Chapter 29

Chapter 29
THE BILL'S GROUP OF COMPANY
Julian sat behind his massive black desk, flipping through the documents in front of him with little interest. His tie hung loose around his neck, the top buttons of his shirt undone. The late afternoon light cut through the blinds, streaking his sharp jawline and cold gray eyes.
He looked like a man carved out of control precise, cold, and hungry for more power.
His company, Vincenzo Group, had been suffering ever since Cheng’s corporation took over the market. Stock value had dropped, contracts had been pulled, and clients he once owned had suddenly switched sides. Every headline, every whisper in the business world, seemed to chant the same thing Cheng is untouchable.
Julian’s fingers tightened around the pen in his hand. “We’ll see how untouchable you are,” he muttered, his tone low, dangerous.
Before he could reach for another file, the door burst open. Vivian Li stormed inside without knocking, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
Julian’s jaw flexed. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His voice came out calm, but it carried a chill that filled the entire office. “Didn’t your father teach you how to knock?”
Vivian didn’t answer. Her face was pale, eyes still swollen from everyday of crying. She looked broken but still proud makeup heavy hiding her black circle and pale face, chin raised. “You called for me,” she snapped. “So tell me, Julian, what the hell do you want?”
Julian leaned back in his chair, studying her like a man inspecting damaged merchandise. “Still got that temper, huh?” he said, voice flat. “Sit down.”
“I’ll stand,” she replied bitterly.
“Suit yourself.” He tossed the pen aside and laced his fingers together. “I’ve been watching the news. Looks like Cheng finally did what he does best destroy lives.”
Vivian’s nostrils flared. She didn’t reply, but her silence said enough.
Julian continued, his tone growing darker, “He humiliated you. Publicly. Stripped you of your career, your dignity, your endorsement deals. Now your name’s dirt in every industry circle.”
Vivian’s lips trembled, but she quickly masked it with a bitter laugh. “So what? You called me here to mock me?”
“No,” Julian said smoothly. “I called you because we have something in common. We both hate Cheng.”
Vivian blinked, her arms crossing. “You?”
He smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. “His company surpassed mine. He ruined years of effort with one signature. He made me watch while every deal I fought for was stolen out from under me. I lost everything clients, power, respect. And you… you lost everything too.”
He stood up, walking slowly around the desk until he stood inches from her. Vivian froze. His cologne was dark, heavy something like danger and smoke.
“So,” Julian continued softly, “I think it’s time we take something back.”
Vivian swallowed, suspicious. “What do you mean?”
Julian’s smirk grew. “I’m offering you a deal.”
She raised an eyebrow. “A deal?”
“Yes.” He moved closer, his eyes holding hers. “You want revenge, and I want power back. We can give each other both.”
Vivian frowned slightly, unsure. “And how exactly do we do that?”
Julian walked toward the window, his hands buried in his pockets. “We start by rewriting your story.”
“My story?” she repeated.
“The media calls you a homewrecker,” Julian said, turning to face her. “They say you chased after Cheng, ruined his wedding, leaked a sex tape. Right now, your name is poison. But what if we changed that? What if you stopped being the villain and became the victim?”
Vivian stared at him, speechless.
Julian’s smirk deepened. “I’ll clear your name. I’ll make the world see you differently. But in return, you’ll work with me.”
Vivian frowned. “Work with you how?”
“Simple,” he said, stepping closer. “We’ll give them a new scandal one that benefits both of us.”
She blinked, confused. “What kind of scandal?”
Julian’s eyes glinted like a blade catching the light. “An engagement.”
Vivian’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he said, tone steady. “You and I will announce our engagement. The media will eat it up two broken people finding love after betrayal. Your image will flip instantly. You’ll go from desperate homewrecker to brave survivor. And for me…” he paused, his smile curling, “I’ll finally get the attention I need to put my company back on top. Cheng will hate it.”
Vivian stared at him in disbelief. “You’re serious?”
“Completely.”
She laughed, but it came out hollow. “You want me to fake an engagement just to piss Cheng off?”
Julian tilted his head. “Not just to piss him off. To destroy him. To make him doubt, to make his empire shake. He values public image. We’ll hit him where it hurts in the headlines, in his pride, in his trust.”
Vivian crossed her arms tighter, torn between anger and curiosity. “And what do I get out of this besides being your pawn?”
Julian’s voice lowered. “You’ll get everything back. Fame. Influence. Power. Your father’s company I’ll make sure it rises again. Cheng made sure you hit rock bottom, and I’ll make sure you climb higher than before.”
She hesitated. “And if I say no?”
Julian leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing. “Then stay broken. Stay irrelevant. Stay the woman everyone laughs at when your face shows up on screen.” His words cut through her like ice. “But if you say yes… you’ll have every reporter begging to cover your comeback.”
Silence hung in the air. Vivian looked away, her chest heaving.
Julian could see the flicker of greed behind her hesitation the spark of someone who still wanted the spotlight, no matter what it cost.
He took one more step forward, his voice soft but laced with control. “You don’t have to decide now. But think about it. With my resources and your face, we could turn this whole city upside down.”
Vivian bit her lip, her mind spinning. “You said something about my father’s company?”
Julian nodded slowly. “Your father’s in debt, isn’t he? His shares dropped after Cheng’s investigation went public. I can fix that. I’ll cover his losses, redirect investors, and make your family name clean again. But first…” His eyes sharpened. “…we need to clear your name.”
She blinked. “By pretending to be engaged to you.”
“Yes,” Julian said simply. “Once the world believes you’ve moved on, Cheng’s destruction of your reputation will backfire. You’ll look like the woman who rose from ashes, and he’ll look like a cruel, controlling bastard.”
Vivian let out a shaky laugh. “You really thought this through.”
Julian smiled faintly. “I always think things through.”
He stepped back behind his desk, picking up a sleek black folder. “I already have a press team ready. If you agree, we’ll stage the announcement by the end of the week. Photos, rings, headlines everything planned.”
Vivian stared at him. “And after that?”
Julian’s smirk turned darker. “After that, we start phase two. Cheng will pay for everything he’s taken from us.”
Vivian felt her pulse quicken. The offer was dangerous, insane but tempting.
“Why me?” she finally asked, voice softer now.
Julian’s eyes met hers, cold and knowing. “Because you have something Cheng once wanted. And because revenge always tastes sweeter when it’s served by the people he broke.”
Vivian exhaled slowly, then nodded once. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Julian’s smile was slow, triumphant. “Good girl.”
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a velvet box. Inside was a diamond ring flawless, gleaming.
Vivian stared at it. “You already had this prepared?”
Julian shrugged. “I told you. I plan ahead.”
He walked toward her, holding the box open. “Put it on. The cameras will be waiting tomorrow.”
Vivian hesitated, then slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.
Julian watched her with satisfaction. “Congratulations, Miss Li. You’ve just become my fiancée.”
Vivian’s gaze lifted to his. There was something terrifying in his eyes ambition, danger, obsession but also a promise she couldn’t resist.
“Don’t screw this up,” he said quietly. “Because once this starts, there’s no going back.”
Vivian swallowed hard. “I don’t plan to.”
Julian smiled faintly. “Good.”
He turned back to his desk, flipping through another folder like nothing had happened. “You’ll get used to my rules soon enough. I’m not Cheng I don’t play nice.”
Vivian’s lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. “Good. I don’t want nice anymore.”
Julian looked up briefly, smirked, and said the final words that sealed their alliance:
“Then welcome to war.”

THE PHEONIX CLAN
“Ugh, another mission tonight? I thought we were supposed to take the day off,” moaned Sniper, one of the mobsters.
“What a lazybones,” retorted Dagger, another member of the crew.
“guys guess what,” Dagger added.
“What... just spill it already?” Nikita grumbled.
“there is going to be an upcoming war between our clan and the bloody viking clan soon.” Dagger replied.
“How do you know that?” Sniper inquired.
“I overheard that bitch Sapphire asking one of the Don's guards where he went, and the fool spilled it,” Dagger explained.
“What are you all doing? Go gather everyone to the meeting room; the Don will be there soon,” Rambo ordered as he interrupted their gossip.
“Yes, Captain,” they replied.
THE MEETING ROOM
All the mobsters were gathered, and the air was thick with a buzz of conversation and laughter.
As soon as The Phoenix entered the room, the chatter fell silent. “Welcome, Don,” they all greeted, bowing their heads.
“Tonight's mission is to deliver weapons and drugs to the man-power clans, and there must be no mistakes no exceptions,” The Phoenix stated.
“Rambo, Viper, Archer, Dagger, and Cobra, you will be on the mission,” he announced.

“Yes, Don,” they replied.
“The rest of you may leave,” The Phoenix commanded.
“Yes, Don,” the remaining mobsters chorused as they bowed their heads and exited.
“Rambo will lead the mission. Deliver the weapons and drugs and bring back the money. No errors will be tolerated, or you will face the consequences. Now, go and prepare,” The Phoenix said before leaving.
As Rambo's team gathered to prepare for the mission, Sniper turned to him and asked, "Do you think it's strange that the Don hasn't said anything concerning the upcoming war?"
Rambo shrugged, "It's not our business what the Don says, perhaps we can't be sure of the war it maybe rumors. Our job is to follow his orders and complete the mission."
Viper chimed in, "But if the war eventually happens which clan would win"
Dagger chuckled, "Ofcourse it our clan who will win those bloody fuckers have are no match for us"
Rambo interrupted, "Enough! We need to focus on the mission and not get distracted. We have a job to do, and we don't want to end up on the Don's bad side."