Empire of Deception (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 12

The heavy scent of unease and anxiety swirls in the air around me.

I remain completely quiet, pressing myself against the wall opposite of the entrance so I am able to observe without making it obvious.

The first official meeting of the new project has begun.

I make a quick assessment of the room and see that the only people seated are the supervisors. Aside from them, Alexander waits in the corner, watching my father who sits at the head of the table. Victoria stands by the door, Saturday's dress gone and replaced by yet another pantsuit tailored perfectly to fit her slender frame. I can't help but notice the major differences between her body type and Madison's.

Victoria's brother isn't too far away, and after spotting him I look around for the remaining male who has yet to make an entrance. Once I hear my father clear his throat, indicating that the meeting will start, I realize that Vaugns isn't going to show up, thus confirming Victoria's comment that Jackson is a mere pawn in the grand scheme of things... Not that important, otherwise he would be here.

"The initiation process went by quickly with little to no delays," says Des, looking up from the notes Janice dropped in front of him only minutes before. At first glance he looks the same. Smug, cold, and determined. Alarm pricks me when I see his eyes look down to the notes for the second time since he said his opening sentence. Something is wrong. He's nervous. "We have all of you to thank for that, with your cooperation, we were able to breeze through the first week of contracts and paperworks." A pause. "Today I would like to inform and educate you on some of the goals we hope to achieve. As you know, we hope to target the youth of corporate London, using them as a means to provide more jobs for the people who struggle with living fees and money. You have been organized into sectors, and as the project goes along I hope to see that your sector becomes your family."

An bored eye roll is earned from Christopher at the mention of 'family'. Victoria, too, catches this and gives him a cold look. As soon as she turns away however, Christopher shifts his weight, giving me the impression that he is suddenly worried about something. Sure enough, he sneaks a glimpse at his father who is watching his daughter with interest. I see Christopher's hands move from within his pocket, as if debating whether or not he should relay some information to her. There is no way he can do so without receiving attention.

I study Alexander, curious about the inner workings of his mind. His composure is stiff and rigid, his eyes in a cold stare directly towards Victoria. The emotion he emits is not normal for someone looking at his child. He seems cold... As if... he loathes her.

"Depending on your sector strengths, programs will be designed and put to use. The select few entrusted enough to be invited to take part in Project 28, have acknowledged and understood that the entirety of corporate London sits upon a gold mine. Even personally, I know that I used to give my son a healthy allowance followed by no rules as to how it should be spent. This type of mentality on young children gives them the idea that it should be spent, and the idea of saving this money isn't an option. The youth were brilliant enough to create an underground trading station, spending endless hours of the night gambling their money away or something similar. Through Project 28 we will continue to broaden their horizons, creating programs which will not only teach them other ways to use their money besides something as petty as gambling, but we will subtly shape them for the future. No one else has thought to touch the world of the youth, and this is something we can all use to our advantage! My observing, molding, and directing, we can foresee our future simply because we made the future! We can keep tabs on promising minds and absolute aptitude. The youth of this city have so much to offer us, its crazy to think that this idea has never been put into action. Until now."