One more snap of his fingers, and his life would be gone. Just like that.
Nathan never once thought he’d be in this position. Maybe because he was used to giving orders and having people kneel before him.
Facing a man far more powerful than him was overwhelming. It turned out that this man was Dylan’s father. How in the world did Tatiana get to know him?
Wait.
A realization struck him when he recalled the guest list from the hotel Tatiana had stayed at on the night of their wedding. Among the list, Mr. King was included.
The fifty reporters he had sent to humiliate Tatiana were banned by someone powerful. Though he had tried to find out who, now that he thought of it, Mr. King was capable.
Even Zero, he had never heard from him after Tatiana had decided to go after him.
Why? Why didn’t he put all these pieces together? He should have known the day he met this man at Dylan’s school. Now that he had all the pieces together, Nathan could only hope his journey didn’t end here.
“There must be a misunderstanding,” Nathan chuckled awkwardly.
“Misunderstanding? You kidnapped my son and you refer to it as a misunderstanding?” Cassius raised an eyebrow.
With several guns pointed at him, Nathan knew better than to upset the man. He stayed silent.
“What? You don’t have any comeback?” Cassius asked with a mocking smile. When Nathan remained silent, he continued, “Urgh, this is boring. Were you not talking big the whole time? I guess little rebel was right… you’re indeed the stupidest person.”
While talking to Nathan, Cassius made sure his voice was low so Dylan, who was currently with one of his men, wouldn’t hear.
“Killing you here is a small punishment, even though I badly want to do it. I’ll destroy you bit by bit. You’ll run and hide, crying in corners, pleading for mercy.”
Nathan clenched his jaw. Each of Cassius’s words dripped with the utmost solemnity.
“I never knew Tatiana was someone you knew-” Nathan began to speak.
“You don’t speak while I do, you worthless piece of shit,” Cassius cut in, and Nathan felt a pang of anger. He couldn’t do a thing!
“Tatiana is off-limits. Well, you won’t even have the time to come after her since I’ll be taking you down,” Cassius chuckled.
Nathan’s eyes met his.
“See ya,” Cassius turned to Dylan, who was a bit distant from him. He signaled for him to come, and Dylan did. Cassius crouched before him and ruffled his hair.
“Did I scare you, little man?” Cassius asked gently.
“No,” Dylan shook his head, and Cassius smiled.
Nathan saw the affection in Cassius’s eyes. He wondered where the cold, ruthless guy had gone.
Cassius cast Nathan one last look and carried Dylan away. He walked out, leaving Nathan stunned.
___
~Few hours later~
“What do you mean I can’t travel out, Flynn?” Nathan paced around his room, sweeping his hair backward. His mind had not been in the right place ever since his encounter with Mr. King.
He had been in his room ever since. He had no idea what the devil was planning, and he couldn’t stay still.
He had heard about those who ended up on Cassius’s blacklist and how they ended up terribly. He couldn’t be like that…
He is Nathan Redmond!
There must be a way!
“Nathan, you can’t go out of the country,” Flynn insisted, and Nathan frowned.
“Did you just call me by name?” Nathan asked in disbelief.
“Oh, please. I can’t even believe I’m still doing this. You don’t deserve anything good, Nathan. Even with how hard I fought by your side, you treated me like shit and even shot my arm just because you didn’t trust me. Now that you’ll soon face your consequences, I don’t want to be part of it. You dared Mr. King… so face it!” Flynn spat.
“Wait!! W-what are you talking about? Of course, I treated you right, and as for how I shot you… I… I wasn’t in my right mind,” Nathan spoke calmly and sat on his bed. “Just find a way to get me out of this country and let me know what Mr. King is planning…”
“Too late, Nathan. I thought of keeping this from you, but I guess it’s pointless now. A few men came into the company, and I presumed them to be Mr. King’s men.”
“What!” Nathan’s face turned pale. “What are they planning to do?”
“That I don’t know,” Flynn replied.
“What do you mean you don’t-” Nathan began to yell, but the call ended. “Fuck!!”
He swiftly grabbed his jacket and headed straight to his company.
___
When Nathan got to his company, he felt something strange about the place. Several men were taking his things. All his employees stood helplessly.
Breathing raggedly, he approached one of them. “What do you think you’re doing?” he spat, but they didn’t stop.
“I’m talking to you!” he yelled.
“They’re doing their job,” a calm voice sounded behind him. Nathan recognized it and turned to meet her calm gaze.
She was clad in a fine short gown, her black long hair tied into a bun.
“Tatiana?” Nathan scoffed and approached her. “You surprised me.”
“I’m full of surprises. Are you just now realizing that?” Tatiana raised an eyebrow.
“Just to get back at me, you decided to throw yourself at another man. What an absurd move, Tatiana. Do you really think Mr. King cares for you?”
“Be quick, guys!” Tatiana ordered the men behind Nathan. “This man is draining me with his saliva.”
Nathan looked back at her men taking his files and stuff, even his nameplate.
“What the heck do you think you’re doing?” Nathan asked, shooting a glare at her.
“We built this company together, Nathan. Do you remember?” Tatiana took a step forward. “Do you remember how I sacrificed my dream to build yours? How I starved and thirsted for this company? And in the end, Nathan, you betrayed me-”
“You’re wrong. I love you, Tatiana, with every single cell in me. You know I do-”
“Oh fuck, you sound disgusting,” Tatiana’s face contorted with disgust. If it were years ago, she would have smiled, but now, the words felt like shit being thrown in her face.
“You broke up with me just because of a slight mistake. We could be married by now, and Dylan could have been my son,” Nathan said, and Tatiana laughed at him mockingly.
He tried to step closer, but the guards behind Tatiana stepped forward, forcing him to pause.
“You’re unbelievable. How did I ever fall for you? Well-” Tatiana gestured for Jolene to bring a file, and when she did, she stretched it out to Nathan. “Sign this since you’re here.”
Nathan glanced down at the paper and scoffed. “What is this?”
“You’re handing the company to the Kings because you aren’t capable of running it.”
“Nonsense. Do you really think I would sign this?”
“Many artists have filed complaints about how you treated them. You’ve used them for your own benefit, threatened them, and deprived them of their rights,” Tatiana’s eyes remained cold. It cost her every nerve not to hit him.
“And why are you bringing this to me yourself?” Nathan asked.
“Because I have something to tell you,” Tatiana stepped closer, her eyes darkening. “You killed my sister, and I’d like to know why. Not here, not now, but after you’ve been stripped of everything that matters to you.” Tatiana’s voice was low and menacing, her words dripping with venom.
She continued, “And you’ll tell me the reason on your knees.”
Nathan’s lips curled up. “Keep dreaming. Don’t run faster than your shadow, darling. Mr. King isn’t the only powerful man in the industry.”
“You know what I see in your eyes, Nathan?” Tatiana smirked. “I see fear. Goodbye.”
She turned to leave, and the guards followed her.
Nathan gritted his jaw and clenched his fists. The audacity!