EXECUTIVE AFFAIRS

Episode 5

THE SHADOWS OF THE PAST

The night after their confrontation with Marcus, Ruby couldn’t sleep. The cryptic warning from Vicky and the encounter with Marcus kept replaying in her mind. What game was Marcus playing, and why had she become a target again after all these years?

Meanwhile, Alex’s demeanor grew sharper. He was calm on the surface, but Ruby could see the tension simmering beneath. He had ordered heightened security at the company and had his legal team combing through the documents Vicky had provided.

But there was something else, a shadow of doubt lingered in his gaze whenever their eyes met.

---

The next morning, Ruby got to work and found her desk vandalized. A single word was scrawled across her computer screen in red marker: LIAR.

Her blood became cold as she looked around the office, but no one took notice nor care. She quickly cleaned it clean off, determined not to entertain any form of fear. When Alex arrived, she pulled him aside and showed him a picture she’d taken of the message.

“This is getting personal,” Alex said, his jaw tightening. “We’re not waiting anymore. We’re taking the fight to them.”

“How?” Ruby asked, her voice trembling.

Alex’s gaze was fierce. “We’re going to expose Marcus. But first, we need to know what he’s hiding.”

---

That evening, Alex and Ruby broke into Marcus’s private office in one of his exclusive clubs. It was a risky move, but Alex had used his connections to ensure the security systems were temporarily disabled.

Alex held Ruby closed and told her not to panic, and then they crept through the dark corridor……….

Ruby was already afraid, her heart pounded in her chest, she nodded. Inside the office, they began searching for anything incriminating. Files, digital records, anything that could tie Marcus to his schemes.

“What’s this?” Ruby whispered, pulling out a hidden drawer containing photographs.

Her breath caught as she saw the images. They were hers—taken years ago when she worked at Marcus’s club. But there were recent ones too, showing her at Thompson Industries, walking to her apartment, even sitting at her desk.

“Ruby,” Alex said, his voice grim. “He’s been watching you.”

Before she responded, the door burst open.

“Well, you too, are surprised, right?”

Alex stepped in front of Ruby, his stance protective. “Do you think I could be afraid of you? Marcus, you lied…… you can't intimidate us. Think again.”

Marcus laughed. “This isn’t intimidation. This is me reminding you that you’re out of your depth. Ruby, sweetheart, you should’ve stayed out of this. But now, it’s too late.”

---

Marcus let them leave, but his warning was clear. The stakes were higher now, and the clock was ticking.

That night, Alex and Ruby reviewed the photographs in silence.

“Why is he so fixated on you?” Alex asked.

Ruby hesitated, then admitted, “I think I know. There’s something I know about Marcus that I need to tell you about .”

Alex’s expression darkened, but he stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

“Years ago, I worked at Marcus’s club. I heard something terrible about him. I was told he was involved in some ...illegal activity—money laundering, smuggling, you name it. I kept my mouth shut, but I think he always suspected I knew too much and may likely expose him one day.

Alex’ exclaimed!!. “ No wonder now he sees you as a threat.”

Ruby agreed with Alex. “I never thought he’d come after me like this, though. I thought I had left that life behind.”

Minutes later, Ruby remembered another incident in her day at Marcus's club….the hidden room behind his office, accessible only with a unique keycard….it was where he conducted most of his illicit business….

Alex reached out and held her by her hand….. Don't be scared, you're not alone in this……I'll make I stand by you and fight this to the end.

Ruby met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat. For the first time, she felt truly safe.

---

The next day, tension was all over the place. A package arrived for Ruby at the office.

“Marcus is sending a message,” Alex said.

“But what does it mean?” Ruby asked, fear creeping into her voice.

“It’s a threat,” Alex replied. “And a challenge. He wants us to know he’s in control.”

---

That evening, Alex received a call from an unknown number.

“Alex Thompson,” a distorted voice said. “If you value your life and your lifetime investment (Company) I'm afraid you'll have to stay clear…….

. Marcus doesn’t take kindly to meddling.”

“Who is speaking?” Alex asked.

The fellow hanged up the call…..

Alex began to panic in his heart, but his mind was made up…never! Never!! Not at this point…..I'm not backing up ….

---

Two days later, there was an explosion at the Thompson industries parking garage, shattering windows and setting off alarms. No one was injured, but the message was clear: Marcus wasn’t bluffing.

The next morning after the explosion at Thompson industry's parking garage, Ruby decided to visit Alex's office unannounced…she stopped outside his door when she overheard a tense conversation…..

I don't care about the cost, I want every skeleton in Marcus's closet dug up… Alex tells his PA to tell him about if there's anyone inside the company that is feeding him information…

Ruby froze…….

Alex opened the door and was surprised to see Ruby.

Ruby, “You shouldn't be here” he said, his tone softening but still guarded….

Alex, Is there something you're not telling me?

There's nothing. You just need to trust me………

As the smoke cleared, Alex turned to Ruby, his expression grim. “We can’t play defense anymore. It’s time to strike back.”

“How?” Ruby asked, her voice shaking.

“We’ll expose him,” Alex said. “But we need more than just accusations. We need irrefutable proof.”

---

That night, Alex and Ruby began to map out their next move since the previous move wasn't successful. They knew the risks, but their minds were already made up, since they had no other choice left…….

And these moves ignited a new bond between them as they were always in each other's sight…. It wasn’t just professional anymore. It was personal.

The next morning, Ruby received an unexpected call.

“Ruby” the voice said, “it's your mother.”

Ruby's blood ran cold, she hadn't spoken with her mom for years…not when she left the house without anyone's awareness….

“Mom?”

You need to stop digging into Marcus.

Her mom said, He's dangerous … Ruby, there's something you don't know, something about your father …..

Before she could respond, the line went dead….

She turned to Alex, her face pale, “Marcus isn't just targeting me because of what I know about him, there's something bigger—something about my family.”

Alex became more confused… “Then it was time to uncover the truth. No more shadows Ruby. We're bringing all this to light.”

The stakes were higher than ever. Alex and Ruby were determined to reveal the truth at all costs……

And though they didn’t say it aloud, they both knew one thing: they weren’t just fighting for survival. They were fighting for each other.

—