Side characters or minor villains in a novel may appear to serve only as placeholders or convenient plot devices, but this assumption is far from accurate when the story materializes into reality.
These seemingly insignificant characters possess formidable power, both in terms of wealth and influence, such as owning large industrial corporations or being part of influential family groups. However, they all prove to be powerless when confronted by the protagonist.
To expound on this notion, it is evident that the characters in a story are not merely pawns to fill plot gaps, but they possess their own agency and unique motivations.
Harvey Windward, the shrewd owner of the Windward group, holds nearly forty per cent of the automobile industry in his firm grip.
With an annual turnover of four hundred billion dollars, the group reigns supreme as the leading corporation in the industry, its clutches in every vehicle as it primarily produces engines.
Although Harvey presents himself as a calm and collected entrepreneur, his public persona as a generous philanthropist who donates heavily to education is merely a facade. In reality, he is a conniving and hot-headed individual driven by his insatiable pride.
Despite his impressive public image, Harvey is known to be ruthless in business, with a reputation for cutting corners and taking extreme measures to maintain his hold on the industry.
His short temper and tendency to act on impulse make him a force to be reckoned with in the cutthroat world of business.
From what I can deduce, it seems that Harvey made a wager or gave his word to a prospective business partner that he would invite the Starlets to his party.
However, it appears that their musical talent was not the primary reason for their invitation, but rather their striking beauty.
It is quite evident that a metal music performance would not be suitable for a business party. Typically, such events call for soothing vocal music or even exotic dancing to entertain and impress guests.
Despite the fact that the Starlets are both talented vocalists and dancers, their repertoire has never included the type of soft melodies that would be expected at a corporate gathering. However, this detail seems to have escaped Harvey's attention.
At that moment, the group was gathered in the opulent drawing room of a luxurious suite, surrounded by bodyguards stationed in every corner of the room.
The palpable tension in the air had every one of the Starlets visibly intimidated and on edge.
In addition, there's an aura jammer stationed in the corner of the room, a sleek black stone with a blood-red gem nestled in the centre, humming with the power to neutralize aura.
As for myself, I remained invisible and unseen, existing in a different domain of reality altogether.
While I was not concerned with Harvey or the events unfolding, I couldn't ignore the fact that it had taken a decade of hard work to bring Caraxes group to its current position of success.
If anything were to happen to the Starlets, who served as representatives of Caraxes, it would reflect poorly on our brand, showing that we were unable to secure and protect one of the leading performers and idols associated with us. Besides, Remi is one of their fans, can't disappoint her at the least.
The large wooden doors of the suite opened with a soft click, and a person sporting square metal-rimmed black spectacles walked in.
He had vivid cerulean-coloured hair that flowed down his back and was dressed in a smart navy blue coat, a denim-coloured tie, a crisp white shirt, navy blue pants, and black shoes. He was quite the looker, to say the least.
"Hello, my ladies," he greeted them, spreading his arms wide as he walked towards the Starlets and took a seat on the sofa opposite them.
But despite his friendly demeanour, all the Starlets remained silent as they looked at him, unsure of what to say.
"There's no need to be tense, my ladies," he continued, flashing them a bright smile. "I'm willing to pay you the amount you desire and fulfil any of your wishes once you accomplish this small task. It's not much to ask, is it?"
However, before anyone could respond, Nia blurted out, "We are not strippers that we would dance in front of you at your party. We do this for passion, not money." Her eyes were beginning to turn red, reflecting her building anger.
But the man simply chuckled, undeterred by her response. "That's just a fa?ade,".
He countered. "If you hadn't succeeded in this profession, you would have done this for passion. But now that you have commendable fame and are earning quite a lot, you do this for money. Besides, if you hadn't succeeded, you all would have found a job to earn money. The world works on money, not passion or likes."
'He's completely right', I thought to myself.
But Nia, still feeling defensive, spoke up again. "But we don't want to do this. Why are you forcing us?".
She asked pointedly. "There are plenty of people out there who would be at your service and be your 'slaves' for money. Why choose us? What did we do to deserve this?"
"You make me sound like a villain, My lady," he responded, sounding slightly offended. "I've been nothing but respectful, cooperative, and lenient. Trust me, you wouldn't want to see the man behind the suit."
He leaned back in his seat, crossed his legs, and looked at the Starlets. "And let me remind you, no one is going to come to your rescue if that's what you're buying time for. Because I'm certain that a group like Caraxes is not free enough to step in and personally help you. It would only be a waste of time, and I'm sure they wouldn't want to do that."
I couldn't help but think, 'Damn, now I don't feel like stepping in.'
Suddenly I heard the sound of sobbing, so I looked at Gia, who was shedding tears and was on the verge of collapse as she meekly said, "Just…let us go".
"You are crying? Don't be like that My lady, I won't harm you in any way, if you feel uncomfortable just share it with me", said Harvey as passed the box of tissue on the table to Gia but she leaned back rejecting it.
"This is taking too long. I was hoping I wouldn't need to approach this way, but oh well," Harvey let out a cruel chuckle as he snapped his fingers, summoning a goon holding a fluffy Shih Tzu.
"Luna!" Nia cried, The dog was none other than Luna, Nia's beloved pet. She tried to bolt towards the pup but was swiftly apprehended by the guards. Harvey sneered at the distraught Nia, relishing in her agony.
"Ah, I see you care for your furry friend, My Lady," Harvey drawled, "But fret not, Luna will be returned to you after you've completed the task. He's quite amiable, you know, and will surely make friends with our other canine companions."
"Yeah, I can certainly see that", I said, as my body phased through the barrier and materialized in the middle of the room. The guards tensed up, but I could tell Harvey was intrigued.
"And who might you be, gentlemen?" he asked a hint of amusement in his voice.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you I was just a passerby," I replied with a smirk.
Harvey chuckled. "Indeed not."
Nia piped up. "You're the new security guard we met in the dressing room!" she exclaimed, pointing at me as I glanced down at my borrowed clothes.
"Oh, that. I forgot to return these to a friend," I replied with a shrug.
Harvey raised an eyebrow. "So you're not really a security guard then. I'll need to see some identification."
"Of course," I said, as the lights flickered off and my clothes morphed back into my black suit and grey shirt, and the aura jammer kept in the corner of the room shattered in pieces.
My eyes blazed with flames returning to their original colour as I announced spreading my arms, "Allow me to introduce the one and only, Kael Hashirae."
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