The CEO's House Manager

The Forgotten Project

The following morning, Hillary Black left the city before sunrise. Two black SUVs followed his vehicle, each carrying members of his private security team. The city slowly disappeared behind them. Skyscrapers became smaller buildings, buildings became farms, and eventually, the smooth highways turned into narrow country roads.

Hillary sat in the back seat, reading the Riverside documents. His driver, Marcus, occasionally checked the rearview mirror and asked if everything was okay, sir. Hillary looked up and asked why. Marcus said he had been staring at that file for an hour. Hillary said there were inconsistencies. Marcus asked if they were financial and Hillary said yes. Marcus nodded and did not ask anything else because Hillary preferred people who knew when to remain silent.

His phone vibrated. It was Ethan asking if he had left the city. Hillary replied yes. Another message appeared telling him to keep his security team close. Hillary smiled faintly and said he was becoming annoying. Ethan replied almost immediately that he was becoming reckless. Hillary put the phone away. He could not argue with that. But the Riverside project was bothering him.

Five years ago, Black Empire had planned to build a luxury resort in the area. The project had been abandoned after several disputes. Since then, it had supposedly remained inactive. Yet money was still disappearing from its accounts. Someone had gone to great lengths to hide it. And Hillary wanted to know why.

The road became quieter. Marcus slowed down and said they would reach the town in about forty minutes. Hillary looked outside and asked how many people lived there. Marcus said not many. Hillary said good. Marcus frowned and said sir, and Hillary said nothing. The vehicle continued. Neither Hillary nor Marcus noticed the black SUV parked several hundred meters away.

Inside it, a man watched the convoy pass. He immediately reached for his phone and said they are here. A voice answered and said good. The man asked if he was sure about this. There was a brief silence. Then Damien Black's voice came through the phone and said to do what he was paid to do. The call ended. The man looked toward the road. He had been given one instruction, to make the accident look natural. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Back inside Hillary's vehicle, the road suddenly became rougher. Marcus slowed down and said that the road had not been maintained. Hillary looked at the map and said to keep going. Marcus said yes, sir.

A few minutes later, Hillary noticed something strange. The second security vehicle was no longer visible. He asked where the other car was. Marcus looked into the mirror and said they were behind them. Hillary told him to call them. Marcus reached for the radio but there was only static. He tried again and got nothing. His phone had no signal either.

Hillary's expression hardened and he told Marcus to stop the car. Marcus immediately pulled over. Hillary stepped outside. The road was empty. Trees surrounded them on both sides. He looked behind them and saw nothing. A few seconds later, the second vehicle appeared around the bend. The driver slowed. One of the security officers stepped out and asked if everything was okay, sir. Hillary nodded and asked about their radio. The officer said they lost signal. Hillary looked at the road and told them to stay close from now on. The officer said yes, sir. Hillary returned to his vehicle.

Ethan's warnings echoed in his mind. For a moment, Hillary considered turning back. Then he looked at the Riverside file. Someone had been stealing from his company. If he returned now, whoever was behind it would know he was suspicious. He told Marcus to continue. Marcus nodded. The convoy moved again.

That evening, Damien sat alone in his study. His phone rang and a voice asked if he was still going. Damien said yes and smiled and said excellent. The voice on the other end hesitated and asked if he was certain this would not be traced back to them. Damien's expression turned cold and he said that by tomorrow, there would not be anyone left to trace it. He ended the call. Then he opened a second message that said the vehicle is ready.

Damien stared at the words. For years, Hillary had been protected by security, reputation, and luck. But luck had limits. Damien typed, do it tomorrow. He placed the phone face down. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to imagine the Black Empire without Hillary. The thought made him smile.

The next morning, Hillary prepared to leave for the final stretch of the journey. Ethan called and said sir. Hillary said he was listening. Ethan said something did not feel right. Hillary smiled and said he had said that three times. Ethan said he was still saying it. Hillary said he was going. Ethan said he knew. Ethan sighed and asked him to at least promise to call when he arrived. Hillary said he would. Ethan told him not to take unnecessary risks. Hillary said he would not. There was a pause. Then Ethan said quietly to come back safely.

Hillary's expression softened and he said he would. The call ended. Hillary placed the phone in his pocket and looked ahead. He had no idea those would be the last ordinary words he would hear from Ethan for a very long time. The car moved deeper into the countryside. And somewhere ahead, a trap was waiting.