Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 118

Chapter 118

"What a sneaky bastard," Jake said under his breath, in a low, bitter voice.

More than a decade separated them, an age gap that should have placed Jake in a position of unquestioned authority and respect. His other three brothers show fear and respect toward in. Even Jake's immediate younger brother had never tried to look him straight in the eyes, but Jaden had always been one to push boundaries, overstep, reach for what wasn't his.

Jake slammed the remote onto the glass coffee table, the loud clatter breaking the silence of the room. He felt the walls closing in around him, suffocating him with the knowledge that Jaden was out there, basking in the spotlight, reaping the rewards of HIS future empire. And the worst part? Jake wasn't even in the country. He was several thousand miles away, helplessly watching as Jaden played his games, manipulating the world while Jake was stuck on the sidelines. He had trusted in his team to handle things in his absence, to maintain order, but clearly he had underestimated the audacity of Jaden.

Memories of the past betrayal resurfaced. Years ago, Jaden had taken something precious from him, something that had left a scar Jake could never erase. And now he was coming for the last thing Jake had poured his blood, sweat, and tears into: Fernando Corp. "No," Jake said aloud, his voice firm, his fists clenching tightly. "Not again. Never again."

He refused to let Jaden win. He would not. This wasn't just about the company anymore, this was personal. If he allowed Jaden to continue unchecked, there would be nothing left for him to return to.

Jake reached for his phone, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he booked the first flight back home. There was no time to waste. Every second he stayed away was another second Jaden gained ground, another second the damage deepened. "Enjoy the spotlight while it lasts, Jaden," he whispered coldly, weight of his determination lacing through his voice. "Because when I get back, it's game over." ΔΑΛΛΑ

In the deepest, darkest corner of a trashy, dimly lit bar reeking of stale beer and poverty, Derek nursed a drink that had long gone flat. The old TV above the bar flickered, casting uneven shadows across his worn face. Emma's radiant image dominated the screen yet again.

Her name was everywhere, Emma this, Emma that.

She was now an unstoppable force, and the whole world seemed at her neck and call.

Even though she had clawed her way to the top, she was now more powerful now than ever before. The reporters were breathless with admiration, recounting her recent successes and speculating about her whirlwind love life. Derek's blood boiled at every word. He had been obsessed with her for four years, but not in the way a lover might pine for their beloved. No! Hell no! Derek's obsession was born of hatred, a deep consuming fury that ate at his soul every single waking moment. Emma was his nemesis, the architect of his downfall.

He bit his bottom lip in frustration.

He hated everything about her.

She was the reason he was here, drowning in the filth of this trashy bar, hiding like a rat in the shadows. She was the reason his once decent life had reduced into cold ashes. He was supposed to be the CEO of the W2 HOLDINGS now, but Emma had taken it all. He clenched his fist, the knuckles whitening as memories replayed within his mind: how he had been so close, so very close

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11:34 Fri, Dec 27 G.

Chapter 118

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to elevate his family name out of poverty and restore their long-lost power. Yet Emma stepped in at the last moment to rip it all away as if it were nothing.

He had now become a wanted man; his face had hit the city, and his name was a whispered contempt. Derek couldn't step outside during the day for fear of recognition or being captured on a camera. The once proud man moved only in shadows through the night, shying away from eye contact, shying away from life itself.

His existence was a mockery of the word 'life. He had fallen not just from grace but into the deepest trench of despair.

Being called 'nothing' would be out of generosity because his current state was far worse. His family has all turn their backs on him. And his future was all gone now. All because of Emma.

If he hadn't escaped when he did.

A cold shiver ran down his spine as the memory of that narrow escape rushed through his brain. It was a matter of minutes, maybe seconds. He had run like a coward, leaving everything behind that he had ever known. Had he stayed, he would have received a life sentence, as Marina did.

Derek's chest constricted with her thought, but it wasn't a good feeling at all; because Marina had started the fire, and blew his future into a billion pieces.

Marina should be grateful she was now locked away because if she hadn't been, she would have met her end at his hands.

He glared down into his drink. The liquid reflecting his hollowed and sunken eyes.

What freedom was this? he thought, his heart wrenching in pain. To live in the shadows, hunted, hated, forgotten. He was tired: tired of running, tired of hiding, tired of existing in this crazy world.

A dark thought crept into his mind, one that had been lingering at the edges of his consciousness for years. If this was how his story was going to end, maybe he could write the final chapter himself. Maybe he could do one last thing for himself, before he said goodbye to this world for good.

A bitter smile twisted his lips as the plan began to form in his mind.

Since he was going down, he wasn't going to go down alone, he would make sure Emma paid the price, he would leave her with scars; deep, unforgettable ones to haunt her for the rest of her life.