Chapter 56: Trapped!!!!

Winstone and Elfric suddenly halted mid-step.

There he was.

Miles Sterling.

Walking toward them with quiet, deliberate steps. Eyes sharp, posture composed, aura commanding.

Winstone’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. Elfric stiffened. Their smugness faltered—just for a second.

But Miles never broke stride.

Not a word. Not a glance of acknowledgment. Just a faint, confident smirk curling at the edge of his lips—one that cut deeper than any insult.

He passed between them like a shadow parting silence.

June, walking behind him, didn’t even look their way. Eyes forward. Focused.

The tension hung like thick air in their wake.

As Miles and June disappeared into the filing room, the two men slowly turned.

“It’s really him…” Winstone muttered under his breath, shaken.

Elfric’s voice was lower, strained. “He somewhat looks like Edward…”

They stood there for a moment longer, faces darkened by recognition and unease—then turned and walked away, expressions unreadable.

As Miles and June stepped into the private office reserved for official bidding, the atmosphere shifted.

Two sharply dressed men, Reaper Entertainment representatives, immediately straightened.

One of them stepped forward, voice respectful. “Good evening, boss.”

The second man gave a composed, silent bow of acknowledgment.

Miles nodded casually, his tone calm but firm. “How’s everything going?”

“Everything is perfect, sir. Just as you planned.” The first man motioned toward the documents neatly placed on the table. “I’ve gone through all legal frameworks out loud and clear. There are no loopholes or technicalities they can exploit.”

Miles stepped closer, glancing at the papers briefly before pulling an envelope from inside his coat.

“Just perfect.” He handed the envelope over. “Here’s the next plan, Begin prep once the project kicks off.”

The man received it with a nod. “Understood, boss.”

“And one more thing—“Miles’s tone sharpened slightly.” Call them. Announce the project results tomorrow morning. Make it public. “He paused.” Give them the win. Let them feel the weight of what they’ve taken on.”

The Reaper man exchanged a knowing glance with his partner. “Yes, sir. We’ll proceed accordingly.”

“Also—start the project immediately. No delays. And have Sterling Media cover the announcement of their win. Let them bask in the limelight.”

The second man bowed again. “It will be done.”

Miles gave one last look across the room, satisfied, and turned. June followed silently, expression unreadable.

As they exited the building and walked toward the car pickup zone, mall lights casting sleek shadows around them, Miles paused.

There—under the edge of a glowing Reaper banner, near the central fountain—stood a familiar figure.

Alone. Watching.

Their presence quiet but unmistakable.

The hum of distant cameras and city noise faded into the background.

Miles narrowed his eyes slightly.

Under the soft neon hue of the mall’s plaza, Clarissa stood waiting by the central fountain, arms crossed, hair catching the gentle breeze.

Miles and June stepped out from the building. The moment Clarissa caught sight of him, her face lit up—though she tried to hide it.

They walked toward each other.

“Hey… what are you doing here?” Miles asked, half-amused, half-surprised.

Clarissa shrugged with mock innocence. “I have nothing to do here. I’m bored. You’re the only person I know in this entire city.”

Miles raised a brow. “How did you even find me?”

Clarissa smirked. “Don’t forget who I really am. I lead the Phoenix Clan—not some amateur with GPS.”

Miles chuckled. “Right, right… how could I forget.”

Just then, June looked at the time. “Boss, I should leave. It’s getting late.”

Miles nodded. “Alright. Good work today. Rest up.”

June bowed slightly to both and disappeared into the crowd.

Clarissa tilted her head. “So… what should I do now?”

Miles looked at her, then asked casually, “Have you eaten?”

She smiled, eyes lighting up. “Not yet.”

Miles motioned toward the car. “Then let’s go grab dinner.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Clarissa beamed as she followed.

The two shared dinner in a dimly lit, modern restaurant tucked away from the main streets. Laughter broke through the calm clinking of utensils and soft music. Clarissa, for all her strength and heritage, looked genuinely content. For a while, the war outside paused.

Afterward, Miles dropped her off at her temporary stay, her expression warm and playful as she waved goodbye at the gate.

Miles watched her walk in. Then turned and drove away—quietly.

Next Day

TVs in corporate lobbies, cafes, and city screens all lit up.

“Breaking: Stone Enterprises Wins Landmark Reaper Construction Project!”

“Star Harbor Film City greenlit under Stone Enterprises. Reaper praises their proposal as ’bold and resourceful.’”

“Exclusive: Stone also tapped for a second project in Riverpoint, confirming the deal just this morning!”

Star Central Mall – Private Reaper Room

Inside a sleek, minimalist office at the mall, two Reaper reps sat across from Gibson Winstone and Elfric Willise. The atmosphere buzzed with formal celebration.

“Congratulations, gentlemen,” one rep said with a polite smile. “We’re awarding you the Star Harbor project. Your quotation was… very reasonable.”

Winstone gave a triumphant nod.

“In fact, Miss Monica was so impressed, she personally recommended you for another project—in a different city. It will run on the same timeline, of course.

Elfric’s eyes widened slightly. Winstone leaned forward.

“You mean… two projects?

”

“Correct. Parallel execution. She believes your company can handle the load.”

Winstone grinned, fire in his eyes. “Thank you. It won’t be an issue—we’ll deliver both. Tell Miss Monica we’re grateful.”

The Reaper rep muttered softly under his breath as he handed them the documents. “Trapped.”

“Hmm?” Winstone blinked. The man simply smiled.

“Let’s begin the process. I’ve already walked you through the legalities yesterday. Time to sign the contracts.”

Pens glided across paper.

The trap was sealed.

Later That Day – Stone Enterprises, Chairman’s Office

Winstone poured two glasses of champagne. Elfric leaned back in his chair, holding the newly printed Project Authorization Documents.

“That Sterling brat must be wondering how he lost even after quoting the lowest price.“Winstone smirked. “He looks like Edward, but just as foolish. History repeats itself.”

They clinked glasses.

“Two major projects in hand. Reaper’s name backing us. Our empire is about to rise again—beyond borders.”

The celebration was already underway. Assistants rushed through corridors, staff made urgent calls.

“Start the machinery. Mobilize teams. Acquire more resources. Sell off idle assets. If needed—take loans.“Winstone said, already drafting memos.

Elfric unrolled the project outline document on the table.

“We’ll complete both projects on time. We have to. This is our legacy.”

Across the building, the lights burned late into the evening.

Unaware… they’d just shouldered twice the weight they could ever bear.

Five Days Later…

The thunder of machines echoed across the two major construction sites. Tower cranes turned like the arms of giants, concrete mixers lined the roads, and supply trucks moved in and out without pause.

Stone Enterprises had launched into the twin projects with full force. Workers were hired overnight, paid in advance. Steel frameworks began rising like skeletons out of the dust. Blueprints sprawled across site command rooms. Supervisors shouted through radios, engineers worked double shifts.

On the surface, everything looked perfect.

The Star Harbor project had momentum. So did the Riverpoint one. The city watched as Stone Enterprises seemed to reclaim its glory.

But… then it dropped.

On every screen across the city—cafes, newsrooms, bus terminals, and office lobbies—Sterling Media lit up with red banners:

Breaking: Exclusive Footage From Cinder Square!

“The footage you’re watching is from the secure floors of Sterling Enterprises, captured six days ago…”

The camera showed infrared footage of shadowy figures entering through an access-controlled door. Night vision angles. Silent corridors. The intruders moved quickly, precisely—like they knew the layout.

“These individuals accessed a restricted server node and copied confidential documents… including the quotation filed for Reaper Entertainment’s Star Harbor Project.”

Suddenly, the screen changed to aerial drone footage—clear and unmistakable.

Three individuals exited the building that night, their faces dimmed—until one of them stepped into the light. The camera tracked him.

Moments later, the footage cut to Stone Enterprises’ building—the same man walking through its glass doors.

“Did Stone Enterprises steal the project?””Was this industrial espionage disguised as market competition?””A developing scandal threatens to shake the city’s corporate trust.”

Then came the final blow.

“Just in—Police have confirmed the arrest of one of the suspects from the footage. According to our sources, he confessed to being hired. And he named the people behind it…”

Sterling Media HQ – Cinder Square, News Studio

Inside the glass studio of Sterling Media, Miles stood near the broadcasting set, arms crossed, expression unreadable. June stood beside him, tablet in hand, the screen still replaying the footage.

The lighting from the studio screens reflected off Miles’s dark suit—his gaze fixed on the news anchor as she continued speaking to the city.

“Boss,” June said, stunned, “This is something they never expected…”

Miles didn’t even blink. A small smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

“Hnmm.” He leaned slightly toward her. “Wait and watch. The main part of the show hasn’t even started yet.”

He stepped back and looked out through the glass wall at the Cinder skyline, lit in soft evening tones.

“Call Monica to Star Harbor. Tell her it’s time.”

“It’s been months since I’ve seen her.”

June nodded. “Right away, boss.”

Stone Enterprises HQ – Private Executive Office

Inside the steel-and-glass tower of Stone Enterprises, the mood was anything but triumphant.

Gibson Winstone and Elfric Willise stood in the center of their war room—panicked assistants darted in and out, and a dozen screens played the same news segment in loops.

Gibson’s hands were clenched into fists, pacing furiously.

“There’s drone footage…” he muttered. “Drone footage! Who the hell flies drones over secure business districts?!”

Elfric stood stiff near the desk, trying to process.”He let us in…” he whispered, realization dawning like poison.”He wanted us to win. He fed us the bait.”

The room grew more claustrophobic with each headline flashing across the screens:

“Sterling accuses Stone Enterprises of corporate theft””Police confirm infiltration – suspect confesses””Monica from Reaper expected to respond”

“Handle it. Spin it. False accusation—industrial sabotage, jealousy, anything!” Gibson barked at his assistant.”Get our PR team. Call the legal division—every lawyer we have.”

“Yes sir!” the assistant replied, nearly tripping as he rushed out.

Gibson turned to Elfric, veins on his forehead bulging.”We’ll claim it’s fake. Deepfaked. CGI. Hire experts. We control the narrative before it spirals. We… we can contain this.”

Suddenly, the door burst open again.

A different assistant ran in—panting.

“Sirs! We just got a call from Reaper Entertainment…”

Both men froze.

“What now…?” Elfric asked.

“Miss Monica… she’s arriving in Star Harbor tomorrow morning. She wants a full review of both sites in person.”

For a few seconds, there was complete silence.

Then…

Gibson sat down heavily, face pale.

“She’s coming herself…”

Elfric stared at the ceiling, jaw clenched.”We’re screwed.”

The weight of their “victory” finally began to sink in—two massive projects now surrounded by scrutiny, scandal, and a woman known for tearing down empires with a calm voice and a single signature.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep