Julian Roth moved like a man who owned the world. His steps were measured, his confidence unshaken. He strode into The Regent Hotel's lounge as if he had already won.
Moris remained seated, his face unreadable, but his body was tense, ready. Sarah, on the other hand, visibly stiffened, her fingers tightening around her glass.
Julian's lips curled into a smirk as he approached their table. "Well, well. The prodigal son and the desperate queen." His voice was as smooth as ever, but there was something beneath it—a sharp edge, a quiet threat.
Moris didn't move. "You have a lot of nerve showing up here."
Julian chuckled. "Oh, Moris. Always so dramatic. I simply thought it was time we had a proper conversation." His gaze flickered to Sarah. "And I see you've finally realized you were never really in control."
Sarah swallowed but kept her chin high. "You used me."
Julian tilted his head, feigning innocence. "I gave you an opportunity. You just weren't smart enough to use it properly."
Moris leaned forward, his voice cold. "What do you want, Julian?"
Julian sighed, as if exhausted by the question. "Moris, you should know by now—I don't want things. I take them."
He signaled to a waiter, who immediately rushed over with a glass of whiskey, as if he had been expecting Julian.
Julian took a slow sip before continuing. "I spent years building my empire, and yet, you—despite everything I did to bury your family—managed to claw your way back. That's impressive. But also… inconvenient."
Moris clenched his fists. "You ruined my father. You stole everything. And now you think you can do the same to me?"
Julian's smile didn't waver. "Oh, Moris. I already have."
A slow chill ran down Moris' spine. He hated to admit it, but Julian never spoke without reason. If he was saying this, it meant something had already been set in motion.
Sarah seemed to realize it too. "What did you do?" she whispered.
Julian set down his drink and leaned in slightly. "I dismantled your business."
Moris narrowed his eyes.
Julian continued, his voice laced with amusement. "This morning, my lawyers filed a lawsuit against Sinclair Enterprises. The government will freeze your assets while they investigate. By the time they find nothing, your investors will have already jumped ship."
Moris' stomach twisted. If that was true…
Julian leaned back, clearly enjoying their reactions. "It's a shame, really. You worked so hard just to lose it all in one day."
Moris inhaled sharply, steadying himself. He would not let Julian see his panic.
Instead, he smirked. "You always did like to play dirty."
Julian chuckled. "And I always win."
Silence hung between them, the tension so thick it was suffocating.
Then, Julian placed a single silver key on the table and slid it toward Moris.
"Consider this my gift to you," he said smoothly.
Moris eyed the key suspiciously. "What is this?"
Julian stood, adjusting his suit. "It unlocks the answers you're looking for."
Moris stared at the key, his mind racing. He knew Julian well enough to understand one thing—this wasn't just about business. This was personal.
Julian straightened his cuffs and smirked one last time. "Enjoy the game, Moris. I know I will."
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Moris and Sarah sitting in the wreckage of his carefully planted bomb.
Unraveling the Mystery
Back at Moris' estate, Isabel paced furiously as he relayed what had happened.
"So that's it?" she snapped. "He just walked in, destroyed your company, and handed you a key like this is some kind of sick treasure hunt?"
Moris studied the key, his mind working fast. "Julian never does anything without purpose. This key means something."
Sarah sat in the corner of the room, quiet for once. After Julian's appearance, she was clearly rethinking everything.
Duke, sensing the tension, let out a soft growl from where he lay at Isabel's feet.
Moris exhaled. "We need to figure out what this unlocks."
Isabel crossed her arms. "And what if it's a trap?"
Moris met her gaze. "Then we walk into it prepared."
Sarah suddenly sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Wait… I think I know where that key belongs."
Both Moris and Isabel turned to her.
Sarah bit her lip before saying, "Julian once mentioned something about a storage facility outside the city. It's where he keeps things he doesn't want anyone finding."
Moris stood. "Then that's where we're going."
Isabel grabbed her coat. "We need to be careful. If Julian left that key for you, it's because he wants you to use it."
Moris nodded grimly. "Then let's not disappoint him."
As they headed for the door, Duke barked sharply, as if sensing the danger ahead.
Because this wasn't just about business or revenge anymore.
This was war.