All Chapters of The Mysterious Chairman Keith: Chapter 31
- Chapter 40
176 chapters
Chapter 31
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
Chapter 32
THE LEFT ESSENCE Manuel swallowed hard, his gaze on him. “Born… from me?” “Yes.” Christopher moved closer, lowering his voice as if the walls themselves were listening. “When your soul fractured under the strain of awakening, it didn’t shatter. It divided and balanced itself.” Manuel’s heart pounded so loud in his chest as he heard that. “Two essences,” Christopher said. “Twins on purpose, you can call them that….” He lifted one finger. “The Right Essence. It exists to ensure your survival at any cost.” Then another finger. “The Left Essence. Growth and balance. It exists to guide, stabilize, and accelerate your evolution.” Manuel stared at him as though he was speaking out of point. &ldquo
Chapter 33
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
Chapter 34
NAGITS Manuel stood staring at the walls, and at the ring in his finger as though it was going to disappear. After the Nagis vanished, the silence felt worse than any battle. It was more surprising to Manuel that it was only the room they were in, that the lights went out, no other room was affected. Another was, the sound stayed within the room and no one outside held them. Everything looked as though a severe battle hadn't broken out. The doctors and nurses were still going about their activities. Christopher stepped forward before anyone else could react. Bending low, he gathered a bit of ash with his fingertips. Like smoke, it vanished, sliding away between them. “They never leave bodies,” Christopher said quietly. “Not real ones.”<
Chapter 35
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
Chapter 36
WHAT ABOUT ME? “Why is he not picking his call?!” Lisa said, pacing the whole room. She dialed his number for the second time again and yet he didn't pick up. Lisa called Jamie three times before he answered. The first call rang out and the second one went to voicemail. By the third, her fingers were already shaking, she was not comfortable by the silence he was giving her and it made her worry. Jamie has been acting too distant for a while and it unsettled her. When he finally picked up, his voice was sounding a bit distracted and Lisa imagined what he could be up to. “Lisa. I’m busy.” That was all. No I’ll call you back and no explanation. “Busy doing what?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Chapter 37
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
Chapter 38
A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL“You owe me,” her mother said softly. “And I intend to collect.”There was silence now.“Good,” her mother said. “We’ll speak again soon.”The line went dead immediately.Lisa stepped back quickly as the study door closed.She stood there in the dark hallway, her heart pounding loud in her chest over what she heard.What was her mother planning?! Her mother hadn’t been warning her out of concern, maybe she was up to something.Lisa returned to her room slowly, closing the door behind her. She sat on the edge of her bed, arms wrapped around herself.“What is mother up to?!” She murmured, her eyes distant.****ORLAND’S ESTATE Lisa’s mother didn’t announce her visit.She never did, not when she wanted something.Orland Hyde’s estate sat on a quiet stretch of land just outside the city, old money territory. The place had tall gates and guards who looked bored but missed nothing.When her car rolled up, the guard checked the plate twice before making the call.“Sh
Chapter 39
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
Chapter 40
LOYAL TO WHO DESERVES IT Orland adjusted his cuff. “I don’t need marriage tomorrow,” he said. “But I won’t fight a war for a woman who still belongs to someone else.” Lisa’s chest tightened. Images of Jamie flashed through her mind. His promises. His delays. His marriage. She laughed bitterly. “You want proof,” she said. “While he already has a wife.” Orland tilted his head. “And yet you’re still waiting.” Her mother stepped closer. “Lisa,” she said softly, “this is bigger than feelings.” Lisa looked at her like she was the evil in her life. “And when will it stop being about me?” she asked. “When you’re safe,” her mother replied without hesitation. <