit up the moment she saw Jenny.

“Good morning, my dear!” Granny Emma greeted warmly, setting the paper aside. “You look absolutely beautiful. Did you sleep well?”

Jenny smiled shyly, blushing again as memories of the lingerie flashed in her mind. “Good morning, Granny. Yes, I did. Thank you.”

“Come sit. Breakfast is ready. I heard Richard left early—probably another one of his important meetings. That boy never rests.” Granny Emma shook her head fondly, though concern flickered in her eyes. “But tell me, how are you feeling this morning? Any better after yesterday?”

Jenny nodded as she took a seat. “Much better. The new clothes… they’re too much. I don’t know how to thank him.”

Granny Emma chuckled. “That’s Richard’s way of showing he cares, even if he doesn’t say it outright. He may act like a devil to the world, but deep down, he has a good heart. You just need to give him time, dear.”

Jenny looked down at her plate, a small hopeful smile tugging at her lips.