From Rags to God of War

A Gut Feeling

Simon stepped out of the Weber Group building, his mind buzzing with business matters. He had just closed his car door when a cold voice greeted him.

"Long time no see, Simon."

Simon turned. Lord Gideon stood next to his car, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. Simon knew this wasn't a man to joke around with. Lord Gideon led one of the most feared assassin clans.

"Gideon," Simon greeted, trying to keep his cool. "What brings you here?"

Lord Gideon gave a faint smile. "I think we need to talk. Coffee?"

"I don't have time."

Lord Gideon looked Simon straight in the eye, then subtly shifted his stance, leaning a hand on Simon's car roof. That small gesture, somehow, made Simon feel the pressure. Lord Gideon then pulled out a pristine white handkerchief and wiped a tiny, barely visible speck from Simon's rearview mirror.

"Oh, really?" Lord Gideon said softly, without taking his eyes off the now-clean mirror. "I thought you'd have time for some important information about your assets. Including your family. They're all doing well, I presume?"

Simon clenched his fists. That wasn't idle chatter. It was a threat. A thinly veiled warning. He knew exactly what Gideon meant. Refusing would just invite trouble.

Simon sighed, irritation boiling over. He'd tried to decline, but who could argue with a Lord Gideon who showed up right in front of his office? That wasn't an invitation, it was an order.

"Fine!" Simon gave in.

...

They sat in a nearby cafe. The atmosphere between them was thick with tension.

Simon snorted. "I know. Gilbert paid you to get rid of Nicholas. But you completely failed. I'm not paying another dime for a failure."

Lord Gideon chuckled, a dry, unsettling sound. "Failed? Nicholas certainly isn't an easy target. But that doesn't mean the mission's off, does it?"

Simon glared at him sharply. "What do you mean?"

"I'm just here to tell you the mission will continue," Lord Gideon said, his voice calm but laced with menace. He slid a small vial containing white powder across the table, pushing it towards Simon. "Here. To speed things up."

Simon looked at the vial, then back at Lord Gideon. "What is this? Poison?"

Lord Gideon nodded. "Poison. But don't worry, it's not lethal. I don't really care for such underhanded tactics either." He smiled again, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "This poison will only paralyze Nicholas for a while. Once he can't move, I'll come and kill him myself. In a more... honorable way."

Simon swallowed hard. "I don't want to get my own hands dirty. I don't want to be involved that far."

Lord Gideon pressed on, "Aren't you Isabella's uncle? Wouldn't it be incredibly easy for you to administer this poison?"

Simon stared back, emotions swirling.

"This poison is tasteless and odorless. You can arrange it so no one suspects anything, can't you?" Lord Gideon pushed. "Besides, you have the most reason to get rid of Nicholas. He's threatening your family's position at Weber Group, isn't he?"

Simon clenched his fists under the table. Nicholas was a problem. A nuisance who had ruined all his plans. Simon was forced to accept the vial. He had no other choice. He had to get rid of Nicholas.

...

After the meeting with Lord Gideon, Simon immediately sought out his son, Gilbert. He found Gilbert in his study.

"We have something to discuss, Gilbert," Simon said, placing the small vial on the table.

Gilbert raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Dad?"

Simon explained his meeting with Lord Gideon, about the poison he was given, and the plan to incapacitate Nicholas. "We have to use this. Nicholas needs to be eliminated. He's becoming an increasing threat to our position in the company."

Gilbert eyed the vial suspiciously. "Poison? Dad, this is seriously risky business. If we get caught..."

"We don't have another choice," Simon cut him off. "Lord Gideon already handed this to me. He's threatening to blow everything up if I refuse. We have to figure out a way to make this look natural. You need to strategize."

Gilbert thought hard. "Alright. I've got an idea. But we're gonna need Isabella for this."

Simon frowned. "Isabella? What do you mean?"

"I'll invite Isabella to dinner," Gilbert explained. "I'll apologize to her, pretend to be totally remorseful for all my past mistakes. I'll even admit that she did a good job with the Diamond Group project. That should soften her up."

"And how does that help us?" Simon asked, still confused.

"When Nicholas shows up, he'll think I've changed. Then we can put our plan into motion," Gilbert smirked faintly. "It'll be Nicholas's last night."

...

The next day, at the office. Gilbert walked into Isabella's office holding a bouquet of white roses.

"Isabella," Gilbert began. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Isabella looked at him suspiciously. "What's up, Gilbert?"

Gilbert offered a small smile. "I wanted to apologize. I know I've been a real jerk to you, especially during the Diamond Group project. I was selfish and childish."

Isabella didn't say anything, just observed Gilbert.

"But I have to admit, you were incredible," Gilbert continued, looking at Isabella with an awestruck expression. "That Diamond Group project was a huge success, all thanks to your efforts. I misjudged you."

He handed her the bouquet. "As a token of my apology and appreciation, I'd like to invite you to dinner. I'll also invite Elsa, and you can bring Nicholas if you want. Think of it as a peace offering."

Isabella took the flowers, still wary. "Dinner? Gilbert, I don't know..."

"I understand if you're hesitant," Gilbert cut in. "I'm not forcing you. I just want to fix our relationship as cousins. I'm truly sorry, Isabella. I hope you can accept my apology."

Gilbert then placed an invitation card on Isabella's desk, an invitation to dinner at a fancy restaurant. He didn't say much else, just gave Isabella a sincere look, then turned and left her in her office.

Isabella stared at the invitation, her heart still full of doubt. Gilbert had never acted like this before.

...

That night, in Isabella and Nicholas's room. Isabella was choosing clothes for tomorrow when she told him about Gilbert's invitation.

"Nicholas," Isabella said, "Gilbert invited me to dinner tomorrow."

Nicholas, who was reading a book, raised an eyebrow. "Gilbert? That's unusual. What's his deal?"

"He said he wanted to apologize. He even praised my work on the Diamond Group project," Isabella explained. "He sounded really sincere."

"Sincere?" Nicholas smirked cynically. "Gilbert's full of tricks. You actually bought that?"

"I'm suspicious too," Isabella admitted. "But, he seemed really regretful. Besides, if he wants to make peace, wouldn't that be good for our family?"

"And he invited you to dinner?" Nicholas asked, looking at the invitation. "What, did he want you to come alone?"

"He said I could bring you, if I wanted," Isabella explained. "But I was thinking, if you don't want to come, it's fine. I'll just go by myself. I feel awkward with Uncle and Aunt Thomson. It's an invitation from their son, after all."

Nicholas put down his book. His face was serious. "No."

Isabella looked at him. "Why not?"

"You're not going alone," Nicholas stated firmly. "I'm coming too."

"But Nicholas, you don't even like Gilbert," Isabella tried to argue.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Nicholas said, his expression extremely serious. "I'm not letting you go there by yourself."

Isabella looked into Nicholas's eyes, seeing the gravity there. She knew Nicholas wasn't messing around when he got like this. "Alright. Then we'll go together."