That morning, Theodore had just landed in Eldoria after wrapping up a business trip. He didn't waste time. There was something urgent he needed to discuss....something that involved both business and family.
The land deal.
It had the potential to turn into one of the most profitable ventures in recent years. And though he could've handled it alone, he had a plan: make his brother increase the bid. That way, both their companies would benefit and more importantly, it would land in the hands of someone who deserved it. Aurora.
As Theodore exited the airport, a sleek black car pulled up. He got in, gave a quick nod to the driver, and leaned back. His thoughts were a blur of numbers, names, and strategy. But as they neared the Drakos HQ, something unusual caught his eye.
Aurora.
She stepped out of the building and walked away, calm yet powerful, completely unbothered by the chaos he would soon discover inside.
He considered calling out to her, maybe even catching up for a conversation. But she was already out of reach, and he didn't want to make a scene. So, instead, he let it go—and walked into the lion's den.
Theodore entered the towering glass building of Drakos Corporation. As he passed through security and into the private elevator, employees greeted him with polite bows.
"Mr. Madoc, good morning."
He gave a courteous nod, smiling just enough to be polite. It wasn't arrogance, it was how things worked when you were a Madoc. A name respected as much as feared.
The elevator ride to the top floor felt longer than usual.
As the doors slid open, the air changed.
Tension crackled in the hallway like electricity before a storm. Papers were scattered. Staff moved like ghosts, whispering in corners, avoiding eye contact. Even the bodyguards outside Theron's office looked extra alert.
Then he saw him.
Theron Drakos...storm cloud in a suit walking out of the conference room, flanked by two guards. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched, and his eyes… murderously cold.
"Theron?" Theodore called out.
Theron paused mid-step. His head turned slowly, eyes narrowing.
What is this idiot doing here?
Without speaking, he jerked his head and walked back into his office. Theodore followed silently.
Once inside, Theron snapped.
"John, make sure no one inside or outside this building speaks a word about what happened on the top floor. I want a full-scale investigation into the Wilson family. Every detail. Every file. I want answers, and I want them fast."
John nodded and turned to leave.
But Theodore raised a brow. "What the hell's going on here, bro?"
Before Theron could speak, John- forever the gossip machine chimed in.
"Long story short? The Adkins deal is officially dead. Thanks to our favorite disaster Isabella Wilson. She insulted the Adkins team mid-negotiation. And then, get this she bribed an insider from their company to send a cancellation email from Ms. Adkins' official account."
Theodore's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Oh, it gets better," John said, clearly enjoying the drama. "Aurora walked in, salvaged the entire thing with not one, but two lawsuits ready to file. And let me tell you, she owned the room. Boss here?" He tilted his head toward Theron. "He froze. Just watched her tear the place apart."
John grinned. "She moved like a queen. Talked like one too. Even shut Isabella down with one sentence. Honestly? Might be a step above the boss."
Theron's jaw ticked. "You have time to gossip while the empire burns?"
"No-no, Boss! I was just giving a glimpse to Mr. Madoc of how royally you got..."
Click.
The sound of a revolver spinning filled the room.
Theron had pulled it out casually from his drawer, spinning the barrel with slow, precise movements.
John stopped mid-sentence.
"One more word…" Theron said, not finishing the sentence because he didn't have to.
John's face drained of all color. "Right. Got it," he mumbled, bowing as he backed out and closed the door behind him.
Theodore shook his head, watching him flee. "You really know how to treat your employees with love and warmth."
Theron rolled his eyes and sat down. "What do you want, Theo?"
"You think I came here out of brotherly love?" Theodore asked, lips twitching.
Theron didn't answer. He didn't need to.
"I didn't want to see your face either," Theo added. "But Dad insisted I check on your first Eldoria project."
Theron gave a dry chuckle. "Perfect timing. We're probably going to lose it. Thanks to Isabella."
Theodore didn't reply immediately.
He had come here to push Theron into raising the bid. To help secure the deal in a way that would benefit all parties including Aurora.
But now? With this chaos? Even he wasn't sure Aurora would trust Drakos Corp enough to go through with it.
And if the Aetos family got wind of the situation, they'd jump in to poach the deal. Aurora wouldn't work with them—especially not after what Sebastian did.
Theo decided to switch topics. "I heard someone drugged you at the pub."
Theron leaned back, frowning. "Still no idea who. No leads. And as for our proposal it was stolen. We're sure Isabella did it. But we have zero proof. The Wilsons' financial records are clean too. No trace of the embezzlement. Our entire tech team found nothing."
Theodore thought for a second, then spoke quietly. "I know someone. A childhood friend. He's… different. Brilliant with tech. If anyone can find something, he can."
Theron raised an eyebrow. "You trust him?"
"With my life."
"What's his name?"
"Ethan. Ethan Wang," Theodore replied, turning toward the door. "You'll meet him. In person. No calls, no digital trail."
Theron watched him leave, and for a moment, something inside him shifted.
Theodore always showed up when he needed him most.
Never on time. But always just in time.
Even when they didn't get along.
Theron's POV
Theodore.
He always pretended not to care. Laughed things off. Stayed distant.
But somehow, whenever I was neck-deep in trouble, the guy showed up.
Every. Damn. Time.
And yet, he never admitted it.
I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled under my chin. I closed my eyes, going over every step of the mess searching for cracks in the Wilson trail.
Still nothing.
But then my mind went back to something else.
Aurora.
When she stood near me earlier, there was tension in the air. Not anger. Something else. Something he couldn't place.
And when she turned to leave… I had caught a faint scent.
Lilies.
Not just any perfume. That one.
Could she have been the one who saved me at the pub?
No.
That cold, emotionless, sharp-tongued woman?
Help me?
Ridiculous.
I shook the thought from my mind, but the scent lingered… just like the doubt.