Chapter 148
Alex’s POV.
The world seemed to tilt slightly as I leaned back in my chair, staring blankly at the glowing red numbers on the screen. Nexus Innovations had overtaken us. Top one.
For the first time in years, my company was second. Not by a wide margin, but enough to send the business world buzzing with headlines about my “fall from grace.” A dull ache throbbed at the base of my skull, and I pinched the bridge of my nose to fight off the encroaching migraine.
“James,” I called out sharply, and my P.A. appeared at the door almost instantly, tablet in hand.
“Sir,” he said, his usual professional tone barely masking the tension he probably felt as well. “I’ve gathered some information about Nexus Innovations, as you requested.”
“Good,” I said curtly. “What have you got?”
James stepped forward, placing the tablet on my desk and tapping on the screen. “The company’s growth has been… aggressive, to say the least. They’ve undercut our prices, secured strategic partnerships overseas, and made headway in AI development. Their latest product launch? It’s revolutionary…just enough to steal the top spot from us.”
I clenched my jaw, leaning forward to scrutinize the data. “And the owner? Who’s behind this?”
James hesitated.
“James,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him. “Spit it out.”
He sighed, tapping the screen again. A series of photos filled the display…some candid, some professional. All of the same
man.
“He goes by Mr. B,” James said. “Officially, his full name hasn’t been disclosed. He’s notoriously private, even reclusive. But I managed to dig these up from various events he’s attended over the past week.”
I studied the images, a strange sense of déjà vu creeping over me. The man was tall, broad–shouldered, with sharp features hidden beneath a pair of dark sunglasses in most photos. There was something about his face that tugged at the edges of my memory, but I couldn’t quite place it. He looked familiar…way too familiar. But it couldn’t be him.
“Where was this taken?” I asked, pointing at one of the pictures where Mr. B stood against a sleek backdrop with Nexus Innovations‘ logo.
“A tech conference in Dubai, two days ago,” James replied. “He doesn’t make public appearances often, but when he does, it’s always for something major.” novelbin
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms as I stared at the screen. “Why does he look familiar?” I muttered, more to myself than to James.
“I thought the same,” James admitted. “I ran facial recognition, but the results were inconclusive. Either he’s using an alias,
or…”
“Or someone’s protecting his identity,” I finished, my voice low and sharp.
James nodded.
“Here’s what’s odd, sir,” James continued cautiously. “Nexus Innovations didn’t exist a month ago. This company rose to power within three weeks…out of nowhere. Mr. B wasn’t wealthy before; in fact, he barely existed in any financial records. Yet he managed to launch this company and secure partnerships with some of the most prominent names in tech and finance. It’s…unprecedented.”
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The tension in my chest tightened like a coiled spring. I wasn’t just angry…I was furious. Someone had managed to climb the ranks, beating me at my own game, and now they were hiding behind a veil of secrecy? No. I wouldn’t let this stand.
“James,” I said, my voice like ide, “dig deeper. I don’t care what it takes. Find out who this man is and how he’s managing to
outmaneuver us.”
James hesitated, his fingers hovering over the tablet. “Sir, with all due respect, this might not be as simple as-
“Do I look like I care about simple?” I interrupted, standing abruptly. My chair scraped against the floor as I loomed over my desk. “I want results, James. Not excuses.”
James nodded quickly, his expression stiff. “Yes, sir. I’ll have more for you by the end of the day.”
“Good,” I said, sitting back down and rubbing my temples.
After James left the room, I stared at the photos again, my frustration bubbling dangerously close to the surface. The face was maddeningly familiar, like a name on the tip of your tongue you just couldn’t remember.
I leaned back, gripping the armrests of my chair tightly. Whoever this “Mr. B” was, he had made a powerful enemy in me.
The silence in the office was deafening after James left. The tension clung to the air, thick and suffocating. My mind raced, trying to connect the dots. Nexus Innovations‘ sudden rise, the cryptic identity of its owner, and the calculated moves that had dethroned my company…it wasn’t a coincidence. This was a direct attack.
Istood abruptly, pacing to the window overlooking the city. The skyline was a blur of lights and movement, mocking my current turmoil. Whoever this “Mr. B” was, he’d orchestrated this perfectly. A ghost with no financial history couldn’t amass power overnight without help. This was strategic. Calculated. Personal.
My jaw tightened. No one attacked my empire and walked away unscathed.
The door creaked open slightly, and James poked his head in. “Sir, I thought you should know… Mr. B just announced another product launch. A press conference is scheduled in three days.”
“Three days?” I turned sharply, my eyes narrowing. “Where?”
“New York,” James replied. “It’ll be a grand event, heavily publicized. Invitations have already gone out to major investors and tech leaders.”
“Get me in,” I said immediately.
James hesitated. “Sir, it’s a private event. The guest list is exclusive…”
“I said get me in,” I snapped, my voice slicing through his protest
James straightened, nodding quickly. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
As the door closed behind him again, I exhaled sharply. This wasn’t just about reclaiming the top spot. It was about answers. About confronting whoever thought they could challenge me.
Three days. That was all the time I had to prepare.
I returned to my desk and pulled the tablet closer. My eyes scanned the photos again, lingering on Mr. B’s smirk in one particular image. There was something infuriatingly smug about his posture, the way he held himself, as if he already knew he’d won.
I gritted my teeth, the anger surging anew.
“You have no idea who you’re dealing with.” I muttered under my breath.
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I leaned back in my chair, formulating a plan. Nexus Innovations might have taken the spotlight for now, but they didn’t
understand the lengths I was willing to go to reclaim what was mine.
This wasn’t just business anymore. It was personal.
And I always won personal battles.