Rebirth Of The Tycoon: I Shall Dominate The World

The vibrations of my phone echoed through the quiet room, accompanied by a numberless ID flashing across the screen. I wasn't surprised. If anything, I'd been expecting this call. Blake Grandi's disappearance wouldn't go unnoticed, and his boss—Edward Olani—was no fool. I calmly swiped the screen and pressed the phone to my ear.

"William Right," a deep, gravelly voice greeted me. No hello, no formalities—straight to business. It had to be Edward.

"And you must be Mr. Olani," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "What can I do for you?"

"You know why I'm calling," he said, his tone sharp as steel. "I want my man back. Now."

I leaned back in my chair, letting a small smirk tug at the corners of my mouth. "Blake, you mean? I'd happily hand him over, but I thought you might want to know what he's been up to first."

There was a momentary pause, a subtle shift in the silence that told me I had his attention.

"Speak," Edward demanded, his tone colder now.

"Blake's been running his own side business," I began. "Drug deals, skimming profits, and, oh, planning to overthrow you and take the throne for himself. Charming fellow."

"You're lying," Edward hissed, though there was an edge of uncertainty in his voice.

"I figured you'd say that," I said smoothly. "That's why I recorded everything. Conversations, documents, the whole lot. I even found a few of his associates willing to flip in exchange for leniency. Want me to send the files over?"

There was another pause, longer this time. I could almost hear the gears turning in Edward's mind.

"And what do you want in return?" he finally asked, his tone measured but heavy with suspicion.

I leaned forward, my expression hardening. "An alliance. You've built an empire in this city, and I'm impressed, but there's a bigger threat looming—The Syndicate. I want to take them down, and I need your resources to do it."

"And why would I agree to that?" Edward asked, his voice laced with skepticism.

"Because I can give you something you want even more," I said. "Janet."

The silence on the other end of the line was deafening.

"Janet," Edward repeated slowly, his voice softer now, almost reverent.

"She's your daughter," I continued, my tone steady but not unkind. "She's also a close friend of mine. I know you've been trying to reconnect with her. I can make that happen, but only if we work together."

"You think I'd trust someone who's holding my lieutenant hostage?" Edward challenged, though there was less venom in his words.

"I think you'll trust someone who's offering you a chance to make things right with your family," I countered. "And someone who just saved your throne."

A long sigh echoed through the phone. "You're either the bravest or the stupidest boy I've ever met," Edward muttered. "Fine. We'll talk. But if this is a trap—"

"It's not," I assured him. "I'll be waiting for your men."

The line went dead.

Two black SUVs pulled up outside my safe house twenty minutes later. Men in sharp suits and earpieces stepped out, their expressions grim but professional. One of them gestured for me to follow.

"Mr. Olani is expecting you," he said curtly.

I nodded and stepped into the sleek limousine waiting behind the SUVs. The interior was as luxurious as I'd expected—plush leather seats, tinted windows, and a faint scent of expensive cologne.

As the car rolled away, I couldn't help but let a small grin cross my face. This was only the beginning. If Edward Olani could be swayed to my side, the Syndicate wouldn't know what hit them.

The limousine rolled smoothly through the city streets, the hum of the engine the only sound as I gazed out at the dim glow of streetlights. The driver remained silent, his expression stoic in the rearview mirror. I leaned back against the plush leather seat, my mind focused on the coming meeting.

Edward Olani wasn't just any criminal boss. He was a man with power, influence, and a reputation for being ruthless. Negotiating with him wouldn't be easy, but if I wanted to take down the Syndicate, I needed his resources.

The car slowed as we approached a massive wrought-iron gate. Beyond it, a sprawling mansion loomed against the night sky, its architecture a blend of modern sophistication and old-world charm. Two armed guards stood by the gate, their eyes scanning the vehicle before giving a curt nod. The gates creaked open, and the car glided up the long driveway, flanked by perfectly manicured hedges and fountains.

When the car came to a stop, the door opened, and one of Edward's men motioned for me to step out. "This way," he said gruffly, leading me up the stone steps to the grand double doors of the mansion.

Inside, the décor was even more opulent. Marble floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and expensive artwork adorned the walls. The scent of polished wood and faint cigar smoke lingered in the air. A pair of men flanked me, their presence a silent reminder that I wasn't here as a guest but as someone under scrutiny.

They led me to a spacious sitting room where the furniture looked like it cost more than my entire apartment complex. The centerpiece of the room was a large, intricately carved mahogany table, flanked by two plush leather couches.

"Sit," one of the men ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I complied, sinking into the soft cushions of the couch. Moments later, the doors opened again, and Edward Olani entered.

He was a tall man in his mid-40s with neatly combed white hair that gave him a distinguished appearance. A faint slash scar ran under his chin, a reminder of battles fought and survived. His tailored charcoal suit was impeccable, and his dark eyes held a sharp intelligence that missed nothing.

Edward lowered himself onto the couch opposite me, his movements deliberate and composed. He studied me for a moment, his scarred chin resting on his clasped hands.

"So," he began, his voice deep and commanding. "You're the one who's been causing trouble in my city."

"I wouldn't call it trouble," I replied evenly, meeting his gaze. "More like cleaning up a mess before it could become yours."

Edward's lips twitched into a faint smirk, though his eyes remained cold. "You've got nerve, boy. I'll give you that. But Blake is one of my men. I don't appreciate someone taking liberties with what's mine."

"With all due respect, Mr. Olani," I said, leaning forward slightly, "Blake wasn't acting in your best interests. He was selling drugs to students, skimming profits, and planning to overthrow you. I'd say I saved you a headache."

Edward's smirk faded, replaced by a steely expression. "And you expect me to believe this... out of the goodness of your heart?"

"Not at all," I admitted, my tone calm. "I have my reasons, and I'm willing to be upfront about them. I need your help to take down the Syndicate. In exchange, I'll help you reconnect with your daughter, Janet."

For the first time, Edward's composure faltered. His brows knitted together, and his jaw tightened. "What do you know about Janet?"

"She's a friend," I said carefully. "And from what I've gathered, you've been trying to find a way back into her life. I can help with that. But I need your resources—your army—to take down a common enemy."

Edward's eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a dangerous tone. "You're playing a dangerous game, boy. You come into my house, make demands, and offer me my own family in return? Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"

"I do," I said without hesitation. "And I know you're a man who values power and loyalty. The Syndicate threatens both. If we don't stop them, they'll swallow your empire whole. But together? We can dismantle them piece by piece. You'll come out stronger, and I'll get what I need."

Edward leaned back, studying me with an intensity that felt like a knife to the throat. The room was thick with tension, his men shifting slightly as if anticipating an order.

"And why should I trust you?" he finally asked.

"Because I'm not afraid to stand in front of you and tell you the truth," I said firmly. "Because I'm willing to risk everything to make this deal happen. And because I'm giving you something no one else can—your family."

The silence stretched, heavy and oppressive, before Edward suddenly leaned back and laughed. It was a deep, hearty sound that echoed through the room.

"You've got guts, kid," he said, his lips curling into an amused grin. "Ambition, intelligence, and nerve—three things I respect. And at your age? That's rare."

I allowed myself a small smile. "Does that mean we have a deal?"

Edward's grin faded, replaced by a calculating look. "It means you've earned my attention. Let's see if you can keep it."

He snapped his fingers, and one of his men stepped forward. "Take him upstairs to the guest suite. We'll continue this discussion in the morning."

As I was escorted out of the room, I felt the weight of Edward's gaze on my back. The first move in this dangerous game had been made, and I had come out on top—for now.