All Chapters of Heart of stone: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The air hung thick with the stench of brine and decay, a chilling reminder of the secrets the inky depths concealed. May shivered, pulling her threadbare jacket tighter around her, the dampness seeping into her bones. The private docks, usually a hive of clandestine activity, were eerily deserted, amplifying the sense of unease that gnawed at her."Anything on your end, Nightingale?" Alex's voice, a low, controlled rasp in her earpiece, was barely audible above the mournful sigh of the wind whipping off the water."Negative, Watchman," May replied, her own voice a hushed whisper. "Just the ghosts of forgotten ships and broken dreams."They were operating on a hunch, a fragmented piece of intel gleaned from the dying breath of the listening device. Harding, they suspected, was meeting a key player tonight – a foreign financier crucial to orchestrating the fraudulent merger that would gut Lilion Corp.Hours had bled into each other, the oppressive silence punctuated only by the rhythmic

The encrypted message pinged on May's phone, its arrival sending a jolt of unease through her. The sender was anonymous, but the urgency, the sheer desperation of the message, was unmistakable."Need to talk. Meet me. No one can know."May's mind raced. Who could it be? Who would risk contacting her, knowing the danger involved? The answer, when it came, was shocking."Malory?" May whispered, her voice barely audible.Alex, who had been monitoring the communications, frowned. "Malory? Are you sure? Why would she contact you?""I don't know," May said, her brow furrowed in confusion. "But it sounds like she's in trouble."She hesitated for a moment, her conscience warring with her sense of caution. Malory had been their enemy, a willing pawn in Harding's game, but something in the message, the raw fear that permeated every word, tugged at her heart."I'm going to meet her," May said, her voice firm. "She might have information that can help us.""Are you crazy?" Alex protested, his voi

The battle for Lilion Corp had moved beyond boardrooms and legal filings; it was now being waged in the shadows, a proxy war fought one shareholder at a time. May, fueled by a righteous anger and a fierce determination to protect James's legacy, had launched a clandestine campaign to sway the minor shareholders, the unsung heroes whose collective voice could decide the fate of the company.She moved like a ghost, meeting with shareholders in dimly lit cafes, quiet libraries, even their own homes, her words carefully chosen, her arguments tailored to their individual concerns. She spoke of Harding's mismanagement, his reckless spending, his blatant disregard for the company's employees and its future."He's bleeding Lilion Corp dry," she'd say, her voice low and urgent. "He's using it as his personal piggy bank, lining his own pockets while the rest of us suffer."She presented them with facts, figures, and carefully curated snippets of information, painting a vivid picture of Harding'

The safe house, a rustic cabin nestled deep within the heart of Blackwood Forest, offered a temporary respite from the digital storm raging outside. The thick stone walls and lack of electronic devices provided a sanctuary from Zero's prying eyes, but the sense of unease lingered, a constant reminder of the danger they faced.Inside, James Lilion was experiencing a breakthrough in his recovery. The isolation, the clean air, and the constant care provided by May and Alex had worked wonders. He was stronger, more alert, and his memories were slowly returning, piecing together the fragments of his shattered past."I remember…" he said, his voice still weak but gaining strength with each passing day. "I remember the meeting… Harding… Volkov… the documents…"He paused, his brow furrowing in confusion. "The merger… it wasn't real, was it? It was a trap."May, who had been sitting by his bedside, took his hand, her eyes filled with compassion. "It was, James," she said, her voice gentle. "Ha

The Lilion Corp annual gala was a spectacle of wealth and power, a glittering cage where the city's elite gathered to preen and posture. May had always loathed these events, finding them shallow and artificial. But tonight, she had a purpose. She was there to observe Harding, to gauge his strength, and to plant seeds of doubt in the minds of the investors.She arrived at the gala, held in the opulent Grand Ballroom of the city's most exclusive hotel, dressed in a sleek black gown that accentuated her figure. She moved through the crowd with a practiced grace, her eyes scanning the room, taking in every detail.Harding, resplendent in a tailored tuxedo, held court near the entrance, surrounded by a gaggle of sycophants and admirers. He spotted May across the room and a predatory smile spread across his face. He excused himself from his entourage and approached her, his eyes glinting with malice."Ms. Anderson," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a pleasant surprise. I didn