Lena quickly packed her stuff and began to wear her makeup. Her heart was beating violently. She was confused, scared, scared and scared. Why was Echelon Eight after their lives? After her life? Why did they seem to have interference in every single string she pulled? Was this actually really personal? Ever since she and Rowan separated, it seemed like her life had been spiralling down. Nothing seemed to work anymore. “Hey, hey, calm down, Lena. Calm down.” Dominic tried to comfort her, grabbing her wrists. “Let me go, Dominic. Listen, I know you care and you want the best for me. But I also know you are doing all of this because, as you requested ‘Marry me’. Come on, Dominic, I just ended my last marriage, and I am here trying to deal with the biggest dogs in the industry. This is so not the right time to develop feelings. Okay?” Lena argued and continued to smear the red Cle de Peau Beaute on her lips. Dominic sighed and let her be. “This is not about me, Lena. It is about yo

Echelon Eight. The only building in the world closer to the heavens. Literally. Obsidian convoy pulled over as the security men scanned and checked for any weapons or infiltrations. The convoy consisted of 2 Lexus LX 600 cars. One at the front, the other at the back of the main ride. The main ride, a Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB, sat in the middle, screaming elegance and wealth. In there sat four of Obsidian’s Executives. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. White, a well-respected man in the business industry, Mrs. Blackson, the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Granger, the Shareholder Echelon Eight. Just the name felt like a physical weight, a heavy cloak settling on Lena’s shoulders. It wasn’t just a company; it was an empire. A silent, looming presence that controlled the intricate puppet strings of the city’s business affairs in the country. They weren't just players in the game; they were the game. Other firms? They were mere pawns compared to the monolithic might of Echelon Eight.

Rowan smiled gently and pulled out his seat. “Um.. Mr. Kane. I.. I didn’t know you worked here now.” Mr. Granger said lightly, also as shocked as Lena. ‘Was this not Rowan?’ He asked himself. ‘Lena’s husband? How… how is this possible?’ Mr. Granger asked himself. He had never given much attention to Rowan because, as his wife, Lena always said, he was just an insignificant man. Besides, he always saw Lena and Dominic together. So he assumed they were separated. “Oh yes, Mr. Granger. See, after my wife and I separated, I figured, why not make something useful for my life? So, I kept on applying for a position in Echelon Eight, and luckily, they saw my potential. And here I am, sitting with some brilliant individuals." Rowan explained, his voice even and composed, but a mischievous glint danced in his eyes. Lena, however, was in a state of disbelief. Her jaw hung slack, and her eyes darted between Rowan and the other board members, trying to make sense of the situation. Was this

No one said a word. Not Mr. Granger. Not Mrs. Blackson. Not even Mr. White, who had a reputation for being unshakable. Rowan continued, unblinking. "Mr. Hanz, a respected figure in our circle, was cornered emotionally and professionally. Ms. Aston not only claimed undue credit for the work done at a recent gala event, but also implied retaliatory threats to manipulate his loyalty." He paused, then looked around the room. "That is strictly forbidden." The walls seemed to lean in on Lena. Her pulse was thundering in her ears. Mrs. Blackson shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Mr. Granger stared hard at the table. Rowan turned to the center screen, where a visual of Lena's call transcript popped up — transcribed and dated. The voice was unmistakable. Hers. Confident, sharp, almost smug. "You know, I was the one who helped him prepare for those introductions... I like to stay in the background. Rowan was just the mouthpiece... I need you to pull some strings..." There was no denyin

Back at Obsidian Tech, everyone was busy performing their duties, each person working from their end to revive the deal with Apex Holdings. "Knock knock." A soft knock on the glass door. Megan sat in her office, hunched over her laptop, glasses resting low on her nose, the faint blue glow of spreadsheets reflecting in her lenses. The knock barely distracted her. The door creaked open. Dominic. She glanced up at him, unimpressed. "What are you doing here?" Dominic shut the door behind him and sauntered toward her desk with that arrogant, lazy gait he always wore. "Oh, come on, Megan. Are you really still mad at me? I had to side with your daughter or she’d begin to suspect something." "You made me look like a fool in front of her," Megan hissed, closing the laptop. "You said you had it under control. That you’d steer her—" "And I am steering her. She’s vulnerable, shaken. She needs a savior. And you shouldn’t slap your daughter now, come on. She is a fragile piece of glass." M