Chapter 42 42 Chapter 42 - Puppet Master Eddie's POV I reclined against the plush headboard, inhaling deeply on my cigarette and watching the smoke curl lazily toward the ceiling. A satisfied smirk crossed my face as I glanced at the woman sprawled beside me. "You've outdone yourself today, sweetheart," I said, admiring her naked form. "I'll make sure a handsome bonus hits your account tomorrow. Treat yourself to something extravagant." I chuckled, picturing her oblivious spouse. "I'm amazed your husband never questions where all these luxury items come from." My mistress had been invaluable over the years, feeding me information and performing small but crucial tasks. No one suspected our arrangement, which made her perfect for my purposes. Her deceitful nature complemented mine beautifully. She snatched the cigarette from between my fingers, taking a long drag before responding. "That man is completely clueless," she said with a dismissive wave. "He genuinely believes I'm buying knockoffs and costume jewelry. He's as blind as Lorenzo, who can't see what's happening right in front of him." She paused thoughtfully. "Though I still don't understand how someone so dim-witted controls an empire like Group Lorenzo. His father was just as gullible, trusting everyone around him." She turned to face me. He nearly caught you, though. If that accident hadn't happened when it did... "Indeed, I interjected, "the timing was remarkably convenient. My only regret is that the kid. wasn't on that helicopter too. But even with Morris still breathing, I had a strategy to seize the presidency. The company would have fallen into my hands without much resistance. My daughter would have twisted Morris around her little finger, controlling him completely while getting what she's always wanted-marriage to him." Ifelt my jaw tighten. "But that meddling friend of his kept, interfering filling his head with suspicions. Then Morris claimed the presidency and appointed that insufferable Darren as his vice president." "True, that slowed you down," she mused, "but the outcome remains inevitable. Though I wonder-how will your daughter get close to him? He can barely tolerate her presence." I smiled knowingly. "At Paula's farewell party this Friday. You'll handle distracting Darren, and my daughter will take care of the rest" "Consider it done, she purred, sitting up to dress. "My devoted husband will be wondering where I am. She laughed softly. "Be careful with your moves. I can't afford to be implicated." "Don't worry," I assured her, "you'll appear completely innocent." After our goodbyes, she slipped out the door. She was manipulative and money-hungry, but she served my purposes perfectly. I'd chosen her deliberately as my mistress, knowing her value would outweigh her irritating personality. Unlike my wife, whom I endured purely for C 42 Chapter 42 - Puppet Master appearances, she was at least physically satisfying. I'd purchased this loft specifically for our rendezvous, meet her here twice weekly for the past decade. The location was discreet, far from corporate eyes. For ten years, despite her grating personality, she'd been an invaluable asset-dropping company secrets in exchange for regular deposits to her account. Last week, she'd informed me of Morris's closed-door meeting. I anticipated some movement from him but expected quicker action. So far, his only noticeable change was increased scrutiny of company communications. 1 promptly instructed my mistress to plant incriminating emails on Monica's computer. That wallflower was becoming problematic, interfering with my daughter's plans. Anyone could see Morris's growing interest in that plain little nobody. I'd derived immense satisfaction watching him fire her, his face twisted with betrayal. This morning brought another opportunity when an employee reported seeing Morris holding hands with his assistant. My mistress confirmed their intimate behavior, and I immediately implemented the next phase-another fabricated email. She executed it flawlessly. Morris reacted exactly as I'd hoped-wounded, furious, casting out his precious secretary before disappearing from the company. His "friends" were left visibly shaken, inadvertently. revealing critical information in their distress. I'd already set everything in motion. My accountant had expertly forged various documents and ledgers, replacing the originals in the office. When Morris's team examined them, they'd detect nothing amiss. My scheme was unfolding perfectly, largely thanks to my mistress's intelligence gathering. Soon, Group Lorenzo would be mine entirely. I would break Morris so thoroughly that he'd sell everything to me for a fraction of its worth-which I'd pay using just a small portion of what I'd been systematically embezzling. My daughter would marry him, maintaining complete control. Despite his reduced circumstances, the Lorenzo name would still open doors, making him worth keeping on a tight leash. I poured myself a generous whiskey, lighting another cigarette with a deep sense of satisfaction. Soon I'd have to return home to my tedious wife, but for now, I could savor the impending triumph. 2/3 In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. 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