Chapter 28: CH- 28
Andre’s POV
I sat in my massive mansion, alone as always. This fortress of wealth and solitude was both a blessing and a curse.
My office—an opulent space filled with relics from decades past—was where I spent most of my days now.
On the desk before me lay a framed photograph of my daughter on her college graduation day.
She had been radiant then, brimming with smiles, enthusiasm, and energy.
But that felt like another lifetime ago. Three years had passed since we last spoke, and here I was—a bitter old man sitting in his castle, surrounded by riches but devoid of friends or family.
When I heard footsteps approaching, I snapped out of my reverie, forcing myself to adopt an "I don’t care" demeanor.
Inside, though, my heart bled for what could have been. Life hadn’t turned out the way I’d envisioned it when I was younger.
But regrets wouldn’t change anything now.
What mattered was the game at hand—and right now, I was winning.
One of my goons—the man in the blue suit—walked in with an air of confidence that impressed me.
He’d come highly recommended, and so far, he hadn’t disappointed.
I paid him millions by the day to ensure this operation ran smoothly. If he failed, there would be consequences. But something told me he wouldn’t disappoint.
“Do you have something for me?” I couldn’t wait for him to get close before asking.
Anticipation bubbled beneath my surface calm. It had been ages since I’d felt excitement like this—as if I were a child who’d just caught sight of freshly baked cookies meant only for him.
He nodded, his tone clipped and professional. “Everything is going as planned. Nathan is in hiding. His friend Lucas is trying to run the company as best he can, but let’s face it—he’s not Nathan. If you want to make your move, now is the time.”
I rubbed my hands together, satisfaction coursing through me. That was good news. “What about the lady? It’s time to eliminate any loose ends.”
The man shifted slightly, betraying a flicker of unease. “Is that a wise idea?”
I narrowed my eyes, detecting what I suspected was fondness for her. How inconvenient. “It’s a necessary precaution. She’s the only one who can link me to this. Remember, she’s seen my face—against my better judgment.”
He hesitated, clearly weighing his words carefully. “I wouldn’t advise that, sir. A murder within the company is the last thing you need right now. Everyone already knows Nathan is in hiding. If another body drops dead, the police will start questioning whether Nathan really committed the first crime. Right now, we need them focused on him, not drawing attention to ourselves.”
His logic made perfect sense, but the thought of someone knowing I was involved gnawed at me. It made me feel exposed, vulnerable—a feeling I despised more than anything else. “How are you sure she won’t talk?”
“I’ll make sure of it,” he replied promptly, his voice firm and unwavering.
I studied him closely. This was a man who had no qualms about killing another human being if pushed far enough. Still, I needed to assert control. “You do that. But remember this: when I say she goes, then she goes.”
He gave a curt nod and walked out, leaving me alone once again. I opened a drawer in my desk and retrieved the flash drive the woman had provided us.
It contained everything Forge Technologies possessed—information worth billions.
Every company guarded their data with utmost precaution, which meant she must hold significant sway within the organization.
Her betrayal of Nathan had been instrumental in my plans.
This was my chance to reclaim what should have been mine from the beginning.
Forge Technologies wasn’t just some random venture; it was my baby.
Back in high school, Delanza Senior and I dreamed of building this empire together. And then he left town without a word, abandoning our partnership.
Years later, I discovered he’d handed over the blueprints of our dream—not to me, but to his son, Nathan.
Even now, the memory of that betrayal made me grind my teeth. I vowed to destroy Nathan Delanza, and step one of my plan had succeeded brilliantly.
Returning the flash drive to its hiding place, I picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Send her in, please,” I instructed tersely.
Two minutes later, the door opened, and she entered.
Olivia exuded power and confidence with every step.
She carried herself like someone who commanded respect, a force to be reckoned with.
Her black hair was tightly pulled back, her white glasses gleaming under the dim light of the office.
To anyone else, she might appear innocent, harmless even. But I knew better. Beneath that polished exterior lurked a beast.
Two years ago, I hired her to sabotage one of my own products after discovering internal leaks.
My company hemorrhaged profits until I offered her compensation for her troubles.
She was ruthless, effective, and unapologetically driven by money. There was no limit to what she would do for the right price.
“It’s always nice to see you, Olivia,” I said, offering a thin smile.
She didn’t bother waiting for an invitation, simply taking a seat across from me. “Likewise, Andre.”
Her directness amused me. She was the only person alive who dared speak to me however she pleased. On the table between us sat a bowl of berries. Without hesitation, she plucked one into her mouth. “Potato, potato, Andre. Let’s get to the point. Don’t waste my time.”
I chuckled despite myself. “I want to acquire Forge Technologies. I’ll get my lawyers involved eventually, but we IT experts know how challenging it is to decipher software. That’s where you come in.” I placed the flash drive on the table.
Olivia grabbed it and stood up, her movements fluid and deliberate.
“Say no more.” With that, she turned and strode out of my office, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
As the door clicked shut behind her, I leaned back in my chair, allowing myself a rare moment of satisfaction.
With Olivia on my team, I was confident Forge Technologies would soon belong to me.
After all, it should have been mine from the start.
And I will definitely get it back, even if it means more bodies going down.