The tension in Oliver’s office was a thick, almost tangible thing. Lucas had taken a seat in the corner, reviewing security logs on a laptop James had handed him. James himself was working tirelessly, tapping away on his own device, coordinating with the IT team to bolster the system’s defenses. Oliver stood by the window, staring out at the city skyline, his mind racing.Another buzz from his phone snapped him out of his thoughts. It was yet another message."Tick tock, Roberts. Time’s running out."Oliver turned to Lucas, holding up the screen. "She’s toying with us. What does she gain by sending these messages?"Lucas barely glanced up from the laptop. "Control. She’s letting you know she’s always one step ahead. It’s psychological warfare, designed to rattle you."Oliver smirked. "She’ll have to do better than that."James sighed, rubbing his temple. "I wish I had your confidence. Right now, we’re playing defense, and she knows it. If we don’t move quickly, she’ll gain the upper h

The air in the lounge grew stiflingly tense, the weight of Oliver’s revelation sinking into every corner. Adrian, still reeling from the shock, opened his mouth to speak but found no words. His once-confident smirk had vanished, replaced with a pale mask of fear. Nathan, ever the opportunist, tried to regain composure, but his nervous shifting betrayed him.Oliver’s steady gaze swept over the group, lingering just long enough to unsettle each of them. Then, with an air of calm authority, he gestured for James to approach."James," Oliver said, his voice slicing through the silence. "Show me the evidence."James handed Oliver a sleek tablet, his expression resolute. "We’ve secured video footage and documentation proving that certain individuals in this room have been engaging in activities to undermine Hoshier Company’s reputation."Gasps rippled through the crowd. Adrian stiffened, sweat forming on his brow. Nathan raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference but clearly rattled.Oliver t

Oliver watched Katherine’s retreating figure disappear into the crowd, her sharp heels clicking against the polished floor. He took a deep breath, attempting to shake off the weight of the evening’s events. The room had settled somewhat, the murmurs fading as the audience dispersed. However, Oliver knew this was just the beginning. The tangled web of sabotage surrounding Hoshier required more than a single confrontation to untangle.James approached him, his clipboard tucked under his arm. “Sir, I’ve sent Adrian and Nathan into one of the meeting rooms. They’re compiling their statements now. I’ll oversee everything to ensure there’s no manipulation.”Oliver nodded, his expression grim. “Good. I want every detail documented. When they’re done, forward copies to legal. They’ll know how to proceed.”James hesitated for a moment. “There’s something else. One of our security staff found an envelope addressed to you. It was left on the receptionist’s desk shortly before the commotion began

The gala buzzed with polite conversation and the clinking of glasses, but Oliver’s confrontation with Donovan lingered in his mind. As he navigated the sea of influential guests, his presence drew both curiosity and disdain—a man once imprisoned, now holding his head high among the elite.“Oliver Roberts,” a voice laced with derision called from behind. Turning, Oliver faced Alexander Sterling, a prominent financier with a reputation for ruthless deals. Sterling’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he extended a hand. “Still fighting to clean up your family’s mess, I see.”Oliver shook his hand, his grip firm. “Good to see you too, Alexander. Still clinging to old narratives, I see.”Sterling chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery. “Narratives or facts? The Roberts name doesn’t carry the weight it used to. Surprised you even got an invite tonight.”Oliver’s jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. “Some of us are here to contribute to society, Alexander. Not just leech off it.”Sterlin

Oliver’s eyes scanned the gala room as the main event began, his thoughts a storm of determination. He knew Donovan wouldn’t back down easily, and the stakes were rising with every passing moment. As he turned to leave Donovan’s side, a mocking voice caught his attention.“Well, well, if it isn’t Oliver Roberts, the so-called genius who let his empire crumble before his eyes.”Oliver’s jaw tightened as he turned to face the speaker. Margaret Hastings, a prominent investor with a reputation for being ruthlessly critical, stood there, her gaze sharp and condescending.“Margaret,” Oliver said evenly, masking his irritation. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”Margaret let out a humorless laugh. “Pleasure? Hardly. I’m just here to observe how far you’ll fall before someone else picks up the pieces of Hoshier.”“Careful, Margaret,” Oliver replied coolly. “Your investment portfolio still depends on Hoshier’s success, last I checked.”Her smirk wavered for a moment, but she recovered quickly.