Page 17 of My Empire

“There’s someone else in the game, someone pulling strings from the shadows. It’s like they’re orchestrating a grand symphony, and we’re just pieces on the board.”

I lean forward, intrigued even as I’m alarmed. “Any idea who this mysterious figure is?”

He shakes his head, a frown etched on his face. “Not yet. They’re elusive, but their influence is undeniable. It’s as if they’re playing a game of chess with us, anticipating our moves, and not just us, but all of the major players.”

I run a hand through my hair, absorbing this new information. “Keep a close eye on them, Dominic. I want to know who’s trying to manipulate the game. I won’t let anyone undermine what we’ve built.”

Dominic nods, his gaze unwavering. “I’ll dig deeper, Vanessa. We can’t afford surprises, especially from an unknown adversary.”

Dominic rises from the table, and the weight of our shared responsibilities looms over us. In the delicate dance of power and personal connection, finding balance becomes a challenge, but not only that. In a realm where trust is scarce, the emergence of a hidden puppeteer adds another layer of complexity to the intricate web of alliances and betrayals within the Penumbra Legion.

As the door closes behind him, I wonder if the day will come when the shadows of our lives make room for something more.

An hour later, I have a meeting with Landon Paulsen, the lead builder for Fortune Oasis. I sit across from him in my office, the tension palpable. His usual confident demeanor is replaced by a sense of unease.

“Landon, what’s going on with Fortune Oasis? You’ve been stalling, and that’s not the kind of behavior I expect.”

He shifts uncomfortably in his chair before finally speaking. “Vanessa, it’s not entirely my fault. There have been delays and unforeseen obstacles. It’s like someone is deliberately hindering our progress.”

I narrow my eyes, sensing that this may be connected to the mysterious figure Dominic mentioned. “Obstacles? What kind of obstacles?”

Landon hesitates.

“You can tell me,” I encourage, shoving down my disappointment and growing bitterness. These delays frustrate me to no end.

He nods. “Permits are being delayed, suppliers are backing out last minute, and there’s been an increase in inspections. It’s making it incredibly difficult to stick to our timeline.”

“Get me a list of the permits needed as well as the suppliers,” I say. “I’ll look into things myself.”

“I don’t want to make more work for you,” he protests.

“I need that casino to open on schedule, no matter what it takes.”

He nods. “I’m doing my best.”

“I’ll help you to that end.”

Landon gets me the information and then leaves.

This after what Dominic told me… Is the unseen adversary already making their presence felt, threatening not just my criminal enterprises but also the legitimate front I’ve carefully crafted? It’s a game of shadows, and I need to ensure I come out on top.

“Dominic, we’ve got a problem,” I say as soon as he picks up the phone. “Fortune Oasis is facing some mysterious hurdles, and I need you to look into it.”

There’s a moment of silence before Dominic responds, his voice filled with concern. “What kind of hurdles are we talking about?”

“Delays in permits, suppliers pulling out, increased inspections—everything that could slow us down. It feels like someone is intentionally trying to hinder the construction,” I explain.

Dominic doesn’t mince words. “Sabotage.”

“That’s what I’m thinking. I need you to dig deep and find out who’s behind this. We can’t afford setbacks, especially with the Eclipse Society and Damian on the horizon,” I instruct.

“I’m on it, Vanessa. I’ll get to the bottom of this and make sure whoever is pulling the strings pays for it,” Dominic assures me.

As I hang up, a sense of urgency washes over me. The intricate web I’ve woven is under threat, and I can’t let someone unravel it. I need answers, and I need them fast.

Although the permits… I wonder if Mayor John Washington knows anything about this.

I call Dylan and wait impatiently for him to answer. “We’ve got a situation with Fortune Oasis. Delays, permits revoked, suppliers backing out. It feels like someone is pulling strings to sabotage the construction. I need to know if the mayor is aware of anything that might be causing this.”

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