Nathan's words lingered in the air. "The acquisition has been suspended."For the first time in several minutes, Adrian's eyes sharpened. "Suspended?"Nathan nodded as he caught his breath. It wasn't rejected. It wasn't approved either.""The Competition Commission halted the process less than ten minutes ago."The old founder slowly stood from his folding chair. A flicker of surprise crossed his weathered face."They intervened?"Nathan nodded. “Someone submitted new information this morning. The regulators are reviewing it. The acquisition is frozen until then."The old man slowly smiled. "It seems fate has given you another chance."Adrian didn't smile back. He simply asked, "How long?"Nathan looked at his phone. "No one knows.""It could be three days. It could be two weeks." Adrian's brows knitted together."That's too uncertain." Nathan nodded. "It is."Silence fell again.The breeze stirred the trees around the lake. The old founder picked up his fishing rod."If I were you I w

Nathan stared at the faded photograph in his hand.He looked from the picture to Harrison, then back again.After nearly a minute, he finally spoke."So this man built the engine that made Silver Crest famous?"Harrison gave a slow nod. "He built more than the engine. He built the company's soul."Nathan frowned."If he was that important, why has no one heard of him?"Harrison let out a bitter laugh. "That's because he never cared about fame." He cared about building cars.""He believed the machine should be remembered.""Not the man who designed it."Adrian leaned against the old bookshelf, his eyes still fixed on the photograph."What was his name?"Harrison's smile gradually disappeared."Leon Cross."The name hung in the air.Nathan immediately took out his phone. "I'll have someone locate him.""Don't."Nathan looked up.Adrian shook his head."If your investigators can find him, So can everyone else's."Nathan slowly lowered his phone."You're right."Harrison nodded approvingl

The car tore through the night. Adrian sat in the back seat, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Nathan was beside him, continuously checking his phone. Harrison sat opposite them. He hadn't spoken for several minutes. His hands were clasped tightly together. Every few seconds, his fingers trembled. Adrian noticed. "Mr. Harrison." The old man looked up. "You don't have to come." Harrison shook his head immediately. "No." His voice was firm despite the fear in his eyes. "I've spent seven years regretting that I didn't follow Leon when he left." He swallowed. "I'm not making that mistake again." Adrian nodded. "I understand." Harrison looked at him. "Do you?" Adrian met his gaze. "I know what it's like to lose someone because you weren't there when it mattered." Harrison's expression softened. Neither man said anything more. Nathan quietly looked between them. He could feel the weight inside the car. This wasn't simply about the heir compet

The door at the end of the corridor continued to swing gently back and forth. Its hinges groaned in the silence.Adrian stood completely still his eyes remained fixed on the dark room beyond it.Harrison's breathing had become shallow "That was Leon."His voice trembled. "I know that voice."Nathan stepped closer. "Mr. Harrison, stay behind us."Harrison shook his head. "I've waited seven years. I won't wait another second."He started forward. Adrian immediately caught his arm. "Slowly."Harrison looked at him with desperation in his eyes. "What if he's hurt?""Then rushing in won't help him. What if he's dying?"Adrian's expression tightened. For the first time, the calm mask on his face showed a crack."Then we'll get to him before it's too late."Harrison stared at him. Those words seemed to steady him. They moved down the corridor.Every step echoed through the abandoned hospital.Nathan kept his flashlight trained ahead. "There's something strange."Adrian glanced at him. "What

Then another. Adrian slowly released Leon's hand.His face was calm. But his eyes had become terrifyingly cold."Then they picked the wrong night to come looking for it."The door handle began to turn and Adrian stepped forward to meet whoever was standing outside.The door at the end of the corridor continued to swing gently back and forth. Its hinges groaned in the silence.Adrian stood completely still his eyes remained fixed on the dark room beyond it.Harrison's breathing had become shallow "That was Leon."His voice trembled. "I know that voice."Nathan stepped closer. "Mr. Harrison, stay behind us."Harrison shook his head. "I've waited seven years. I won't wait another second."He started forward. Adrian immediately caught his arm. "Slowly."Harrison looked at him with desperation in his eyes. "What if he's hurt?""Then rushing in won't help him. What if he's dying?"Adrian's expression tightened. For the first time, the calm mask on his face showed a crack."Then we'll get t