2024-09-11 09:37:15
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WHISPERS OVER WINE
The grand dining hall of the Richmond Estate sparkled like a galaxy of gold and crystal. Long chandeliers hung from the high marble ceiling, pouring warm light over a giant table carved from dark oakwood. Soft classical music drifted through hidden speakers, and the air smelled of sweet wine, roasted meat, and fresh roses.The plates were silver. The glasses shimmered. The food? It was luxury on every level.At the head of the high table, two men sat like kings.Daniel Richmond, the young head of the Richmond family, was dressed in a navy-blue designer tuxedo. His black hair was slicked back, and a subtle diamond pin glowed on his chest. Though only in his mid-twenties, Daniel looked as calm and sharp as a seasoned emperor.Beside him sat Vincent Arceneaux, leader of the mysterious and now extremely wealthy Arceneaux family. He wore a dark brown suit with golden embroidery that caught the light every time he moved. His eyes were pale gray, and his face—though handsome—still held s
THE EYES BEYOND THE GATES
Jayden’s boots pounded against the steel floor as he rushed toward the emergency control panel. His breath came fast and shallow. Every second counted now.He reached the red-framed console near the elevator—an old-fashioned security system built for total emergencies. He slammed his palm against the ID scanner. A small light blinked green.“Activate lockdown protocol,” he ordered. “Full internal seal. Limit access to Level Three clearance or higher.”The AI voice replied calmly:“Confirming identity. Jayden Cole. Clearance Level: Director. Confirm lockdown?”“Yes,” he snapped. “Lock the damn building and premises down!”“Lockdown initiating.”All across the facility, heavy blast doors began to slide into place with loud clanks. Lights turned red. Sirens gave short, sharp warning tones. The intercom buzzed with a robotic message repeating in cycles:“Attention: Facility lockdown in progress. Please remain in your current zones until further notice.”Jayden leaned against the wall, his
MINDFALL
Jayden narrowed his eyes as the secretary stood before him, panting like she had run all the way from the lower floors.He stepped around his desk. "What is it? Why do you look like that?"The young woman pressed a hand to her chest. "Sir… there’s a big problem."Jayden’s eyebrows furrowed. A sharp sense of dread hit his stomach. "What problem?"She looked up, her voice was shaking. "The staff… they’re leaving. Many of them. Right now."Jayden blinked. "What?" he asked, clearly shocked. "What do you mean?""I mean—" she said, breath catching, "they just stood up and started walking out of their duty posts. No permission. No orders. They just… left. Like something pulled them away.""That doesn’t make any sense," Jayden muttered. "Why would they do that?""The Chief Production Officer reported it to me just a few minutes ago," she said. "He’s an Orion too. He seemed confused—frustrated. He left to go down there himself and try to settle things."Jayden didn’t wait. He brushed past the
UNSEALED AND UNWATCHED
Jayden sat behind the large black desk in the executive office, the sealed folder from Benny was still resting beside his hand. The city skyline stretched outside the wide glass windows behind him.He leaned back in the tall chair, his thoughts were still spinning from the news. CEO. He never imagined this. Not now. Not like this.But what could he do other than adjust so he could mentally fit into this new role he found himself?His desk phone lit up, buzzing once.Jayden pressed the speaker button. “Yes?”“Mr. Cole,” the assistant’s voice came through, polite and quick, “you have a scheduled call with Supervisor Malric Kendo from Jebbah. He’s on the line.”Jayden sat up straighter. “Put him through.”There was a brief click, then a new voice filled the room.“Jayden, my friend!” Malric’s voice was smooth and cheerful, with a thick Jebban accent. Malric was of dual citizenship. His father was of the federation, an Orion in fact, while his mother was a Jebban. “Congratulations on the
ACTING CEO
Jayden Cole drove through the heart of the city, eyes focused, hands firm on the wheel. The talk with Carl still echoed in his head. It confirmed what he had feared for a long time—the attacks, the sabotage, the court rulings—it wasn’t bad luck. It was a plan. A silent war.The tall glass tower of Orion Dynamics soon came into view. It stood high, shining under the morning sun. Jayden parked in the private lot, stepped out of his black car, and straightened his jacket. His boots clicked against the clean pavement as he walked to the front doors.Inside, the lobby buzzed with movement. Staff in suits hurried past with coffee, tablets, and paperwork. The scent of polish and new fabric hung in the air. A soft voice came from the reception desk.“Welcome, Mr. Cole. Please scan your ID.”Jayden reached into his jacket and pulled out a small silver card. He tapped it against the scanner. A soft beep. Green light.“Thank you,” the receptionist said with a polite smile. “You may proceed.
THE PATTERN
Jayden’s fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel. The road ahead was still calm, but inside his mind, thoughts moved like quiet thunder.“The pattern, Carl,” Jayden said slowly, “is that the same people keep getting attacked. Over and over. You. Me. Franchise connected to the Bowen family. Franchise connected to the Orions. And you ever notice who doesn’t get touched?”Carl was silent, listening.Jayden went on, “The Khybers, Vincent Arceneaux and his family, others like them... they never mess with the Velcan family. Or the Grigori family. Or the Richmonds. Or the Zyphers. Why is that?”Carl gave a short, nervous laugh. “Well, I mean... maybe it’s just coincidence. Or maybe those families are just too powerful to mess with.”Jayden let that sit for a moment before answering. “Too powerful? No, Carl. Orion Dynamics has been around just as long. Your own business empire moves more tech and energy parts than the Grigoris ever did. And Marvin Richmond—when he was alive—he had mo
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