Novels by Lady D

The Lawson Tower - Gala NightLillian Stewart walked in through the towering glass doors of the Lawson Tower, and for a single, unguarded moment, her breath seized in her throat. The opulence of it all was like a physical blow, which is a brutal, beautiful declaration of power that made Bio-tech’s headquarters look outdated and insignificant. The crystal, the expensive architecture, the unmistakable buzz of victory, was every thing her father had ever wanted and failed to secure. Then a sharp, unexpected jolt of regret pierced through her heart. This could have been ours. This should have been ours.But the moment quickly passed as it came, with her mind fixed on her mission. She smoothed her crimson silk gown and stepped forward.She had not taken three steps into the glittering crowd when a familiar, mocking voice cut through the buzz of conversation like a sharp shard of ice.“Well, well. If it isn’t the queen of a fallen kingdom. I am genuinely surprised security let you through t

The Lawson Tower — Gala Night.The expensive looking black limousine stopped to a halt at the entrance of the hall, as its polished surface reflects the lights of the Lawson Tower. Through the tinted window, Mike saw a sea of reporters and photographers, flashing their cameras like lightning strikes, as they all spoke excitedly, hoping to be the one to go first.And then suddenly, a sharp memory flashed through his mind.He was twenty six. The moon was shining. He had just secured the Lockwood contract, which was the biggest in Bio-Tech’s history last year. His heart was hammering against his ribs, not from the climbing of the corporate headquarters steps, but from hope. Today was the day, Stewart would finally name him partner. He would take his father’s vacant chair as co - CEO of Bio-Tech group. The reporters had crowded him then, too. “Mike! Is it true you have just closed the Lockwood contract?”“Are you being promoted?”“How does it feel to be Stewart’s golden boy?”He had sm

Austra Headquarters - Conference Room. Mike was poring over the guest list for the gala when the static letters appeared in his vision, las a cold reminder of the unfinished buisness. [Austra Wealth System…] [Host: Mike Robinson..] [Primary Task: Acquire 15% controlling stake in Bio-Tech - PROGRESS: 1%] [Time frame: 28 Days Remaining.] [WARNING: Impending Hostile Action Detected. Nature: Unspecified. Threat Level: Elevated. Maintain Defensive Protocols.] Unspecified. The word was a crack in his mind. It was not danger or Buisness. It was something else, something the system could not or would not identify. Cartier’s voice seeped into his subconscious. “Sir, Mr Croft has arrived. He is in the main conference room with Mr Ginger, Mr Austin and Mr. Liam.” Mike stood and smoothened his tie. “Let us not keep our new friend waiting.” In the conference room, Alistair Croft, a man whose posture screamed of betrayal, was nervously accepting a glass of water from an

Bio - Tech Headquarters - Stewart’s office.The door to Charles Stewart’s office slammed shut with a huge force that rattled the windows. Stewart stormed across the room, with pure rage etched on his face. With a swing, he swiped a bottle of wine and two glasses off his desk, sending them shattering against the wall.“That fool! That back side peasant! How dare he speak to me like that in front of Gregory Lawson!” he roared with fury.Simeon stood by the door, with his hands fisted in anger. “And Lawson…his arrogance is beyond belief. Talking about Lillian as if she were…” he paused and forced his voice to be calm, even though it shook with rage. “The problem is Ginger. We almost had Robinson with the SEC. We were inches from putting the federal chain around his neck. Ginger is the shield. Before we can land a blow on Mike, Ginger has to be removed.”Stewart stopped his pacing and breathed heavily. He shook his head in a grim, defeated gesture. “You don’t get it, Simeon. Arthur Ginger

Austra Headquarters —Mike’s Office.Mike’s phone buzzed on his desk with Gregory Lawson’s name flashing on the screen. A wide grin spread across Mike’s face as he answered and placed it on speaker.“Gregory. Tell me you are calling with good news about our digital ghost.”Gregory’s rich laugh boomed through the office. “Patience, Mike. Even ghosts take time to materialize. I am on it. No, I am calling because I just had the most entertaining meeting of my entire career.”“Oh?” Mike leaned back and propped his feet on his desk. “Do tell.”“You will not believe who just showed up at Arthur Ginger’s office, with tails between their legs, begging for an audience.”Mike’s smile widened. “No.”“Yes,” Gregory confirmed with glee. “Charles Stewart and his attack dog, Simeon. I wish you could have seen it, Mike. The sheer, unadulterated desperation. Stewart actually tried to pitch an alliance. ‘For old times’ sake.’”Mike burst out laughing. “He did not! What did Ginger say?”“He gave him ten

Sawdust Industries - Arthur Ginger’s Office.The reception area of Sawdust Industries was going according to its name…rustic, solid and functional, with the rich scent of polished wood and parchment hanging in the air. It was a stark contrast to the cold glass and steel of Bio- tech or Austra.Charles Stewart stood there impatiently, feeling every ounce of that contrast, every second of the humiliating silence as the receptionist made them wait. Simeon stood beside him, like a statue with tension and worry etched on his face.Finally, the woman nodded. “Mr. Ginger will see you now.”Ginger’s office was an enormous space adorned with bookshelves of rare timber and framed blueprints of historical buildings. But Stewart’s eyes weren’t on the decorations. They were locked on the two men seated in the deep leather armchairs opposite Ginger’s desk.Arthur Ginger sat behind the desk, like a king in a throne room. And lounging casually in one of the chairs, swirling a glass of bourbon, was Gr

The embroidered invitation lay on Jace’s desk like a declaration of war. In cream colored packaging, and gilded lettering, lay the annual Luxembourg Economic summit Gala.Reynolds picked it up with a gloved hand with a grim expression on his face. “The guest list is a who’s who of your adversaries, sir. The Montgomerys, the Whitmans, half our restless board…and Marcus Foster, of course. It would be a strategic snub not to attend. But a public appearance…”“Is out of the question,” Jace finished, as turned away from the window. “I have no interest in being their main attraction. They would descend on me like vultures. But you are right, we can not ignore it. So, we won’t.”Then he turned to them, with a plan already fully formed in his eyes. “The two of you will go. In my stead.”Mila, who had been quietly observing the whole discussion, straightened up on her seat. “Sir? As your representative?”“Precisely. Reynold, you are the stoic presence. You will handle the old guard—the board m

Jace’s voice was a calm, authoritative buzz in the spacious office, as he addressed his international investors through the huge monitor. “The dip was always anticipated, gentlemen. It is a market correction, not a crisis. We are using it to secure our position. The panic sellers are simply finding our future acquisitions.”Suddenly, the door to his office swung open without a knock, and Marcus Foster stood there, with a feigned concern on his face.Jace did not flinch. He simply held up a single finger to his cousin, with his eyes fixed firmly on the screen. “If you will excuse me for one moment. The market in Tokyo seems to require my immediate attention.” He muted the call and said calmly, “This is a private conference, Marcus. It had better be urgent.”Marcus strolled in as if he owned the place, which Jace knew, was his intention. “Cousin. I am just checking in. We never finished our conversation about that…unfortunate leak. The board is restless. I am restless. I want to help. H

The sad gloom of the Whitman mansion’s drawing room was interrupted as Ethan Montgomery bursted through the doors, with triumph boldly etched on his face, so unlike his normal expression. He looked like a man who had just stumbled upon a well in a desert.“I found it! I found him!” He announced happily and threw a thick wad of document on the oak coffee table which scattered a few art magazines. “Giovanni ‘Gio’ Chan. A titan in Milan. Private companies, manufacturing, and a growing interest in cutting edge with medical tech. He is interested!”Stella, who had been staring wishfully into the fireplace, sprang to her feet, with her eyes bright with hope. “Ethan! Are you serious?”Finn Whitman, as the cautious brother, remain seated and folded his fingers together. “Interested is a long way from invested, Montgomery. What are the terms? What does he want?”“The terms are what we are to negotiate,” Ethan said as he paced with a restless energy. “But he is agreed to a meeting! This weekend

The luxury mall was a sanctuary of noise and chaos. Jace felt anonymous, in his simple outfit, like a ghost observing the world that had once rejected him. But the peace he felt was interrupted by a familiar, high pitched scream.“DADDY!”A small force of energy slammed into Jace’s legs and wrapped his tiny arms around him. Jace looked down in shock and saw the smiling face of Liam, the little boy he had loved as his own for six years. Before he could organize his emotions, Stella suddenly appeared beside him, with an expression of revulsion etched on her face and dragged Liam away from him forcefully.“Liam! Don’t you ever touch that!” She snarled, and shoved the little boy behind her. Liam scrunched his face in pain, with tears welling up in his eyes.Jace looked at her calmly and said, “He was just saying hello, Stella. No harm done.”“Hello?” She spat at him furiously, which drew the attention of nearby shoppers. “He has nothing to say to a man who sleeps in gutters. Look at you.

The Montgomery Medical boardroom was like a war zone. The long, polished table was like a battlefield, and Ethan and his father, Charles, were surrounded on all sides.“Sign over our remaining shares for a dollar?” Mr Albright roared, his face purple with fury. “It is not a negotiation, it is a execution! You have led us to our own slaughter, Charles!”“We had no choice!” Charles Montgomery shot back with hands trembling on the table. “The clinical trial data…if that gets out—”“You were the ones who buried it!” A mousy faced woman, Director Ivey, shouted and slammed her hands down on the table. “Your negligence, your secret, and now we are all paying the price with our livelihoods? The company has been brought to its knees by your family’s incompetence!”Ethan tried to regain control and raised his voice through the chatter. “We are not here to reminisce the past! We are here to decide on a path forward. This offer, however insulting, is the only one on the table.”“The only one from

Jace listened to Mila’s narration of the dinner, with a blank expression on his face. When she finished, he did not rage or celebrate. “A private meeting,” he snickered as he swirled the scotch in his glass. “They are that desperate.”“They are terrified,” Mila corrected with her arms crossed. “Stella offered me a million dollars in cash. Ethan looked like he was going to be sick. They are drowning, and they think you are the only one who can hand them lifeline.”“Oh, I will throw them a line,” Jace said, his voice turning to deadly whisper. “I will just make sure it is attached to an anchor.” He turned to Reynolds. “Set it up.”Reynolds didn’t shake. “Parameters, sir?”“Anonymous. Neutral ground. A private room at the Oak Room, tomorrow night at nine. Tell them the CEO will meet with Ethan Montgomery alone. No lawyers. No Stella. Especially no Stella. If he brings so much as a bodyguard, the meeting is over before it begins.”Mila frowned. “You are actually going to meet him?”“No,”

The Lotus Group boardroom was tense. Clara sat at the head of the long table with her back straight. Mason sat at her right hand side, with a deep scowl on his face. The hall was filled with murmurs and complaints.At the far end of the table, Dante sat quietly, watching.Mr. Fitch looked around impatiently and tapped his water glass. “Order,” he said loudly. “We must have order to begin!”The murmurs did not stop. Mason was leaning towards a man named Mr. Greeves, and was speaking in a low, intense voice. And Clara was whispering sharply to Ms. Lin beside her.“I said QUIET!” Mr Finch yelled and banged his fist in the table. The room fell silent for a second. Then the whispers started again.Dante said calmly, but in a loud voice which cut through the chatter. “If anyone has a complaint or something to say, say it now to the whole room. Otherwise, there will be quiet. This is a board meeting, not a market place.”Mason scoffed loudly without turning to look at Dante. “Listen to him.

Clara Vance walked through the luxury mall with her friend, Sophie. They were looking at wedding gowns and bouquets.“The gold trim is classic,” Sophie said excitedly as she held out a sample.“Mason thinks it is too traditional.” Clara replied inna hollow tone as she looked around distractedly.Since when does he care about bride outfits?” Sophie asked with a pout.Before Clara could answer, she heard a familiar voice from behind her, she looked up and her mood changed instantly.It was Eva, her former best friend. Eva was in the skincare isle, holding a basket over her arm and talking on her phone, with a tired look in her eyes.“….I told you, the documents need to be filed by Friday at the latest,” Eva was saying into her phone. “No. I can not extend it. That is the deadline.” Then she ended the call and looked up, and her eyes met Clara’s.Eva’s expression turned cold. Without a word, she held her basket tightly and turn to walk away.“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Clara sa

Dante sat on the floor of his study with crayon scattered around him. Daisy was coloring a picture of a dinosaur with a purple hat.“Daddy, look! His name is Mr. Munch,” Daisy said, as she held up the paper excitedly.“He is very handsome,” Dante said, with a huge smile on his face. “But why the hat?”“Because it is sunny! He needs a hat so he does not get a hot head.” She chirped excitedly.Dante laughed. Then his phone buzzed on the desk, which he ignored.It buzzed again and again.“Daddy, your phone is dancing,” Daisy said.“It is being rude,” Dante said. “It is interrupting Mr. Munch.” Then he got up and checked it. The caller ID said Harold Finch. Then he frowned, because Finch rarely called. “Sweetie, Daddy has to take this. Two minutes.”“Okay. I will give Mr. Minch a friend.” Daisy said absentmindedly and grabbed a green crayon.Dante answered as he walked to the window. “Harold. This is a surprise.”“Dante. I need to see you. Tonight.” The old man’s voice sounded grave over

The door clicked shut behind Clara with a light hiss. Mason stood in the center of his silent penthouse, the warm smile on his face vanished instantly. He walked to the window and watched her car pull away from the building.He waited for five full minutes, before pulling out his phone to make a call.It rang twice before it answered. “Yes. Mr. Lockwood.”“Lena,” Mason said flatly in a low voice, with all of the earlier warmth gone. “We have a problem.”“Oh, I am so sorry, Mr Lockwood. She was furious. I did exactly as you instructed. I told her it was a routine reassignment and I assumed she knew……”“I know what you told her,” Mason interrupted coldly. “You did fine. The problem is not you, the problem is she came straight here. She is more alert than I expected.”“What does that mean?” Lena asked shakily.“It means we have to be more careful. Slower. She is watching now.” He paced the length of his office. Then he continued, “You will keep me updated on everything. Every meeting she

Clara Vance’s office was quiet. She was finishing an email when her assistant, Lena, walked in with a thick folder.“Ms. Vance, the Brookfield contracts for your signature,” Lena said as she placed it on the desk.“Thank you,” Clara said. She opened the folder for her final check. Her eyes went straight to the project lead section. She froze.Her name was gone.The line read: project Lead and final Approval: M. Lockwood.Clara looked up and asked coldly, “Lena. What is this? This is wrong. My name should be here.”The smile faded off from Lena’s face instantly. Then she looked nervous and stuttered, “Oh. That….that is correct, Ms. Vance.” “Correct? How is this correct?” Clara’s voice rose into a high pitch. “The Brookfield Plaza is my project. It is our most important deal. Why is Mason’a name on it?”Lena shifted her weight and said in an apologetic manner. “I am sorry. Mr. Lockwood’s office instructed us to reassign it to him. About ten days ago. I thought you knew.”“You thought I

The Vertex lab buzzed with the final preparations and the four trial patients were settled with monitors beeping softly and nurses moved quietly with purpose.Dante stood at the observation window, watching it all intently. Then his gaze drifted to the hallway and saw Lewis out there, pretending to check a clipboard. He looked guilty and lost.Liam stepped beside him and asked, “he has been a ghost all morning. Do you want me to send him to the supply depot? Get him out of the building?”“No,” Dante said flatly. “It is time. I am tired of having a known spy in my lab and pretending I do not see him. Call the team to my office, now.”Liam did not ask questions. He just nodded and walked off.Five minutes later, Dante’a inner circle was assembled, “Anya Chen, Liam, Matthew and Raj. The mood in the room was serious, but none of them looked surprised.“We all know why we are here,” Dante began without bothering to sit down. “It is about Lewis.”“Finally,” Raj said, and crossed his arms. “