Contracts that had been all but signed were suddenly withdrawn. Long-time allies and collaborators were scrambling to sever their connections.
By the time dawn broke, Kleinberg Industries found itself completely isolated. And the most terrifying part? Alex hadn’t even done anything yet.
All he had done was make a simple statement—that he would personally deal with Kleinberg Industries. That alone was enough to send the entire business world into a panic, making it impossible for Kleinberg Industries to function.
If this continued, Logan didn’t even need to wait for Alex to take action. Kleinberg Industries would collapse on its own in less than a month.
And the root cause of all this?
Sera.
“That damned woman!” Logan’s voice was hoarse with rage as he clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His bloodshot eyes burned with hatred. “I should’ve killed her back then. I should’ve finished the job instead of leaving her alive to cause this disaster!”
His breathing was heavy, erratic, almost manic. He had never hated anyone as much as he hated Sera at this moment. But his hatred for her was nothing compared to the burning resentment he felt toward Alex.
His expression twisted into something ugly, his voice filled with venom. “And that arrogant bastard! What, just because he was born into a powerful family, he thinks he can do whatever he wants? Without his precious background, do any of the company in the city actually fear him? If it weren’t for his background, he’d be nothing! Nothing!”
Logan slammed his fist onto the desk, his breathing ragged. “What the hell did I do to deserve this? What did I ever do to him? Haven’t I humbled myself enough? Haven’t I swallowed my pride every time I had to grovel in front of him?”
Although Logan couldn’t uncover the exact details of Alex’s background, that didn’t stop him from making his own assumptions.
In his mind, Alex was nothing more than a spoiled man, riding on the coattails of a powerful Company. Without that advantage, there was no way he would have been able to throw his weight around in the city the way he did.
If he had a company as powerful as Reid Industries, he was certain he would have achieved far more. He would have been even more ruthless, more decisive, more successful.
But raging over his own lack of power wouldn’t change anything. After venting his frustration, Logan forced himself to calm down. He took deep breaths, steadying his nerves, willing his mind to think clearly.
“There has to be a way,” he muttered, pacing the floor. “Kleinberg Industries just came into my hands. I refuse to let it slip away like this. There has to be another way.”
His expression darkened as his thoughts spiraled further. If Alex insisted on forcing him into a corner, then he would make sure that no one got their hands on Kleinberg Industries.
“Alex, you are the one who pushed me this far,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “If you leave me no choice, I’ll burn it all to the ground.”
Just as he was lost in frantic thoughts, a knock sounded on his office door.
“Get lost!” Logan snapped, his patience already wearing thin.
A calm voice responded from the other side. “Sir, it’s me—Hugo.”
Hearing the name, Logan’s anger subsided slightly. Hugo was one of the few people he truly trusted. Years ago, in order to prove his loyalty, Hugo had even gone so far as to do skme shady things for him and keep his secrets. That level of devotion was not something Logan took lightly.
Logan took a deep breath, rubbing his temples. “What is it?”
“A man from Alex’s side—Mr. Waters—just sent this over.” Hugo’s voice was measured, but there was a hint of hesitation. “He said that once you read it, everything will make sense.”
There was a brief pause before Hugo added, “Sir… I think Alex might just be bluffing. He wouldn’t actually move against Kleinberg Industries over a woman, would he?”
Hugo found the idea hard to believe. Destroying one of the great company of the city, all because of some pretty face? It was absurd. No matter how beautiful Sera was, there was no way she was worth in billions like company.
To him, it was obvious—Alex was just putting on a show, trying to impress Sera. There’s no way he’d really destroy Kleinberg Industries over this.
A moment later, the office door swung open from the inside. Logan, still looking haggard and desperate, reached out and snatched the thick, brown envelope from Hugo’s hands.
Stepping into the room, Hugo carefully closed the door behind him. “Sir, I really think this is all just an act. Alex is only saying those things to keep Sera happy. This file is probably just some kind of business proposal. Maybe he’s offering us a way out. Mr. Waters even said that once you read it, you’ll like what’s inside.”
Logan, hearing those words, felt a flicker of hope reignite within him. He wanted to believe it. He needed to believe it.
“You’re right,” he murmured, nodding quickly. “Of course you’re right. Why would Alex actually destroy Kleinberg Industries? It’s just a performance, a little act to keep that woman entertained. That’s all this is.”
A manic grin stretched across his face as he clutched the envelope tightly. “Kleinberg Industries is worth over billions. No woman is worth that much. No matter how beautiful she is, no man in his right mind would trade billions for her.”
His hands trembled slightly—not with fear, but with anticipation.
With a sense of desperation laced with hope, Logan tore open the envelope.
When he saw what was inside the file folder, he froze like a statue. His face turned deathly pale, and his entire body began to tremble uncontrollably.
“No… impossible! This is absolutely impossible!”
“I deleted all of this! How could Alex have it?”
“Where did he get these photos?”
He stood there in a daze, completely forgetting that his trusted aide, Hugo, had just entered the office. Staring at the documents in his hands, he recalled what Alex had said to Sera at the funeral. His hands shook as he closed his eyes.
“Sir, do you like it?” Hugo’s voice came from behind.