EPISODE 3
1272 Words
THE POWER THEY DON’T SEE
Leonel Astor’s First Move As Chairman
The conference room of Astor Global Conglomerate was filled with the most influential figures in the business world. Executives, shareholders, and potential partners sat in tense anticipation.
At the head of the table sat Leonel "Leo" Astor—cold, composed, and utterly unreadable.
Today was his first major move as Chairman, and he had no intention of showing weakness.
The discussion revolved around a multibillion-dollar acquisition—a company that had been struggling for months. Investors hesitated, debating the risks, but Leo had already made his decision.
“I’m moving forward with the acquisition,” Leo announced, his tone final.
A few executives exchanged glances. “With all due respect, Chairman Astor, the company is unstable. If we invest, it could—”
Leo’s cold gaze silenced the room.
“I don’t invest,” he cut in sharply. “I take over.”
Tension filled the air.
Leo leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the polished surface of the table. He didn’t entertain doubts. He saw opportunities where others saw risks.
“If anyone here believes I need their approval, you’re mistaken,” he said smoothly. “I don’t need validation—I need results.”
A weighted silence followed. Then, one by one, the executives nodded.
The meeting concluded with Leo’s decision standing uncontested.
As he left the boardroom, his father, Charles Astor, watched him with a smirk.
“You’re colder than I was at your age,” Charles remarked.
Leo adjusted his cufflinks, his expression impassive.
“I don’t need warmth,” he replied. “I need control.”
---
JULIAN WEST’S HIDDEN INFLUENCE
While Leo dominated the corporate world under the public eye, Julian West moved in complete secrecy.
In an underground lounge reserved for only the most powerful, Julian sat in a dimly lit VIP section, swirling a glass of whiskey. Across from him sat the CEO of a rival company—one that had been foolish enough to think they controlled the market.
“I hear you’ve been trying to block certain deals,” Julian mused, his tone almost amused. “That’s a mistake.”
The man stiffened. “Mr D'Argento, you can’t possibly—”
Julian’s lazy smirk never wavered. No one knew he was the one pulling strings behind one of the most influential global empires. And he liked it that way.
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.
“I don’t need you to agree,” he said smoothly. “I just need you to understand—you’re already losing.”
The CEO’s expression paled as realization sank in.
Julian took another sip of his whiskey. The world thought Leonel Astor was untouchable. But they didn’t know about Julian D'Argento.
Not yet.
And he intended to keep it that way.
For now.
---
A PERSONAL CONFRONTATION – THE FIRE BENEATH THE ICE
The exclusive rooftop bar was reserved for only the most powerful figures in the city. Julian had been invited to an event, but his true interest lay elsewhere.
Leo was here.
Julian found him standing near the glass railing, overlooking the city skyline with that same untouchable aura.
He smirked. “You always did prefer looking down on people.”
Leo didn’t turn. “And you always did talk too much.”
Julian chuckled, stepping closer. “That cold act of yours—do you ever get tired of it?”
Leo finally turned his gaze to him, sharp and unreadable.
“I don’t ‘act,’” he said coolly. “Unlike you, I don’t play games.”
Julian tilted his head, eyes glinting with something unreadable. Leo was still the same—cold, distant, untouchable. But Julian knew how to push him.
“So tell me,” Julian mused, “if you don’t play games, why did you walk away last time? Afraid of remembering what we used to be?”
A muscle in Leo’s jaw tensed.
Julian smirked. He had touched a nerve.
But before Leo could respond, a voice interrupted them.
“Chairman Astor.”
An executive approached, nodding respectfully. “There’s been a development with the acquisition deal. We need your decision immediately.”
Leo didn’t look at Julian again. He simply walked away.
But Julian?
Julian just smiled.
Because for the love of God—Leo had reacted.
And that was all he needed.
For now.
THE UNSEEN RULER
A Threat To Julian’s Secrecy
Powerful men moved in silence, but Julian West moved like a shadow—untraceable, untouchable. No one truly knew the extent of his control, and he intended to keep it that way.
But someone was getting too close.
Inside a dimly lit study, a man sat before a sleek laptop, typing furiously. Lucas Vance, an investigative journalist, was piecing together something no one else had dared to—connecting threads between silent investors, boardroom decisions, and offshore accounts.
Every path led to one name.
Julian West.
The problem? Julian West wasn’t supposed to exist in this way.
Lucas leaned back, a smirk forming. “Looks like I found the ghost in the system.”
Too bad for him—the ghost was already watching.
Moments later, his phone buzzed. An unknown number.
He hesitated, then answered. “Who is this?”
A smooth, amused voice came through.
“You’ve been working hard, Lucas,” Julian said. “That’s admirable.”
The journalist went rigid. His heart pounded.
“How did you—”
A chuckle. “You shouldn’t dig into things that don’t concern you.”
Lucas swallowed. “You can’t scare me.”
Julian’s voice remained light, almost lazy. “Who said anything about fear? I’m only here to make you a deal.”
Silence.
Then: “I don’t—”
The call disconnected.
Lucas looked at his laptop. The screen flickered once.
Then twice.
Then everything vanished. His files. His research. His entire hard drive—wiped clean.
A single message remained.
“Some things are better left unseen.”
---
A TWIST THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
The Astor Global Annual Gala was an event where the most powerful figures gathered under one roof—CEOs, politicians, royalty. It was a battlefield where alliances were formed and enemies were made.
Leo stood at the center of it all, a king among lesser men.
His presence was commanding—dressed in an immaculate black tuxedo, a glass of whiskey in hand, his expression unreadable.
But then—Julian entered.
The moment their eyes met across the grand hall, something shifted.
Julian was dressed in a dark tailored suit, effortless and confident. He shouldn’t have been here. He had never attended such events—he operated in the shadows.
Leo’s grip on his glass tightened.
Why was Julian here?
Julian smirked slightly, tilting his head in a silent challenge.
And then—chaos struck.
A commotion near the entrance. Security rushed forward. Guests murmured in confusion.
Then came the announcement.
“Apologies, ladies and gentlemen. There has been a security breach.”
Leo’s eyes sharpened. A security breach? Here? Impossible.
Then a name was whispered.
Lucas Vance.
Leo turned his head sharply. A man was being escorted out—Lucas, the journalist.
Leo’s gut told him this wasn’t a coincidence.
He glanced back at Julian—who was completely unbothered.
Almost amused.
Leo’s eyes narrowed. Just what the hell was Julian involved in?
Julian raised his glass slightly in an almost mocking toast before walking away.
Leo knew one thing for certain.
Julian was more dangerous than he had ever realized.
And he was going to find out why.
- Writer
