Tara stomped out of the boardroom, heels clicking loudly on every step.
This was more serious than she had imagined.
Alfredo had planned this all along, he was in for war, and she was ready to fight it till the end
Tara collapsed into her office chair, her pulse racing.
Thirty days?
If she failed, the company her family built would fall into Alfredo's greedy hands.
Not on her watch.
Alfredo was not just ruthless in the boardroom, he also publicly humiliates people on social media.
What would people say if he took over the company?
She would be mocked
A fallen queen mocked by the very people who once worshiped her.
People of Zyrai would mock her as a failed CEO!
Tara wasn't just a businesswoman, she was a name.
Forbes under thirty. A face every magazine wanted.
On top of that, she was one of the country's beauties, any man would want to have a woman like Tara
Nevertheless, she was not one for just any man
She was too focused on building her company that she cared less about the line of men who were after her for marriage.
A powerful woman like her has prided herself on being high value that she didn't need a man
But power was useless without leverage. And leverage meant money.
Zayn had made advances towards Tara but she never liked him but his money
She needed more money!
Tara dialed her father, her nails drumming the desk.
"Dad! Alfredo's in for war, this is bad"
Her father's sigh crackled through the line. "Calm down, Tara. Tell me everything."
She pressed a hand to her temple, forcing her breathing to steady
Then she narrated every detail from Alfredo's threats to losing the company if she didn't raise the money in thirty days.
Then, her desperate plan spilled from her lips
"If I marry billionaire Zayn, his influence, his money…it…it will save the company's face. We'll survive this storm"
Her father went quiet. Then, to her surprise, he chuckled.
"I guess the universe is smiling on us, your grandfather already arranged your marriage with Zayn"
Tara stomach knotted.
Relief and disbelief tangled inside her.
So it wasn't just her idea, marrying Zayn had been her fate all along.
Zayn had been pursuing her for months, throwing invitations and gifts her way
But she'd never cared about him until now.
His money was the only thing that mattered now.
If marrying him meant saving her empire, then so be it.
"Alfredo would eat up his words"
She listened to her father's further instructions before ending the call.
Tara took in a deep breath, clutching the armrest as hope flickered in her chest.
For the first time since last night, she dared to believe she had won Alfredo already.
Marriage wasn't something Tara considered, but she was out of move
Love didn't matter as long as she was marrying for money.
There was a gala for the elite later tonight, Zayn had invited her to be his plus one
She had outrightly rejected on grounds that she had work paper work to do
Now a night with Zayn wasnt a bad idea after all since they would be married soon.
***
Leon was sitting in the passenger seat while Jake drove.
Leon's gaze fixed on the passing city. His jaw was tight, eyes sharp, unreadable.
To anyone who looked at him, he passed like a calm, gentle man who could be ridden on
But Jake knew better, every silence from Leon was loaded.
Calculating. Dangerous.
Jake gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Whatever or whomever had made his boss this cold had damaged him.
He never talked about his past, no family, all he cared about was his organization, Omnipower.
The large burn scar on his boss's face had a story that he knew nothing about
Leon's jaw clenched. "Look at the road and stop looking at me-you would get yourself killed"
Jake immediately faced front
Leon looked out the window, and he saw a couple walking the street, laughing, hands intertwined and in love.
A memory flash from five years ago, he had trusted too deeply.
His fiancée's betrayal still hurt like fresh wounds.
She was involved in the fire that almost killed him five years ago.
That betrayal had taught him, trust was weakness and weakness destroyed kings.
Now he was entering into a loveless marriage that he didn't know his wife.
Just to get back everything he had lost years ago.
This is just business, Leon thought
The car radio buzzed while the two men drove in silence
"Breaking news-Mayor Christo's sudden death has left many citizens shocked…"
Jake risked a glance at his boss.
Leon's lips curved, not in amusement but in something sharper, colder.
"Christo was just the first, the list goes on"
"…he was indeed a good man to the people. The FBI, however, is investigating late Mayor Christo's assets for links to money laundering and corruption…"
"Check mate Christo, you buried my father's legacy but you didn't bury me" Leon muttered under his breath, remembering five years ago.
The sound of crackling fire
His mother's voice was shouting his name for help.
On the floor lay his father's body, blood oozing from his head.
Through the haze, the figure of the woman he once loved was walking away
Leaving him to die in the burning estate with his family.
Leon's jaw clenched
Corey Draven, Leon Draven's late father, was friends with Christo.
Five years ago, Corey was one of the top businessmen in Zyrai.
Due to the rise of the Draven Empire, Corey attracted allies and enemies.
"We are here, boss" Jake announced, bringing Leon out of his thoughts
Another mission, closer to his goal.
His next target was at the popular gala happening that night.
"Switch to plan B if I am not out in ten minutes"
"Yes boss" Jake replied nodding his head
Leon got down from the car, close the door then adjust his dress.
It was right about time, he looked at the building in front of him
Leon Draven wouldn't stop at anything, he would make sure he got revenge for his family.
Those who thought he was dead would be shocked that he had indeed survived the fire and reinvented himself.
Once again, Leon would build his legacy, the Draven Empire from ashes!
Right outside the gala, paparazzi flashed their cameras while elites, pulled up in expensive cars.
Leon had the mission planned out.
He was moving
Little did he know his revenge plans wouldn't be as perfect as he had drawn them out, something more was coming!