The empire was gone. The boardrooms once filled with whispers of power, the stock tickers that dictated millions of dollars in deals, the polished offices that had symbolized control—all of it reduced to nothing.
Moris stood at the window of his penthouse, staring at the city he had once dominated. Sinclair Enterprises had been his legacy, his revenge against the man who stole everything from his family. And yet, he had burned it down himself.
The world saw him as a fallen billionaire. They had no idea he was just getting started.
A New Path
Moris turned away from the skyline and walked into his living room, where Isabel sat cross-legged on the couch, laptop open. Duke was curled up at her feet, his ears twitching as he dreamed.
She glanced up. "You're brooding again."
Moris smirked. "Just strategizing."
She arched a brow. "That's what you call staring at the city like a villain plotting his return?"
He chuckled, sitting beside her. "You think I'm a villain?"
She closed her laptop and leaned in. "No. But the world might. Right now, the media's painting you as reckless, arrogant, someone who let his empire collapse to satisfy a personal vendetta."
Moris shrugged. "Let them talk. I know the truth."
"Good," Isabel said. "Because if you're serious about rebuilding, you need a new approach."
Moris met her gaze. "I'm listening."
She pulled out a notepad. "We start fresh. No boardrooms filled with power-hungry investors, no corporate politics tying your hands. You build something different. Leaner. Smarter."
Moris considered it. "Something the Roths can't control."
"Exactly."
He leaned back, a slow smile spreading across his face. The idea had merit. Sinclair Enterprises had been a machine—a massive, tangled web of power and corruption. Maybe it was time for something different.
Something unstoppable.
Enemies in the Shadows
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit penthouse on the other side of the city, Julian Roth paced like a caged predator.
The fall of Sinclair Enterprises had been a setback, but it wasn't the end. Moris had exposed him, cost him money and influence—but he wasn't defeated.
Not yet.
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"He's planning something," a woman said.
Julian turned to face the speaker. A sharp-eyed, raven-haired woman stood by the window, her expression unreadable. Vivienne Langley—one of his most dangerous allies.
Julian narrowed his eyes. "And what is Moris Sinclair planning?"
She smirked. "A comeback."
Julian scoffed. "Of course he is. The question is, how do we stop it?"
Vivienne walked over to the bar, pouring herself a drink. "We don't. Not yet. Let him build himself up again. Let him believe he's untouchable." She sipped her drink, watching Julian over the rim of her glass. "Then we crush him."
A slow smile spread across Julian's face.
"Now that," he said, "is a plan I can get behind."
An Unexpected Proposition
Back in Moris' penthouse, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
Isabel frowned. "Expecting someone?"
"No."
Moris stood and opened the door.
Standing there, looking as confident as ever, was Sarah.
Moris folded his arms. "I thought we were done."
Sarah smirked. "You wish." She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.
Isabel crossed her arms. "What do you want, Sarah?"
Sarah turned to Moris. "An opportunity. You're rebuilding, and I have information you need."
Moris raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
Sarah's smirk faded. "Julian isn't done with you. He's planning something. And he's not working alone."
Moris exchanged a glance with Isabel. "Why are you telling me this?"
Sarah sighed. "Because, believe it or not, I don't want to see you lose. And because if Julian wins… none of us will have a future."
Moris studied her carefully. He didn't trust her. Not yet.
But he also knew one thing for sure—the war wasn't over.
It was just beginning.