The sharp hum of silence in Julian’s office was deafening. The walls, lined with accolades and framed headlines, seemed to close in on him. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the stack of contracts in front of him. Each document represented the spoils of his victory over Ethan’s empire—a victory he had once dreamed of, now tasting like ash.
He grabbed one of the contracts, skimming its contents, but the words blurred. The signatures, the clauses, the promises—they were chains, binding him to a life he no longer wanted.
Julian exhaled sharply, his fingers drumming against the mahogany desk. He grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts. He stopped at the name Michael Haynes, one of his most trusted advisors, and hit dial.
The line clicked after two rings. “Julian,” M
