From Ashes To Billions

Chapter 14: Screwed.

Adrian forced a smile even though the last thing he wanted to do was smile. “This is a personal issue and I'd appreciate if the media stay out of it,”

“You have to say something, Mr Adrian! How do you feel about your sister's situation? What plans are you making to bring her back?!” A reporter stepped forward, almost hitting Adrian with his microphone.

“How do you know she's alive?”

“Say something!”

From the corners of his eyes, Adrian could sight Felix and some of his bodyguards pushing their way towards him.

“Let's go, young Master, you don't have to listen to them,” Felix said, leading the way despite the continuous clicks of cameras and the unending questions.

“We've called the police, so they'll be dispersed soon,” Felix said when they were inside the office. His brows narrowed as his voice reduced into a whisper. “Do you think this is Layla's doing?”

“You heard her yourself yesterday,” Adrian said, flicking a pen expertly with his fingers. “I'll give her the credit for what's worth,”

“What's your plan? We cannot let the rumors spread further or it'd be dangerous to the company,”

Adrian chuckled, ignoring the question. Poor Layla was trying so hard to get to him by playing his sister's card, but little did she know she was playing with acid.

Her little surprise gift today confirmed that she knew about his sister's disappearance. She was taunting him, like a game of chess, provoking him despite knowing the power he controlled.

The realization made his blood boil under his skin, scathing through his skin.

He had to teach that brat a lesson.

Reaching out for his phone, he dialed a number and it connected on the third ring. “Is everything ready?

A reply came from the other end and he nodded in satisfaction before ending the call. His eyes shifted to Felix and he noted the way he looked at him in suspicion. “Why do I feel like you're keeping something from me?”

“We have an event to prepare for, Felix. As for the media, let them publish as many articles as they want and do not try to stop them. We can't stop a raging fire, can we?”

Felix was stunned. “What do you mean…?”

“Check your mail, I just sent the answers to your questions,” Adrian said with a quick smile as he adjusted his tie. “The event is in an hour so please get ready,”

“Understood,” Felix hesitated in his reply.

*******

The continuous clicks of cameras that were on Layla made her smile so wide that her face turned pale. She banished the nervousness crawling in the back of her mind and focused her attention on the group of investors that had gathered to listen to her pitch.

These investors were not the regular ones, they were from abroad, well known business men with several records of success. After hearing about her huge project and the high probability of it becoming a bestseller, they had decided to partner with her company to help her.

Layla cleared her throat. “Like I already said, this project is a massive one that would guarantee us more than fifteen Billion Dollars. The profit would be satisfactory at the end of the day for all of us. Trust me, it's not a waste of time and I'd prove it soon,”

Satisfied murmurs filled the entire room and Layla felt proud of herself. Her smile grew deeper as she continued her speech.

From the end of the hall, Adrian fixed his gaze on Layla. With the way she was smiling and chuckling sweetly, one would think she couldn't hurt a fly when in reality she was the devil's little mistress.

Layla had made a huge mistake to tamper with his family. Doing so was equivalent to asking for death, only this time he wouldn't give her the luxury of a quick death.

Losing everything would be the beginning of her downfall. The beginning of his revenge. His wrath would consume her so fierce that there would be no place in this world left to hide.

“Now the visuals of the outline of the project would be played for a thorough explanation of what is to be expected in this project,” Layla said.

“It wouldn't be so thorough after the drama unfolds,” Adrian whispered in disgust. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, it's ready,” Felix replied after directing a quick glance at the large screen on the wall.

The projector was turned on, but instead of the outline, a video of Layla engaging in a conversation with Ryan began to play on the screen. The two were smoking and drinking on the balcony of their mansion with sinister looks on their faces.

“Those morons, they'd never find out that the whole project bullshit is just a scheme to extort money from them” Layla shrieked, her excitement palpable. “Gosh, foreigners are so gullible! They fell into the trap,”

“You're such a b***h, baby!” Ryan applauded, the slur in her voice evident.

“The outline and external packaging is just a sham,” Layla added. “Am I not a sweetheart to come up with such a perfect idea?”

“What if they catch on?

“By then it'd be too late to fight back,” She smirked. “I only have to convince them to sign the contract and that's all. Once they sign the contract, I'll have them under the palms of my hands to use and control as I please,”

“What is your plan?”

“In the contract is a hidden clause,” She leaned forward in a whisper as if the walls could hear her. “Sit back and watch how everything is going to play out in my favor. More connections, more power, more money and above all, more allies!”

Everybody in attendance gasped at the display, but Adrian's face remained stuck on Layla's face. He took in the panic and the surprise.

It was worth it.

Color drained from Layla's face until she was completely pale. She wanted to speak, but her throat made a constricting sound and she swallowed hard past the lump in her throat.

What the f**k?!

“Turn that off?! Who's responsible for this?!” Layla shouted. Her muscles spammed in fear and she proceeded to shout. “Drop your phones! No recordings! f*****g turn this bullshit off!”