02 - An Unexpected Encounter

"All investors pulled out this morning, and the permit for our main project was frozen without any reason," Uncle Charlee said with a grim expression, throwing the file onto the mahogany conference table.

"It's not surprising," Xander replied flatly from near the window. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared out at the skyline of skyscrapers. "A freeze this fast could only happen under a direct order from Mr. Reginald's faction."

"They really want to lock down our every move," Charlee whispered, rubbing his temples. "So, what should we do, Xander?"

Before Xander could give an instruction, the double doors of the conference room suddenly burst open without a knock.

Antonio Wilson stepped in alone, a crooked, arrogant smirk on his face.

"This room always feels way too crowded with idealists like you, Charlee," Mr. Antonio called out, his heavy voice filling the room.

Charlee immediately stood up straight. "Antonio? What are you doing here? We are having an internal meeting. Please, anyone who doesn't belong here, leave."

"An internal meeting?" Mr. Antonio laughed mockingly as he walked toward the table. "Why waste time when your company is about to go under anyway? I'm only here to save you before you go completely bankrupt."

"Save us?" Charlee smiled coldly. "You blocked our permits through your connections, and now you're acting like a hero? Don't be ridiculous, Antonio."

"Business is all about flexibility, Charlee," Mr. Antonio cut in coldly. "The clean principles you idolize won't feed thousands of your employees once your permit is revoked. In the real world, power determines who survives."

Charlee looked at his legal team. "All of you, leave the room."

The staff quickly gathered their files and rushed out with tense faces, leaving Charlee and Xander face-to-face with Antonio.

Antonio pulled a black folder from inside his suit coat and tossed it roughly onto the table. "Hand over forty percent of the main project's shares to my consortium. Sign it, and tomorrow morning every permit freeze will be lifted."

"And if I refuse?" Charlee challenged.

"By next month, this company will be nothing but a memory," Antonio threatened sharply. "You will never win against me."

"He isn't refusing alone, Mr. Antonio."

Xander's deep voice sliced through the tension. Stepping forward with steady strides toward the table, his tall frame stood like a shield in front of Uncle Charlee. An intimidating aura instantly radiated from Xander, crushing the room's atmosphere.

Antonio looked at his biological son with a disdainful glare. "Xander. Still happy playing guard dog for your uncle? Come back to the Wilson family! Your place is at the top, not serving a man who's about to sink."

"My place is with people who have self-respect," Xander fired back coldly, without a second of hesitation. "Not in a camp of losers who have to crawl around just to bring down a single company."

"Insolent fool! You talk like that to your own father?!" Antonio roared, his face flushing deep red.

"Father?" Xander let out a bitter chuckle. "What kind of father steals the fortune of his own wife's family? You're nothing more than a greedy manipulator, Mr. Antonio."

Xander locked eyes with Antonio, his gaze piercing and full of emphasis.

"Keep your piece of trash paper, Mr. Antonio. Don't you ever dream of touching Uncle Charlee or taking even one percent of this company's assets. As long as I'm breathing, I will burn you to the ground until there's nothing left."

The room fell dead silent. The sheer weight of Xander's threat left Antonio frozen, his jaw locked tight.

"Fine," Antonio hissed, snatching his black folder back aggressively. "Let's see how long your arrogance lasts when your precious uncle ends up in prison over a framed audit!"

"Go ahead and try," Xander replied coldly. "Just make sure you don't slip up first."

Holding back his fury, Antonio turned sharply and slammed the door behind him as he stormed out.

Uncle Charlee let out a long sigh, sinking back weakly into his chair. "Xander, what you just did will only make Antonio more desperate. He won't hesitate to play dirty."

"Let him get desperate, Uncle. The more moves he makes, the more openings we'll have to strike back," Xander said firmly. He then pressed the intercom button. "Luke, Logan. Come to my office right now. Tighten internal security and track all of my father's financial flows."

"Understood, Mr. Xander," Logan's voice answered over the speaker.

Xander clenched his fists tightly, staring at the door that had just slammed shut.

"Now, there's one person who can help us, Uncle. Someone who can give us a way out of this," Xander said.

Uncle Charlee's brow furrowed slightly. "Who?"

...

The black sports car sped through the city streets. Irish's grip on the steering wheel was so intense that her knuckles turned stark white. Her hands and feet were still shaking violently, processing the storm of emotions burning inside her chest.

She stared down at her palm, still hot to the touch. The sting of slapping Axel was real, and the feeling of choking Chloe was just as real.

This isn't a dream. I really made it back ten years into the past.

With trembling hands, Irish tapped a button on the dashboard screen, connecting a call through a private line. It only rang twice before a voice echoed through the car's speakers.

"Irish? Calling at this hour? Aren't you out on a date with Axel?"

Joey Robert—her cousin—sounded warm over the dashboard speakers.

"Joey." Irish's voice choked up, shaking as she held back tears. "Don't you ever say that bastard's name again."

"Irish? What's wrong? Why do you sound like that?" Joey's tone instantly turned anxious. "What happened? Did Axel mess up again? Or Chloe?"

"I need to see you right now," Irish cut in quickly, spinning the wheel. "I'm on my way to Grandma Margaret's house. Can you get there now?"

"Grandma's house?" Joey sounded confused. "Yeah, I'm nearby. But are you okay, Irish?"

"I'll explain everything at Grandma's. Please make sure Grandma is home and take good care of her until I get there," Irish whispered in an intensely emotional, pleading tone.

"Okay, okay, I'm heading over now. Drive safe—"

Irish's eyes suddenly went wide in sheer horror. At the intersection ahead, a dark luxury sedan abruptly cut right across her lane without warning.

"Aaaaaakh!"

Irish's scream shattered the silence of the cabin. Her instincts kicked in fast—her foot slammed on the brake pedal with all her strength while she jerked the wheel to the right to dodge it. The tires shrieked wildly, tearing through the quiet street.

Ckiiiiiith!

Brak!