Broken Allegiance

Dominic Reed, a dreaded figure with an air of quiet confidence, stood behind his desk, his eyes locked in a fierce stare with Victor Vaughn. Victor's face was red with rage, his fists clenched at his sides.

"You manipulated me, Dominic!" Victor spat, his voice loud. "You knew I was counting on that deal, and you went behind my back to handle it yourself!"

Dominic's expression remained calm, but his tone was firm. "You're the one who let a third party influence your decisions, Victor. You sabotaged our chances of securing the Lucheese Family Territory deal. I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands."

Victor's eyes narrowed. "You're just trying to justify your betrayal, Dominic. But I know you. You've always been the one calling the shots, manipulating everyone to get what you want."

The tension between them was palpable, but Dominic's demeanor remained unruffled. "I did what needed to be done, Victor. And if you're looking for someone to blame, maybe you should take a hard look at yourself."

Victor's expression shifted, a calculating glint appearing in his eyes. "I need to make some money, Dominic. And since you handled the deal alone, I was wondering if you could... loan me some cash."

Dominic raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "What makes you think I'd be willing to lend you money, Victor?"

Victor's smile was strange. "We're old friends, Dominic. Business associates. I'm sure you wouldn't want to see me struggling financially."

Dominic's gaze lingered on Victor, searching for any hidden motives. "I'll consider it," he said finally. "But I'm not making any promises."

Victor's smile grew wider. "I appreciate that, Dominic. I'd like to offer you something in return."

Dominic's eyes narrowed. "What kind of something?"

Victor's voice dropped to a whisper. "Vivian. She's a valuable asset, Dominic. And I'm willing to offer her to you as repayment for the debt."

Dominic's expression remained neutral, but a spark of interest flickered in his eyes. "Go on."

Victor's smile grew wider, a triumphant glint in his eyes. "I think you'll find Vivian to be... enlightening. And I'm sure you'll agree that she's worth the investment."

As Alex stood on the rooftop, the city lights twinkling below, he couldn't shake the feeling that his family's business was a weight he'd soon have to bear alone. His father, Dominic, had always been the driving force behind Reed's Pinnacle Global Holding (RPGH), but at what cost? The pressure to maintain their reputation, the constant manipulations... it was a heavy burden to bear.

The sound of his father's voice, low and even, echoed in his mind. He'd heard it countless times before, negotiating deals, making promises... and breaking them. Alex's gut twisted with a familiar anxiety, wondering what his father was getting them into this time.

Alex's eyes burned with a fierce determination. He was a man driven by a sense of duty and loyalty to his family. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it and took a long drag of it. He stood on a spot, not moving with flickers of emotions running through his face. The emotion he felt was intense– maybe fear for the upcoming task he couldn't shake off, or anxiety, or heartbreak? Memories began to flood his mind at the thought of Emily.

The death of his ex girlfriend, Emily Wilson, had shattered him greatly. He had felt his whole world crumbling before him, until Vee walked into his life and gave him comfort.

At the thought of Vee, a mischievous smile flashed across his face. He had met her on a sorrowful night at a bar where he frequented to drink out his sorrows during the period of his grief. He had drank himself to stupor and was unable to ride himself back home. Surprisingly, Vee walked over to his table, cleared his bills, held him by his hands and offered to give him a ride home. The combination of compassion, strength and courage he felt from her was so compelling that he couldn't help but give himself to the tenderness of Vee. Even in his drunken state, for the first time since Emily's passing, he felt a sense of peace.

Alex had woken up the next morning with a slight headache. Pictures of the previous night flashed back to him and with the speed of light, he dashed downstairs to see Vee having breakfast with his family.

"She's Victor's daughter and she's now our asset" Dominic had told him plainly.

Something just didn't feel right.

The cool breeze swept through Alex's face bringing him back to reality. He took another long drag of the cigarette in his hands, causing the nicotine coursing through his veins. He smiled to himself as an idea ran through his mind.

***

Across town, Vivian "Vee" Vaughn stood in front of her mirror, her eyes flashing with a calculating intelligence. Her long black hair cascaded down her back like a river of coals and her slender figure was fitted in a designer gown that hugged her curves in all the right places. She was a woman with a plan, driven by a desire for power and revenge.

As they stood there, lost in their own thoughts, fate was quietly weaving their lives together. The threads of their destinies were about to become entwined, setting off a chain reaction of events that would change their lives forever.

"Now, I have been sold to you... to destroy you!" She said, a beautiful smile showing on her face.