Lana's utterance sounded like a jarring bell in the silent setting, quickly grasping the attention of others. All eyes, falling on her.
Katerina paused her speech, her hand still on the mic as she sent Lana a cold look, irritation written all over her face.Yet, she didn't lose her composure or act brashly, considering the important personalities present in the hall.''Who is she?'' a man in a brown suit asked.''I wish I knew.'' The blonde-haired lady sitting beside him shrugged.''Most likely one of these naive heiresses of those tiny families.'' A third company chided in, a man in a black suit, holding a glass of wine.''My thoughts too,'' the first man said. ''This is why I was against the new system, some of those hillbillies think we're equals, leaving their manners unchecked.''”Regardless, messing with Katerina is an unwise decision, even the other powerful families tend to avoid getting in her bad book,'' the lady whispered, glancing left and right before heaving a soft sigh.Back at Lana's spot, Marcus' face reddened, seeing the mess his lover just created. If he was hoping to at least be forgiven by Katerina so he would be eligible to become a candidate previously, all he could pray for now was for things not to get worse.However, he wasn't the type to give up without putting up a fight.Forcing a crooked smile, he walked close to the stage, raising his glass of wine.''Apologies everyone, my… sweetheart tends to be nervous around people, which makes her spell out some uncalled wordings.'' He bowed, shooting Lana a reproachful look.However, his apologies were met with an air of stillness. As Katerina treated him as though he didn't exist.To stop further embarrassment, Marcus forced a grin, gulping on his own saliva as he walked back to the table where Lana sat.Lana rolled her eyes, still feeling vengeful, and just as Marcus got to their table, she stood up and pointed her finger at Katerina.''Important guests, don't be fooled by her facade, I saw her messing with my ex-husband whom I just divorced.''''Lana!'' Marcus gasped, his heart momentarily stopping.The people present also held their breath, the scandal just thrown at Katerina still ringing in their ears like resounding echoes.In no time, the hall was thrown into a cacophony of murmurs, as people gossiped over the hottest gist in a while.''Lana you won't come here and humiliate me.'' Marcus tightened his fist around her arms under the table, making her wince in pain.''W-what did I do?'' She asked.''What didn't you do?'' Marcus muttered, his voice louder than before.''You're not allowed to talk until we leave this place, and you'll obey me without any questioning,'' Marcus ordered, not sparing her a glance.''Otherwise, I take back all I've given you.'' Marcus met her eyes. His resolute gaze, informing her that he meant everything he said.''Everyone, let's maintain an ambient silence please.'' The host pleaded as she tried to regain control of the room.Afterwards, the hall regained its silence as everyone eventually calmed down. Their eyes back at Katerina who stood on the stage.''Hello everyone, apologies for the commotion earlier.'' She greeted the audience, her soft voice permeating each person's ears, almost like a charm.''To begin with, I'd like to thank everyone present here for honouring the invite of my Blake family.''''As we all know, sequel to the grand meeting we had, the board of directors had passed a bill.''''This is to ensure that the small families are equipped with better chances of survival, as we all know, a lot of family businesses have crumbled into the shadows of time,'' she said, her eyes moving in Marcus' direction for a few seconds before turning back to the remaining audience.''Why do I feel like there's more to this?'' the man in a brown suit from earlier chuckled. Being one of the few people who noticed Katerina's gaze just now.''Oh c'mon, isn't that common knowledge, neither of them will go unscathed after creating this much mess.'' The second young man in a black suit waved his hand in dismissal.''Hence, we shall announce the names of the candidates who qualified today.''Katerina's statement brought everyone's thoughts back to her once more. Even the big families present still had interest as their curiosity couldn't help them from trying to know the supposed candidates.Marcus let out a full grin after hearing Katerina's declaration. His eyes brightened with fervour, totally forgetting the mess that happened moments ago.''However…'' Katerina said into the mic again.''The project idea wasn't the board's own… a brilliant man had worked day and night to come up with such a beautiful idea,'' she explained, making the guests nod in admiration.''Ladies and gentlemen, please permit me to introduce the backbone and brain behind today's gathering, someone mostly unfamiliar to most of you here.''Her long statement sparked a mixed reaction among the guests. Some found the young man commendable, while others found it as an unnecessary flaunting of the Blake family's prowess.However, regardless of which side they leaned on, no one dared to voice out their inner thoughts.Just as Katerina ended her speech, a beam of light lit the hall as it moved across the perimeters before eventually landing on a particular spot.There, a young man in a piece of suit walked onto the stage as the light followed him like a guardian angel.
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100 Gone
The room was heavy with tension. The air thick, as if the walls themselves could sense the finality of what was about to unfold. Austin stood at the center of the secret basement, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of the people who had stood by him, helped him build this empire. The Blake family Elders, Senator Hayes, Farhan, and the others—his closest allies—were all gathered, eyes filled with something more than just respect.It was the weight of a journey, a history, and an unspoken understanding that this chapter was closing."Well, it’s time," Austin said, his voice calm but edged with determination. His words hung in the air for a moment before they sank into the hearts of those around him. Farhan stood beside him, arms crossed, his usual bravado replaced with a quiet, contemplative air. The years had changed them both. They had grown older, more thoughtful, more burdened by the responsibilities they’d carried for so long. Yet their connection remained unshaken. The bond of
99 Old Buddies
The whiskey glass in Austin's hand was half empty, the amber liquid swirling around as he tapped his fingers lightly against the rim. His mind, sharp as ever, wasn't focused on the business of the day. Instead, it was on the conversation that had been simmering in his mind for weeks now. Across from him sat Farhan Maleq and James, two of the few men who had stuck by him through thick and thin, who had seen him rise and fall, and now, who were part of the very foundation he had built. They weren’t just allies anymore; they were family.Farhan leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze fixed on Austin. The years had changed him, just as they had changed Austin, but there was a familiarity in the air. It was the kind of silence you could only share with people who had seen you at your worst and still stuck around. The weight of the world they’d carried together was too much for just words to explain.James, ever the quiet one, was staring into his glass, eyes unfocused but filled with a k
98 New Lives
The room buzzed with quiet murmurs and soft laughter, a stark contrast to the bloody chaos of just a few years ago. The grand hall of the Blake estate was draped in gold and white, the colors of celebration and unity. Every corner of the room radiated opulence, a testament to the new world order that Austin had built with his iron will. Emma sat in an intricately carved chair at the center of the stage, her face glowing with a mixture of pride and exhaustion. The twins lay in her arms, swaddled in soft fabrics that probably cost more than the average person’s yearly salary. Austin stood next to her, his towering frame exuding authority even as his gaze softened every time it flickered to the babies. The crowd of global elites, Mafia heads, and influential dignitaries stood below, glasses raised in celebration. Farhan, representing the El Maleq, stepped forward to speak. “To the future of our world,” he began, his voice smooth and commanding. “And to the two children who symbol
97 A New World
Austin sat at the head of the table, his presence alone silencing the murmurs that rippled through the room. Representatives from the El Maleq family, the Shadow Council, and other former Mafia factions filled the massive conference hall. Farhan stood to his right, his gaze sharp and unreadable, while Senator Hayes leaned back in his chair, his face set in an expression of calm calculation. "This isn’t a negotiation," Austin said, his voice low but carrying. "This is a reality check. The days of fractured territories and petty rivalries are over. From now on, the Blake family is at the center, and I lead the world. Anyone who can’t live with that is free to leave—preferably without causing a scene." Farhan smirked slightly, but his eyes scanned the room for any signs of dissent. The silence was heavy, the weight of Austin’s words pressing down on everyone present. Senator Hayes finally spoke, his voice measured. "No one’s questioning your power, Austin. But centralizing everyth
96 Dealing With Aftermath
Austin sat at the edge of a conference table in the Blake family’s main office. The room was packed with faces that wore varying levels of exhaustion and wariness, but none could deny the determination etched into their features. Farhan leaned back in his chair, flipping a pen between his fingers, while Emma sat opposite Austin, scanning through a list of proposed actions. “The loot from the war,” Emma began, her tone sharp and deliberate, “is more than enough to compensate every major city affected by the fighting. But if we’re not careful, this could spiral into another power struggle.” Austin exhaled slowly, his hands resting on the table. “No more power struggles,” he said firmly. “We’ve had enough bloodshed. The loot is going to rebuild, educate, and unite. Anyone who tries to hoard it or weaponize it is going to wish they hadn’t.” Farhan chuckled, though there was no humor in it. “You’re asking wolves to stop hunting, mate. They’ll need more than a warning.” “They’ll ge
95 Revolutionary
The war was over, but the silence it left in its wake was deafening. Cities that had been battlegrounds now bore the scars of Austin’s conquest: shattered buildings, scorched earth, and a populace weary of the bloodshed. Yet amidst the rubble, a new world was being forged. Austin had no intention of letting the old order crawl back from the ashes. The grand hall of the Blake family’s headquarters buzzed with activity. Delegates from the former Mafia factions sat stiffly around the long table, their postures wary. Some still bore the bruises and cuts from their recent battles, their pride as battered as their bodies. Austin entered without ceremony, his presence demanding silence. Dressed in a sharp black suit, his gaze swept over the room. He didn’t need to speak for the tension to settle like a weight on everyone’s shoulders. “We’ve spent decades clawing at each other’s throats,” he began, his voice sharp, cutting through the room. “For what? Territory? Power? Pride? And where
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