Chapter One Hundred And Seventy-Eight"It seems Romero has been able to gain access into our base.""The fuck did you just say to me?!" Zaire snarled as he pulled the door to Lana's room close behind him, "He accessed our base? How the fuck was he able to do that with his weak system?!"Aryan swallowed hard as he spoke carefully, "It seems he had help from Fernandez." He informed Zaire, "The email which we sent to Miss Vermont was the key to the base, sir."Zaire immediately gripped the collars of Aryan's shirt, fiercely and drew him to him, "You said there was no way they'd be able to trace it!" Zaire said harshly, baring his teeth at Aryan, "What is the meaning of this sloppy work?!"Aryan averted his gaze from Zaire, even as the strain of his collars being gripped was making it difficult for him to breath."I'm sorry, sir." He uttered in a small voice, looking more than a trifle apologetic, "I made sure I looked through it all but Fernandez has one of the best IT teams and system i
Chapter One Hundred And Seventy-NineGripping the metal torchlight to her chest, Lana hurried back into the room and climbed unto the bed once more.She glanced back at the door, her ears picking up every little sound. She expected it to open up at any moment and Zaire would walk in.She'd get caught before she even started anything and faced with more torment than she could imagine."There's no time to waste." She reminded herself as she edged closer to the wall, "Let's get out of here, Lana."Slowly, she reached out her hand to the wall and pushed it. The wall did not budge.Lana swallowed hard as her heart started beating faster once again.What the hell? Why isn't the wall opening up now?She pushed the wall again with all her might and still nothing."Okay Lana." She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "Remain calm and think. We have to open this wall."She closed her eyes and tried to remember how she'd had managed to open the wall earlier that day.Her memory was fuzzy w
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty Zaire was still in his study with Aryan, who was making numerous calls.It really seemed like Romero was on his way to Moreno, due to the tip off that Rina had given them.Zaire regretted ever revealing this place to Rina. He had brought her here as well and a bitter taste filled his mouth, as he realized how her presence must have tainted his precious sanctuary."I really should have killed her a long time ago." He thought to himself as he downed the contents of his second glass of whiskey.Well, there was still time.He could still kill her and also give the same treatment to his beloved half-brother. A slight smile curved his lips as he relished the thought of Damien coming to challenge him on his own turf.He'd be able to come in easily but to go out will not be so easy.He also regretted the fact that he'd brought Lana to Moreno. He could have easily taken her to Italy or Cuba, but he figured they were too far away and he needed to still be able to
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-One.Lana turned sharply and looked into the darkness behind her. It seemed as though she'd heard something scream. Or was it her imagination?Imagination or not, it was definitely the cue she needed to open the fucking trapdoor. Luckily, the trapdoor wasn't locked and opened up easily before her to reveal another darkness below.Lana swallowed hard as a sudden rush of cold air hit her face. She shivered uncontrollably and willed her beating heart to calm down.This was just the same as walking into the passageway, she reminded herself, Everything will be fine. There are no snakes waiting down there.The way the wind whistled from below made her wonder how far the drop was.She laid down the trapdoor, and peered down into the hole with her torchlight. The beam flashed on a slab of wood below her, then another and another all connected with a rope.A ladder!She allowed the light of the torch to travel down until she finally saw the ground.It was not ve
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-TwoShe was in the forest, running with her hands stretched out in front of her as she stumbled over fallen tree logs. Her dress was torn and her knees were scraped. She was limping due to the cuts under the sole of her feet, which the cool damp earth of the forest did nothing to soothe.Yet, Lana ran.She was blinded by a film of tears and terrified gasps came out of her mouth as she stumbled through the dark forest."LANA!"He was close!He would get her and throw her back into that suffocating place. Taking control of her whole life."No, never..." Lana muttered breathlessly as she ran. The moon was hidden behind the huge rain clouds filling the sky now. Now, and then, lightening cracked through the sky, sending a flash of white through the forest.The rumbling of thunder will follow soon after and it made Lana shriek and shudder in terror as she ran.No! No! Stay away, please!Suddenly, a hand shot out from before her and grabbed her throat tightly,
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-ThreeThe words were hardly out of his mouth when the door to the room was pushed open and a middle-aged woman appeared.Lana turned to the door sharply, fear written all over her face as the woman walked into the room silently, and her eyes met that of Lana's. The next instant, they widened with joy and relief."You're awake! Oh thank heavens!" She said as she rushed towards Lana and took both of her hands in hers, "I knew you'd come around! Bless the heavens!"She turned to look at the red haired man, who went about his watering as calmly as before."Look Adrian, I told you she'll be fine." She said as she beamed up at Lana, because she was clearly four inches shorter than her."I know mother," The red haired guy, Adrian replied drily, "I treated her."Lana stared at him, "Treated?" She asked, eyeing the guy in surprise.He was a doctor?The middle aged woman nodded, "Adrian had found you in the forest when he went for his morning walk." She explained
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-FourThe banging on the door continued and silence fell in the room.It took a while for Lana to realize that the banging was not actually on the door to the room.It sounded farther, but that did nothing to ease the trembling of her body or the loud thumps of her heart beat."I said, open up!" Another yell came and this time it was accompanied by a solid thump, like a vicious kick to the door."What the hell? Who knocks like that?" Adrian said, frowning in annoyance. He was about to walk towards the door when Anila stopped him."No Adrian! Don't go." She called out to him, holding out a hand to stop him.Adrian looked from the door to his mother, "What?" He asked, his confusion becoming more apparent. Lana exchanged a frightened glance with Anila, who was calmer actually.She patted Lana's hand then stood up and walked towards the door."I will go out and meet them" She said calmly to Adrian."Excuse me?" Adrian asked, arching an eyebrow at that state
Chapter One Hundred And Eighty-five "Let's go in, first." Anila said urgently as she walked into the corridor and pressed the button on the wall, watching with bated breath until the shelf slid back into place.She turned to Adrian then, "What about the young Miss?" She asked as she walked past him, "Is she okay?""Screw the young miss." Adrian spat out loudly in anger as they both entered the small room, "What the hell is going on? Who the hell were those men?!"Adrian was clearly frustrated. He did not mean to yell and rarely lost his cool, but he was pissed with what just happened a few moments ago in his own house.Anila sighed, "if you will only let me explain, then I will. Stop yelling at me." She reprimanded him as she walked over to Lana.Lana was huddled on the bed, cowering under the bed covers in fear. She and Adrian had stayed back in the room when Anila had gone out.She had been trembling and whimpering in fear as they heard the men ransacked the room, while Adrian pace
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
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Six"What?"Gary started asking but then a telephone began ringing loudly on one of the desks in the office and a colleague picked it up."Hello? really?!" The man looked alarmed. He nodded frantically as he ended the call, and looked at them all, "The Regional Head is here!"There was a general wave of murmurs and a flurry of movement occurred as everyone arranged their works, and gave their repirst last minutes touches.Gary glared at the man who had announced the Regional Head's arrival. The little fool had announced it before he even had time to think of his next plan. He turned back to Noah, who was giving him a calm look, his face devoid of any sort of emotion.Gary wagged his fingers ar him, "No games from you." He gritted, "If you try to pull a quick one on me in front of the Regional Head, I'll make sure it boomerangs on you."There was a bit of silence after that statement where both men just stared at each other, quiet hatred and fury simmer
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty FiveNoah stared him down calmly, even though he was boiling with rage inside, "Where is what?""Where is the freaking file?!" Gary screamed as he flung all the reports to the ground in one swift move of fury.Noah bounded to his feet in anger, "Gary!" He yelled, "Enough of this!"Gary was stunned but in the next minute he burst into a ridiculous laughter at Noah's audacity. "Look at him," he laughed, pointing at Noah's enraged face, "he's yelling at me! Wow, you must have some guts now because of what you discovered, right?"At that moment, Noah leaned forward to say in his ears, "Yea, that's exactly what's up."As those words left Noah's lips, Gary froze on the spot. He had not exactly believed Noah had the file even after Maya told him so but now he did.He was not a man of weak spirit but as soon as he heard those words from Noah, he knew without a doubt that he was doomed.This golden haired gigolo really did have the file.He stared at Noah in h
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Four"What are you talking about?"Gary asked, with a small frown as he pressed the phone closer to his ear. "I said, what the fuck did you do with the deluxe products file?" Maya asked once more in a low but fierce voice. "Oh, that." Gary sounded bored, then his voice turned sinister, "The Deluxe Hydration kits. I got rid of it. What about it? Why are you asking about it?"Maya scoffed, "Is that so?" She hissed, "then tell me why Noah has a file exactly like that one? Tell me why he stood in front of the shipment in the warehouse which were siphoned?"There was a moment of silence as Gary tried to process her words, "You're lying" he snarled, his pulse going into overdrive immediately, "There's no way he'd know about that!""Well, he does," Maya snapped in a loud voice and when she received sharp looks from her colleagues, she bared her teeth at them and lowered her voice, "I'm telling you, I saw a file similar to that one in his hands.""For God's