Broken

Chapter 1: The first strike

Zac stepped into the sleek, modern lobby of Wilson Construction Inc. The space was a reflection of the company's dominance in the industry: minimalist yet luxurious, with a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling and polished marble floors that seemed to stretch endlessly. He approached the receptionist's desk, his steps confident yet calculated.

The receptionist, a young woman with perfectly styled hair and a crisp uniform, looked up from her computer and gave him a professional smile. "Good morning, sir. How can I assist you today?"

"I'm here to see Fatima Wilson," Zac said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

The receptionist's smile faltered slightly. "Do you have an appointment, sir?"

Zac groaned inwardly. "No, I didn't make an appointment."

"I'm sorry, but Ms. Wilson is very busy. Without an appointment, I can't let you in," the receptionist replied, her tone polite but firm.

Just then, the atmosphere in the room changed. The chatter and activity seemed to slow as Fatima walked into the lobby, her bodyguards flanking her. Her presence was commanding, her stride confident and purposeful. The room grew quieter and more tense, as if everyone was threading lightly to avoid triggering her mood.

Seizing the moment, Zac stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Hi, Fatima."

Fatima stopped, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. "Ms. Wilson," she corrected, her voice cold and authoritative. "And who are you?"

"Zachary Taylor," he replied, meeting her gaze without flinching. "I'm the lawyer representing Taylor Heights. We need to talk."

Fatima's expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "I heard about you. Very well, Zachary Taylor. Follow me."

She turned and led the way, her bodyguards stepping aside to let Zac through. They walked down a long corridor, the tension between them palpable. Finally, they reached her office, a spacious room with a breathtaking view of the city.

"Sit," Fatima commanded, gesturing to a chair in front of her desk. Zac complied, setting his briefcase on the floor beside him. She took her seat behind the desk, her bodyguards standing by the door.

"So, Zachary Taylor, what is so urgent that you felt the need to bypass proper protocol?" Fatima asked, her tone laced with impatience.

Zac leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "I'm here to discuss your attempts to take over Taylor Heights. My father, Michael Taylor, owns that building, and he's not selling."

Fatima's lips curled into a slight smirk. "And you think you can stop me?"

"I know I can," Zac replied, his voice steady. "We have evidence of your illegal tactics. Bribery, coercion, manipulation—it's all in here." He tapped his briefcase.

Fatima leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving his. "You think you can come into my office and threaten me, Zachary? You're either very brave or very foolish."

"Maybe a bit of both," Zac admitted, his gaze unwavering. "But I believe in the law, Ms. Wilson. And I believe that no one, not even you, is above it."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room was filled with a heavy silence, the tension between them almost tangible. Then, Fatima leaned forward, her eyes narrowing.

"I hope you know who you're dealing with," she said softly, her voice carrying a dangerous edge. "I always get what I want. Always."

Zac smiled, a hint of challenge in his eyes. "Then I guess we'll see who comes out on top, Ms. Wilson."

Fatima regarded him for a long moment, then stood up, signaling that the meeting was over. "You're dismissed, Mr. Taylor. I'll see you in court."

Zac stood up as well, picking up his briefcase. "Count on it."

Fatima watched him with a faint smirk, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Okay, my little lawyer," she said, her tone dripping with condescension.

Zac paused for a moment, then nodded slightly, refusing to let her words get to him. He turned and walked out of her office, the weight of the confrontation lingering in the air. As he made his way through the bustling corridors of Wilson Construction Inc., he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a very challenging and personal battle.
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Zac arrived home, feeling the exhaustion of the day settle into his bones. He stepped into his parents' apartment and dropped his briefcase by the door, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The familiar scent of his mother's cooking wafted through the air, offering a small comfort after the tense encounter at Wilson Construction Inc.

Michael approached from the living room, his expression expectant. "How did it go?" he asked, his voice gruff with anticipation.

Zac shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "She's... something," he replied, the memory of Fatima's commanding presence still vivid in his mind.

Michael frowned, his brows knitting together. "Something like what? A menace? A tyrant?"

Zac sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "All of the above, Dad. She's determined and ruthless. But I think we got her attention."

Michael grumbled under his breath. "She needs more than just a scare. That woman thinks she can walk all over anyone."

At that moment, Tia emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Now, now, let's not get too worked up. Zac did what he could today, and we'll take it one step at a time."

Zac gave his mother a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mom. We'll figure it out. We always do."

Michael's expression softened slightly as he looked at his wife, then back at Zac. "I just want to make sure she doesn't ruin everything we've worked for. That building has been in our family for generations."

"We won't let that happen, Dad," Zac assured him. "We're not backing down."

Tia nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "We're all in this together. And we'll stand our ground."

Zac took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. "I'm going to look over the documents again and see if there's anything else we can use against her. We need to be prepared for whatever she throws our way."

Michael clapped a hand on his son's shoulder. "Good. We'll support you every step of the way."

With that, Zac picked up his briefcase and headed to his room, ready to dive back into the battle against Fatima Wilson. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but with his family by his side, he felt more determined than ever to protect their legacy and take a stand against the formidable woman who was trying to take it all away.