Horror flashed across their faces as they exchanged glances.
“Is this a joke?” The middle-aged man on the right slammed his hand on the desk.
“Do I look like a comedian?” Tatiana asked in a calm tone, her aura composed. She looked up at the guard standing behind her.
“Do I?” she asked him.
“No, ma’am,” he responded.
“I didn’t think so, so no, it’s not a joke… Oh,” she gasped slightly. “Maybe because I didn’t explain it well.” Her face suddenly turned cold, and the shareholders wondered if she was the same calm woman they had seen seconds ago.
She leaned down, resting her elbows on the desk, her chin on her knuckles. “This company has been in the hands of trash-people who use innocent lives for their selfish interests. I’m here to take out that trash, starting with you.”
Another man stood up and roared. “You wench! Do you even realize what you’re saying?! This company would collapse without us. We are the backbone of this place!”
“Oh really? Let’s test that, shall we? I’ll prove to you this company can go beyond without you parasites. The door is wide open. I’d advise you to leave calmly and respectfully… I can’t guarantee you’ll like it if I have to help you out.”
A guard entered with Vuk, the white wolf. The shareholders were stunned, one even exclaiming and jumping out of his chair. Another ran out, and the others trembled as the wolf turned to face them, baring its fangs in a snarl.
“Argh!” one of the women shrieked, dashing out.
The last man, the one who had roared, gave Tatiana a final look. His face fell into defeat before he dashed out of the boardroom.
Tatiana leaned back in her chair. “How sad, they have no idea what’s coming.”
As the shareholders stepped out of the company, the cops were waiting for them with handcuffs. The evidence of their involvement in human trafficking had been submitted by Hudson.
Ever since Indigo was shot, Hudson had been working to bring down Maximus and his allies.
Tatiana’s phone rang, Hudson’s name flashing on the screen.
“How did it go, idol?” he asked on the other side, his voice wavering with emotion, causing Tatiana’s brow to crease.
“It went well, they’ve all been arrested. But are you okay? You sound strange. Did something happen?”
Hudson cleared his throat. “It’s Dee…”
Tatiana sat up, eyes wide. Was she okay?
“Dee is awake,” Hudson announced, and her heart leaped with joy.
“That’s great news. I’ll come over as soon as I can. I need to meet Dylan first,” she said, ending the call.
—
Maximus punched the chair in front of him, his eyes burning with anger.
Tatiana had taken over his company, throwing out all the shareholders. When did she plan all this?
It was driving him insane. He was losing everything-his allies, his men, his power-and now, there was a bounty on his head!
His only hope was Silence.
He trusted this man because Silence had no family, no friends… he was a shadow who operated alone.
Maximus had been thrilled when he convinced Silence to join his empire. He was beyond happy to have one of the most dangerous men in the world as an ally.
Maya would marry him soon. He now had Mr. King… That bastard would pay for everything he did… And Tatiana… Oh, he would kill her with his own hands.
Then Dylan would be his. He’d train him and make him his heir.
The car pulled up in front of a building, heavily restricted and surrounded by Silence’s men. They all looked innocent, but deadly.
Maximus watched as Silence approached him, his steps exuding power, his menacing aura enveloping him.
“You’ve got a bounty on your head… tsk,” Silence scoffed.
“That’s not a problem, Silence. Once our alliance is solidified, I’ll change my identity and face. Everything will go back to normal,” Maximus replied.
Once everything was in place, Tatiana would be the first to die. He would take everything from her and destroy everyone she loved before her eyes.
Silence smirked. “That will be a pleasure. How’s the wedding preparation going?”
“We’ll do it tomorrow,” Maximus said. There was no time to delay. “Where’s Rafael?”
“He’s locked in his room,” Silence replied.
“He killed Leonard. Did you send him to do that?”
Silence’s eyes darkened, something unreadable flashing across them, making Maximus think he had begun to anger the man.
Even Maximus was afraid of this devil.
“Where’s Mr. King?” he asked, changing the subject.
Silence signaled to one of his men to bring a tablet. A picture appeared on the screen.
It was Cassius, bloodied and bruised, his body covered in injuries.
Excitement filled Maximus’s eyes. Finally! He had Mr. King in his grasp, all thanks to Silence.
“Shall we chat a little, Mr. Wallington?” Silence asked, his gaze unreadable.
“Sure.”
—
Soon, both men sat at a table, drinks served.
Silence poured one for Maximus and another for himself. A smirk played on his lips as he raised his glass.
“To our alliance.”
Maximus nodded. “To our alliance.”
They both drank in one go.
“May I tell you a story?” Silence asked lightly.
“Sure.”
“A rabbit once went to a snake, asking why humans feared him so much. The snake replied, ‘It’s because of my nature.’ The rabbit was amused and said, ‘I want to be like you, snake. I want to be venomous, so I can scare all the other animals.’ The snake laughed and said, ‘I can help you with that. All I need to do is inject my venom into you. It will make you stronger than anyone else, and you’ll be able to destroy any animal.’ The rabbit was happy. Every day, he went to the snake to receive venom… but soon, the venom spread through his body, burning every nerve. Just before he died, the rabbit realized the snake never intended to make him strong… he wanted to kill him.”
Maximus didn’t know why Silence was telling him this, but he listened.
Silence continued. “The rabbit asked why, and the snake replied, ‘You really thought I’d give you the power to destroy my kind? My venom is to protect my own from scum like you.'”
Silence finished, his face lighting up as he asked, “How was the story?”
Maximus scoffed. “Interesting. How stupid was the rabbit to think the snake would help him.” He took another drink.
“I know, right? Mr. King is here, barely clinging to life. One bullet, and he’s dead. His son Dylan, his wife Tatiana, and his mother are all in the mansion with Butler Conrad… who works for me. One order, and they’ll be poisoned. Valentino’s wife, Maria, is in Spain. The clan has accepted new trainees… they’re all my men. One order, and I’ll break their necks. Holden is easy to handle. All of these people are in the palm of my hand… Isn’t that glorious?”
Maximus laughed, feeling victorious. It seemed he wouldn’t even need to lift a finger to destroy them all.
But then Silence sank back in his chair, the atmosphere turning cold as he asked, “Was that what you expected me to say?”
Maximus blinked in confusion. “W-what do you mean?”
“Are you really that dumb, Maximus… not to realize what’s going on?”
Before Maximus could speak, the door opened, and a figure stepped into the room.
Cassius King, alive and well, without a single bruise.
Silence stared intently at Maximus.
“What the hell is going on?” Maximus asked, his face pale as the reality began to sink in.
Silence chuckled. “You messed with the wrong person, Maximus… You messed with my son… You messed with me. I am the snake, and you are the goddamn dumb rabbit.”