Amidst Crime and Shadows | Soren

III : The Launch

CHAPTER THREE: The Launch

Loey recognised that the attention that her company was receiving, both positive and negative, was a valuable opportunity to take action while there was still time. She made the strategic decision to focus on the positive remarks, rather than allow the negative ones to distract from the true value of the project. She understood that timing was critical and that it was important to act now, rather than risk the project being misunderstood or underestimated in the long run. By leveraging this moment, she aimed to maximise the benefits of the situation and position the project for future success.

A soft launch for the project is in place.

With investors pulling out, Loey found her employees quitting and she has no clue as to why they do when they've faced worse scenarios than the one they were currently in. Soren suggested it may be poaching and they've decided that whatever offer the other company has, it was better than what Loey was offering.

Loey tries her best to be a good boss that listens to her employees' concerns and plans out how she'd be able to make everything better for everyone but this felt like a huge betrayal on her part. It hurt her to the point where it was slowly making her feel numb to everything.

She has to push through.

As Loey sat in the backseat of the car, she noticed that Soren's attention seemed to be focused on the subject of investors. They were heading to the venue.

"Mr. Grove, wasn't it? He's been investing in a lot of your projects from what I've gathered." Soren looked over at her through the rearview mirror.

"Yes, he has. He's a loyal investor, and I'm grateful for his support."

"That man is attracted to you." Soren responded bluntly. "That is why he's sticking around. Is he hopeful that one day he might finally get your attention, Loey?"

Loey chuckled. "How did you even get to that conclusion? It's because we started as friends first so maybe it's that."

"I'm a man, and I know how we think. He's staying around in the hopes of winning you over."

Loey nodded her head, looking at Soren at the driver seat curiously. "What brings this up?"

"He's being a little suspicious, don't you think? I wouldn't be so sure. He could be playing the long game. It's not unheard of for a man to sabotage something in order to get what he wants."

"I'd be more suspicious of the investors that pulled out. If what you're saying is "true", why would he sabotage this project my employees and I worked hard on? If he does like me, he wouldn't want my downfall now would he?"

"Unless he has loose nuts in the brain, he'd see it more as an opportunity. Whilst all the other investors left you to fend for the project yourself, he stays and continues to be your knight in shining armour. It is a high probability. It's not unheard of, Loey. You're a powerful woman in a male-dominated field, and some men might see you as a threat. You have to be careful with whom you trust." Soren’s attention went back to the road ahead.

Loey was taken aback by the extent of Soren's conversation regarding Khaled's investment in her projects. While she may have had her own assumptions about his motivations, she couldn't help but ponder Soren's suggestion that Khaled's continued support could be influenced by his attraction to her. Nevertheless, she remained focused on the task at hand, determined to tackle any challenges that came her way.

As they arrived at the event hall, Loey's thoughts were interrupted by a text message from Mara, informing her that she was running late due to traffic. Loey exhaled deeply, reminding herself that she still had a team to lead, regardless of any potential distractions. She would need to keep her eye on the prize and focus on delivering results for her investors and employees.

It was overwhelming to see how many people were present at that very moment to see her unravel the project she’s been working on over the years finally came into light.

Loey stood before a packed audience, her eyes scanning the faces in front of her as she held a microphone. "Before I begin, I would like to take a moment to share with you the significance of this project to me personally," she started. "When I was younger, my father passed away due to organ failure. At the time, our family didn't have the means to pay for the surgery and transplant he needed, despite our desperate search for options. This experience was a driving force behind my research years later, where I began to explore the possibility of creating artificial organs."

"While I initially started in a pharmaceutical company, I eventually made the decision to leave and create my own company. I took on considerable debt to make this a reality, but I've worked tirelessly to build a team that shares my vision and people who invested their time, financial help and effort whilst they continue on believing. And now, I stand before you today, ready to unveil the fruits of our labour. This project is the culmination of years of research, development, and testing, and it is my hope that it will make a meaningful impact in the world."

"Artificial organs have the potential to revolutionise the healthcare industry, providing an affordable and effective alternative to traditional methods of donor search. With our technology, we aim to bridge the gap in accessibility by making quality healthcare accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. This is a significant step in our mission to make a difference in the world."

Loey's words were filled with enthusiasm and a genuine sense of commitment, and the audience was captivated by her passion and determination. "Thank you all for being here today to celebrate this remarkable achievement with us. Together, we can create a better future for all."

As Loey stepped off the stage, a tall man in a navy suit offered her his hand and led her down the stairs. The crowd was captivated as they watched the AVP play on the big screen, showcasing the step-by-step transformation of the project from concept to completion.

Soren, usually reserved and stoic, walked up to Loey with a faint sense of pride, offering her a piece of chocolate. Loey, caught off guard by the gesture, couldn't help but let out a surprise laugh as she accepted the sweet treat. The laughter served as a much-needed release from the tense situation she had been in, and it was a relief to have the dilemma put to rest. As she popped the chocolate into her mouth, the delicious flavour melted on her tongue, satisfying her cravings.

"How did you know I prefer milk chocolate?" Loey inquired, settling into her designated chair.

"Call it a hunch," Soren said, taking his place on the seat next to hers. His fingers brushed his earpiece for a moment as he received updates from his security team on the status of the event. Then he turned to Loey with a curious glance. "How are you feeling right now?"

Loey's eyes scanned the crowded room, taking in the various reactions of those attending the event. "Relieved, more than anything," she admitted. "Thank you for being here, Soren. It means a lot to me."

The soft launch had gone off without a hitch, in Loey's opinion. She had invited a plethora of attendees to witness her big moment, but kept the real product launch under wraps for the time being. This event was just a sneak peek, after all. Loey's primary goal was to ensure everyone walked away feeling exhilarated and eager for more, and she was confident that the soft launch had accomplished that. She leaned back in her chair, content in the knowledge that she had done everything she could to make this event a success. She had hoped the air of misunderstanding had been cleared up even if it was just for the time being.

As Loey slipped away to use the restroom, Soren was faced with an urgent situation, as his team discovered a suspicious individual loitering on the outskirts of the venue. Despite his immediate priorities, his concern for Loey's safety could not be ignored, and his unwavering devotion to protecting her became the driving force behind his actions.

When Loey stepped out of the bathroom, she was met with a chilling sight. The massive chandelier, with its sparkling lights, was swaying dangerously in the air, making a loud clanking sound. Before anyone could register what was happening, the chandelier plummeted towards the ground, sending a flurry of shards and glass flying in all directions.

In the midst of the chaos, there was one sole individual who remained focused and determined: Soren. Without hesitation, he jumped to action, pushing through the crowd, his laser-like gaze locked on to Loey. She stumbled out of the bathroom, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of the madness around her.

In a split-second decision that could mean the difference between life and death, Soren shielded Loey with his body, diving down on her and pulling her under the table, away from the dangerous wreckage. The chandelier made a sickening crunch as it impacted the floor, sending a shower of glass and rubble flying. Loey could hear the sound of sirens and people screaming, but her heart was racing with panic.

And just when Loey thought they had escaped unscathed, a huge shard of glass shattered over Soren's back, embedding itself deep in his flesh. Soren let out a gasp of pain as he passed out, his body going limp on top of her. The chaos around Loey continued unchecked, but she was in a state of shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened.