Moris leaned against the railing of the terrace, the cool night breeze doing little to ease the fire burning inside him.
Julian Roth.
It had been years since he last heard that name, but the mere mention of it was enough to stir memories he had tried to bury.
Isabel watched him closely. "You know him." It wasn't a question.
Moris took a slow breath before turning to her. "I don't just know him. I once trusted him."
A silence stretched between them. Isabel waited.
"He was my father's closest business partner," Moris continued. "A man I considered family. Until the day he betrayed us."
Isabel's eyes darkened. "What did he do?"
Moris' jaw clenched. "He orchestrated my father's downfall."
Years ago, Julian had worked alongside the Sinclair family, helping them build their empire. But when greed set in, Julian saw an opportunity to take it all. He manipulated the market, sabotaged deals, and spread lies that led to the collapse of the Sinclair fortune.
Moris' father had died under the weight of that disgrace.
And Julian Roth had walked away untouched, wealthier than ever.
Isabel placed a hand on his arm. "He's back now. And he's coming for you."
Moris exhaled, his gaze sharp as steel. "Let him try."
Sarah's Desperation
Sarah Carter was unraveling.
After the stranger's visit, she knew one thing for sure—she was no longer in control.
Pacing her penthouse, she grabbed her phone and dialed a number she never thought she'd call.
Moris.
It rang twice before his voice came through, calm but cold. "Sarah."
"I need to see you," she said quickly.
Moris scoffed. "I'm not in the mood for your games."
"This isn't a game!" she snapped, desperation leaking into her voice. "You think I'm the enemy, but I'm being played just like you!"
Silence. Then—
"Where?"
Sarah swallowed. "Meet me at The Regent Hotel. Midnight. Come alone."
She hung up before he could refuse.
Her heart pounded. This was her last chance to get ahead of whoever was pulling the strings.
She just hoped she wasn't already too late.
The Midnight Meeting
Moris arrived at The Regent Hotel a few minutes before midnight. He didn't trust Sarah, but something about her voice told him she was truly afraid.
As he stepped into the dimly lit lounge, he spotted her at the far end, nursing a glass of whiskey.
She looked different. The usual arrogance was gone, replaced by something raw and unguarded.
Moris sat across from her. "Talk."
Sarah exhaled shakily. "Someone is watching me. Controlling me. And I think they want both of us gone."
Moris folded his arms. "Julian Roth."
Sarah's eyes widened. "So you know."
Moris' expression remained unreadable. "Tell me everything you know."
Sarah hesitated, then leaned in. "Julian approached me months ago. He offered me power, influence. He said if I helped him remove you, I'd have everything I ever wanted."
Moris' jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.
Sarah swallowed hard. "But I was never really in charge. Every move I made, he was the one guiding it. And now that I've failed to take you down, I think… I think I'm next."
Moris studied her. He wasn't sure if she was telling the whole truth, but one thing was clear—she was scared.
Before he could respond, a sudden hush fell over the lounge.
Moris' instincts flared. Something was wrong.
Then—
A man in a sleek black suit entered, his presence commanding attention.
Moris didn't need an introduction.
Julian Roth had arrived.
And the real battle was about to begins.