Chapter One Hundred And Twenty ThreeDamien sat in his office, one hand propped on his desk, with his fingers on his head as he read the file in his hands, over and over again.But no matter how much he read it, he was not able to concentrate or get past the first page. His thoughts kept drifting back to a certain red head, and forest green eyes.Sensous lips, pale full breasts and milky skin...Damien groaned loudly and dripped the file. He held his head in his hands, rubbing the ache that had settled there.The thought of what had transpired in his room with Lana, that morning caused him to have a permanent hard-on, his bulging length pushing against his zipper, begging for release.Damien stood up and walked to the small bar in his office, yanking at his tie as he went. The room was suddenly hot and he rolled up his sleeves to his elbow before pouring himself a stiff drink, downing it in one gulp.The image of Lana on the edge of her release, shuddering against him while she rode
Chapter One Hundred And Twenty-FourRina sat in her room in Vera's quarters, in deep thought. She held a glass of wine and stared fixedly into the distance, her face impassive and unreadable.She thought of her last encounter with Zaire and took a deep swallow of her wine, dropping the empty glass on the floor beside her.Her hands went to her neck and she massaged gently, recalling the pain she'd felt when Zaire had pulled her hair, snapping her head back. "He almost killed me that night."Rina blinked rapidly as her eyes watered, whenever she thought of how close she was to losing her life and by someone whom she thought was on the same side as her.She'd run back to Vera that night, after leaving the Oriental Hotel.Zaire would never find her here, she was sure of it. Vera's mansion was the last place he'd expect her to be.She needed to stay here until she knew her next line of action.She was glad she was able to play with Vera's feelings once more. Once Vera had heard she'd be
Chapter One Hundred And Twenty-FiveBella visibly shuddered with resentment and fear as she ended the call. She always felt like crap whenever she had a conversation with Rina."You did well." Liam said, scrutinizing Bella with a cool gaze from where he stood by the floor to ceiling windows in Damien's office. Bella bowed slightly, and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Liam had not been harsh nor had she messed up with what had been asked of her, but she was still very uncomfortable. Probably, because Damien had not said a word after the phone call. Her eyes darted to where he was seated very straightbacked on his chair at the head of the table. He had his eyes closed all through her conversation with Rina, as if he was asleep but the slight furrow of his brows indicatedvthat he was awake and aware of everything that was going on.They were all gathered in Damien's office, Bella, Liam and Damien.After listening to the recordings retrieved from the tapes earlier, Damien had order
Chapter One Hundred And Twenty SixBella stopped abruptly as Lana grabbed her arm. She looked back at Lana, then cast her uncertain gaze on Damien."Why are you with my box?" Lana asked, her voice sharp. Without waiting for an answer, she whirled on Damien, "Why is she with my box?!"Damien had his head on his hand, his eyes closed with frustration. Liam was on his feet in seconds as he walked over to the women."Miss Lana, if you'll just step into the office," he stepped round them to close the door behind, which had been left wide open by Lana. He turned to face the women and met Lana's steely glare. She placed her hand on the box, "Hand it over." She said, glaring at the maid who flinched and immediately let go of the box, scuttling backwards."No."They all turned to face Damien who was staring at them, a grim expression on his face.His expression became soft, however when he spoke to Lana, "Give her the box, Lana.""And why would I do such a thing?" Lana shot back at him, eyei
Chapter One Hundred And Twenty-SevenRina sat in her car, tapping long red, manicured nails impatiently on her steering wheel. Her hair was covered with a scarf and she had a pair of huge goggles on her face, which she peered through.The goggles, however, hid her face more than making her see clearly, and in frustration she wrenched it off her face, and threw it on the chair beside her.She did not care if she was recognized.She was already on the verge of storming across the parking lot of the mall, checking out everybody's faces herself in search for Bella.She had arranged to meet Bella in the parking lot of the biggest mall in the city. It was quite packed now with carts, and also a few people milled about, pushing trolleys and placing groceries in their cars.Bella had gotten hold of the box and Rina could not say how pleased she was. She was also very impressed with Bella for getting the box within such notice.Truly, she was reliable. The mall was the perfect spot to meet Be
Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Eight "Did you ever once think that Rina could harm you?"Damien froze, his arm suspended in mid-air as he tried placing a bowl of soup in front of Lana. After a moment, he placed the bowl down in front of her, while she stared at him, expectantly with expressive green eyes.They were seated at the table in the Romero Villa, having dinner. The entire table was filled with mouthwatering dishes- meats, mashed potatoes, salads, bread rolls, stir fries- they were so much that, they could feed an entire village.Lana always wondered why each meal at the Villa was like a banquet, and wondered if Damien always ate like that.She had no idea of his eating pattern or preference, because they've never shared a meal together in their marriage. Except if Laura invited them over to her place for dinner, and they had to endure the strenuous task of being in each other's presence. It was strenuous for Damien because he always acted like it was a chore to have one mea
Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Nine"You were foolish enough to have your room bugged?!"Zaire screamed at Rina, throwing an ashtray viciously over to her direction. Rina flinched, as the tray missed her face by an inch. She scooted to the edge of her seat, and crossed her arms to keep from shaking. She lifted her chin haughtily and tried not to look as rattled as she felt. Infact, she looked ready to bolt but that might not be the wisest of decisions.At the door to Zaire's office, Aryan stood there looking as big and burly as a guide dog. He stared fixedly at her and his icy glare and unreadable expression, sent shivers down her spine and made her avert her gaze quickly. When Rina had reached out to Zaire earlier, asking to meet up, Aryan was the one who had brought her in.He'd been tailing her ever since she left the Romero mansion, and had materialized suddenly in front of her when Zaire gave the order for them to meet in his office.He had not been very nice and Rina seethed i
Chapter One Hundred And Thirty"Sir, the investors from Mauritania have pulled out from the deal. They are demanding we pay for the breach of contract as well!"Damien slammed his open palm on the top of his desk, and the entire desk rattled violently. He was breathing hard as he raked his hand through his head, trying to process the news Liam had just told him.This was the first real emotion he'd shown since they arrived at the office that morning, and realized they were neck deep in crisis.A series of attack had hit Romero that morning. Hackers had infiltrated their systems and stolen sensitive data, trade secrets, financial records...Some of these data were placed on the dark web, while the others were still inaccessible, with the hackers demanding for a ransom of up to four hundred and fifty billion.Typical ramsomeware, but it had to come at this particular time.Some investors and customers had already gotten wind of what was happening in Romero, and how sensitive information
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