Chapter 300

Charles flashed Alex a smug, venomous grin, his eyes glittering with sinister amusement.

With an arrogant snap of his fingers, a small drone whirred to life, circling menacingly above their heads.

“Recognize this toy, Alex?” Charles mocked, his voice dripping with condescension.

Alex barely glanced at the drone, unimpressed.

“Doesn’t matter,” he growled, and with a single icy glare, the drone sputtered and crashed onto the cold concrete.

But before Alex could savor his small victory, three more drones surged from the shadows, buzzing around them like mechanical hornets.

Charles let out a wicked laugh, eyes blazing triumphantly.

“You see, Alex, when my dear father cut me off, I knew vultures like you would circle. So, I hired men to keep a constant watch, recording every second of my life p>

He leaned forward, relishing the moment. “You grasp what that means, don’t you? Or is your mind too small to comprehend p>

Charles paused dramatically, relishing Alex’s silence, before continuing with sadistic glee, “It means that whoever dares spill my blood will be caught on camera, and the footage will reach my father and mother in seconds p>

“I don’t know if my family has disowned me or not. But I believe my father and mother still love me—and if I’m killed, they’ll avenge me. Then the entire Kingston empire will hunt you down and tear you apart p>

Alex clenched his jaw, begrudgingly acknowledging Charles’s twisted brilliance.

Killing this man now was tempting-almost intoxicating-but the ramifications would poison relationships he still valued: Alfred Kingston, Kelly, Jasmine.

Their connections were far too precious to burn over a reckless feud born of wounded pride and a woman’s heart.

A true man, Alex reminded himself bitterly, must discern between personal vendettas and the greater good.

He spun sharply on his heels, dismissing Charles with cold contempt.

But Charles couldn’t resist one final taunt.

“Running away, coward? One day Sophia will be mine! I’ll rise above you and crush you beneath my boot p>

Alex halted abruptly, a chilling stillness overcoming him. Without turning around, he spoke clearly and deliberately, his voice a blade in the darkness.

“You had the chance to wield your power for something noble, something greater than your petty desires. If you’d chosen the light, the world itself would rally behind you. But you’ve embraced darkness, Charles. Now the universe stands against you, marking you for inevitable ruin p>

Charles barked a defiant laugh, his voice cracking with arrogance and rage.

“Keep your worthless sermons, Alex! I’m the master of my destiny. With ambition, power, and raw desire, I’ll forge my empire from the ashes p>

Alex’s final words sliced through the air like tempered steel. “You’ll never find peace if the cosmos itself becomes your enemy p>

He vanished into the shadows, leaving Charles alone, shouting furiously into the void, the echo of his own rage ringing hollow and unanswered.

Over the following days, tension simmered quietly until it finally boiled over with a single, urgent call.

Alex’s phone buzzed angrily, jolting him awake.

He rubbed his eyes as Mr. Dune’s strained voice crackled through. “Alex, we’ve

got trouble. You need to get down here right now p>

“Trouble? What kind?” Alex snapped, instantly alert.

“Some folks barged in demanding a cut of Emerald Elixir. They’re here, right now, pushing hard p>

Alex frowned. “Isn’t Jasmine handling this? She makes those calls p>

“Miss Kingston’s halfway to London. Can’t reach her at thirty thousand feet,” Dune said, anxiety creeping into his voice.

“She left explicit instructions-you’re in charge p>

“Fine. I’ll be there soon.” Alex hung

up, adrenaline sharpening his senses? He drove fast, weaving through traffic like a man possessed, reaching Kingston Pharmaceuticals in record time.

He burst into the conference room, feeling the hostility like a chill wind.

Jessica Kingston and her suited executives sat rigidly along one side of the gleaming table,

opposite them were Charles Kingston and a distinguished, steely-eyed stranger whose mere presence dripped power.

“Alex, at last,” Mr. Dune rose hastily, ushering him toward an empty chair. Alex noted the frosty stares aimed his way.

“Alright, what’s this mess about?” Alex said, eyes sharp and probing.

Jessica’s cold gaze pierced him instantly. “Tell me, Alex-is it true Jasmine gifted you half the shares in Emerald Elixir p>

“She gave me shares,” Alex replied evenly, leaning back cautiously, “though I never counted how many p>

Jessica’s lips curled slightly. “Then give them up. Now p>

“Why the hell would I do that?” Alex’s voice sharpened like a blade.

“You don’t deserve a fraction of it,” Jessica spat contemptuously.

“We’ve bled for this company-built it, marketed it, sold it. You’ve done nothing. You don’t have a right to half the profits. Greed doesn’t look good on you p>

Alex leaned forward, smirking bitterly. “Then buy them back. Or maybe I’ll take the formula elsewhere, let someone else do the heavy lifting, and pocket even

more p>

Jessica waved him off dismissively.

“We’ve poured fortunes into advertising. You own nothing but a few scribbles of a formula. Enough! Be smart-give us the shares and walk away in one piece p>

Alex saw clearly now-no negotiation, just blatant coercion. He glared, eyes narrowing dangerously. “Does Jasmine—or Alfred-know about your little ambush p>

Jessica scoffed, unfazed. “Doesn’t matter what Jasmine thinks. Family interests outweigh individual whims. We’ll compensate you-one million dollars is more than fair p>

Alex exploded with laughter, sharp and mocking.

“One million? The shares you’re drooling over are worth hundreds of millions,

maybe half a billion, and you toss me crumbs p>

Jessica’s face flushed violently, fury radiating.

“You never earned those shares! Jasmine’s stupidity handed them over. A million

dollars is a lifetime more than you’ll ever see again p>

Charles slammed his hand down, voice thick with impatience.

“Enough of this bullshit, Alex. Hand over the shares-quit acting like you’re entitled just because Jasmine fell for your pathetic bed games. You scammed her; it’s pathetic.

Alex’s expression hardened, icy and fierce. “And if I refuse p>

Charles’s lips twisted cruelly. “Then you’re not leaving this room—ever p>

At his words, doors burst open as security guards stormed in, circling Alex like

hungry wolves, their eyes predatory and cold.

“They’re elite-trained—you won’t stand a chance against ten of them. Your best option is to surrender. Kneel right now, and I might spare your life p>