Chapter 4 4

Chris 's POV

I paced my office as I looked at the view of the tall skyscrapers behind my desk.

Just a few more months and I would start construction of the tallest building in New York. With this project, I was going to revolutionize the hotel industry.

In this business, you have to be tough. That meant putting people in their place who think they can betray you.

"Can you call Hendrik to my office," I called my assistant.

"Sure sir," Luke answered.

There was a soft knock at my door, Luke stepped in.

He has been my assistant since I started the business, he has also been a friend on a few occasions.

"Mr Hendrik is here to see you, sir," Luke said.

"Send him in," I answered.

"The poor guy thinks he is getting a promotion," Luke commented.

I chuckled.

I found out that he was selling some of our confidential information including all our deals and projects to our top competitor Peterson Inc. Since then, I've been secretly using him to feed the wrong information to our competitors. They had no idea what was coming their way. This game was getting too boring, I already got what I wanted which means I had no use for Hendrik anymore.

Luke nodded then stepped out of my office.

I loved this part of my job, when people thought they could betray me and get away with it.

Henrik stepped into my office smiling as always. He was one of the project managers.

"I just want to inform you sir that the project is a go sir, we are just waiting for the press release," Henrik announced.

"I think that can wait," I answered.

I gestured for him to take a seat.

"So, how much were they paying you to betray me?" I asked.

His expression changed

"I'm sorry sir," his smile dropped.

"I know that you are the mole that has been leaking all our private information and selling it to our competitors," I said.

"I don't know what you are talking about sir, there has to be some kind of mistake." He spoke.

"The only mistake here is you thinking you can betray me," I said.

He looked down at his hands, thinking of the next thing to say.

"I'm so sorry sir, I had no choice but to do it. They were threatening my family." He pleaded.

I knew that Marc Peterson was capable of using blackmail to get what he wanted but I didn't care about his excuses.

"You could have come to me first. You know that I will never forgive any betrayal or lies." I spoke. "I hope you realize that I'm going to make sure that you pay for this, I'll destroy everything you own." I threatened.

"Please sir," He pleaded.

"I'll see you in court with my lawyers. I need you to get out of my office," I dismissed him.

He was left speechless, luckily, he knew when to give up. I watched him walk out of my office.

If he thought he could get him from Marc to get him out of this, he was dead wrong. Marc was willing to betray anyone to get what he wanted.

I messaged my neck, relieving some of the tension I had been holding in.

Luke stepped into my office.

"What's on my schedule today?" I asked, trying to retain my anger.

"Your mother has been calling sir," he said looking at my schedule.

Another problem. I flipped my phone over to see at least fifty missed calls from her. Even after countlessly warnings, she insisted on having a surprise party for me anyways. I didn't feel like pretending to be surprised so I just didn't show up. I'm sure she has a mouthful to say about that.

"Ignore her," I answered looking up from my phone.

"She says that she was in a serious accident." He continued.

I sighed. "You know that she is only going through her five stages of looking for attention, she'll stop eventually," I answered.

He nodded.

"What else is there?" I asked.

"Forbes magazine would like an interview with you sir." He continued.

"Tell them I'm not interested; I don't have the time to speak to some reporter when I could actually be doing something meaningful with my time," I said.

He nodded again, crossing something on the iPad.

"You also have a meeting with the architect for your new restaurant in Rome, they need your approval. I managed to secure a meeting with Leonardo Pierce, he should be here in less than half an hour." He continued.

I leaned back into my chair.

If my new project for my new building was going to get through, Leonardo had to sell the property to me. It was the perfect construction site, rumor has it that there were already several people placing their offers, including our competitors.

"There is one more thing," He spoke.

He handed me the I-pad showing me a picture of a magazine cover.

'Romance blossoming between Chris Montenegro and heiress Maddison Riley'

"When was this released?" I asked. Analyzing the tabloid.

"This morning," He answered.

Didn't people get tired of making up things about other people's lives?

Something told me this had my grandfather's name written all over it. I knew how he operated.

"This is ridiculous, don't people have something better to do with their lives?" I spoke. "Who is she anyways?" I asked for the I-pad.

"The obsessed girl who won't stop calling the office," He answered.

"Great, another pathetic girl that probably needs to be sent to a psychiatric hospital," I answered.

My phone beeped again; it was another text from my mother.

I thought the whole point of moving out of your parent's house was so that they can leave you alone.

"Mr. Pierce is here early sir," he said.

"You can tell the receptionist to send him in," I spoke.

"I must warn you, sir, he isn't one of your problems you can just throw money at. That ground means a lot to him, you would actually have to convince him." He warned.

From what I have heard, he was in his late fifties. There were a lot of rumors around him, he got married at a younger age and then got divorced, losing half of his family fortune. He didn't have any kids or family left. This meant he wouldn't be that hard to convince considering the pathetic state his life was in.

"There is no person I haven't managed to talk to about anything," I smirked.

If I couldn't buy my way out of this situation maybe I just needed to share a piece of my vision.

Luke stepped out as Leonardo Pierce walked in.

"It's lovely to see you," I said as I left my seat.

"The pleasure is all mine; I've heard a lot about you." He spoke.

I already had an advantage over him.

"Please take a seat." I gestured to take a seat at the cough. With a more relaxing environment, I'd be able to convince him much easier.