Aiden, who was adjusting the sleeve of his jacket, looked up, amused.
"Is there a problem?"
"Oh, no problem. I just think someone like you, a simple poor man, shouldn't be here."
The woman who accompanied Aiden looked at the man with contempt.
"Do you think you can talk to him like that?"
The man laughed.
"Of course I can. Look at him. He must be spending every last cent just to impress you."
Aiden shrugged calmly.
"I don't have time for that kind of talk."
He walked up to the counter, paid for the items without even blinking, and turned to the man.
"Good luck trying to pay for anything here."
He left the store, leaving the man irritated and speechless.
Aiden ended his shopping trip with a quiet dinner at a gourmet restaurant.
With the sky already darkening, he returned home satisfied with his purchases.
After a peaceful night's rest, the next morning arrived quietly. The sun streamed through Aiden's bedroom curtains as he stretched out on his bed. After a quick shower and breakfast, he picked up the phone and dialed the head of his security team. The call was answered on the third ring.
"Any news on the two cases I asked you to investigate?" Aiden said as he straightened his tie.
"Good morning, boss," the other side replied, his tone serious. "We're making progress. Regarding the bus driver who almost ran you over, we've managed to get a detailed history. He seems to have exemplary behavior at work, but..."
"But?" Aiden frowned, tightening his tie a little tighter.
"The man was bribed. We've checked for recent transactions on his account that don't match his income. We've also discovered that someone coerced him into causing the "accident." We're trying to track down who's behind it."
Aiden sighed.
"What about Ivan's group?"
"That's a little more complicated," he said, hesitating slightly. "During the operation, we managed to track part of the network that Ivan used to coordinate his activities. It seems that he wasn't alone. There are at least two other cells operating in the city, all connected to a larger organization."
Aiden was silent for a moment, thinking.
"This larger organization... do we know anything about it yet?"
"Not much. They are very careful to hide their activities, but we believe they are involved in arms trafficking and corporate information."
"Interesting," Aiden muttered, as he looked out the window of his office. "Continue with the investigation and keep me informed. I want to know who is trying to mess with my life."
"You'll be right, boss," he replied, ending the call.
With the call ended, Aiden left the house and drove to Star Corp.. His mind was divided between the company's expansion projects and the recent suspicious events. Upon arriving at the building, he was greeted by Ada and Arthur, both with grim expressions.
"Good morning, boss," Ada greeted, handing over a tablet with the latest reports.
"Anything urgent?" Aiden asked as he walked to the elevator.
"Nothing out of the ordinary," Arthur replied with a wry smile. "Just billions at stake, as usual."
Aiden chuckled, but his mind was elsewhere. As soon as he reached his office, he called a meeting with his executive team.
"Okay, guys," Aiden began, scanning the faces in the conference room. "I want everyone to stay on top of the details. We're in a vulnerable position, and I need to make sure Star Corp. continues to grow without outside interference."
Ada was the first to speak.
"Regarding the expansion into Argentina, the planning team is finalizing the market studies. It looks promising, but there's initial resistance from some local companies."
Arthur added
"They're worried about the impact we'll have on their economy. Basically, they know they can't compete with us, and that scares them."
Aiden nodded thoughtfully.
"I want you to focus on diplomacy. Establish strategic partnerships with local businesses. If they see the benefits of working with us, their resistance will diminish."
Ada quickly took notes, while Arthur gave a satisfied smile.
"You always think three steps ahead, kid."
"That's why I'm the CEO," Aiden replied jokingly.
The meeting was interrupted several times by texts and calls, but Aiden remained calm. He delegated tasks efficiently, making sure each member of his team knew exactly what to do.
Between breaks, he sent a message to security.
"If you find anything concrete about the group or the driver, let me know immediately."
They responded almost instantly:
"We're following up on leads. Expect updates."
As the day wore on, Aiden couldn't help but wonder how the recent events were connected. The "accidents," the attacks, it all seemed too coordinated to be coincidence.
However, Aiden wasn't one to back down from a challenge. He smiled to himself as he reviewed the company's next steps. It was only a matter of time before he found out who was behind it all.
With the day over, he left Star Corp. and activated the driver app again. Perhaps among the passengers, he would find more clues… or at least some fun to ease the tension.
Aiden leaned his arm against the window of his Lamborghini as he watched the city move around him. The day was bright, with golden sunlight reflecting off the glass buildings and busy streets.
His phone vibrated softly on the dashboard.
"New ride accepted. Starting location: Central Park."
Aiden smirked and maneuvered the car toward the meeting point. A few minutes later, he parked near the park entrance and saw a young woman walking toward him. She had a vibrant, smiling expression, a flowing sky blue dress, stylish sunglasses, and a small bag slung over her shoulder.
She opened the door and got in.
"Hi, hi! So, are you the driver?" she said, taking off her glasses to reveal piercing green eyes.
"Yes, it's me. Aiden, nice to meet you," he replied with a slight smile.
"The pleasure is all mine! My name is Melissa, but you can call me Mel. And, look, I have the day off and lots of plans." She smiled broadly and looked at him. "Are you up for a challenge?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow, curious.
"What kind of challenge?"
"Take me to the best places in this city! No rush, just fun."
Aiden chuckled softly, adjusting the steering wheel.
"Sounds interesting. I hope you have good taste."
"You won't regret it! I promise."