Jake stood outside the apartment door, his phone still warm in his hand. The text from Maya had been short. Simple. "Come over. Need to talk."His heart did that stupid flutter thing it always did when she messaged him. Even after two years together, she still made him feel like some lovesick kid. He reached for the doorknob, already planning what he'd say. Maybe she wanted to plan their anniversary dinner or…A sound stopped him cold.It came from inside. Low and rhythmic. A woman's voice, but not talking. Not exactly.Jake froze. His hand hovered over the door.No way. That couldn't be what it sounded like. Maya wouldn't. She was probably watching a movie or something. Yeah, that made sense. Just a movie with the volume up too loud like she always did because—Another sound. Deeper this time. A man's voice mixed with hers.The phone almost slipped from his fingers. His chest felt tight, like someone had wrapped a rubber band around his ribs and kept pulling. Tighter. Tighter.'This

"You'll need it," Marcus said. He walked back to his desk and pulled out a tablet. Tapped on it a few times. "Tomorrow you're taking over Titan Enterprises. It's one of the largest companies in the city. Real estate, tech, entertainment, hospitality. Annual revenue sits around fifty billion."Jake's head was spinning. Like actually spinning. He gripped the armrest of the chair."Tomorrow? That's... that's way too fast. I don't know anything about running a company. I barely passed high school business class and that was because the teacher felt sorry for me.""You'll have help." Marcus swiped something on the tablet. "Sora will be your assistant. She knows everything about how we operate. The company also has a board of executives who handle day-to-day operations. Your job is to be the face. Make strategic decisions. And most importantly, establish your presence.""My presence," Jake repeated. The words felt foreign in his mouth."Power isn't just about money or strength." Marcus set

Sora's expression didn't change but something in her eyes went cold. Dangerous. She turned to the manager."You refused his card?"The manager's face went pale. "Ms. Chen, I... there was a misunderstanding. The card looked unusual and I wasn't sure—"Sora's hand moved fast. The slap connected with the manager's cheek. Sharp. Loud. The sound echoed through the quiet store like a crack of thunder.The manager stumbled sideways. Her hand flew to her face. A red mark bloomed across her skin."Ms. Chen!" she gasped. "I'm sorry! Please, I didn't know he worked for you! I thought he was just some errand boy you sent to—"Another slap. Harder this time.The manager's eyes went wide. Tears started forming. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I should have realized he was running errands for someone important! Please forgive me!"Sora's jaw clenched. Her eyes flashed with something dangerous. "Errand boy? You think he's my servant?""I... isn't he?" The manager touched her burning cheeks. "I mean, why el

For a split second, her face went blank. Like her brain had short-circuited trying to process what she was seeing.Then recognition hit. Her expression shifted. Surprise. Confusion. Then something cold and calculating.She grabbed Derek's arm. Whispered something in his ear.Derek's head whipped around. His eyes found Jake. His face twisted into something ugly."Oh, this is perfect," Derek said. Loud enough that people nearby turned to look. "Look who decided to show up. Maya's little charity project."Jake had just stepped out of Sora's car. She'd dropped him at the main entrance before going to park in the executive garage. He was alone now. Standing on the steps of Titan Enterprises with Derek and Maya blocking his path."Derek," Jake said. His voice was calm. Even. "Maya."Maya's eyes were doing that scanning thing. Looking at his suit. At the building behind him. Trying to figure out the angle. What game he was playing."Jake." Her voice had that fake sweetness she used when she

Jake looked at him. At the regional manager bowing in front of everyone. At Stevens looking like he might pass out. At the guards still on the ground groaning.Then he looked at Derek and Maya.Maya's face had gone completely white. Her hands were shaking. Derek looked like someone had punched him in the stomach. His mouth kept opening and closing but no sound came out."This is bullshit," Derek finally managed to say. His voice cracked. "This is some kind of trick. He's not... there's no way he's...""I don't believe it," Maya added. Her voice was shrill. Desperate. "Harrison, you have to be mistaken. This is Jake Morrison. He's a nobody. A dishwasher. There's no way he has a Tier One card. No way.""Yeah!" Derek found his voice again. "You're being conned! Both of you! Jake probably stole that card or bought it off someone. You need to check your records. Call Marcus Vale himself and—""Enough." Harrison's voice cut through Derek's rambling. Cold. Final. "I've heard quite enough fro