Two weeks later, Martin sat in his pristine office, his long legs casually propped up on his polished glass desk. The faint reflection of his maroon leather shoes gleamed under the soft lighting, their black soles spotless.
A satisfied smirk played on his lips as he twirled a ballpoint pen between his fingers, looking every bit like a man pleased with himself.
The office door suddenly opened.
L
Sarah walked in.
She looked disheveled, her hair slightly out of place, her expression tense and worried. The moment Martin saw her, his smile vanished, replaced by a deep frown.
Ever since losing the Shincity contract to Sebastian Monday, Martin's attitude toward her had grown increasingly cold. He ignored her when she spoke, brushed past her like she was nothing, and treated her presence like an inconvenience.
To him, she had become desperate, clingy, pathetic.
And it irritated him.
"What is it now?" he asked flatly, his voice laced with disinterest.
Sarah's hands trembled slightly as she stepped forward. Being around him now made her nervous in a way she didn't fully understand.
"I… I received a call," she said, extending her phone toward him. "From an unknown number."
Martin didn't move.
"The caller said he's a top business person… and a major investor connected to Sebastian's company."
That caught Martin's attention,'that means money,:
He slowly lowered his legs from the desk and sat upright.
"What did you just say?" he asked, his tone sharpening. "Repeat it."
Encouraged, Sarah moved closer and sat in one of the chairs opposite him.
Martin's eyes flickered with irritation,he hated when she made herself comfortable around him, but he said nothing.
"He introduced himself as Mr. Clinton," she continued. "He prefers to remain anonymous. He claims he has inside information… something that could help us benefit from the Shincity contract."
Martin leaned forward slightly.
"And he works with Sebastian?"
"Not directly," Sarah replied. "He said he's a major shareholder. Apparently, they had a serious conflict. He wants out."
She hesitated briefly before adding, "He said he admires your work ethic… and believes our company has great potential."
Martin stiffened.
"Work ethic?" he muttered under his breath, shifting uncomfortably.
Even he knew that description didn't quite fit him.
Sarah didn't seem to notice.
"He wants to invest in our company," she continued carefully. "Fifteen million dollars."
For a moment, the room went completely silent.
Martin blinked.
"Fifteen… million?" he repeated slowly.
His heart began to pound.
That amount of money would make the man the largest shareholder in his company overnight.
No one had ever invested anything close to that before.
His mind raced.
"This is… unbelievable," he whispered.
Then, narrowing his eyes, he asked, "What does he want in return?"
Sarah shook her head.
"Nothing."
Martin frowned, "That's impossible." Martins might be dumb but he knows that there is nothing free under the especially fifteen million dollars.
"He said it's s personal reason," she explained. " I am sure he wants to get back at Sebastian, for humiliating him and undermining his position in the company."
Martin leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with greed.
"I see…"
"He wants to meet tonight," Sarah added. "To finalize and sign the agreement."
"So soon?" Martin asked, surprised.
"Yes. He wants everything done as soon as possible."
Martin tapped his fingers against the desk, thinking.
Then he spoke slowly.
"I don't think I should meet him tonight."
Sarah nodded quickly.
"That's fine. I can go alone. He actually requested that I come by myself."
Martin raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"He said he values anonymity," she replied. "The fewer people involved, the better."
For a moment, Martin studied her.
Then he smiled.
A slow, calculating smile.
"Alright," he said lightly. "You can go."
Sarah's face softened with relief.
"Thank you."
"Take your time, honey," he added smoothly.
She smiled faintly and leaned forward, intending to kiss him.
But Martin pulled back slightly.
"You should start getting ready," he said instead.
Sarah paused, then straightened up.
"Okay."
With that, she turned and left the office.
The moment the door closed behind her, Martin's expression changed completely.
Excitement lit up his face.
He grabbed his phone and dialed a number.
It rang briefly before a woman's voice answered, smooth and teasing.
"Missing me already? It hasn't even been twenty-four hours, babe."
Martin chuckled.
"I've got good news," he said eagerly. "An anonymous investor wants to help us with the Shincity contract. And guess what, Sarah's meeting him tonight."
"Oh?" the woman replied, her tone brightening. "That sounds promising."
"It is," Martin said. "Five hundred million."
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.
"Well… that definitely calls for a celebration."
Martin grinned.
"That's exactly what I was thinking. Come over tonight. I've got wine ready… and the hot tub is set."
A soft laugh echoed through the phone.
"Marty… what about her?"
"She'll be busy," he replied dismissively. "Meeting our mysterious investor."
The woman hesitated.
"Don't you think it's risky? Sending her alone to meet a stranger at night?"
Martin let out a low, careless laugh.
"As if I care."
His voice dropped, colder now.
"If something happens to her, that's one less problem for me."
A pause.
" And if she succeeds?" the woman asked quietly.
Martin smirked.
"Then I get the money… and I dump her immediately."
His tone turned almost playful.l
"And then you move in with me. No more sneaking around."
Charlotte paused for some minutes "What about your dad will he approve of me?"
"Don't worry babe I am sure me and my father are on the same page concerning Sarah."
She then squealed in delight."I can't wait."
---
That night, as Sarah stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her outfit with nervous hands, her phone buzzed again.
A new message.
From the same unknown number.
Her heart skipped as she opened it.
"I'll be expecting you tonight."
A pause.
Then another message appeared.
"Don't be late, Sarah."
Her breath caught.
She had never given him her name.
Slowly… unease crept into her chest.
And for the first time that day
Something didn't feel right.