The Hidden Empire of Harvey Kane

Chapter 001: All That Matters

"Happy anniversary, sweetheart."

Harvey's voice carried soft warmth as he stepped into the sitting room and spotted her.

Jane sat beside her mother, Eleanor. The moment her eyes found him, a smile bloomed across her face.

"Oh, my love," she cooed, already rising to her feet. But Eleanor's hand closed around her wrist and pulled her firmly down.

Jane frowned, turning to her mother. "What's wrong?"

Eleanor ignored the question. She turned instead to Harvey, her voice cold and clipped. "If you wish to address my daughter, you must step closer. Don't be a clown—"

"Oh mother," Jane cut in at once, sighing irritably. "Harvey and I have been married for a year already. Why do you still do this?"

"Do what?" Eleanor retorted. "Do you not know your place? As the CEO of New York's most recognised IT corporation, you should be well aware that your status sits far above that of this unfortunate man you married. He is nothing but a burden to you and the family."

Jane's face flushed with anger. She stood sharply, words already forming on her tongue in defence of her husband.

"It's fine," Harvey calmly chipped in. He walked forward, chuckling quietly with eyes fixed only on Jane. "I really don't mind what anyone says. I am head over heels in love with you, and that's all that matters."

Jane slowly turned to her husband. In the next breath she was in his arms. They held each other for a long moment until Eleanor cleared her throat in a deliberate, cutting way that forced them apart.

"This happens to be your anniversary," Eleanor said, the mockery in her tone thinly veiled. "Tell me. What gift did Harvey get for his dearly beloved wife?"

Jane was already turning toward her mother again when Harvey spoke. "I got her something special."

She faced him once more. "Oh, Harvey. You didn't have to."

He shook his head. "I do, my love. I'll do anything for you."

He opened the bag he carried and drew out a small box. Eleanor rose to her feet, eyes widening in search of the next opportunity to mock him.

Harvey opened the box and carefully lifted out a delicate silver necklace, its slender chain catching the light around a sparkling pendant.

"I got this for you."

Jane's smile softened. "It's...oh my God. It's beautiful."

Harvey smiled. "You like it?"

"I love it," she replied, turning around. "Quick. Wear it on–"

Eleanor's laughter suddenly burst out, cutting Jane short. It was sharp, loud and highly irritating.

Just then the door opened. Jane's father, Mr. James and her brother Kyle walked in, returning from their morning jog. They stepped into the sitting room to find Eleanor still laughing.

She wasted no time.

"Look at this," she told them. "Harvey bought a cheap-looking necklace for Jane to celebrate their anniversary."

Father and son exchanged a glance, then joined in the mockery.

"Heaven knows that I never approved of this sham of a marriage," James said in a stern voice, slowly shaking his head.

Kyle shook his head, lips curling. "Still can't believe Jane could stoop so low for him."

"Now take that rusty necklace back to where you got it," James ordered coldly, pointing a rigid finger at Harvey.

Harvey remained silent. None of them knew that the stones in the necklace were diamonds. He didn't bother to correct them, only stood still and listened to their hurtful words. Every ounce of his attention was fixed on his wife–the only one that mattered.

Jane's eyes never left his too. She was just about to lead him out of the noisy sitting room when her phone rang.

It was Jonathan, the chief operating officer of Harvax Inc.

She answered the call. "Hello, Jona–"

"You need to hurry to the company now," Jonathan cut in, his words coming out fast and tight.

The laughter and mockery slowly ceased, as the family sensed the tension from the call.

Jane's gaze flicked to her father's face. "Jonathan...what's wrong?"

"I'm afraid to say this, but it seems there's been another cyber attack on Harvax Inc.," Jonathan answered.

Jane slapped her forehead. "What?"

"This isn't like the last one that hit only a section of the firm," Jonathan continued. "Every digital system in the company has shut down. Completely."

Jane couldn't believe what she just heard. The color drained from her face.

"What's wrong?" Eleanor asked in a near whisper, stepping closer. James, Kyle and Harvey echoed the same question, their voices overlapping.

Jane only looked around the room once, then turned on her heel. "I'm heading to Harvax now."

"But it's Satur–" Eleanor began to say, but Jane had already dashed out of the sitting room without another word.

As Harvey watched her disappear, he muttered to himself, "There's been another cyber attack. Damn it."

Kyle's head snapped toward him. "What? How the hell do you know that?"

Harvey ignored him. His eyes remained fixed on the path Jane took.

"I need to go with her," he said quietly, more to himself.

"Oh, no no no," James interjected, striding across the room and planting himself on Harvey's path. "

That's not happening, chap."

Harvey looked up at his father-in-law as the man coldly added, "You brought this bad luck upon our daughter's firm. The cyberattacks started only after you both tied the damn knot."

Harvey frowned at the lie, for the truth was that he had actually been the one who reversed every single cyberattack that had occurred before this one. He had always kept his identity hidden afterward, allowing Jonathan to take the credit.

His lips were parting to speak when James raised a finger to stop him.

"You will remain seated in this house until the issue is resolved," James continued, cutting him off. "After that, we will begin discussing a clean divorce."

Kyle suddenly laughed. "Oh Dad, you say it like you're the one seeking a divorce from Harv–"

"Shut the hell up!" James yelled, giving his son a sharp glance.