*****FLASHBACK
The stranger paced back and forth in the hospital's waiting area, his mind racing. He had to find a way to convince the hospital that he was Elizabeth's brother. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hey, I need a favor," he said, his voice low. "I need you to create a fake birth certificate, adoption papers, and any other documents that would prove I'm this girl's brother."
The person on the other end of the line hesitated for a moment before responding, "What's the story?"
The stranger quickly filled him in on the situation, leaving out no details. "I need you to make her my adoptive younger sister. Can you make it happen?"
There was a pause before the response, "I'll need some information. What's her name, date of birth, and parents' names?"
The stranger quickly provided the information, having already gathered it from Elizabeth's wallet and phone. "And what about her medical history? Any allergies or conditions I should know about?"
He listened intently as the person on the other end of the line asked questions and took notes. "Got it. I'll have everything ready in an hour."
The stranger hung up the phone and continued to pace, his mind racing with the details of Elizabeth's fake backstory. He had to make sure everything matched, from her childhood to her parents' names.
An hour later, the stranger received a call from his contact, confirming that the documents were ready. He arrived at the hospital, fake documents in hand, and approached the reception desk.
"I'm here to see my sister, Elizabeth," he said, confidently. "I've brought the necessary documents to prove our relationship."
The receptionist looked up, skeptical, but the stranger's confident demeanor put her at ease. She took the documents, scrutinizing them carefully before nodding.
"Very well, Mr...?"
" Maverick, " the stranger replied, smiling. "Elizabeth's adoptive brother."
END OF FLASHBACK
********
Meanwhile at Blackwood Industries, Kaius sat there, lost in thought. His mind drifted back to her. He wondered if she had woken up, what she was thinking of and what her expressions would be after waking up.
The way she'd looked at him, her eyes sparkling in the dim light, had left an indelible mark. It was as if she'd seen right through him, to the very heart of his desires.
A shiver ran down his spine as he recalled the sensation of her skin beneath his fingertips. The experience had been unlike anything he'd ever known. Always the one in control, he felt his sef slipping with her.
He leaned back in his chair, struggling to make sense of the emotions swirling inside him. A storm was brewing, threatening to consume him whole. Uncertainty gripped him, leaving him unsure how to feel or react. One thing was certain, though: his life was on the cusp of a transformation he couldn't yet begin to imagine.
As Kaius sits at his desk, lost in thought, his assistant buzzes him to remind him of an upcoming meeting with a potential investor. This meeting could make or break the company's future, and Kaius needs to be focused and composed.
However, with his mind still reeling from the events of the previous night, Kaius struggles to shake off his distraction. He knows he needs to get his head back in the game, but he can't seem to concentrate.
************
Kaius POV
I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the lingering thoughts of her. I had a meeting to get to, one that could make or break the future of this company. I couldn't afford to be distracted.
But as I stood up and began to make my way to the conference room, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking into a storm. My mind was still reeling from the events of the previous night, and I knew I needed to get my head back in the game.
I pushed open the door to the conference room, and a wave of familiar faces greeted me. My eyes landed on a familiar face - one that made my blood boil.
Ryker Wellesley the one person I'd never wanted to see again, was sitting across from me, a smug smile spreading across his face.
I felt a wave of anger wash over me, followed by a cold, calculating calm. This was not a coincidence. Ryker was here for a reason, and I was determined to find out what that reason was.
"Mr. Wellesley," I said, my voice dripping with disdain. "I hadn't expected to see you here."
Ryker's smile grew wider. "Kaius, always a pleasure. I see you're still as...prickly as ever."
I gritted my teeth, my mind racing with possibilities as I maintained a stiff expression.
Ryker's sudden appearance raised more questions than answers. What was he doing here? And what was behind that smug, satisfied look on his face?
Suddenly, the pieces fell into place. Ryker wasn't just any investor; he was the enigmatic mastermind behind the RWL Group of industries, a conglomerate shrouded in secrecy and speculation. "That cunning b*****d,"
Kaius's mind seethed with a mix of anger, resentment, and admiration. He felt a surge of adrenaline as the truth dawned on him - Ryker's involvement was not just a coincidence; it was a calculated move in a game Kaius had yet to fully understand.
I stood up, my eyes locked in a piercing stare with Ryker's. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel our meeting, Mr Wellesley," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "I've suddenly realized that I'm not interested in doing business with you.
I'm not sure I want to have anything to do with you or your...empire."
Ryker's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "I see," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Well, in that case, I think we're done here."
I watched as Ryker stood up and walked out of the room, a sense of satisfaction washing over me. I'd just dodged a bullet - but I knew that this wasn't the end of it. Ryker would be back, and next time, I wouldn't be so lucky.
As I reflected on the events that had led up to this moment, I realized that I had made a grave mistake.
I had allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment, to dictate the outcome of a decision that should have been based solely on cold, hard logic and careful analysis. I had let my personal feelings get the better of me, and now I was faced with the very real possibility that my actions might have disastrous consequences.
As a seasoned businessman, I knew I'd committed a cardinal sin: letting emotions cloud my judgment. Despite poring over financial reports and consulting experts, my heart had ruled my head.
Now, I was paying the price. To mitigate the damage, I shook off my indecision and called my assistant.
"Let's go through the list of suitable investors for the new project," I instructed, determined to salvage what was left and move forward.