Grayson could only see the devastation taking place below, but the city spread out in front of him, glistening with lights against the night sky.
He observed from Monarch Enterprises' rooftop as government representatives swarmed the structure like locusts. The streets were lined with black SUVs, their blue and red lights flashing harshly. Inside, frightened staff members were escorted out while people in dark suits yelled commands. They confiscated computers. The servers were cleaned up. Files were seized.
It was complete destruction.
Through his headset, Clara's urgent voice crackled. "It's finished, Grayson. Everything had been frozen: Assets, offshore holdings, bank accounts..."
Colder and sharper, Lila cut in. "He gave you nothing."
Grayson's fists clenched. He had transformed the Monarch into an unstoppable empire over the course of several years. Now his father had reduced it to dust in a few hours.
Mia spoke in a sombre tone. "Alexander did more than simply deprive you of your assets. You are now his property.
Grayson's jaw tightened as he turned away from the rooftop edge. "Explain."
Mia paused. He has acquired controlling shares of Monarch Enterprises through a network of proxy investors. The business remains intact, but it is now his.
Grayson's chest began to coil with a strange, piercing feeling for the first time in his life.
Not rage. Not annoyance.
It was powerlessness.
He hadn't just been attacked by his father. Everything had been taken by him.
The bustle of the metropolis above was muffled by thick concrete walls in the dimly lighted underground parking garage. One vehicle sat in the darkness, its headlights off.
Grayson entered without a second thought.
Emery was anticipating his arrival.
Her eyes were calculating, yet her stance was controlled, and she wore a trench coat over a sleek black dress. Without a word, she slipped a heavy folder across the centre console.
Grayson scanned the papers inside and opened it.
Then he stopped.
Emery spoke quietly but firmly. "My dad is running."
Grayson's head jerked upwards.
She looked him in the eye evenly. "He was betrayed by Alexander."
He tightened his hold on the papers. Large sums of money were transferred into private trusts using fictitious names, according to the records that described offshore accounts. This demonstrated how corrupt his father was.
"This is your last chance if you want to win," Emery went on.
Grayson's jaw muscle trembled. Backing into a corner was something he detested.
However, this was more than just a chance; it was a loaded pistol pointing directly at the empire of Alexander Blackwell.
With a leisurely breath, he made up his mind.
Once, he had followed the rules. He made that error.
Right now?
He was going all in now.
As Grayson went onto the rooftop of an abandoned high-rise, a chilling mist hovered in the air. Beneath him, a sea of golden lights flickered against the night as the metropolis spread out. A man wearing a fitted black suit stood opposite him, his demeanour radiating subdued power.
Langley, Victor. A self-made billionaire with a personal grudge against Alexander Blackwell and a reputation for destroying his opponents.
His calculating eyes met Grayson's. "You despise my dad. I require resources. Let's come to an agreement.
With a sly smile, Langley took a cigar out of his pocket. "I take it you don't waste time?" When he ignited it, his face was covered in stark shadows from the orange lighting. "Blackwell, what exactly are you offering?"
Grayson spoke steadily. "I'll defeat him, for both of us, if you give me the money and media clout to fight back."
Langley dragged his breath, thinking. "You know, when they're in your shoes, most men beg."
"I'm not begging." Grayson's eyes remained fixed.
Laughing, Langley blew forth a cloud of smoke. "No. You don't. After a lengthy period of studying Grayson, he nodded. "All right. I'll support you. But be aware that I don't contribute to lost causes. If you don't succeed, I'll make sure you vanish before your father has an opportunity.
Grayson grinned. "I won't fail then."
Langley shook his head and laughed. "A man who is willing to set everything on fire appeals to me."
The deal was finalised with a handshake. Officially, the war had started.
The only sound in the subterranean parking garage was the gentle reverberation of Grayson's footfall. He parked his automobile in the farthest corner, out of sight.
He stopped as he saw a flash of movement in the shadows.
Just as a knife cut past his ribs, instinct took over and he twisted.
The assailant moved quickly, silently, and accurately. After almost avoiding the subsequent blow, Grayson countered with a jagged elbow to the man's side. The assassin stumbled but got back up fast, pulling out a silenced weapon.
Sh*t.
Though it wasn't the assassin, a gunshot rang out through the garage.
With a bullet embedded in his shoulder, Grayson saw the man fall to the ground.
With a revolver in her hand and a determined, pale expression, Emery stood a few steps away. "Climb into the vehicle. Right now.
Grayson made a snap decision. With the sound of the injured assassin moaning behind them, they ran towards his car. Emery slammed the gas and they sped into the city streets, tires screeching.
She didn't stop until they came to a silent back alley. Her hands on the steering wheel shook.
Grayson faced her. "My life was saved by you."
She drew a trembling breath and looked away. "I'm not sure if I'm acting appropriately anymore."
She was forced to look at Grayson as he leaned over and softly cupped her chin. "Then stop thinking. Simply stand with me.
Emery looked into his eyes with uncertainty and desire. She nodded slowly after that.
There was no trust. Not quite yet.
However, it was something.
The city was dawning, but the storm was far from gone.
Grayson watched the world burn in the dim light of his penthouse office. The television screens around him blared breaking news while his fingers tapped against the whisky glass in his hand.
"A network of financial crimes, offshore laundering, and illicit dealings with government officials have exposed Alexander Blackwell, one of the richest and most influential men in the world."
Mia was typing frantically on her laptop when her voice broke through the commotion. "International watchdogs, financial regulators, and press outlets all have the files. Now, there's no stopping it.
Lila grinned as she sat on the edge of the couch. "Your father just became the number one public enemy for a man who believed he was untouchable."
Rolling his shoulders, Grayson let out a breath. It ought to have felt like a win. Alexander was finally being recognised by the world as the enigmatic millionaire who had made his fortune through criminal activity. But something didn't feel right.
"Is he anywhere?" he enquired.
Alex shook his head while working on another display. An hour ago, the FBI invaded his estate. He had already left.
Grayson tightened his jaw. His father wouldn't die thus easily, of course.
Emery stood by the window and whispered, "He anticipated this." Tension lined her body as she crossed her arms. "Before you even made your move, he left."
Grayson's hand gripped his glass more tightly. "So we're not finished."
The festivities didn't last long.
Standing by himself in his office, Grayson gazed at the skyline of the city. Although he now held the reins of power, it didn't seem like a win.
With a rare flash of eagerness in her keen gaze, Lila sprang in. "He's not done yet."
As soon as Grayson turned, his body tensed up for the following blow. "What?"
A USB was thrown upon his desk by her. "We received an encrypted message just now."
Fingers speeding across the keyboard, Mia was already on it. The screen flared to life and a video started playing in a matter of seconds.
There was silence in the room.
With the huge ocean behind him, Alexander Blackwell stood on the deck of a yacht. There was no evidence of terror on his face, and his trademark smirk remained intact. He appeared, if anything, amused.
"Son, you played well." He spoke in a soothing, patronising tone. "But kings are not easily overthrown."
Grayson's jaw tightened.
Alexander's eyes shone with a sinister promise as he leaned against the yacht's rail. "Come find me if you want this to end."
The video ended.
The chamber was thick with silence.
Lila took a deep breath. "Grayson..."
However, he was already putting his rifle in place and grabbing for his coat. His heart thumped with determination rather than dread.
Did his father desire war?
He would then drown in it.
Grayson turned to the crew and spoke in a chilly tone.
"Then, if necessary, I will burn the entire ocean down."