Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208

“Nothing was stolen from Petrov Petroleum.”

Vasili’s voice was calm, final-his eyes fixed on Cassie. The statement landed harder than she expected.

After the tense encounter yesterday, they were back in the same scene again. Different venue, but same men.

But this time, Cassie wasn’t walking in blind. She knew where she stood. And more importantly-she knew who she was dealing with.

“Nothing?” she repeated, her brows pulling together, confusion clear on her face.

Vasili didn’t look away.

“Reports of a stolen patent did surface,” he said evenly.

“And yes-there was an incident.”

That didn’t help. If anything, it made less sense. Cassie’s confusion deepened, her gaze sharpening as she tried to follow.

“There was an attempt,” Samuel added, his tone more composed than the day before. No mockery this time-just clarity. “But it failed.”

He leaned back slightly, watching her reaction.

“They triggered the Petrov firewall,” he continued. “And in doing so… exposed themselves.”

Cassie’s eyes narrowed at him, trying to piece it together.

Her mind raced, replaying everything she had been told-everything she had prepared for.

If nothing had actually been stolen, then what exactly had she walked into?

She turned to Ashton, searching for answers.

He met her gaze-but said nothing. No explanation. No reassurance. Just silence.

“This is a minor breach-something our cyber team could have handled,” Vasili said, his voice measured.

“But an attempt against the Petrovs…” His eyes settled on Cassie again. “That is betrayal.”

A brief pause.

“And I don’t overlook betrayal.” His gaze shifted-to Ashton.

“I expect this resolved within forty-eight hours.”

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“It won’t take that long.” Ashton spoke casually, as if the deadline meant nothing. He gestured toward the large screen mounted on the wall.

Larry moved without question and turned it on. The room’s attention followed.

A news broadcast filled the screen.

“A complete takeover of Petrov Petroleum over Malakai Group of Companies is reportedly underway, following the alleged theft of a patented formula from one of Malakai’s subsidiaries.”

Cassie’s breath caught.

0x

‘And earlier today, CEO Vasili Wright issued a firm ultimatum regarding the seizure of Malakai Group- conglomerate founded by Chairman Cassidy Greene.

–a billion-dollar

Chapter 208

+25 BONUS

Her name. Her company. Displayed like it was already over.

“With the influence of the Petrovs, industry experts predict a grin future for Malakai Group. No entity has ever escaped their reach.”

Cassie stared at the screen, stunned. None of it made sense. Not the report. Not the certainty in the broadcaster’s voice. Not the finality of it.

And she didn’t notice that every man in the room was watching her. Measuring her reaction.

“We don’t always need violence to win,” Denver said quietly, observing her confusion.

“Sometimes, victory is… simpler than that.”

Cassie turned to him, her expression tight.

“How?” she asked. “Why is this being reported? This isn’t true-right?”.

Her gaze snapped to Vasili, searching.

“No,” Vasili said calmly. “Not for us.”

A slight pause.

“But for everyone else… it is.” He glanced at Ashton.

“It will spread across every major outlet,” Samuel added, his tone almost patient.

“Credible sources. Verified reports. No one will question it.”

Cassie’s mind struggled to keep up.

“What…?” she murmured, the realization forming too quickly.

Her eyes widened.

‘You’re manipulating the news?”

The words came out sharper than she intended.

Carl only shrugged, completely at ease.

“That’s easy,” he said. “We’ve handled far more complex operations than this.”

Cassie looked from one man to another. She already knew they were powerful. Dangerous.

But this This wasn’t force.This was control.

And in that moment, she began to understand just how far their reach actually extended.

“And as for you,” Carl went on, his attention shifting back to her, “play your part, Chairman Greene.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“The head of Malakai Group isn’t expected to hand over a company built from years of work without resistance. That wouldn’t be believable.”

Cassie barely processed it. Her mind was still caught on one thing.

“Why?” she asked, her voice quieter now, but more unsettled.

“Why are we even doing this?” Samuel let out a small breath, as if deciding how much to say.

Chapter 208

+25 BONUS

“Petrovs don’t take insults lightly,” he began.

“An attempt like this-inside our own system isn’t just theft. It’s a statement.” His expression hardened.

“And we don’t allow that kind of precedent.”

The men around the table exchanged brief glances before Samuel continued, his tone shifting slightly.

“We control the situation to our advantage,” Vasili said, noting her confusion.

“Manipulating the news-anything on the web-is as simple as breathing.”

Cassie stared at him, trying to process the weight of that.

“You have that kind of reach?” she asked, snapping out of her daze.

“And you’re not concerned that whoever holds that level of control could turn against you?” Her voice sharpened as the thought settled.

“Controlling information like that isn’t just influence-it’s power,” she continued.

“You could affect markets. Shape outcomes. Rewrite narratives.”

She paused.

“You could move entire systems.”

Vasili listened without interrupting. Then he answered, calm as ever.

“The Petrovs are respectable businessmen,” he said.

“We operate within boundaries.” His tone didn’t change-but there was something firm beneath it.

“We don’t interfere with systems like the stock market for gain. Not without cause.” A slight shift of his gaze.

“But if there is ever a reason significant enough,” he added, “it becomes a matter for the elders to decide, not just ours or of one person”

Cassie held his eyes, still unconvinced.

“And the one controlling all of this?” she pressed.

“You’re certain he won’t betray you?”

Vasili didn’t hesitate.

“He won’t.”

Simple. Certain.

Samuel leaned forward slightly, his expression more serious than before.

“He’s not just anyone,” he said.

“He’s bound to the Petrovs in ways that go beyond business.”

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