ESSENCESHis fingers tightened around the man’s neck.“Say his name again,” Manuel said quietly, eyes blazing, “and I’ll make sure time stops for you first.”The man’s face went red and one could see the kind of panic spreading across his face.Laura was there instantly.“Manuel.”Her voice cut through the chaos as she approached him slowly and placed a hand on his wrist.“Let him go.”For a moment, he didn’t move, his eyes were locked on his.Then he exhaled sharply and released his grip. The man collapsed back into his chair, coughing violently.Laura turned to the board, her gaze sweeping across them in a deadly manner.“This meeting is over,” she said. “If any of you attempt to undermine the chairman again, you’ll answer to legal, financial, and personal consequences.”No one laughed this time, they all exchanged glances and some nodded without knowing.Tommy leaned back, his eyes gleaming.Manuel didn’t look at him as he walked out, Laura walking behind him like a shield.Tommy s

POWERS FROM THE SHADOWS  For a while, Christopher just watched, his gaze steady. A slow smile crept across his face after that quiet pause Suddenly, the light inside the room they were staying went out without warning.  One moment it was there, then gone and darkness took its place. It was like a hand reached inside the walls, then silence swallowed everything whole. One moment hung, completely still. Silence filled every space. That was when Manuel sensed something. Something pressed against him, like walls closing in from every angle.  It wasn't from one place, everywhere crushed at once. Inside his body, a line of old power twisted awake, restless after silence.  Manuel spoke the name quietly. It was meant for Christopher alone. “I know,&rd

NO RESTRAINT  Light filled the passage by the time Laura got there. There was a sharp sound, then silence.  Laura turned the corner quickly, her pace dropping right away. That was when her eyes landed on the two figures standing still in the corridor. Half-turned away, Manuel kept his back partly toward her, a rip in his shirt near the shoulder, thin marks tracing his arm and bone just above the chest.  Next to him, Christopher stayed calm like he always did, yet something about his gaze felt different. Laura’s breath caught. “Fight?” Her voice jumped out. Both men turned. Right away, Manuel spoke up. His voice came out fast.  Automatically, he pulled his shoulders back, like good posture might hide what was wr

LOVE AND LEVERAGE   Lisa leaned back, staring at the ceiling now, mirroring his earlier gesture. She felt like she was standing at the edge of something fragile. She thought of her family. The support Jamie had quietly provided. The doors he had opened. The way things had stabilized because of him. She also thought of herself. Of the version of her that once swore she would never be second to anyone. “I shouldn’t agree to this,” she said quietly. Jamie didn’t interrupt. “I shouldn’t,” she repeated. “But you’ve never lied to me. And you’ve never abandoned my family.” He watched her carefully. “I won’t start now.” There was silence for a while. Finally, Lisa nodded. “Alrig

EASY TO DEAL WITH “My daughter’s future,” she said. “And justice.”Orland let out a slow breath. “Justice is a dangerous word.”“So is pride,” she countered.He studied her for a long moment, then shook his head. “You’re asking me to challenge the chairman.”“I’m asking you,” she said carefully, “if you still want Nightingale.”The question hung there, as both of them exchanged glances.Orland didn’t answer immediately.He looked out of the window again, as though that was where he was getting his answers.“Yes,” he said finally. “I do.”She nodded, as if she’d expected nothing else.“Then,” she said, reaching for her bag, “we have much to discuss.”As she turned to leave, Orland spoke again, stopping her in her steps.“And Mrs. Stone,” he said.She paused, but she didn't turn back to face him.“If this fails,” he said quietly, “we won't go unpunished.”She glanced back at him quickly now, they both stared at themselves for a while.“Only if you hesitate, if not, we won't fail!! I'll