Multiple companies, vast estates, expansive lands, and a plethora of other assets belonged to Sam.

He was not just the greatest businessman in his country but also one of the top seven in the world.

His wealth afforded him every comfort and luxury imaginable—from sprawling mansions to private jets.

Sam had never known a day of worry, living a life insulated by his immense fortune and influence, cocooned in a world where problems were solved with a snap of his fingers.

But a few days ago, everything changed.

Nexus officers had come to his opulent office, their serious expressions starkly contrasting with the lavish surroundings.

Sam, accustomed to the deference and respect his wealth commanded, was taken aback by the gravity in their eyes.

They warned him about Noel's impending attack.

Usually, Sam would have dismissed such threats, confident in the capabilities of his elite bodyguards and state-of-the-art security systems.

He had faced many adversaries in the cutthroat world of business and had always emerged unscathed, his personal fortress impenetrable.

To him, danger was an abstract concept, kept at bay by layers of security and wealth.

But this time was different.

The warning had come from the head of the Nexus himself, a man not prone to exaggeration or baseless alarm.

Sam couldn't simply brush off the concern. Intrigued and unsettled, he began his own investigation into Noel.

What he uncovered left him sleepless for nights. Noel wasn't just a petty criminal or a disgruntled rival.

He was a specter of chaos, a man with powers that defied logic and posed a genuine threat.

Noel's name was whispered in hushed tones, associated with a trail of destruction and death.

His abilities were not just stories but documented horrors, each more terrifying than the last.

The realization that someone as formidable as Noel had set his sights on him sent chills down Sam's spine.

For the first time in his life, his immense fortune and influence felt like paper shields against an unstoppable force.

The luxurious cocoon of safety he had always enjoyed now felt thin and fragile against the looming danger.

Sam couldn't afford to be complacent.

The stakes were too high.

Sam reviewed the officers' plan meticulously, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Every detail was scrutinized, every possible outcome considered.

He knew that his cooperation was essential for the plan to succeed.

As much as he detested the idea of being bait, he recognized the necessity.

For the first time, his vast wealth and influence felt insufficient, dwarfed by the raw power and unpredictability of Noel.

He spent his days surrounded by an aura of controlled tension, his movements deliberate and cautious.

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Each interaction with his staff and bodyguards carried a new weight, his instructions given with an urgency that belied his usual calm demeanor.

Sam’s days were filled with the semblance of normalcy—meetings, business calls, and strategic planning—but underneath, a current of anxiety ran deep.

The nights were the worst. In the stillness, his mind raced with scenarios of Noel's attack.

He would lie awake, staring at the shadows cast by the moonlight, each one morphing into a potential threat.

The silence of his mansion, once a testament to his success, now felt ominous.

The ornate decorations and luxurious furnishings, which once symbolized his achievements, now seemed to mock him with their fragility.

The grandeur of his life felt like a façade, barely concealing the dread that gnawed at his core.

Despite his fear, he steeled himself.

He was determined to face this threat head-on.

The officers had assured him that they were ready, and he clung to that assurance like a lifeline.

Their confidence was his anchor, their plans his only hope of survival.

Sam knew that his role was crucial—he had to trust in the plan and the people around him, despite the gnawing doubt that occasionally crept in.

As he waited for Noel's arrival, he experienced a profound shift.

The veneer of invincibility he had always worn was stripped away, replaced by a stark awareness of his vulnerability.

----

In his high-rise penthouse, Sam stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the cityscape bathed in the glow of night.

The skyline was a symphony of lights, a testament to his accomplishments and the empire he had built.

The skyscrapers, each representing a piece of his vast business empire, stretched into the heavens, their lights twinkling like stars.

He swirled the rich, crimson wine in his glass, savoring its aroma.

This was his domain, a world of luxury and power that few could ever dream of.

The city below was alive with energy, but up here, everything was serene, a sanctuary of opulence and control.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the tranquility, smooth and almost casual.

"Hello, Mr. Sam."

Startled, he turned sharply, his heart skipping a beat.

The glass of wine in his hand trembled slightly, a few drops spilling onto the immaculate marble floor.

There, lounging on the plush leather sofa, was a young man with striking blue hair.

His demeanor was relaxed, almost playful, as if he belonged there.

His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, met Sam's with a disarming ease.

Sam's breath caught in his throat.

The face matched the photo the officers had shown him.

It was Noel.

Despite the shock of seeing his would-be assailant so brazenly invade his sanctuary, he felt a strange calm settle over him.

Perhaps it was his years of dealing with high-stakes negotiations and ruthless competitors, but he found himself able to maintain his composure.

He straightened his shoulders, adopting the authoritative stance that had served him so well in boardrooms around the world.

"So, you're Noel?" He asked calmly, his voice betraying none of the turmoil churning within him.

Noel's grin widened as he nodded.

"Yup."

Despite the casual exchange, tension hung heavy in the air, thickening with each passing second.

Sam's gaze flickered around the room, his eyes landing on the watch resting on the table a few steps away.

It was their lifeline, their signal to the officers waiting to pounce.

"So, are you here to kill me?" His question hung between them, the weight of its implications echoing in the silence.

"Well, of course I am," Noel replied nonchalantly, his tone light but his intent unmistakable.

Sam took another sip of wine, his hand steady despite the turmoil raging within him.

He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the primal instinct to flee warring with his years of practiced composure.

But he held firm, refusing to let fear dictate his actions.

Noel began to move, his steps deliberate as he closed the distance between them.

His grin grew wider, sending a shiver down Sam's spine.

Every nerve in his body screamed at him to run, to fight, to do anything to escape the imminent threat.

But Sam remained rooted to the spot, his facade of calm unshaken.

Noel stopped beside Sam, his presence looming over him like a dark shadow.

The two stood there in the opulent penthouse, the city lights casting eerie reflections on the glass.

The tension was palpable, each second stretching into an eternity.

The air crackled with tension, the room feeling suddenly smaller, suffocating.

Sam could practically feel the weight of Noel's gaze bearing down on him, searching for any sign of weakness.

But Sam held his ground, his mask of composure firmly in place.

He took another sip of wine, the liquid burning like fire as it slid down his throat.

"This city looks beautiful, right?" Noel remarked, his gaze fixed on the mesmerizing vista spread out before them.

Sam followed Noel's gaze, taking in the kaleidoscope of lights that painted the night sky.

The vibrant hues illuminated the streets and buildings below, casting a spellbinding glow over the cityscape.

It was a breathtaking sight, one that never failed to captivate, even in the face of imminent danger.

"And it feels great to look at such a thing from above, right?" Noel continued, his voice tinged with a hint of madness.

"It's great to be at the top, to be in control of everything, right?"

Sam's jaw tightened imperceptibly at Noel's words.

There was a manic energy in his demeanor, a dangerous gleam in his eyes that sent a shiver down Sam's spine.

He could sense the underlying menace beneath Noel's seemingly casual observation, a threat lurking just beneath the surface.

"You're right, it does feel great to be at the top," Sam replied evenly, masking the unease that gnawed at him.

He forced himself to maintain his facade of calm, even as his instincts screamed at him to flee.

Sam drained the last drops of wine from his glass, the liquid burning like fire as it slid down his throat.

Setting the empty glass down with deliberate precision, he turned away from Noel, his movements measured and controlled.

With each step towards the table where his wine bottle awaited, Sam felt the weight of Noel's presence bearing down on him.

The air was thick with tension, every moment fraught with the impending danger.

"But may I ask why you are trying to kill me? What is your goal?" Sam inquired calmly, his voice betraying none of the apprehension coursing through him.

Noel's gaze flickered back to Sam, his expression inscrutable.

"My goal? Hmm..." he mused, his tone laced with a chilling ambiguity.

The casual manner in which he spoke belied the deadly intent behind his words.

As Sam refilled his glass, his movements deliberate and controlled, he surreptitiously reached for the watch on the table.

With practiced finesse, he pressed the button, sending a signal to the Nexus officers waiting in the wings.

The action went unnoticed by Noel, who remained lost in his own thoughts.

Sam's heart raced as he waited for the telltale signs of the officers' arrival.

Every second felt like an eternity, the weight of anticipation hanging heavy in the air.

But he knew that he couldn't afford to let his anxiety show.

He had to keep Noel engaged, to distract him until the Nexus officers arrive.