It was a new day. Adira had so many thoughts running through her mind as her car rode into Yonder Dynamics. Since the previous night, she's never had a reason to smile, thinking of all that had happened and how she had been abused by Vesper. Another thought that hurt her was the fact that Nikolai had noticed the mark on her face but did nothing about it. He didn't even try to know what happened. How was he that stone-hearted? Even that morning, she didn't see him before leaving the house. When Logan went to his room to call him down for breakfast, he insisted on being served in his room and didn't want to come downstairs. It made Adira think he was trying to avoid her even more. Her car stopped in front of the company, and with her door being opened, she stepped out of it and proceeded to the elevator. Bonnie was already on her desk when she arrived, and as soon as she saw her, she sprang to her feet. "Good morning, ma'am! II've been waiting for you." She was effusive. "Good morning, Bonnie. How was your night?" Adira responded calmly while heading for her office. Bonnie took up some files and followed her in "I'm doing just great, ma'am. You look pretty today." Adira heaved a sigh of relief as she took her seat in the cranberry-scented office. About looking pretty, she had to apply some makeup to conceal the imprint on her cheek. It was already fading, but there was still a little part of it. "Thank you," she answered frigidly to Bonnie. "Do you have something new for me today?" "Oh yes!" She opened one of the files in her hands. "This is from the B.K. investors. They're asking you to review your terms one more time before they proceed." She dropped the file in front of Adira and watched her go through it. "And...this is from the Wyatt Group." She dropped a new file in front of her. "The meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow, and they're really excited to meet you." "About the Wyatt Group," Adira said, lifting her gaze at her. "Have you been able to carry out more research like I told you to?" This new... Chairman, do you think he's someone we should do business with?" "Definitely, ma'am! I made my findings, and Mr. Jared has been doing a great job in the company since the death of the previous chairman." Adira wasn't completely cool with whoever this new chairman was. From what she heard, he wasn't the biological son of the previous chairman but had been more of an adopted son. Six months ago, the chairman died and surprisingly willed everything to this young man. Although the late Chairman had no son, Adira still found it strange that he'd will his entire wealth to a person he'd only known for a few years.Well, the rumors said Jared had been like a son to him, but still, it was strange, and Adira couldn't wait to meet him in person. The Wyatt Group has been amazing so far and is known as a successful company in the country. It wouldn't be a bad idea to do business with them. "Okay, then. Make sure you prepare everything we'll need for the meeting, and don't make me late." She returned her gaze to the file in front of her. "Of course, ma'am." Bonnie inclined her head and tried to leave, but suddenly paused and turned back to Adira. "Um... ma'am, I wanted to ask. Did something happen last night?" Adira looked at her with furrowed brows, her mind going swiftly to Vesper. There was no way she could've learned about that, right? "I don't understand. Something like what?" She feigned ignorance. "Well, I don't really know either. It's just that Mr. Nikolai called me last night to inquire about you. He'd sounded like something happened to you and asked if there was an incident at the office. I told him no anyway and tried asking what the problem was, but you know Mr. Nikolai, he doesn't hold conversations. So,he dropped the call on me before I could ask." Adira felt her heart flutter in her chest like a trapped butterfly. Her lips parted slightly in surprise as she imagined it. Nikolai had asked after her? So, seeing the imprint on her face had gotten him worried? She scoffed, finding it really amusing. But why go through the stress of asking her secretary? Why didn't he just ask her for the details instead? It wasn't like she'd have told him the truth, but she was curious regarding why he cared but tried to hide it. She was lost in thoughts and had nearly forgotten that Bonnie was still in front of her. Bonne, on the other hand, was baffled at the smile that lingered on Adira's lips. "Ma'am?" She called calmly, and that was when Adira flicked back to reality. "Uh, about that, you don't have to worry. I'm fine, and nothing serious happened last night." "Is that so?" Bonnie mumbled, confused. "Okay, then. I'll just be at my desk in case you need anything." She turned around and left. ****†****†****†****† Vesper's car rumbled to a stop in front of the old two-story building that had once been a clubhouse. The faded sign hanging over it creaked in the wind, the letters barely visible through years of neglect. As Vesper stepped out of his car, he felt a pang of apprehension. He knew that he was going to be the center of attention, and not in a good way. As he made his way across the parking lot, he could feel all eyes on him. A group of people huddled in a corner, whispered, and pointed in his direction. Others leaned on walls, smoking and staring at him with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. He knew some of the whispers contained conversations about the bruises on his face. The bruises extended from his forehead to his cheekbones, and the skin around his eyes was dark and puffy. He had to try to conceal them with makeup, but it was too visible and seemed to have a life of its own. That bastard had beaten him so badly that he gave his face a new look. Approaching the entrance to the building, three boys stepped out—three familiar faces. He knew they must have spotted him somehow and had been expecting them to show up. "Vesper," one of them called, his voice deep and rough. He had a burning cigarette in his hand. "What the hell are you doing here? And what makes you think you can just walk in here like it's your father's mansion?" Vesper sighed. "Please, I just want to see Don Marino." The boys glanced at each other, then whispered obfuscated words to themselves, before turning back at him. "Come along."Vesper followed them into the building that used to be his second home. As he stepped in, he realized nothing much had changed. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and sweat, and naughty laughter filled the space. He found scantily dressed women in the room, surrounded by a group of boys, some of whom were holding bags filled with drugs. Making his way further into the room, he could see other groups of people scattered around, some of whom were engaged in whispered conversations while others openly indulged in their vices. Despite the chaos around him, he remained calm. He climbed the staircase with the men, and soon enough, they arrived at a room that was obviously the leader's room, Don Marino's. Marino was seated on his three-seaters couch, his arms and legs spread apart, and his trousers zipped down. Two ladies were on their knees in front of him, one of them doing the "blowjob," while the other just kissed and caressed his thighs. His head was thrown backward, and his eyes closed as he moaned in ecstasy. He seemed to be having the best moment of his life and didn't care that someone had entered the room. Hence, Vesper and the rest of the boys had to wait and watch him get pleased. After a while, he climaxed and groaned loudly, making everything go into the lady's mouth. And with pleasure, the lady took it all in and gulped it down. Marino remained still for a while before finally opening his eyes and pushing the ladies off his thighs. That was when he looked at the door and expressed surprise upon seeing Vesper. "Vesper Kensington," his voice echoed in surprise. "My days! Tell me I'm dreaming. This you?" He rose from his seat and zipped up his pants. Marino was a 45-year-old man with a thick scar on his face that gave him a ragged look."I can't believe Daddy's boy is here in my tent. Ouch! Your face—you don't look so good. Did daddy get you beaten up or something?" Vesper tried to endure the humiliation. "Please, Don, I'd love to speak with you privately." Marino chuckled. Then he snapped his fingers at everyone in the room and ordered them to leave. "Come have a seat." There was a big desk in the room, and while Marino took his seat on the other side of the desk, Vesper took his in front of him. "What brings you here, Ves? To be honest, I never thought I'd see you again. Remember how you abandoned us to fulfill your father's wishes?" He lit a cigarette and stuffed it in his mouth. "I know," Vesper regrettably answered. "But you know I had to do it to please my father. I thought he'd forgive me and give me responsibilities, but he hasn't." Marino laughed crankily. "So, what? Are you here to join the gang?" Vesper shook his head. "Not yet. But I'm here because I badly need your help." He pointed at the bruises on his face. "Take a look at this; my brother did this to me over a little misunderstanding." "What the hell?" Marino scoffed with dilated eyes. "You tryna tell me your kid brother did this to you? Man is so cool, ain't he? He's the kind of buddy I need around me." He sniggered and took a long drag from his cigar. Vesper got irritated. "Okay, let's get serious. What do you want?" Marino questioned. Interlocking his fingers and leaning forward, Vesper whispered, "I want to take over, Don. Right now, Nikolai is the only one in my way, and I'm sure if he gets eliminated, my father will have no choice but to put me in charge of the company." Marino's brows arched. "You want to kill your brother?" "No. No," Vesper wagged his head. "I just need him to be shot in a delicate place, so he gets hospitalized for a long time. If that happens, father will need someone in charge of the company, and I'm definite that person would have to be me. Even if I want him dead, that son of a bitch is still my brother." Marino's eyes wrinkled as he hooted with laughter. "Evil with a little bit of conscience, huh?" he grinned. "So, tell me, bro, what's in for me, and when do you want this to happen?"