Fractured Reflections

ominance in the industry: minimalist yet luxurious, with a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling and polished marb

a crisp uniform, looked up from her computer and gave him a pro

es," Nic said, his tone leav

altered slightly. "Do you

y. "No, I didn't ma

Ms. Jakes is ver

in," the receptionist repli

Tiffany walked into the lobby, her bodyguards flanking her. Her presence was commanding, h

ly to avoid tri

stepped in front of her, bloc

d at him. "Ms. Jakes," she corrected, her vo

gaze without flinching. "I'm the lawyer re

s a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "I heard

They walked down a long corridor, the tension between them palpable. Finally,

He complied, setting his briefcase on the floor beside him. She t

ou felt the need to bypass proper protocol?"

e to discuss your attempts to take over Hayes Heights. My fat

o a slight smirk. "And yo

evidence of your illegal tactics. Bribery, coercion, m

in her chair, her ey

ce and threaten me, Nicholas? You're

h," Nic admitted, h

Jakes. And I believe that no

d with a heavy silence, the tension between them almost

he said softly, her voice carrying a dangero

his eyes. "Then I guess we'll see

od up, signaling that the meeting was over. "You

iefcase. "Count on it." She watched hi

tle lawyer," she said, her to

and walked out of her office, the weight of the confrontation lingering in the air. As he made

ginning of a very challen

stepped into his parents' apartment and dropped his briefcase by the door, run

ring a small comfort after the tense

is expression expectant. "How did it go?"

d, a wry smile tu

the memory of Tiffany's commanding

itting together. "Something l

All of the above, Dad. She's determined and

needs more than just a scare. That wom

on a dish towel. "Now, now, let's not get too worked up. Nic

l smile. "Thanks, Mom. We'll

back at Nic. "I just want to make sure she doesn't ruin everything w

, Dad," Nic assured him.

termination. "We're all in this tog

o look over the documents again and see if there's anything else we can

on's shoulder. "Good. We'll sup

ttle against Tiffany Jakes. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but with his family by his side, he

trying to ta