CH- 5

Nathan’s POV

I loved moments like this—the kind where I could make a statement and leave an impression.

It was funny, really, how people didn’t know who they were messing with. Whoever was behind this sabotage clearly underestimated me, and I was ready to prove them wrong.

My foot tapped rhythmically against the hard floor as we waited.

For a brief second, I recognized the rhythm—it was a song my mother used to sing when I was little. I stopped abruptly, irritated by the distraction. F

ocus, Nathan. This wasn’t the time to think about forgotten memories or people from the past. My company was under attack, and I needed to clear this up before it became a bigger problem.

I’d worked too hard to build everything I had; I wasn’t about to sit back and let someone take a jab at it.

“Are you nervous?” Lucas asked beside me, raising an eyebrow. “You’re not one to tap your foot.”

I sat up straighter, resting my back against the chair. “I have no reason to be nervous, and you know it. I just don’t like being kept waiting.”

Only one man in the entire city had the power to keep me waiting—Mr. Garrett, head of Vista Corporates.

They were responsible for overseeing every tech product marketed across Europe.

If anyone was trying to cut off thirty percent of my cyberware products, Vista Corporates was the best place to start unraveling the mess.

“He’s ready for you,” the impeccably dressed secretary announced with a polite smile. The office was massive but eerily quiet, with only a few employees walking around. As always, the atmosphere felt cold and sterile.

Two minutes later, we were seated opposite Mr. Garrett.

Despite his stern appearance, I knew he was a softie at heart.

He’d been one of my professors and mentors back in school—a giant of a man whose physique would put most bodybuilders to shame.

No one else I knew was as passionate about technology as he was. The large black oak desk between us seemed to cast an ominous shadow over the room.

“It’s good to see you, Nathan. How can I help you, gentlemen?” Mr. Garrett’s voice was calm but firm, fully in business mode.

“Sir,” I began, leaning forward slightly, “I have strong reasons to believe that someone is deliberately trying to sabotage my cyberware products, which my company is set to launch in just two weeks. This morning, I received a call from the Office of Technology informing me that my products had been flagged and withheld in their warehouse pending further investigation. From experience, sir, we both know this process can take months. Here’s a copy of the signed papers I obtained after multiple test runs of my devices.” I slid a small file across the desk.

“I’ve personally subjected those products to over a hundred tests, all conducted repeatedly. They’ve never failed, so I don’t understand why they suddenly did now.”

Mr. Garrett scanned the file carefully, flipping through each page methodically. I respected him enough to know he wouldn’t rush. Finally, he looked up, his expression thoughtful. “I see,” he murmured. His eyes carried a deep sense of understanding. “But what makes you think someone is behind this?”

I smiled faintly. We’d anticipated this question. Lucas stepped in. “You see, sir, this wasn’t a coincidence. Whoever is responsible knew exactly what percentage—thirty percent—was needed to flag our products. Additionally, the Office of Cybersecurity gave us a pass, and we have documentation to prove it.”

Mr. Garrett leaned back in his chair, spinning slightly. “I see where you’re coming from, gentlemen, but this still doesn’t hold water. You’re asking me to intervene with the Office of Cyberware Regulators based solely on speculation? I can’t do that without solid evidence.”

Lucas and I exchanged glances. It was time to play our trump card. Lucas pulled out another gray file and slapped it onto the desk.

“I don’t think you’ll like what you’ll see here, sir,” I said evenly. “We don’t want to use it unless absolutely necessary.”

Mr. Garrett opened the file and froze. “Ha! I don’t even want to ask how you got these,” he exclaimed, shaking his head.

“Do you realize what this means, Nathan?”

“I do, sir,” I replied firmly. “And like I said, we don’t intend to use it unless we have no other choice.”

Mr. Garrett paused, considering. After a moment, he nodded. “Very well. Gentlemen, proceed with your preparations for the launch. I’ll invite the relevant parties to my office shortly. My secretary will contact you.”

We stood and left, victorious smiles tugging at our lips. Stepping outside, the crisp morning air greeted us. Businesses buzzed around us, alive with activity.

“That’s how you make a statement, Lucas,” I said smugly.

“Now Andre Iguodala knows better than to ever tamper with my business again.”

Lucas chuckled, nodding in agreement. But then, as usual, he couldn’t resist throwing in his two cents.

“You know, Nathan, sometimes I wonder if you’d hesitate to kill someone for your company.”

I shot him a glare. “What’s gotten into you, Luke? Stop giving me that mother-hen look.”

He laughed, patting my shoulder. “Just saying. People might see us—two tall guys in suits worth more than most people’s annual income—and assume we have it all together. But I know better.”

His words made me pause.

Did I have it all together?

Sure, I projected confidence, wealth, success—but inside, there were cracks.

Cracks I didn’t let anyone see. Except maybe Amelia…

The thought startled me. Where had that come from? Amelia Benito.

As the valet brought my car around, I tried to shake the image of Amelia from my mind.

Her wide, hesitant eyes during our last encounter lingered longer than I cared to admit.

It was ridiculous. I barely noticed her most days—so why now?

“Let’s grab some drinks,” I suggested, eager to change the subject. Anything to distract me from the thoughts swirling in my head.

“No, my friend,” Lucas countered, opening the passenger door with a grin. “It’s too early for drinks. Let’s head back to the office.”

I rolled my eyes but complied, climbing into the driver’s seat.

As we drove away, I couldn’t help but glance at the rearview mirror, half-expecting to catch sight of her somewhere in the crowd.

Amelia. What was it about her that unsettled me?.

She was just another employee—efficient, quiet, unremarkable.

Or so I told myself. But there was something beneath the surface, something I couldn’t quite name.

Her presence unnerved me in ways I didn’t understand.

Was it the way she carried herself—strong yet fragile, like glass on the verge of shattering?

Or was it how she looked at me sometimes, as if she saw through the facade I worked so hard to maintain?

And then it hit me—a memory I hadn’t thought of in years.

The last time I’d seen that look in someone’s eyes had been Elaine.

My sister.

Before everything fell apart.