Chapter One Hundred Damien sat on the couch in the living room, sipping calmly from a glass of scotch. He had shed his coat and was wearing only his white button down, which had a gash on its left sleeve, and large blood stains.On the table before him, there was a small towel, which he'd been pressing against the wound to stop the bleeding. It was so soaked with blood that it looked like it originally had the red color, whereas it had been white.His face was calm and his expression impassive but he was actually in deep thought, thinking about what had happened in the office earlier that evening.He'd left his office early, intending to pick Lana up, when he'd seen Diego going to her office instead. He took the assistant aside and asked him to go home, that he'd get Lana himself."Sir, it seems like there's a bit of miscommunication between us, "Diego had said, giving Damien a defiant look, "I do not work for you but for Miss Fernandez. You can't be giving me orders, sir."Damien ha
Chapter One Hundred And OneLana blinked in surprise as Diego rushed towards her, crying and looking her all over to see if she was hurt."Uhm..Diego I'm fine." Lana managed to say as Diego engulfed her in a tight hug, "Just let go already."She tried to push at him, but he was much too strong. She realized he must have confused the blood stains on her dress for hers. Lana didn't blame him. It was a lot which made her not believe Damien, who said it was nothing.They were going to the hospital, whether he likes it or not. But first, she had to get this giant man baby off her."Diego!" She called, exasperatedly pushing at his huge shoulder, "That's enough, I'm fine.""No!" He wept, his voice muffled as he pressed his face into her neck, "Are you really okay, Miss Lana?" He pulled back and held her face in his hands, startling her as he said in a voice choked with tears, "I never should have left you alone.""Ahem." Damien said as he pried Lana loose away from Diego and, pulled her to
Chapter One Hundred And TwoRina paced back and forth in her hotel room waiting for Zaire to call her. She was biting her nails feverishly, and glancing at the phone which was lying on the small table a few feet away from her. "Why isn't he calling, jeez?" She muttered to herself in anger, "What the hell is wrong with him?"She groaned and looked up to the ceiling. She immediately screwed up her nose at what she was looking at. The ceiling was just made out of white plaster with some cheap light bulbs installed on it, or so she thought.She missed the ceiling in her room back in the main house of the Romero Estate. That one was arched and had a splendid chandelier hanging from it, shedding its light in golden spirals all around the room.The room had been massive, with its own terrace and walk in closet and bathroom, equipped with state-of-art amenities. This hotel room was quite spacious as well, but it was definitely not to Rina's taste. It boasted of a double bed, a dressing tabl
Chapter One Hundred And ThreeBella crouched on the ground, trembling in every part of her body. Her hands gripped her phone tightly, and she dared not raise her head to look at him.Liam walked closer to her and leaned against the wall of the house beside them, "Get up." He ordered and Bella quietly got up from the ground.She immediately started talking, "Mr Liam, its really not what you think," she said in a rush, staring up at him with wide, innocent eyes brimming with tears, "Please don't fire me, I promise I won't do it again.""Who were you talking to?" Liam asked calmly, ignoring her pleas for mercy. His intense, level look was too much for her and she bowed her head in fear. At her silence, Liam walked closer and spoke into her ear in a low growl, "I said, who were you talking to?""Its nobody, I swear." The frightened woman reiterated. Tears were dropping freely from her face now, not because she was remorseful but because she knew she was going to lose her job and if she
Chapter One Hundred And FourZaire was in his office, standing in front of his floor to ceiling windows. The sun had already set and he was staring at the impressive skyline of Oakcrest City. Far below him, were hundreds of bright lights coming from the buildings, as well as the long line of vehicles which snaked along the main road.His reflection stared back at him from the glass. Behind him was his assistant, and another man. The other man was kneeling on the floor a few feet by the door. He had his head bowed and was clad all in black. There was a mask in his hand, which was bunched into fists on his thighs.It was the same man who had attacked Lana in her office, and stabbed Damien."So explain to me how an experienced henchman like you can't take out a single woman?" Zaore asked calmly, without turning away from the window.The man gritted his teeth, sweating beneath his layers of clothes but when he spoke, he made sure to keep his voice void of any tremors, "I'm sorry, sir "
Chapter One Hundred And Five"A tail?" Rina repeated, laughing into the phone. "That's ridiculous. What, you think I don't have people of my own who give me information?""That might be true," Zaire thought uneasily. He did not want Rina to have sources and information, damn it!. She was supposed to be a dumb girl that could be used anytime.Rina scoffed at his obvious silence, "I thought you and Lana had something going, " she muttered in a mocking voice, "Something quite special." She laughed out loud as the thought occurred to her again , "But you tried to kill her?! What a way to show your love to somebody Zaire.""Shut up," Zaire ordered, gripping the phone tightly against his ears."And then you failed on your first try?" Rina went on, enjoying the heady feeling that this power gave her. Her voice turned steely, "Or did you chicken out and canceled the hit on her? Dear Zaire, I can make you suffer for that, don't you know?"Zaire laughed slightly as he walked to sit behind his d
Chapter One Hundred And SixThe two men's ears perked up at that statement."What do you mean, happen again?" Damien asked, as his eyes narrowed in suspicion at the maid.Bella looked confused. She looked up nervously at Liam, then back to Damien, "That's what she said, " She uttered quietly, "to keep her updated.""That's like implying something would happen to Miss Lana again," Liam put in and Damien glanced sharply at him, "Possibly another attack."Damien's face darkened as he let out a light scoff, "And Rina is behind all of this?" He asked in disbelief. Liam shrugged, "I wouldn't put it past her, sir." He replied calmly, "Miss Rina is much too unstable. I believe she can do something as psychotic as this."Damien was silent as his brows furrowed in deep thought, thinking about what Liam had just said about Rina.He'd always known she was vicious, but he'd never thought she'd go for a person's life. Since the issue three years ago about Lana's pregnancy, Damien had always view
Chapter One Hundred And SevenLana stepped into the room, giving Bella a tentative smile. Bella bowed and closed the door carefully, while Lana walked towards the two men."Alright, let me know when the meeting with the shareholders is rescheduled," Damien said, quite loudly, "It is very important that you must get back to me today."Liam bowed slightly, "Yes sir," he responded and acknowledging Lana's presence with a nod, he walked out of the room. Lana returned his nod and watched him go out of the office. She placed the small tray on the desk in front of Damien and smiled at him."Something wrong?" She asked, referring to the mention of the meeting with shareholders."No. No." Damien assured her, returning her smile,"Everything's fine."Lana sat down on the plush chair in front of the desk and pointed to the tray in front of him, "Here, have some tea," she said, "Yvette made it for you. It will help you recover." Her voice became quieter as she said that last statement, and her
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FiveGary's eyes widened in alarm and they reddened in the next instant from fury."What the fuck!" He snarled, "Why am I the only one taking the fall? Are you fucking with me right now, Maya?!""Because that's the only way you can save your head! God, are you stupid or something?" She said, throwing up her hands in disgust, "I should have known better than to warn you. I'd have just let your head be blown off in the streets because you deserve it!"Gary scoffed, "That's freaking bullshit." He said, a tiny smirk curving his lips, "You don't scare me and neither does he! I'm calling his bluff."Maya laughed in disbelief, then slowly blinked in confusion as Gary puffed out his chest, tucking his hands deep in his pockets.He was really serious!Her jaw twitching with anger, she jabbed a finger in his shoulder, "Don't say I did not warn you," she snarled, "I'd like to see you so smug when you're six feet under."She stormed off, and Gary watched her, his ey
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FourAs the internal audit raged on, everyone in the affected departments was on edge.The air was thick with tension.It clawed up people's throat and pressured them into seeking religion, making preparations in case they turned up unemployed...Everyone was on edge but no one more than Gary and Maya.They had no idea of the contents of the reports that Noah had drafted out for the regional head.But the rumors flying around the company claimed Noah had practically given the Regional Head everything he needed.It was said that the Regional Head already knew who the culprit was and was bidding his time because the culprit was a big fish.Gary knew he was no big fish but those rumors kept him awake for days, tossing and turning in bed with worry.His mind kept going over everything he did with the Deluxe products for the past three years, the precautions he was sure he took, the way he made sure nothing would point back to him..."But were they really eno
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-ThreeThe discovery of the siphoned goods and the part Noah played in the big reveal spread like wild fire across the company.Everyone marveled at how he was able to pull it off himself.It was said that the reports he provided made the internal audit to move more smoothly than ever.The audtors knew where to go, who to ask questions, what questions to ask based on what Noah had provided.This earned him considerable respect in his department as well as the company. The golden haired mystery man was not as dumb as every one thought he was.Infact, he was being accorded honor by the regional head, who made sure every thing was done to the letter, following Noah's instructions."We cannot misuse such valuable information. Its time to fish out those perpetrators and clease out Romero Solutions," The regional head had declared before he gave Noah a determined look, "If this turns out successful, headquarters will be really pleased with you, Noah."And that
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-TwoThere was stunned silence in the Regional Head's office as Noah made that statement."Wh...what did you say?" The regjonal.head asked in shock and disbelief, "The batches for the deluxe products are being siphoned?! By who?"The regional Head voice was rising by the minute, and his hands curled into fists on his seat."I don't know about that, sir." Noah said, carefully choosing his words else he let something slip.He did not intend to reveal the one behind the crime, mainly because he did not know who the mastermind was.Secondly, he had no evidently of the ones he suspected. These little details will be brought to light when the Regional Manager sets the auditing team to work."When I noticed a pattern of weight discrepancies as well as other inconsistencies in the record, I had to check for myself." He continued but was stopped by Fred."What do you mean, inconsistencies?" The man asked, "What did you discover in the records?,""There were a lot
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty OneGary quickly rushed after her before she could get to the door and drew her back sharply."Hold on, you little bitch," He snarled as he accidentally grabbed her hair as well and pulled her back.Maya winced in pain as she felt strands of her hair being pulled from the scalp, "Ow!" She cried out in agony, "Let me go. At once!""Not until you explain what you mean by that little statement which you just uttered," Gary fired back heatedly."I meant exactly what I said, you piece of trash, " Maya said as she mustered her energy and stomped on his toe with her heeled foot."Ahh!" Gary cried out in anguish as pain exploded in his foot. He let go of her hair at once and doubled over in pain, trying to hold his throbbing toe but it was much too painful.Maya, seeing as she was free from his hold, turned back and stared at him in disdain, "You think I won't take protective measures for myself? You've got to be joking, Gary." She spat out, "You take care of an
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty "Something of utmost importance?" The Regional Head repeated in puzzlement, "What could that be?"Maya's heart slammed in her chest as she heard Noah say those words. Franticaly, she glanced at Gary who had also gone a little pale.A look of terror passed between them and they immediately knew what the important news Noah had for the regional head was."Stop him!" Maya seemed to say with her eyes, glaring at Gary and making motions with her head towards Noah.She was so agitated that she could not stand still. She had been so eager to want to leave this place earlier but now she wouldn't leave for all the world.She had to stay to hear what Noah had to say to the Regional Head.Quick as flash, Gary stepped in between the Regional Head and Noah.Smiling nervously, he started speaking, "Regional Head sir, why don't you allow the Senior sales manager to take you to his office, while you wait for the reports on the audit?" He turned and nodded to Fred, who
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Nine"Infact, these has got to be the best results I've ever seen in a while."Everyone stared in amazement at the Regional Head.He was giving Noah a warm and approving smile, while patting him heartily on the arm."You say they are the best reports that you've ever seen?" Fred asked as he stepped closer to the Regional Head."But that's inpossible," Gary uttered through gritted teeth, "He has no qualifications. How is he able to prepare the best reports you've ever seen?"Everyone almost groaned in annoyance at Gary's stupidity and shamelessness.Maya rolled her eyes and stomped her foot impatiently on the marble floor.It was bad enough to stand here like some kind of lackey, and watch the regional director do his job but now she had to listen with her heart in her mouth, hoping that Gary does not let any information slip."He talks too much," she thought angrily, biting her lower lip in annoyance, "if he dares to say anything concerning the deluxe pr
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty EightJaws dropped in shock as Noah stepped out of the throng of employees and stood directly in front of the Regional head.Everyone was shocked at his boldness.This was a chance for him to make his escape and blame the superiors for giving him such an important task.He was not that learned nor did he have much qualifications. They knew that, yet he was still asked to prepare the reports in such a short time.Although he did not have much chance of defending himself, since he was a lower level employee, yet the Regional head was known to be fair to others not on his level.He hated any sort of unfair practice and he would definitely side with Noah if he revealed he had been pressured into making the reports.Yet, Noah had come out boldly, as if he was ready to take the fall, the consequences of making such sloppy reports."He's done for," Greg sighed in despair, watching Noah with pitiful eyes."He really is just a golden haired dumbass," Jason agreed
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty SevenThere seemed to be a shift in the air as the regional head uttered those words.Fred immediately turned to Gary who had provided the reports from Noah.Within seconds, the report was in the senior sales manager's hands, and Fred passed it onto the Regional head."Here you go, sir." He said, "Everything has been prepared for you. We can send the shipment right away of you want."Very calmly the man took hold of the reports and went through it. The Vulcan reports were supposed to cover every detail of a huge shipment which was being sent out in a month's time.The regional head aimed to start from the report because whenever there was a big shipment such as this one, there was always one problem or the other.Whenever huge contracts like this one was given to the company, the regional manager makes sure to come down to Crestview and oversee everything himself. Now everyone, including Noah waited with bated breaths to see how he would react to the r