MILES: Two of my other partners backed out, saying they were joining forces with Howard. I had to wrap up the agricultural project as soon as possible. Then, take my revenge on the hydro-electrical project. It was my father's wish to venture into agriculture, and I am making that wish come true since he didn't live to see this day. He had the foresight and knew that agriculture was something that would never go into extinction. Most of every other stuff, including this soon-to-fail project called that Alan Stalker of a boy was bidding on would also fail. If all my trusted partners were backing out, I needed to make sure they had a good cry later on. Back to Meredith, the flight incident also showed me that she was a soft, vulnerable person whom I needed to pay close attention to in the future. And our outfits didn't help either. I had scolded Brandon for his choice of dressing, but I couldn't blame the guy anyway. I didn't specify what I wanted. Before going to the company, getting

MEREDITH: "One of our investigations points to human traffickers. He was lured by powerful individuals who promised him wealth if he left his agency. The night he went missing, he had actually gone for a job presentation. And the culprits are well-connected, using all their resources to cover up the case. Your brother is not their only victim, but he is the only known one," he explained solemnly. That night remains etched vividly in my mind, the memories as fresh as if they had occurred yesterday instead of months ago. A scene replayed in my thoughts, one that would never be erased, for it was also the same night Alan ended our relationship. I could still picture Christian's happy face as he grabbed his backpack filled with his computer gear. He had been working tirelessly on a project for over six months, and he had excitedly told me about securing a presentation at another agency that would pay him handsomely, improving our lives. All I wanted was for him to be happy and live a l

MILES: Richard was being truthful. Steele had been refusing to finalize the contract because he was skeptical about the kind of man I was. If I were some family man with three kids, an incompetent protruding belly, and no vision for his club, he would be more than happy to sign it over. I didn't care much one way or another. I knew I must get it. I could work within those boundaries. Another advantage of getting into this club was that it would fuel my chances of incorporating new partners into my main goal. I couldn't wait to see Howard's face when he heard the news, as the greatest of those who withdrew their partnership. "I can adjust, Richard. Just make an arrangement and leave the rest to me. We've been having business meetings and finalizing stuff, but I haven't met him once. Plus, he wants to withdraw at the last minute. That's a bit unfair." "It's not only that." I waited until the waiter withdrew after delivering our fresh drinks. I studied Richard briefly. His full silve

MILES: The next morning, an idea struck me, but I wasn't confident to execute it. I needed to figure out how to go about it. I could accomplish it—it was my field of expertise, after all—I was a business person. My main problem was the guilt I felt thinking about my plan. Meredith knocked timidly, waiting until I shouted for her to enter. She came in, carefully carrying a coffee, and set it on my desk. "This is a peace offering for the unproductive meeting yesterday." "Do you think we are friends?" I asked. "I don't understand." "Miss Tate, do you think we are friends?" "I thought you would appreciate a cup of coffee, and I needed to apologize for yesterday, since I was unable to meet you in your office last night as you requested. I fell asleep after I showered." I glowered at her. "Stop thinking, Miss Tate. We are not friends. You're my employee. A subordinate. If I summon you, you come running. Thank you for the coffee. I will take it. But next time, instead of coffee, bring

MILES: The building housing the STEELE club towered over every other one around it. It was bold, stood out, and was a vast skyscraper of steel and glass, surrounded by trees. This was the Headquarters, while the stadium itself was located a bit away. No wonder Steele was refusing to give it up to just anyone. Who would carelessly relinquish such a beauty? The outside had an equivalent structure to my company. At Steele, it was more like a family business, as Richard had said, maintaining the name Steele even though it had been passed down and handled by over five generations. The only things that changed were their jersey, the management of the club, and the technology brought to the company. The name remained the same, and I learned from my research that every firstborn of the family was named Steele. What a weird but unique tradition. The one in charge this time around was named Steele Aarhus. I intended to honor what gave them the knowledge of cherishing such a thing. Changing it