Chapter 148

Elena's POV

When we reached the penthouse suite, William stepped forward to knock. The door opened to reveal a man in his early forties with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp eyes that immediately assessed each of us.

"Mr. Morris," William began smoothly, "I'm William. I was referred to you by your company's HR director."

Connor Morris acknowledged him with a curt nod. "Come in," he said, his tone cool and dismissive.

William's smile faltered slightly as we entered the expansive suite. I could tell the cold reception bothered him.

I decided to take initiative. "Mr. Morris," I said warmly, stepping forward. "I apologize for dropping in like this. We met briefly at the financial center. Do you remember?"

Connor studied my face for a moment before recognition dawned. "Ah, yes. You're the one Oliver brought along." His gaze sharpened with interest. "What brings you here? Oliver hasn't contacted me about anything."

"Mr. Morris, I'm not here representing Oliver today. I've come to discuss a potential partnership of my own."

Connor raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued. "Is that so? Please, elaborate."

I took a deep breath. This was my chance. "Have you heard of Atlas Research Group?"

The effect was immediate. Connor leaned forward slightly, his professional mask slipping to reveal genuine interest.

"Of course," he replied, his voice taking on a new respect. "Their recovery from near-bankruptcy was remarkable—one of the most impressive financial turnarounds in recent history."

I smiled, reaching into my bag to remove a folder. "What if I told you that I was the person who helped orchestrate that recovery?"

I handed him the folder. "These documents can prove whether what I'm saying is true."

Connor opened the folder, his eyes widening as he examined the documents. His fingers traced the authorized signatures and special seals that authenticated the bonds.

He looked at me with new eyes. "These are genuine."

"And I orchestrated the recent Blackwood Group stock fluctuation," I added, watching his expression change from skepticism to astonishment.

Dennis and William remained silent, letting me command the conversation. Connor was now fully engaged, firing questions about market strategies and specific moves I'd made with Atlas. I answered each one confidently, cementing my credibility.

After thirty minutes of intense discussion, Connor sat back in his chair, a new respect and trust in his eyes.

"I'd like to purchase these bonds," he stated firmly. "At twice their market value."

I couldn't hide my delight. This was beyond what I'd hoped for.

"You have a deal," I replied, extending my hand.

Connor quickly drafted the necessary paperwork, and I watched with immense satisfaction as he signed the final document transferring ownership of the bonds.

Just as Connor handed me the signed contract, a deafening crash shattered the moment. The suite's door flew open with such force that it slammed against the wall.

Oliver stood in the doorway. His face was contorted with rage, and behind him stood four burly bodyguards.

"Elena," he said, his voice dangerously low. "How impressive. Closing another big deal with Connor behind my back."

My blood ran cold. The contract in my hand suddenly felt like it weighed dozens of pounds.

"Oliver, I—" I began, but he cut me off with a dismissive gesture.

"Save it," he snapped.

William stepped forward, positioning himself between Oliver and me.

"Oliver, I apologize for the misunderstanding. This was entirely my idea," he said, his voice steady despite the tension. "I saw that Elena needed funds quickly, and I made an executive decision."

Oliver's cold laugh sent shivers down my spine. "William, you introduced someone who then betrayed me, and now you're asking me to overlook it?" He stepped closer, towering over William. "Do you really think you have enough clout to stand against me?"

William's neck flushed red with anger, but he held his ground.

"Just give me everything you've acquired today," Oliver demanded, turning his attention back to me, "and I'll consider the matter closed."

"You—" William started, but Oliver's security team moved forward, making their intentions clear. One of them pulled out a gun, pressing it against William's temple.

I can't give up these documents

"William, what do I do?" I whispered, panic rising in my throat as I clutched the contract to my chest.

Before William could answer, Dennis spoke up from behind me.

"Elena, if he wants it so badly, just give it to him."

I whirled around, staring at Dennis in disbelief. "What? No, Dennis, I can't! If I give this to him, I have nothing."

Dennis's expression remained calm, almost detached. "It doesn't matter. Even if you give it to him, he won't make it out of this hotel with it."

A strange silence fell over the room. Oliver's men exchanged confused glances.

"What did you just say, kid?" one of them sneered.

Dennis ignored him, calmly taking the contract from my hands and walking toward Oliver.

"Here you go," Dennis said, holding out the document. "Take it."

Oliver looked suspicious but reached for the papers. As he did, Dennis casually pressed something on his phone.

Suddenly, one of Oliver's men shouted, "Mr. Grey! There's a red dot on your forehead!"

The atmosphere in the room instantly changed. Everyone froze, eyes fixed on the small red point centered perfectly between Oliver's eyebrows.

"What the—" Oliver started, then went completely still as comprehension dawned. "Is that a sniper scope?" His voice had lost all its previous authority.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Oliver was now standing motionless, hands half-raised in surrender, face drained of color.

Dennis calmly said, "Get out now. Unless you'd prefer to discuss this further with the gentleman across the street who's currently aiming at your head."

Oliver's eyes darted around the room, clearly calculating his options.

"Let's go," he ordered his men, who quickly backed toward the door, putting away their weapons.

Richard's POV

I faced Oliver as he stood in the hotel corridor, his face flushed with rage and humiliation. The laser sight had vanished from his forehead.

"I'll remember this," he snarled, shooting a venomous glare at me.

Elena was still in the suite gathering our documents while I stood alone at the doorway, enjoying Oliver's fear.

"I'll remember you too," I replied calmly, deliberately stepping closer to Oliver. "You should actually be grateful that bullet didn't go through your skull."

I slowly removed my thick glasses, knowing what he would see in my eyes—not the eyes of a timid cousin, but the gaze of someone accustomed to taking control, cold and precise.

"People who took a billion dollars from me in the past," I whispered, ensuring my voice was just loud enough for him to hear, "usually disappeared without a trace."

Hearing this figure, Oliver's face immediately changed color, and I felt a surge of satisfaction inside. He must have guessed who I was, despite this Dennis mask I wore. The color drained completely from his face, and with a startled cry, he turned and fled down the corridor.

As I put my glasses back on and returned to the room, I quickly adjusted my expression, returning to the "Cousin Dennis" role that Elena was familiar with.

"What happened out there?" Elena asked me.

I adjusted my glasses, making sure I looked harmless and flustered. "I saw him collapse from fear, so I went to check on him."

Elena anxiously scanned the corridor, then pulled me back into the room. "Stay away from these people, understand?"

"Yes, I understand," I replied obediently.