Apex Enterprises, a towering building overlooking the city, symbolized power and authority.
Inside, Mathew Carter, Derek's assistant, paced anxiously outside his boss's office. He wore a gray suit and wire-rimmed glasses, muttering nervously to himself as he waited, glancing repeatedly at the elevator.
Outside, a sleek luxury car gleamed in the sunlight as it pulled into the private parking area. The car's polished surface reflected like a jewel, its mere presence a declaration of elegance and wealth.
Following closely behind were two black SUVs, their tinted windows hiding the bodyguards inside, prepared to protect their boss. The trio of vehicles created a striking scene, a blend of elegance and authority that turned heads as they arrived at the parking space.
Derek stepped out, flanked by four bodyguards who moved in perfect sync, forming a protective formation around him.
His powerful, chiseled figure in a sharp black suit, his Rolex glinting, exuded strength and control. His eyes were cold and focused, a stark contrast to the warmth he showed his family. As he walked through the building's lobby to his private elevator, people turned to watch, both intimidated and in awe.
The receptionist in the ground floor lobby quickly informed Mathew about his boss's arrival, causing him to halt his pacing and hurry to greet him at the elevator. She felt a rush of nervous energy, her alertness heightened as the CEO passed by, each step commanding the attention of everyone around.
Derek's office sat at the top floor, vast and luxurious, with a corner receptionist's desk and a panoramic view of the city.
As Derek entered, his guards stayed back near the elevator. Mathew greeted Derek and followed him into the office, his nervous energy apparent.
Derek took a seat, facing away from the city view, his gaze sharp and focused on Mathew. "Did you find anything about her?"
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Earlier that morning
Earlier , Mathew had been enjoying a deep sleep, only to be jolted awake by the shrill ring of his phone.
Blindly searching, he picked up, and the moment he saw Derek's name on the screen, his sleep vanished, replaced by immediate alertness.
Sitting bolt upright, he listened as Derek delivered the shocking news, his mouth dropping open and eyes widening in disbelief.
A woman had managed to breach his supposedly impenetrable estate. Mathew could hardly process it, taking a full minute to absorb the information. "Understood, boss," he replied, before receiving orders to investigate and find out anything about her.
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Present Moment
Now, seated before Derek, Mathew hesitated. This was the first time his boss had shown such interest in someone, and yet, he had found nothing. "No, boss," he said, after a pause. "We're still investigating."
Even Mathew was astonished by how someone could vanish without a trace, leaving behind no information whatsoever. In his line of work, he had built a reputation for uncovering details about anyone—be it a shadowy mafia figure or a high-profile executive—but this woman was an enigma.
The thrill of the chase usually fueled his curiosity, but this time, it felt different. No matter how hard he dug, all he unearthed was a wall of silence. It was as if she had simply slipped through the cracks of reality,
Derek raised an eyebrow, a spark of intrigue in his gaze. "No information at all? Interesting." A slow, evil smile played on his lips. "This makes the hunt even more… entertaining than I thought."
Mathew's eyes widened in disbelief as he took in Derek's smile.
It was a smile that sent shivers down his spine—a predatory grin that hinted at a man poised to unleash chaos. What had this woman done to invoke such a menacing reaction from his boss?
He dared not ask his boss for details; after all, curiosity killed the cat, and he wasn't keen on finding out what Derek's wrath might feel like.
The last thing he wanted was to be on the receiving end of a "friendly" chat about why some secrets were best left buried—preferably while he was still alive!