2026-05-09 22:42:18
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Chapter One Hundred and Eighteen - Traced
The fake acquisition bait worked faster than expected.Leon called Duane early in the morning with the news."Sir, we have activity."Duane sat up in bed immediately. "What kind of activity?""Unknown investors have already begun contacting Titan Steel Manufacturing secretly.""When?""Last night. Multiple calls and emails. They're offering heavy amounts to secure control before Aureom Consortium can move."Duane smiled in the darkness of his bedroom. "How much are they offering?""Twenty percent above our fake proposal. They're desperate to block the acquisition.""Perfect. Send me everything you have."Duane got out of bed and went to his home office, pulling up his computer.Within minutes, Leon had forwarded all the contact emails and phone records.Duane read through them carefully, his smile widening.His enemies had taken the bait completely.They'd moved faster than he'd expected, more aggressively than he'd hoped.Which meant they were either very confident or very desperate.
Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen - Continuously
Leon sat in the secure conference room with the remaining investigators, all of them focused on their computer screens.They moved quickly on Duane's trap, working with precision and purpose."We need this to look completely legitimate," Leon said. "No shortcuts, no obvious mistakes."One of the investigators pulled up a list of regional steel supply companies."Which one should we target for the fake acquisition?"Leon studied the list carefully. "Titan Steel Manufacturing. They're the biggest in the region and they've been struggling financially.""That makes the acquisition believable.""Exactly. And their size means anyone watching our operations will take notice."Another investigator spoke up. "How do we leak the information?""Through fake channels and controlled leaks. We create internal documents that look confidential but aren't actually secret."Leon pulled up a template on the main screen."Draft emails between executives discussing the Titan Steel acquisition. Financial p
Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen - Strike
Gloria sat in the uncomfortable plastic chair beside her mother's hospital bed.The machines beeped steadily, monitoring heartbeat and oxygen levels.Her mother lay still, eyes closed, breathing softly.The treatment was working slowly but surely.Color had returned to her face over the past few days.The doctors said she might wake up fully within the week.Gloria reached out and held her mother's hand gently.Despite everything happening in her life, the chaos and fear and uncertainty, this was the only place she felt momentarily at peace.Here, in this quiet room, she could pretend the world outside didn't exist."Mom," Gloria said softly, even though her mother couldn't hear. "Francis called me yesterday."She paused, as if waiting for a response that wouldn't come."He's not coming home. He says he's moving on to a better life. He's got a new girlfriend who's connecting him with important people."Gloria's voice cracked slightly."He basically abandoned us. Left us behind like we
Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen - Message
Duane was in his home gym, running on the treadmill, when his phone rang.He slowed to a stop and grabbed the phone from the holder.One of the Aureom Consortium executives."Yes?" Duane answered, slightly out of breath."Sir, we have a serious problem."Duane grabbed a towel and wiped his face. "What happened?""The logistics expansion project. The one we've been planning for the northern distribution centers.""What about it?""It's been leaked. Before we even began."Duane's hand tightened on the phone. "How do you know?""Two competitors approached the same properties we were targeting. They knew our exact budget, our timeline, everything.""When did this happen?""This morning. The property owners called to inform us they'd received better offers."Duane fumed silently, his jaw clenching.Another leak.Another piece of confidential information spreading to his enemies."Sir? What should we do?"Duane forced his voice to remain calm. "Continue working on the project without worrie
Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen - Left Behind
Finally, Francis' voice came through. "Gloria?""Francis! Thank God. I've been trying to reach you for days.""I've been busy.""Too busy to answer your phone? Too busy to check on Mom?""How is Mom?"Gloria felt tears welling up. "She's getting better. The treatment is working. But she asks about you every day.""That's good to hear.""Francis, please come home. We need you. Mom needs you.""I can't.""Why not?"Francis sighed. "Because I'm aiming for a better position in my life now.""What does that mean?""It means I'm moving on, Gloria. I'm building something new.""But what about family?""I've got a new girlfriend. She's connecting me with the right people for a better living. Real opportunities, not just scraping by."Gloria's voice broke. "We're not just scraping by. We're surviving. Together.""You're surviving. I'm trying to actually live.""Francis, please—""I wish you and Mom well. I really do. But I can't come back to that life.""What life? Your family?""Look, I have
Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen - Words
Duane didn't return home directly after leaving Gloria's apartment.Instead, he drove toward Wordsworth Tower, his mind working through everything he'd learned.The law firm connection to Gloria was too specific to be coincidence.But he needed more proof, more connections, more evidence.And he knew exactly how to get it.He pulled out his phone and called John Smith.The phone rang three times before John answered."Duane? Is everything alright?""I need you to meet me at the Tower. It's urgent.""Now? I'm in the middle of—""It can't wait. How soon can you be there?"John hesitated. "Thirty minutes?""Make it twenty."Duane hung up before John could respond.He drove the rest of the way in silence, planning exactly what he'd say and how he'd say it.When he arrived at the Tower, he went straight to his private office on the forty-fifth floor.The space was elegant and comfortable, designed to put visitors at ease.Perfect for the conversation he was about to have.John arrived exac
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