James Holloway had always been the charming face of the business—smooth, persuasive, and effortlessly likable. Where Elliot Grayson was intense and calculated, James was the diplomat, the one who could turn enemies into allies with just a conversation. Together, they built Grayson Enterprises into an empire, a partnership that seemed unbreakable.

But power has a way of making men impatient.

James had spent years standing next to Elliot, watching, waiting. He played his role perfectly—always supportive, always agreeable—while quietly ensuring that when the time came, he would be the one left standing.

James was not just a businessman; he was a strategist. Every deal, every handshake, every word he spoke was calculated. He didn’t need to get his hands dirty—he had people for that. His power didn’t come from brute force like some men—it came from influence, from pulling strings where no one could see.

He controlled people the way a puppeteer controlled marionettes, tugging at the right fears, the right desires. Board members who wavered in loyalty? Silenced with generous bonuses—or quiet threats. Rivals in the industry? Crushed before they even realized they were in a war.

And Elliot? Elliot was his greatest obstacle. Brilliant, ruthless, impossible to manipulate. A man who wouldn’t bend, who saw through every false smile and empty promise. So, Elliot had to be removed.

James leaned back in his luxurious leather chair, the city skyline stretching behind him, glowing with the lights of a world that already saw him as the true power of Grayson Enterprises. He had played his part perfectly—Elliot was gone, locked away, and the company was his to control.

But there was still work to do.

He pressed a button on his desk, his voice calm, collected. “Send in my secretary.”

As the door opened, he steepled his fingers, his sharp gaze locking onto the person entering. A smirk curled at the edge of his lips.

“We need to discuss the next phase.”