"Kolten," Liam said, his tone composed and detached, barely acknowledging the receptionist. His request seemed to take her aback, but she quickly regained her professional poise. "I apologize, do you have an appointment?"Liam shook his head.The receptionist mentally lumped him with the dreamers from small-time companies who sought an audience with Kolten, hoping for a partnership. She could not help but feel a touch of scorn, though her smile remained impeccable. "I'm sorry, sir! Mr. Reath is currently in a meeting. Without an appointment, I'm afraid he's unavailable to meet guests."Liam's displeasure was evident as he frowned. Unfazed, he said, "If he's in a meeting, then please call him. Tell him Liam is here to see him."The receptionist, usually the epitome of patience, was at her wit's end with the man before her. Anyone else might have snapped, calling security to escort the nuisance out. However, her training with Jerden Group kicked in, and she managed to stay composed,

A manager beaten and bloodied on Jerden Group's turf? That was a serious failure on his watch as the security captain.Crack!Yale spotted a security captain coming his way and his boiling anger found its vent. He smacked the captain right across the cheek, then glared at Liam and Calum with a snarl. "What kind of Mickey Mouse operation are you running here? They're causing a scene at our front door and you're nowhere to be seen! Are you blind that you miss these two hulking guys! Get in there and give 'em a good thrashing!"The captain, his cheek still stinging from the slap, did not hesitate. He barked at his squad, "Move it! Take these two down and make them grovel to Mr. Yale!"On his command, a swarm of security guards, batons at the ready, surged toward Liam and Calum.However, Liam's frosty words stopped them abruptly. "Think long and hard about the consequences before you make your move."That single sentence froze the captain and his men in their tracks, leaving them loo

That turn of events had people mocking Liam instantly silenced, their faces etched with astonishment and fear as if trying to decipher the enigma that was Liam.Yale and the security captain were particularly incredulous, unable to believe the spectacle unfolding before them.They watched, wide-eyed, as the captain at the helm, exuding an air of noble purpose, strode in. He marched directly up to Liam, snapped to attention, and saluted with the utmost respect. "Report! Per the orders from our superiors, the Eighth Engineer Battalion, all one hundred and twenty-eight members, are present and accounted for! Awaiting your command, Mr. Cole!"The captain's gesture and words shattered any lingering doubts in Yale and the security captain. Those men were all there for Liam, and he was clearly not someone to mess with.The room was enveloped in shock.Liam gave the captain a measured nod, then turned his icy stare to Yale and asked in a chilling tone, "Do you think I have the means to ta

Yale, discarded at the entrance, wanted to fight back, but the sight of the stern soldiers outside quelled his courage. He slunk away, nursing his bruises, as onlookers applauded. Yale had always been a bully, hiding behind his status and connections. His comeuppance was a sight for sore eyes.Liam lounged on the sofa in Kolten's office, his gaze fixed on the cowering Kolten. "Do you even know who I am?" he asked composedly.Kolten addressed him with utmost reverence, "Mr. Lynch has made his point clear."Yet, Liam simply chuckled and gave a dismissive shake of his head."Kolten, five years have flown by, and you've really come into your own."Kolten blinked, puzzled, as he stared back at Liam.Without a word of explanation, Liam reached into his coat and flicked a medal toward Kolten.Catching it reflexively, Kolten glanced down and was jolted as if hit by a lightning bolt. His face lit up with excitement. He gazed at Liam, bowing deeply, cradling the medal in his hands, his

"As you're all aware, we're on the cusp of kicking off our project with Max Group. We need new suppliers, and fast. If we miss our deadlines, the fallout for the Stone family will be massive. We're here to figure out who's going to step up and lock down some new partnerships."With Reginald's words hanging in the air, a wave of serious chatter swept through the room."Looks like someone's got it out for us. Why else would our suppliers be the only ones getting hit?""It's got to be one of our rivals. Not many landed a deal with Max Group, and the ones who didn't are green with envy. They're playing dirty, trying to make sure we don't come out on top."The room buzzed with chatter when Cheryl shot up from her seat, her voice cutting through the noise. "Celena's the lead on this project, right? With the mess we're in, she's the one to deal with it. Let's send Celena!"Her words set off a chorus of agreement."Absolutely! Celena's running the show. She's got to fix the material scre