2025-04-17 19:26:31Chapter 9: The Shadow in the System
The Stormont Corp logo gleamed behind the podium as Rowan adjusted the mic.
The room was filled with reporters, photographers, investors, and employees, many of whom looked ready to pounce.
The internet had been on fire for the past 24 hours.
‘STORMONT CEO CAUGHT IN OFFICE ROMANCE’
‘GRANT FAMILY DAUGHTER INVOLVED IN STORMONT SCANDAL?’‘IS ROWAN STORMONT FIT TO LEAD?’Rowan took a breath.
The cameras clicked. The lights burned.
He leaned forward and spoke.
“There are a lot of things being said about me... about this company... and about someone I care about.”
Murmurs rippled across the room.
“I won’t dignify gossip. But I will say this Stormont Corp doesn’t just run on systems and signatures. It runs on integrity. No one, no matter how powerful, will dictate our future through rumor or fear.”
“Mr Rowan, Are the rumours true or false?”. One of the reporters shouted from the crowd.
“It's False, That's why they are called rumours”.
“So do you have the pictures circulating around, Mr Rowan?”. Another Reporter asked.
Rowan cleared his throat. This was the wrong time for news like this to be circulating. He had to do some serious damage control, and he had to do it fast.
“Those pictures circulating around social media are all dictated, Created to bring the good name of this grand Organisation to the ground.” He glanced over to Valeria, who gave him a slight nod.
“I hear what you're saying Mr Rowan, but seeing that this scandal broke out when it hasn’t been long you over your parent company. How do you plan on redeeming yourself?”
Rowan paused for a moment, he knows how crucial his next answer is.
Adjusting the Mic, “I plan to…”
‘System Alert: External Disturbance Detected.’
The doors at the back swung open with a sharp clang.
Gasps filled the room.
Raven Stormont walked in, clad in an all black fitted suit, blood-red heels, her signature wave of red hair cascading behind her like a flag of war.
Rowan’s hand tightened on the podium.
“What is she doing here? ,” he muttered, turning to look at Conrad, who shook his head.
Raven didn’t wait for an invitation. She walked straight to the front, heels clicking like gunfire, then took a second mic from the side and turned toward the cameras.
“I apologize for the interruption,” she said, voice cool and steady. “But I couldn’t let misleading narratives continue without clarity.”
Rowan stepped back.
‘System Alert: Twin Sync Triggered. Warning: Unstable Emotional Surge.’
“I am Raven Stormont,” she announced. “Twin of Rowan Stormont. Co-heir to the Stormont Empire.”
The room exploded with noise.
Flashes. Gasps. Phones lifted.
“I have remained behind the scenes for long enough. But after recent events have threatened the Stormont reputation, my reputation, I must step forward.” She said, turning to look at Rowan, who has look on his face that read ‘What the fuck do you think you’re doing?’
Rowan’s pulse pounded in his ears.
“And as the rightful co-leader of this company,” Raven continued, “I hereby revoke all appointments that compromise the integrity of Stormont Corp... starting with Ms. Valeria Dane.”
You could hear the silence in the hall
No one messes with the Grants. Everyone knows this.
And Raven’s words echoed through the stunned room.
Valeria, watching from the side, went pale.
“She is hereby relieved of her duties, effective immediately,” Raven said. “This is not personal. It’s protection.”
Rowan stepped forward and whispered in her ears. “Raven, that’s not your call to..”
“It is my call,” Raven snapped, facing him now. “This company is not your playground, Rowan. It’s our legacy.”
“ What the fuck is wrong with you. You can’t do this. You blindsided me…”
“Better to be blindsided by truth than drowned by scandal,” she shot back.
“Valeria’s done nothing wrong,” he said, his voice rising. “She’s been nothing but loyal…”
“And yet you’re the one in bed with your head of security.”
A collective gasp. The press was having a party with the drama ongoing in front of them. Keyboards clicking, flashes going in a frenzy.
Rowan froze.
So did Valeria.
‘System Alert: Emotional Pulse Spiking. Suppression Protocol Initiated.’
“She’s gone,” Raven said coldly. “That’s final.”
And with that, she turned, flipping her mic off and striding out of the room, leaving Rowan standing alone at the podium, fuming.
Again.
*****
Rowan paced the lounge, his tie loosened, fingers buried in his hair.
Valeria sat silently in a corner, her tablet in her lap.
“I should’ve stopped her,” Rowan muttered.
Valeria looked up, calm despite everything. “No. You should’ve expected her.”
Rowan sighed. “You’re not mad?”
“Oh, I’m furious,” she said. “But I’m also a Grant. This won’t be the end.”
Rowan blinked. “Wait. You’re really a Grant?”
She smirked. “Didn’t think the name was just for drama, did you?”
“I thought it was a coincidence.”
Valeria leaned forward. “We don’t do coincidences in my family. Just... calculated impact.”
He chuckled, despite the mess. “You sound like someone I’d want on my side in a war.”
She tilted her head. “You’re in one, Rowan. You just didn’t know how big it was.”
“I'm going to fix this. I promise. She doesn't have the right to fire you.”
“You’d better Rowan, You’d better”.
*****
THE NEXT DAY
Raven and Aria sat at the company café, an unlikely pairing, sharing a plate of overpriced croissants, Espresso and Macchiato.
“Did you see his face?” Raven laughed, buttering a croissant. “He looked like someone just revoked his birthday.”
Aria smiled softly. “You do realize he’s your brother and that you just declared war, right?”
“I declared the truth,” Raven corrected. “And if he can’t handle it... maybe he’s not the Stormont everyone thinks he is.”
“Be careful,” Aria said. “He’s a man and he’s got more allies than you think.”
“Please,” Raven scoffed. “He had Valeria. Now? He has Scandalous headlines. Who’s the man now?”
Aria stirred her tea. “Headlines fade Raven, but Systems don’t.”
‘System Alert: Aria Stormont Presence Detected. Reading Blocked.’
Raven frowned at her system interface, then glanced sideways.
“You’re hard to read Aria,” Raven said casually.
Aria raised a brow. “Is that a problem?”
“No,” Raven said slowly. “It’s... weird. I can't read your mum and dad too. That too is weird.”
******
Rowan leaned against his black Audi, watching the city lights.
“System,” he muttered. “Run predictive behavior model on Raven.”
‘Insufficient data. Emotional patterns are unpredictable.’
“Figures.”
Just then, someone approached from the shadows.
Aria.
“You look like a kicked dog,” she said playfully.
Rowan didn’t smile. “You knew she’d do it right?.”
“I suspected,” she replied. “But i Didn’t think she’d go that hard.”
He turned to face her.
“My system can’t read you Aria,” he said.
Aria’s expression flickered for just a second then settled with a slight smile.
“And?”
“Its suspicious”
“ Well Maybe that’s because you’re not looking deep enough.”
Rowan stepped closer. “What’s your real goal here, Aria?”
She smiled. “Nothing, just Peace.”
‘System Alert: Data Conflict. Trust Status: Neutral-Suspicious’
“Somehow,” Rowan said, “I don’t believe you.”
“That’s okay,” she whispered. “You’re not supposed to.”
*****
Somewhere across town,a computer screen blinked to life.
A masked figure typed swiftly, bringing up a list of names.
TARGET 01: ROWAN STORMONT
TARGET 02: RAVEN STORMONTTARGET 03: VALERIA DANESTATUS: MONITOREDOPERATION: RESET INITIATEDThe figure paused and removed the mask.
It was Atlas Wilson.
Aria’s boyfriend.
Raven’s supposed betrothed, which she didn't know about yet.
Eyes cold.
Voice quiet.
“Let the games begin..”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
My Twin System Activated Chapter 10: Operation Reset
Chapter 10: Operation ResetFor the first time in weeks, Rowan felt a shift in the air. Not power. Not pride.Paranoia.His system had been silent all night, too silent. It was strangeNo pings. No updates. No environmental scans.‘System Sync: 29.8% – Functional. Background processes stable. Recent scans: 0 anomalies. No external threats.’It was lying.He could feel it.Something was off.He glanced around the floor, his staff moved about like normal, but their eyes lingered longer than usual. Whispers died when he walked past. Emails stopped mid-typing.A tension you could cut with a glass shard.And then, Steven, his assistant, rushed towards him.“Sir, there’s someone here to see you. He insisted.”Rowan looked up.“Who?”She swallowed. “Mr. Kane Stormont.”Rowan’s blood ran cold. He didn't really know the man, but he didn't have a good feeling about him***Kane sat at the head of the table in the conference, legs crossed, fingers laced. As always, he was too calm. Too collecte
My Twin System Activated CHAPTER 11: Dead Men Tell No Lies
CHAPTER 11: Dead Men Tell No LiesDarkness.Rowan couldn't tell if he was dead or dreaming. But his body... his body was screaming.Not in pain, at least, not the kind he was used to. This was worse. A dull buzz crawled beneath his skin like electric ants, crawling into his veins, making every muscle spasm in rebellion. He felt what seemed like an electric shock run through his body every few seconds. Every time it went through, it felt like his heart stopped. He couldn't move, he couldn't comprehend what was going with him. He was trembling. His system was silent. That’s what scared him most.Not the poison. Not the silence of the garage. But the fact that his system, his edge, his power, his truth sensor was completely, utterly gone. ‘[ERROR: SYSTEM OFFLINE. HOST CONSCIOUSNESS FRAGMENTED.]’Everything was pitch black, and slowly, Rowan lost control of his mind, feelings, and pain. Everything just went numb.****FEW HOURS LATERHis eyes flickered open. Fuzzy outlines. Flashing
My Twin System Activated CHAPTER 12: A Ring and a Rift
CHAPTER 12: A Ring and a RiftRowan sat upright in bed, the glow of the system's rebooted interface still hovering faintly in the air. Raven stood by the window, arms crossed, staring out at the storm clouds gathering over the city."Raven, We need to talk," Rowan said firmly, but softly.She turned slowly, her eyes sharp. "We always do, doesn’t change much. What is it?"He sighed. "It’s about the ring. The one that the kidnapper guy mentioned. The second ring... connected to you."“A ring?”. Her brows lifted slightly. "And what makes you think I know anything about it?""I don't. But the system says there's more. A hidden function. A shared power. Maybe the ring is the key."Raven pushed off the window frame. "You mean ‘your’ system says. Not mine. Mine doesn’t bore me with riddles.""Maybe that's the problem," Rowan said, standing, IV still dangling from his arm. "You refuse to work with me, and it's killing our progress.""Oh, so now you’re the captain of Team Stormont?" Raven fi
My Twin System Activated CHAPTER 13: Wolves in Silk
CHAPTER 13: Wolves in SilkThe tension in the Stormont estate was thicker than the velvet curtains that lined the windows because of the recent break in. So Raven needed a break. Some fresh air. This wasn't how she imagined a life of wealth.She sat on the edge of the rooftop garden, in one of the luxurious buildings the stormonts owned, staring into the horizon. The city lights blinked like lazy fireflies in the dusk. She wasn’t used to this, being still. Her world had always been motion, control, combat. But lately, it was something else.Something deeper.Someone else.And then she felt it again, that lingering presence that was becoming oddly consistent.Footsteps.She didn’t look back, just adjusted her coat and waited.But prepared for anything."Beautiful view," a male voice said smoothly behind her.She turned, casually. The man was tall, lean, and dressed like the cover of a fashion magazine. White turtleneck under a dark brown coat, dark jeans, sculpted cheekbones and the kin
My Twin System Activated CHAPTER 14: Reflections in the Fire
CHAPTER 14: Reflections in the FireThe dream felt real. Too real.Raven was seven again, locked in a dim storage room, her screams muffled by steel walls. The cold bit into her skin, but it was the whispers, the cruel voices beyond the door, that echoed the loudest."She’s not strong enough. She’s not him.""What use is a half-broken tool?"Raven jolted awake in her room at the Stormont estate, drenched in sweat, her fists clenched tight around her bedsheets. The sun was just rising, spilling gold across her room like molten shame.She sat up, breathing hard, rubbing her arms as if trying to erase the memory.The past never left.It simply rewrote itself in her dreams.*****Later that morning, Raven, Rowan, and Aria stood in the estate’s lower courtyard. A challenge prompt hovered in the air before them, shimmering like fire. ‘[TWIN CHALLENGE INITIATED]** System Calibration Test – Neural Stability Link Sync Task: Decode shared algorithm while fending off simulated attack’“
My Twin System Activated CHAPTER 15: A Fragile Thread
CHAPTER 15: A Fragile ThreadThe sun rays sliced through the Stormont estate like a golden blade, casting long, sharp shadows across the marble floors.Rowan sat in the tech chamber, his fingers digging into the armrests of the synchronization chair. ‘[SYSTEM UPDATE: TASKS ASSIGNED. TASK 1 – NEURAL COMPRESSION TUNING. TASK 2 – PULSE DECRYPTION LINKAGE. TASK 3 – SYSTEM SHIELD TRIAL. EST. TIME: 48 HOURS.]’“Three tasks, one host,” Rowan muttered. “Nothing I can’t handle.”He relaxed himself on his seat to get started.Except this time, the first task alone had him on the edge of unconsciousness.As the neural wave surged through him, his head jerked back and his teeth clenched so tightly he thought his jaw might break.“System… System override. Reduce intensity by…” ‘[DENIED. TASK MUST BE COMPLETED AT FULL INTENSITY.]’Sweat drenched his shirt. His pulse raced. But he pushed through.Meanwhile in her room, Raven groaned, slamming her fists against her bed, eyes close“I’m not
My Twin System Activated CHAPTER 16: The Ghost in the Pulse
CHAPTER 16: The Ghost in the PulseRowan sat at his desk, staring blankly at the display his system had just shown him. ‘[UNKNOWN PRESENCE DETECTED. BIO-ENERGY PATTERN: FAMILIAR. LOCATION: WEST WING.]’The strange pulse of energy had been faint, but it matched the same erratic signature his system had recorded during the last glitch and when he was kidnapped. He wasn’t dumb. He trusted patterns.And this one screamed danger.“Who the hell is this guy?”. He thought deeply to himself, trying to connect dots and figure out what the hell is happening.He found Raven near the training deck, where she was casually sipping from a glass of iced coffee and scrolling through her system interface.“We need to talk,” Rowan said, his voice calm but edged with steel.Raven raised a brow. “Do we?”“Yes.”She crossed her arms. “About?”“Someone you’ve been seeing. I don’t know his name, but my system picked up something off about him. His bio-energy isn’t readable. Raven, you can’t trust people li
My Twin System Activated CHAPTER ONE: The Dinner That Ended It All
CHAPTER ONE: The Dinner That Ended It AllThe sizzle of garlic in the pan filled the kitchen, but it didn’t mask the bitterness in Rowan’s throat.It's been five years since he has been a house husband. 5 years since the cruel nature of his inlaws manifested themselves. 5 years of being called names no human being deserves to be called. He stirred the pot gently, his jaw clenched. Lasagna tonight , Aurora’s favorite. Or so she’d claimed 7 years ago when they got married. Back when she used to smile at him like he meant something.Now, it was just routine. She just changed.He wiped his hands on a towel, adjusted the flame, and heard the familiar sound of the front door creaking open, followed by the sharp clack of heels on tile.“Smells burnt,” Mrs. Cooper said without even stepping into the kitchen. Her voice carried venom, laced with disapproval, always loud enough for him and everyone in the house who has ears to hear.Rowan bit his tongue and turned the heat down.Mr. Cooper’s g
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 16: The Ghost in the Pulse
CHAPTER 16: The Ghost in the PulseRowan sat at his desk, staring blankly at the display his system had just shown him. ‘[UNKNOWN PRESENCE DETECTED. BIO-ENERGY PATTERN: FAMILIAR. LOCATION: WEST WING.]’The strange pulse of energy had been faint, but it matched the same erratic signature his system had recorded during the last glitch and when he was kidnapped. He wasn’t dumb. He trusted patterns.And this one screamed danger.“Who the hell is this guy?”. He thought deeply to himself, trying to connect dots and figure out what the hell is happening.He found Raven near the training deck, where she was casually sipping from a glass of iced coffee and scrolling through her system interface.“We need to talk,” Rowan said, his voice calm but edged with steel.Raven raised a brow. “Do we?”“Yes.”She crossed her arms. “About?”“Someone you’ve been seeing. I don’t know his name, but my system picked up something off about him. His bio-energy isn’t readable. Raven, you can’t trust people li
CHAPTER 15: A Fragile Thread
CHAPTER 15: A Fragile ThreadThe sun rays sliced through the Stormont estate like a golden blade, casting long, sharp shadows across the marble floors.Rowan sat in the tech chamber, his fingers digging into the armrests of the synchronization chair. ‘[SYSTEM UPDATE: TASKS ASSIGNED. TASK 1 – NEURAL COMPRESSION TUNING. TASK 2 – PULSE DECRYPTION LINKAGE. TASK 3 – SYSTEM SHIELD TRIAL. EST. TIME: 48 HOURS.]’“Three tasks, one host,” Rowan muttered. “Nothing I can’t handle.”He relaxed himself on his seat to get started.Except this time, the first task alone had him on the edge of unconsciousness.As the neural wave surged through him, his head jerked back and his teeth clenched so tightly he thought his jaw might break.“System… System override. Reduce intensity by…” ‘[DENIED. TASK MUST BE COMPLETED AT FULL INTENSITY.]’Sweat drenched his shirt. His pulse raced. But he pushed through.Meanwhile in her room, Raven groaned, slamming her fists against her bed, eyes close“I’m not
CHAPTER 14: Reflections in the Fire
CHAPTER 14: Reflections in the FireThe dream felt real. Too real.Raven was seven again, locked in a dim storage room, her screams muffled by steel walls. The cold bit into her skin, but it was the whispers, the cruel voices beyond the door, that echoed the loudest."She’s not strong enough. She’s not him.""What use is a half-broken tool?"Raven jolted awake in her room at the Stormont estate, drenched in sweat, her fists clenched tight around her bedsheets. The sun was just rising, spilling gold across her room like molten shame.She sat up, breathing hard, rubbing her arms as if trying to erase the memory.The past never left.It simply rewrote itself in her dreams.*****Later that morning, Raven, Rowan, and Aria stood in the estate’s lower courtyard. A challenge prompt hovered in the air before them, shimmering like fire. ‘[TWIN CHALLENGE INITIATED]** System Calibration Test – Neural Stability Link Sync Task: Decode shared algorithm while fending off simulated attack’“
CHAPTER 13: Wolves in Silk
CHAPTER 13: Wolves in SilkThe tension in the Stormont estate was thicker than the velvet curtains that lined the windows because of the recent break in. So Raven needed a break. Some fresh air. This wasn't how she imagined a life of wealth.She sat on the edge of the rooftop garden, in one of the luxurious buildings the stormonts owned, staring into the horizon. The city lights blinked like lazy fireflies in the dusk. She wasn’t used to this, being still. Her world had always been motion, control, combat. But lately, it was something else.Something deeper.Someone else.And then she felt it again, that lingering presence that was becoming oddly consistent.Footsteps.She didn’t look back, just adjusted her coat and waited.But prepared for anything."Beautiful view," a male voice said smoothly behind her.She turned, casually. The man was tall, lean, and dressed like the cover of a fashion magazine. White turtleneck under a dark brown coat, dark jeans, sculpted cheekbones and the kin
CHAPTER 12: A Ring and a Rift
CHAPTER 12: A Ring and a RiftRowan sat upright in bed, the glow of the system's rebooted interface still hovering faintly in the air. Raven stood by the window, arms crossed, staring out at the storm clouds gathering over the city."Raven, We need to talk," Rowan said firmly, but softly.She turned slowly, her eyes sharp. "We always do, doesn’t change much. What is it?"He sighed. "It’s about the ring. The one that the kidnapper guy mentioned. The second ring... connected to you."“A ring?”. Her brows lifted slightly. "And what makes you think I know anything about it?""I don't. But the system says there's more. A hidden function. A shared power. Maybe the ring is the key."Raven pushed off the window frame. "You mean ‘your’ system says. Not mine. Mine doesn’t bore me with riddles.""Maybe that's the problem," Rowan said, standing, IV still dangling from his arm. "You refuse to work with me, and it's killing our progress.""Oh, so now you’re the captain of Team Stormont?" Raven fi
CHAPTER 11: Dead Men Tell No Lies
CHAPTER 11: Dead Men Tell No LiesDarkness.Rowan couldn't tell if he was dead or dreaming. But his body... his body was screaming.Not in pain, at least, not the kind he was used to. This was worse. A dull buzz crawled beneath his skin like electric ants, crawling into his veins, making every muscle spasm in rebellion. He felt what seemed like an electric shock run through his body every few seconds. Every time it went through, it felt like his heart stopped. He couldn't move, he couldn't comprehend what was going with him. He was trembling. His system was silent. That’s what scared him most.Not the poison. Not the silence of the garage. But the fact that his system, his edge, his power, his truth sensor was completely, utterly gone. ‘[ERROR: SYSTEM OFFLINE. HOST CONSCIOUSNESS FRAGMENTED.]’Everything was pitch black, and slowly, Rowan lost control of his mind, feelings, and pain. Everything just went numb.****FEW HOURS LATERHis eyes flickered open. Fuzzy outlines. Flashing
Chapter 10: Operation Reset
Chapter 10: Operation ResetFor the first time in weeks, Rowan felt a shift in the air. Not power. Not pride.Paranoia.His system had been silent all night, too silent. It was strangeNo pings. No updates. No environmental scans.‘System Sync: 29.8% – Functional. Background processes stable. Recent scans: 0 anomalies. No external threats.’It was lying.He could feel it.Something was off.He glanced around the floor, his staff moved about like normal, but their eyes lingered longer than usual. Whispers died when he walked past. Emails stopped mid-typing.A tension you could cut with a glass shard.And then, Steven, his assistant, rushed towards him.“Sir, there’s someone here to see you. He insisted.”Rowan looked up.“Who?”She swallowed. “Mr. Kane Stormont.”Rowan’s blood ran cold. He didn't really know the man, but he didn't have a good feeling about him***Kane sat at the head of the table in the conference, legs crossed, fingers laced. As always, he was too calm. Too collecte
Chapter 9: The Shadow in the System
Chapter 9: The Shadow in the SystemThe Stormont Corp logo gleamed behind the podium as Rowan adjusted the mic. The room was filled with reporters, photographers, investors, and employees, many of whom looked ready to pounce.The internet had been on fire for the past 24 hours.‘STORMONT CEO CAUGHT IN OFFICE ROMANCE’ ‘GRANT FAMILY DAUGHTER INVOLVED IN STORMONT SCANDAL?’ ‘IS ROWAN STORMONT FIT TO LEAD?’Rowan took a breath.The cameras clicked. The lights burned.He leaned forward and spoke.“There are a lot of things being said about me... about this company... and about someone I care about.”Murmurs rippled across the room.“I won’t dignify gossip. But I will say this Stormont Corp doesn’t just run on systems and signatures. It runs on integrity. No one, no matter how powerful, will dictate our future through rumor or fear.”“Mr Rowan, Are the rumours true or false?”. One of the reporters shouted from the crowd.“It's False, That's why they are called rumours”.“So do you have th
CHAPTER 8: Three’s a Threat
CHAPTER 8: Three’s a ThreatThe TV screen lit up the cracked walls of the studio apartment.Rowan Stormont was on every channel, confident, sharp, dressed like power itself, answering press questions at Stormont Corp’s quarterly investor meeting.Peter’s eye twitched.He sat on a torn couch, surrounded by takeout boxes and unpaid bills, clutching a half-empty beer bottle in one hand. The other was clenched into a fist.Rowan’s voice rang out from the screen:“Stormont Corp is entering a new era. One defined by clarity, accountability, and strength.”Peter stood suddenly and hurled the bottle.It smashed into the TV screen.Crack.Rowan’s smirking face split down the middle.“Arrogant bastard,” Peter hissed. “I made you.”He kicked the corner of the couch.“You were nothing. You owed me.”He grabbed his phone, dialing a number from memory.“Mr Cooper,” he said when the line picked up. “You still want leverage on your ex-son- in-law?”*********The air in the executive hallway shifted l
