Chapter 131
Ashwr’s POY
1 zat is my office, staring out at the city skyline, my thoughts a chaotic mess. The disaster at the last meeting wouldn’t leave my mind. The company board did not have faith in me.
Some investors had walked out, disgusted by the company’s ties to the mafia. I had tried to salvage the situation, offering reassurances, but their expressions had been unreadable, their minds already made up.
I needed to act fast, if I didn’t, I would lose the majority of our investors, and the company would crumble. That wasn’t an option.
The company was our legacy, the sacrifices made were too much to let everything fall apart because of one reckless decision.
The only way forward was to–term bes with the mafia completely
My jaw tigheased as i reached for the intercom “Evelyn, get in here.”
The door opened a moment later and Evelyn stepped mode. The was as composed as ever, dressed in her usual tailored suit, tablet in hand, waiting for rey orders.
nes, Mr. Standing?” she asked, Ben wince sheets and professional.
(averti fomund my love whang “lavet you to get someone to reach out to the mafia. Tell them that every single arrangement Marcus made with them As sever. Effres au ammia/”
Exeter’s Bigues imitate awen en satin, mur eyes Hickerset with uncertamey before she gave a small nod, “Understood, Who should I contact?”
“Bau wa on Suon coaling with the most don’t care how you do &, quot make sure Mary understand we’re done. No more deals, no more anskem tey have a problem with 4 that’s on them. Starting Enterprises & done dong business with them. I’ve made up my mind, there’s nothing
She hesitates; shifting on the feet “We Storing #my cutting ties so atroptly might not go over well. Do you want me to set up a final meeting? Furtups sigrant & dean Bar
shock my hout my jaw ducted. “No negotiations. If we gue them an inch, they’ll take a mile, I don’t trust them to walk away quietly, and I don’t want Takanotte disa aust get the message to Mom.”
Evelyn exhalet slowly dearly conting her words “Understood, dir. And if they push back?”
sights, saying & mand chenugh my bar “They will. Expect some resistance, maybe even threats. Have secunty prepared just in case. if anything seems
fi want to be the first to Amou
make sure of it,‘ she said, adding fray. “Ayhang else?”
Rapked away, ging out the window again. “, just get done”
The gave a ou mad and let the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I exhaled, whting my temples.
This was the right decision, the only decision, I couldn’t afford to be dragged down by Marcus’s mistakes any longer.
knew the maka wouldn’t take this well Cutting tes wouldn’t be as simple as making a phone call. They would retallate, i just had to be ready for it.
Bear’s Pay
saturated any suassive mahogany desk, the dim lighting of my office casting long shadows across the room.
13:48 Mon, 7 Jul
Chapter 131
A glass of whiskey rested in my hand, swirling gently as I stared at the amber liquid.
My thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. Without looking up, I gave a slight nod, granting entry.
One of my henchmen stepped inside, his stance rigid, his voice steady. “Boss, the man who helped broker the deal between you and Marcus Sterling is
here.
15
My brows furrowed. “Did he say why?”
“No, sir. Just that he needed to speak with you.”
exhaled slowly, placing my glass down. I motioned with my fingers. “Send him in.”
The door opened wider, and the man stepped inside, his expression uneasy. He moved with caution, as if walking into a lion’s den.
I watched him closely, noting the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers twitched slightly at his sides.
“What brings you here?” My voice was calm, but my eyes held a glint of danger.
The man hesitated before answering. “It’s about Asher Sterling.” He paused, as if carefully choosing his next words. “He… he wants to dissolve your alliance. He refuses to meet with you to discuss it.”
I leaned back in my chair, folding my hands over my stomach. “He refuses?” My voice remained smooth, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it. “That’s a bold move.”
The man nodded hesitantly. “Yes, Don. His secretary called and said there was nothing to discuss, that the alliance is over.”
I let out a quiet hum, studying the man’s face. “His secretary…” I repeated, my fingers tapping lightly against the polished wood of my desk. “So, he didn’t even have the spine to deliver the message himself? He sent some office worker to do it for him?”
The man shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t make the decisions, sir. I only deliver the message.”
“Of course,” I mused, standing slowly. “A message… sent in place of a meeting. It almost sounds like a man trying to weasel his way out of responsibility.” I took a slow step toward him. “Tell me something. Did you hear anything from Asher directly, or was it only the secretary?”
“Only the secretary,” the man confirmed quickly. “She was firm, said this came straight from Asher, and that he’s done.”
I nodded as if considering his words, walking around my desk with measured steps. “You see, I don’t like being dismissed. And I certainly don’t appreciate being treated like an afterthought.”
The man swallowed hard, his breathing growing uneven. “I understand, Don, but-”
In a flash, I was in front of him, my hand gripping his collar, yanking him forward with force. His words died in his throat as he gasped in shock.
“So he thinks he can just call off our alliance without consequences?” My voice was a low growl, laced with fury. My grip tightened as I pulled the man closer, our faces mere inches apart. “Does he have any idea what that means? Does he understand who he is dealing with?”
The man’s hands raised slightly in surrender. “I’m just the messenger,” he stammered. “I had no say in this. I was sent to inform you, that’s all.”
I stared at him for a long moment before shoving him back. He stumbled but managed to keep his footing.
“Tell Sterling junior that he just started a war he cannot end,” I said, my tone cold and final. “Now get out of my sight.”
The man wasted no time, backing toward the door before turning and rushing out. I let out a slow breath, my hands bracing against the desk as I tried to contain my rage.
Later that day, I summoned my right–hand man into the office. He entered swiftly, shutting the door behind him, his face unreadable as he approached the desk.
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13:48 Mon, 7 du
Chapter 131
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1 leaned back in my chain aus wirk playing on my tips. “Starling junior just dissolved our alliance, eat, my lee and with markery “And, of zxoise, we have to respond acedingly. We need to show them that you can’t jud break an alliance with the mafia and walk away unscathed
My right hand man estend His arms, a knowing expression settling on his face. “Don’t worry, Don, I know notetly what to do.”
I chuckled, a slow, deliberate sound that sent a chill through the room. “Good. Make sure they understand.”
He nodded once before turning on his heel and leaving the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
i reached for my whiskey again, lifting the glass to my lips as I gazed out the window at the city below.
Because of their influence, they believe themselves untouchable.
A dangerous mistake.
Now, they would witness the full power of the mafia.
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