The morning air was warm and gentle. The sun had risen, with light clouds softening its rays as they streamed down to the earth.
A mild breeze drifted lazily through the suburban landscape, the leaves swaying to its rhythm, carrying the fresh scent of blooming flowers and clean streets.
It wasn’t hot or cold—just comfortable and soothing, like slipping into your favorite shirt.
Birds chirped from the trees, their soft melodies blending with the hum of the city as they gradually stirred awake. Everything felt calm and unhurried.
Country Y lay in peaceful stillness, its tabloids featuring only the usual headlines of celebrity scandals, economic updates, and the usual political banter but beneath this calm, a silent storm was beginning to gather in the Allen family.
The sunlight reflected off the body of a sleek black car speeding toward the suburbs, its body gleaming under the morning rays.
Several other vehicles followed at a moderate distance. Inside the car, Davis sat in the back seat, his head resting against the headrest, his eyes closed. But his mind was far from restful. Thoughts churned with options, questions, strategies and answers that seemed just out of reach.
In the passenger seat, Ethan was immersed in work, his laptop balanced on his lap, fingers flying across the keyboard as he worked against time.
Davis had instructed him to finalize the corporate agreement with Devers Group, a multinational agro-technology company.
Devers had long sought collaboration with the Allen Group as a way to enter Country Y’s economy, but the plan had been shelved after Davis’s accident. Desmond had been unaware of the pending deal, so the proposal remained dormant.
Now, it had to be revived. The group had been informed, and the signing which was initially planned to be done in person had been shifted online. A digital certificate of incorporation would follow.
"How long to the destination?" Davis asked, his brows furrowed in thought.
"We should arrive in twenty-five minutes," the driver responded.
"Shorten the time," Davis instructed.
The driver’s heart skipped a beat. He was already doing 100 km/h, and now he was being asked to go even faster.
"Shouldn’t he still be traumatized by that accident last year?" he muttered under his breath, reluctantly pressing harder on the accelerator.
"Sir, Devers has sent over the signed documents," Ethan reported. "You need to countersign on behalf of the group."
He handed the laptop toward Davis, who sighed in relief.
Davis opened his eyes slowly and took the laptop from Ethan. He read through the document, his gaze scanning every line, ensuring no clause had been altered, no loophole hidden in plain sight and no errors or missing details.
Once he was sure of its authenticity, he digitally signed the agreement and passed the laptop back to Ethan.
"What about the company seal for the documents?" Ethan asked.
"You don’t need to worry about that. Tell them the finalized corporation documents will be sent within two days," Davis replied.
Ethan nodded and proceeded to draft and send a confirmation email to the Devers CEO, per Davis’s instructions.
By the time the car turned into Jessica’s mansion, Davis had checked his watch again.
As his car slowed down at the gate, the security team posted at the gate straightened up welcoming him with reverence due to a master.
As usual, he made use of his wheelchair and headed upstairs to the bedroom. In the hallway, he paused as he felt eyes on him, a thought crossed through his mind "Am I being watched and by who?" Turning slightly, he glanced behind. The corridor was silent and empty.
Taking a deep breath, he resumed his motion, wheeling himself through the ramp. From his breast pocket, he retrieved a key and smoothly unlocked the bedroom door. Once inside, he shut the door and secured it with several clicks of the lock before he stood up.
Standing still for a moment, he swept his gaze around the room. Memories of moments shared with Jessica flooded his mind, along with the circumstances that had led him to this home.
He exhaled deeply, a firm resolve forming in his heart. He had to win this game.
With measured steps, he crossed to the safe, keyed in the password, and heard the soft hiss as it opened.
Inside, he retrieved a sealed envelope—the document that would determine the final decision of the board: the long-awaited share transfer papers, which had been entrusted to his wife.
A faint smile curled his lips as he took out his phone and dialed her number.
Jessica’s voice came through softly, laced with amusement. "What’s up?"
"Nothing much. Just came home to pick up the document," he replied.
"I figured as much. Missing me already? Then wrap up your task quickly and come home."
"I will. Definitely. Your day?"
"I’m spot-checking the fashion venue, so I’m busy. See you later," she added, followed by the beep as the call ended.
Her playful chatter brought a sense of comfort. Glancing at the sealed envelope in his hand, he felt grateful she had secured it on his behalf even when he hasn’t expected it.
After a moment of stillness, he exited the room, rolling slowly down the hallway. Ethan appeared beside him, ready to assist.
"Let’s head to the garage," Davis said.
Ethan looked at him, puzzled. "Is there a problem?"
"None. Just follow me."
They entered the garage, the security team on high alert.
As they approached the row of vehicles, the garage sensor blinked and the doors slowly opened after he thumb printed at the door.
Davis scanned the array of luxury cars before pointing at a modest, less conspicuous vehicle.
"Get that one ready. We’ll be using it from now on," he said quietly.
Ethan blinked. His boss’s behavior had shifted dramatically in recent times. Davis now made decisions that contradicted his former patterns.
"You want to use that?" he asked, trying to confirm.
Davis nodded. "Yes. Drive it out."
Ethan hesitated. "What about your usual car?"
"It’ll serve as a decoy," Davis replied.
He nodded again. "Exactly. I’ve thought it through. Using something less predictable is our best bet right now."
It has taken him a while to reach this conclusion but then there is no choice left. With Desmond’s plans unfolding, Jessica tied up with fashion week, and Elliot already sniffing around trying to close the gap, every step he took from now on would need to be calculated as one wrong move could tip the scales.
Realizing he wouldn’t get more of an explanation, Ethan summoned the driver, who started the car and drove it out carefully.
Davis’s usual luxury car was handed over to a security team assigned to handle decoy duties.
Meanwhile, Davis settled into the simpler car, one less likely to draw attention, and better suited at concealing his identity.