Above the metropolitan skyline, the Pierce Tower rose like a monster made of steel and glass, representing power, riches, and prestige. From the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office, Aidan Pierce had an unhindered view of the vast metropolis below. He considered the world to be his. Until tonight, he had always believed that he was the undisputed master of the Pierce empire.
As the sun sank below the horizon, the city gleamed golden; Aidan had never felt more pressured at work. Claire, his assistant, had just left for the day, so he was alone himself going over a pile of paperwork. Normally, this would be routine work—the standard duties of managing one of the nation's most influential family-owned businesses. However, something appeared out of the ordinary tonight.
The silence of the air was perhaps too acute.
As Aidan was pouring himself a drink, his computer screen displayed an urgent email from his uncle, Victor Pierce. Aidan whispered. He didn't send anything directly like Victor did. He was always the clever businessman, usually avoiding legal or middlemen.
He opened the email and noticed that there were financial disparities along with the phrase "immediate meeting required." There will be an emergency board meeting early tomorrow morning. Victor.
His stomach dropped. Various financial values Aidan had managed Pierce Industries' finances with care, understanding that he had the responsibility for his family's heritage. Nothing should have seemed out of the ordinary.
Claire came into Aidan's office with a pale, anxious face before he had had time to read the email. She held a big folder in her fist, as if she detested its contents.
"Mr. Pierce," she murmured, her voice trembling. "You must see something here. It's urgent.
Aidan's scowl grew more intense. Claire was usually calm under pressure. One felt uneasy about her right now. He reached out to remove the folder from her hands, his stomach clenched with anxiety. He felt a wave of cold fear wash over him as he opened it.
Financial records, including wire transfers, transactions, and authorizations, were contained within. They all pointed him in the direction of a massive embezzlement plot. His name and signature appeared on each and every sheet that was turned.
"What the devil is this?" Aidan's demand was more subdued than normal. He turned the pages and skimmed the dates and data in an attempt to grasp the full extent of the transactions. Over the course of several months, millions of dollars had been transferred from the corporation to offshore accounts. It was exhausting, unsightly, and impossible.
After hesitating, Claire resumed her job. "The board... They're already inquiring. The news media also learned about it. It will be featured in the news later in the morning.
"I stole from the company?" Aidan says.
The blood in Aidan ran cold. His pulse was so loud in his ears that he could hardly hear Claire. He had never expressly approved one of these transactions. None of these made any sense. How could he have been framed without his knowledge?
He slammed the folder shut and paced to the window, gazing down at the city, which felt more like a trap than a place to call home. Breaking the silence, Aidan remarked, "This is all a setup." His mind raced to find the motivation and the person responsible.
But as he pondered the alternatives, a horrible, unavoidable reality started to emerge.
"Who else knows about this?" he asked, looking back at Claire, who was sitting uncomfortable next to his desk.
"The board, clearly," said Claire, "and...from what I heard, Victor is the one advocating the inquiry." To decide how to deal with the aftermath, he has already scheduled an urgent session for tomorrow.
Aidan's jaw went tight. This was, of course, Victor's doing. His uncle, who yearned for control of the family empire, had always detested him. However, this is what he's been aiming for all this time. He was not prepared for this level of betrayal.
His office phone rang before he could respond, the sharp sound like a dagger piercing the tension. Unconsciously, Aidan grabbed for it, his hand clutching the phone like a lifeline. He was aware of who it was.
"Aidan," Victor's silky, icy voice said. "I assume you've seen the reports by now.
Whitening his knuckles, Aidan closed his hands. "You made a mistake here, Victor. Someone is framing me; everyone knows that."
On the other end of the phone, Victor laughed quietly and disdainfully. "My dear nephew, we shouldn't draw snap conclusions here. There is simply too much data to contradict. The board is positive that you have been using business funds to fund personal accounts. What a horrible little habit, If I may say."
With a harsh tone, Aidan replied, "Cut the crap, Victor." "You laid this all out."
"Power grab," Victor murmured, his voice tinged with excitement. "You were always so naive, Aidan. Actually, it takes more than a figurehead to run Pierce Industries. You don't have common sense. You've always been overly sensitive and dependent. What was happening here was due to come."
Aidan rolled over in his stomach. Although he was aware of his uncle's ambition, he was unaware of the extent of his desire for power.
Trying to seem cool, Aidan responded, "I'll fight this." "I'll show I never stole anything."
Victor gave a harsh, angry laugh. "You won't have the opportunity. By the time your name is cleared, it will be too late if you can. Pierce Industries will be mine, and I shall do my damage. Aidan, cherish what little independence you still have. It will be short-lived."
The line died.
For a moment, Aidan stood there with the phone still in his grasp, his brain whirling. Victor had dismissed him from management. He had set this trap, knowing that Aidan wouldn't notice it until it was too late. The Pierce empire and his reputation would be decimated now that the media was prepared to attack the tale.
He was startled out of his reverie by Claire's voice. "What are our options, Mr. Pierce?"
Aidan gave her a headshake. "I'm not entirely certain. But I have time to make things right."
His office door burst open before he could start designing a calendar. An austere-looking man in a clean gray suit entered after two security officers. He appeared as cold as stone, clutching a legal document.
"Aidan Pierce," he began in a solemn, businesslike voice, "I have here an official order for your dismissal from Pierce Industries, effective immediately, on behalf of the board of directors.You are leaving the property and giving up all of the business property that is under your control."
Aidan's stomach turned around. Victor had moved with awful speed, and everything happened so quickly. He didn't have time to think things out or defend himself.
The lawyer responded, his eyes steely and professional: "I'm afraid you're no more welcome here."
Aidan stayed motionless as his mind raced with plans, but Claire gasped beside him. "Fine," he responded in a firm yet hushed voice. "I will go."
However, as he continued packing, a sinking feeling began to creep into his chest. Victor would continue after this. Because the man desired complete control, Aidan's life was in jeopardy rather than just being kicked out of the corporation.
Watching Claire wait by the door, her gaze flitting between him and the security officers, Aidan pulled on his coat. She was holding back, but she seemed like she was about to say something.
He gently murmured, "Claire," pulling her to the side before leaving, "What is it?"
She swallowed deeply, her hands shaking. "I overheard something," she added, nearly too loud for him to hear. "Victor... He will not allow you to leave. He has additional employees now. They will be following you."
Aidan's heart began to race. As true now as it was then. Victor was not content to deny him status and possessions. He'd prefer Aidan to be completely removed from the scene.
His heart pounded as he faked a grin at Claire. "Thank you for being cautious about us. I'll be careful."
Then he turned and went into the dimly lit corridors of his old workplace. The predicament weighed heavily on him with each step he took. Despite his hasty views, Victor had the advantage of not being fully aware of Aidan's potential.
The chilly evening air struck his face as he left the building and proceeded along the congested city street. Before Victor's men discovered him, he needed to move quickly and figure out how to blend in. Until he discovered the extent of this scheme, he was unable to trust anyone.
He went by the black SUV parked on the other side of the road. Only a few days before, he had seen it once, still hovering close to the structure. Aidan's heartbeat veered off course. They were already readily apparent.
Without glancing at the car, he sped, merging with the crowd as the evening in the city began to come alive. He was unable to use his previous networks or go to his regular locations. Victor had probably tapped everyone by now.
The air was heavy with the stench of pollution and trash, so they sought refuge in an alley. His instincts told him he was being followed, so he turned to be sure. Two people in dark suits had separated from the group and were deliberately approaching him.
Aidan head spun, and his body rushed with adrenaline. He had two options: fight or flee.
He followed the latter, his shoes sliding on the damp ground as he ran faster down the lane. The men behind Aidan were quick, but he knew the city better than anyone. He turned quickly, dodging stray cats and piles of trash in quick breaths.
The passage became a little street, and Aidan plunged into another alley on the opposite side. He could now hear the boys shouting as their feet approached. He needed to lose them quickly.
He saw an old fire escape ahead, low enough for him to scale. He leaped forward, snatched up the metal ladder, and gave it a violent yank. His muscles burned as he rose, but he stopped barely a few feet above the ground.
The sight of the men below crouching on the metal platform made his breath catch. They halted at the building's base and gagged in confusion. One of them took out a phone and picked it up.
"He's gone," the man said into the phone, clearly irritated. "We will continue our search."
As they departed, Aidan remained motionless, their noises drifting far away. He was secure for the time being, even if his heart was still racing.
But this was only the beginning.
With his phone vibrating in his pocket, he crept back into the darkness from the fire escape. Frowning at the unidentified number on the screen, he pulled it away.
"You're not alone. Come see me at Pier 17 at midnight."
Aidan stared at the message, his thoughts racing. There was no way anyone could have comprehended what was going on. Who among all this chaos would have the courage to contact him at this moment?
He had no other option. He needed answers.
The fallen heir of one of the city's most powerful empires, Aidan Pierce, fell into the darkness, prepared to enter a world of peril, deceit, and treachery far more than he could have ever dreamed.