Volume 1: Fallen from Grace
Summary: Jack is fired, and his girlfriend Emily also leaves him, adding insult to injury. He begins to suspect those around him, unaware that the mastermind has already set a trap.
Chapter 3: Internal and External Pressures
"The stock price of Solar Dynamics... it's dropped below $5!" Richard's assistant screamed in horror, her voice tearing through the suffocating silence of the office.
Richard shot up from his leather chair, snatching the tablet from the assistant's trembling hands. There it was—the horrifying chart of Solar Dynamics' plummeting share price, a straight red waterfall falling off the cliff, a sight that sent chills down his spine. The net value of the Golden Bull Fund was shrinking before their eyes, like a body being devoured by vampires.
"Damn it! Sell everything! Get rid of all our Solar Dynamics shares—no matter the cost, just stop the losses!" Richard bellowed, veins bulging like a wild beast at the edge of extinction.
But the market had already spiraled into panic. No one was buying. Solar Dynamics had become a cursed tumor, avoided like the plague. The frantic selling only accelerated its collapse, and Richard's stop-loss orders vanished into thin air without effect.
He slumped back into his chair, pale-faced, drenched in cold sweat. He knew the Golden Bull Fund was on the verge of ruin, and the damage far exceeded anything he had imagined.
"Kevin… Kevin! Find that bastard for me! I'll kill him with my bare hands!" Richard growled between clenched teeth, his bloodshot eyes burning with rage.
The assistant hesitated before replying, "Sir, we've already sent people to look for him, but… Kevin seems to have anticipated this. His whereabouts are very secretive—we can't find him."
That only fueled Richard's fury. He grabbed the crystal paperweight from his desk and hurled it to the ground. Glass shattered everywhere, like the fragments of his shattered pride.
As Richard raged uncontrollably, an emergency board meeting was taking place inside the Kane Corporation. The atmosphere in the conference room was heavy, thick with tension and hostility.
"Richard, is this what you call 'stable investment'? The Golden Bull Fund has suffered massive losses, seriously damaging the company's reputation! You owe us an explanation!" An elder director slammed the table, his tone sharp and accusatory.
Richard forced a tight smile and tried to defend himself. "Gentlemen, this is only temporary. Market fluctuations happen. I've already taken action—I believe we can turn things around soon."
"Turn things around? The stock has collapsed completely, and you still think you can recover? We're not fools, Richard! Did you secretly divert fund assets for high-risk investments?" Another board member attacked ruthlessly, suspicion dripping from every word.
Richard's face darkened further. "Absolutely not! I swear on my honor—I have never done anything illegal!"
"Your honor? What's your honor worth now? Rumors are spreading that you gambled for higher profits, misappropriated funds, and engaged in illegal trading! Richard, if you don't give us a convincing explanation, we will have no choice but to take necessary actions!" The directors pressed forward, showing no mercy.
Richard knew his position was crumbling. The devastating losses of the Golden Bull Fund had cost him the board's trust. If he couldn't reverse the situation quickly, he would be shown the door—permanently.
Night fell, and Richard sat alone in his darkened office. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, New York shimmered with life—but to Richard, the lights were mocking, taunting.
Suddenly, the phone rang, breaking the silence. Richard hesitated before answering.
"Mr. Richard, hello. This is… Kevin." A shaky voice came through the receiver.
Richard's eyes flashed. Suppressing his anger, he replied calmly, "Mr. Kevin, nice to hear from you. I believe we have much to discuss."
"I know you want to know who the mastermind is," Kevin said, his tone laced with mystery.
"That's right. Tell me—who dared to do this to me? I'll make sure they pay dearly." Richard's voice turned icy.
"I can tell you… but first, I need your protection," Kevin paused. "You see, I've made many enemies. If I reveal the truth, I'll be targeted for revenge."
Richard remained silent for a moment, then said, "No problem. As long as you tell me the truth, I guarantee your safety. I can provide shelter, money, anything you need."
"Good. But first, I need to see your sincerity." Kevin continued.
"What do you want?" Richard asked.
"A sum of money—to prove your commitment. Then I'll tell you everything." Kevin demanded boldly.
Though annoyed, Richard had no other choice. Gritting his teeth, he agreed. They arranged a time and location for the meeting.
Meanwhile, Jack was watching from the shadows, closely monitoring Richard and Kevin's movements. Through the surveillance equipment provided by Pixel, he overheard their conversation and allowed himself a satisfied smile.
"Well done, Kevin," Jack whispered into his earpiece. "Now proceed with the plan. Remember, we need Richard to believe the real mastermind is someone within his own corporation."
"You got it, Jack. I know exactly what to do," Kevin replied.
The next day, as planned, Richard met Kevin in a remote warehouse. Carefully, he handed Kevin a suitcase full of cash and anxiously asked, "Now can you tell me who's behind this?"
Kevin took the case, counted the money, then lowered his voice. "Well… I'm not entirely sure, but I heard it was… Mr. Brian."
"Brian?!" Richard's expression changed instantly. Brian was another executive in Kane Corporation—and Richard's fiercest rival.
"That's right. From what I heard, Brian has been eyeing your position for a long time. He believes your poor management has damaged the company, so he used this opportunity to bring you down." Kevin added more fuel to the fire, embellishing Brian's supposed conspiracy.
Richard burned with rage. He had always seen Brian as a thorn in his side, but due to internal corporate balance, he'd never had the chance to strike. Now, he finally had an excuse—an opportunity to eliminate Brian once and for all.
He stared coldly at Kevin. "Understood. That's all I needed. You may go. I'll arrange for your protection."
Kevin nodded and quickly left the warehouse with the suitcase.
Richard watched him disappear, his eyes filled with murderous intent. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Yes. I need you to handle something for me… I want Brian… gone. Permanently."
Richard's ruthless counterattack had begun. He started digging for dirt on Brian, searching desperately for evidence linking him to the conspiracy—so he could destroy him in one decisive blow.
At the same time, Emily was silently observing the unfolding events. Watching Richard resort to any means necessary—even murder—to protect his power, she felt only fear and disgust. She began secretly helping Jack, hoping to atone for her past mistakes.
She knew there was no turning back. She had to stand by Jack's side and fight against Richard until the bitter end if she wanted true redemption.
What she didn't know was that Richard had already grown suspicious of her. He had noticed her subtle changes in behavior and suspected she might be working with Jack.
"Emily, you've seemed… off lately," Richard said coldly, gripping her wrist with a piercing stare.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced calmness. "I… I'm fine. Just a bit stressed with work recently."
Richard smirked. "Is that so? I hope you haven't betrayed me. Because if you did… you'll regret ever being born."
A chill ran down Emily's spine. She realized she was in grave danger. She would have to be more cautious than ever to protect herself—and help Jack finish what he started.
Beneath the night sky of New York, a fierce battle for power was quietly escalating. Each person was dragged unwillingly into the whirlpool, willing to pay any price to survive, to seek revenge, or to seize control. And in the end—who would emerge victorious?