308 They Are Smart!
They hurriedly walked toward Axel’s office.
“What do you think this is about?” Dn whispered.
“Either Natalie Martinez,” Collins replied quietly, “or something much worse.”
Dn swallowed. “Is it worse?”
Collins smiled faintly. “There is always worse.”
They stopped in front of the door to each other before Collins knocked once, then twice.
“Enter,” Axel said calmly from inside.
They exchanged onest nce.
Neither of them looked reassured as they stepped forward, knowing that whatever awaited them behind that door was about to change the tone of their entire day.
When they stepped in together, Axel was already seated in the seating area as if waiting for them, sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows. His gaze lifted slowly, pinning both of them in ce.
“Come and sit. Both of you.”
Axel did not bother looking up as he spoke. His eyes were glued to his cell phone, his thumb scrolling slowly, as if each word on the screen carried weight.
<i>“</i><i>Five </i><i>PM</i><i>. </i><i>My </i>office!<i>” </i>
Collins and Dn exchanged a nce before quietly taking their seats across from
him.
The silence stretched.
Then the expression on Axel’s face shifted.
The calm, unreadable look on his face darkened, his jaw tightening as he read thest line of the message. Without a word, he locked the screen and ced the phone on the desk with deliberate force.
“Five PM. My office,” he muttered, more to himself than to them.
10:471
308 They Are Smart!
Neither Collins nor Dn dared to ask what that message was about.
Axel finally lifted his gaze and fixed it on Collins. He did not speak. He simply stared.
Collins felt a chill crawl up his spine. He straightened his back instinctively, resisting the urge to swallow too loudly.
Before the tension could suffocate the room, Dn cleared his throat. “Boss,” he asked carefully, “is everything all right?”
Axel’s eyes never left Collins. “Collins,” he said atst, his voice low and sharp, “is there any movement from Martinez?”
Collins exhaled quietly before answering.
“No, sir. So far, they have not made any visible moves. They are unusually quiet. It feels like they are waiting for something, but I have not figured out what yet.” He paused. “They know we are watching them. They are being cautious.”
Axel leaned back slightly, his brows drawing together as if deep in thought.
“Do you know what they are waiting for?” Dn asked, ncing between the two men.
Collins shook his head.
“I do not have a clear answer.” He hesitated, then continued, “However, Natalie Martinez has suddenly disappeared. She has not shown up at her office or her usual residences. Thest location I traced was the Martinez family estate. After that, nothing. No phone usage. No emails. No online activity. She vanishedpletely.”
Axel’s hand tightened into a fist.
“They silenced her,” he said tly.
Collins was surprised to hear that, “You mean ke Martinez?” he asked.
Axel gave him a look that made the answer obvious.
“Well,” Collins muttered, scratching his jaw, “that exins that woman’s silence.”
Dn could not help himself. “Wow. ke Martinez is really heartless,” he said, clicking his tongue. “Isn’t Natalie his only daughter?”
Collins snorted. “Only daughter, yet treated like a disposable asset. Rich families really have their own definition of love.”
“At least now we know where Natalie gets her charming personality from,” Dn added
10:47
dryly.
308 They Are Smart!
The two exchanged a look, clearly enjoying the brief moment of sarcasm.
Axel did not.
His gaze was distant, his thoughts elsewhere.
After a moment, he raised his hand slightly, silencing them without a word. “Enough.”
Both men straightened instantly.
“Collins,” Axel continued, his tone calm but firm, “I want you to keep your focus on ke Martinez. Track his movements, the people he meets, and the business he is involved in. Every detail, no matter how small. Report directly to me.”
“Yes, sir,” Collins replied immediately.
“And,” Axel added after a pause, “I also want information on Harper Cooper.”
Collins lifted his head slightly, alert. “Her recent activities only?”
“For now,” Axel said. “Watch her. Observe. Report anything suspicious.”.
Collins nodded, rubbing the back of his neck as a yawn escaped him despite his effort to suppress it.
Axel noticed.
“You look exhausted,” Axel said.
“Well, sir,” Collins replied with a crooked smile, “saving thepany and dismantling scandals is not exactly a light workout.”
“Go,” Axel said. “Rest. But stay alert.”
“Yes, sir.”
Collins rose quickly, bowed his head slightly, and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Once they were alone, Axel turned his attention to Dn. “How are things with the media outlets that ndered Evelyn and my son?”
Dn’s expression grew serious.
“We are proceeding with full legal action,” he reported. “Benjamin Palmer is leading the team. We have already filedwsuits against multiple tforms, including television
308 They Are Smart!
stations, online mediapanies, print publishers, and several individuals who initiated or amplified the defamation.”
He continued calmly, “We are charging them with defamation, invasion of privacy, and
malicious intent. Some have already requested, invasion of privacy, and
evidence, but we have secured backups.”
Axel nodded slowly. “Good.”
Others are trying to delete
“We are also coordinating with regtory authorities,” Dn added. “Some licenses
may be reviewed or suspended, depending on the out added. “Some licenses
Axel’s expression softened slightly, though the cold edge never left his
deserve it.”
Dn stood up. “If there is nothing else, sir, I-” he paused.
eyes. “They
“There is something else you want to say,” Axel said, watching him closely.
Dn hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yes, sir. The executives from several mediapanies have requested a meeting with you.”
Axel turned fully toward him. “They are afraid.”
“Yes,” Dn agreed. “Other corporations have already stopped advertising with them. They are losing funding rapidly. They want to negotiate before the damage bes irreversible.”
Axel gave a faint, humorless smile.
“They are smart. They understand how business works.”
“Indeed,” Dn replied. “They know that once Apex Holding cuts ties, others will follow.”
“Arrange a meeting tomorrow,” Axel said after a brief pause. “Only with major outlets. Anyone who started rumors about my wife or my son is not wee. I will not give them a second chance.”
Dn nodded firmly.
“I will make sure those who crossed the line are ruined,” Axel continued coldly.
“I understand,” Dn said.
Axel reached for his suit jacket and iPad. “I need to leave now,” he said, pausing at the
308 They Are Smart!
door. “There are things from the past that need to be settled,” he added, continuing to
walk.
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<strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.