So if there was one thing I would want people to know about me, it would be that I make mistakes too. See, when you say one thing and do another as a normal person, it is a mistake that you can leave behind you. When you are a billionaire CEO you if it gets out it will haunt you until you die. I preface with this because I am waking up to the kind of thing I swore up and down I would never do.

  On my right side was Kate, who pulled the blankets tighter around herself to prevent cold air from getting in. Yes, I do remember swearing to myself I would never sleep with the member of the press- I never said I had perfect self control!

  Now that said, if it was just that maybe I’d be fine. That ‘if’ turned out to be a big one for me, because on my left side was my secretary, Rebecca.

  Well, if I was lucky this wouldn’t come back to bi- and that is my phone buzzing with a message from a number that I did not want to see right now. Now, I know it is human nature and a logical fallacy to equate correlation and causation, but the lady on the other side of that message was the kind of person that made you feel like every single event that happened had been planned out by her years ago.

  And checking it, yep, that is blackmail. I can’t help but sigh even as a pair of soft things press against my back and arms circle around me.

  “Problem Mr. Sterling?” Kate said sleepily but perhaps a bit too cheerily.

  I sigh again, “Really? The others were that worried about me? I am not really the type to go wild, you know.”

  “After last night we both know that is a lie, and you know it isn’t enough to drag you down, just enough to have some insurance.”

  So the reporter worked for Mrs. Wang, well that is my luck. That woman has been a step ahead of me for the past ten years, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I mean, she was the empress of a media empire- I should have done more research into who was doing that interview.

  “Anyway, it isn’t like I was forced into this you know.” Kate whispered into my ear, “Honestly, I thought you were kinda sexy to begin with and thought it might be fun to mix business and pleasure for once.”

  Well I already screwed up- might as well enjoy it I suppose, I think I will stay in this morning…

  *A few hours later*

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “So how was your night?” The translation software even managed to capture her smug tone, who the fuck programmed that in?

  “As if you don’t have details, was this really necessary?” I ask, quite annoyed by this turn of events- even if it is my fault for being an idiot last night. Why the hell did I do that again? Oh, right. Nice legs and alcohol, good to know I am such a responsible and mature individual as the man responsible for hundreds of thousands of jobs around the world…

  “You tend to be a bit of a wildcard Mr. Sterling, it was not so much necessary as a precaution.” The older lady raised a single eyebrow, “it isn’t my fault you are a bit of an idiot.”

  True, but still…

  “Your influence in North and South America is a bit much,” she continued. “Can you really blame us for taking precautions?”

  I sigh, I have been doing that a lot today. “No, not really, that doesn’t make me feel any better though. Well that is life I guess, so what is it that the rest of you want to do that you think I will object to enough that you need to blackmail me?”

  “Technical support for a few groups…”

  “Oh for fucks sake, not this again.” Yeah, with a bit of support certain ‘radical’ elements in multiple countries could be a strong destabilizing influence and allow our group to insert our people… But so many people would die as a result. “You know why I object to this, and you cannot say my logic is faulty.”

  “Your logic is fine, but you spin it for your own agenda.” Wang waved her hand dismissively, “your report that the American government has tried similar things to little or no result was true, but the whole point of this endeavor is that we are better than them, no? As for your discussion about the value of a human life, also true, but unless the current situation changes we can’t make use of that.”

  True and true, I was not exactly blameless myself considering my actions in Columbia- but I had plans for those refugees and I had kept civilian deaths to a minimum by my actions. This would be chaos and anarchy… And I have no choice, do I? Sure, the fact I slept with Kate and Rebecca was a scandal to be sure, but not enough of one to drag me down by myself. However, if all the other groups stuck their knives into that chink in my armor- yeah, I would be put down and my business split up between them. I stopped counting my sighs a bit ago, but there is another one for the tally.

  “I’ll arrange it, but I am going to do what I can to reduce casualties, and I will take it up with the rest of the group that I have concerns about our chances of success regardless.” If this went the way I figured it would, I would probably be able to turn the tables on her- but I don’t like the fact that it would likely come at the cost of thousands of civilians.

  “Wonderful,” Mrs. Wang smiled. “A pleasure working with you, Mr. Sterling.”

  “Likewise.”

  And the link is closed. I feel a headache coming on, this is not what I needed on my plate right now. On the other hand…

  “You don’t mind me staying for a bit, do you?” Kate asked with a mischievous smile, and lets be honest- I am too much of an idiot to say no. Besides, I am of the opinion that a woman looks better wearing my shirt, and I really can’t say no to that combination with those legs.

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  “Mystic Ink” Releases: Thursday and Sunday

  A grimdark fantasy adventure following Cass, a homeless orphan abducted off the streets of Tyine and subjected to magical experiments. Join her in a journey through blood and magic in a treacherous world that strives to warp her very mind! In my opinion, this is my most well written story, and it is certainly my highest rated!

  “A Broken World” Releases: Thursday and Sunday

  A summoned hero tale where a biologist is called into a world of demons and magic! He must use his knowledge to save humanity from extinction and hopefully find a way back home, all the while avoiding political and literal deathtraps! My most popular story here on RoyalRoad!

  “R.A.D.E.” Releases: Sunday

  Set in the future where governments have collapsed and corporations have claimed the lands for themselves, the remnants of nations fight back against the encroachment of these giant companies in a special operations shadow war. Reduced to its original thirteen colonies, the United States employs the Elite R.A.D.E. squad to take on missions no one else can. Recon, Assault, Demolition, and Espionage, all fall under the purview of this elite squad!

  “Pathos” Releases: Saturday

  Set in a province of Imperial Rome, Pathos is our world and yet not. Emotions leak out from people to affect the very air itself creating an Emotional Atmosphere. This atmosphere can range from prosperous to destructive, and some powerful individuals can use the strength within it to produce magical abilities and miracles. Marius, the son of the Governor of Germania Inferior, is taking over for his father while he is away in Rome. However, internal strife, trouble across the border, and hurricanes of emotions will make his easy life far harder than he ever imagined!

  “The 212 Crisis” Releases: Friday

  Thomas Savery invented the steam engine, and in this alternate history world, he did not stop there! A steampunk slice-of-life story set in the London of the late 1700’s where steampunk automations are a common sight and have even begun to push people out of jobs! Follow Mary and Alan as they live life in this constantly changing world and try to make their own way through!

  “The Illuminating Heroes” Releases: Monday

  Set in the near future, Kevin Sterling, a billionaire owner of a giant tech company can no longer stand to watch the governments of the world destroy it. Environmental disasters, violence both domestically and internationally, economic struggles… All caused by bumbling fools at the top who care nothing but for keeping their fat asses in their seats. Sterling has had enough, and so have his friends and colleagues. The movers and shakers of the world, business leaders from every industry and sector, artists and scientists, all gather together to form The Illuminati! And they will work to save the world from the destruction corrupt and inept governments have brought down on it. They may not be the heroes we want, but they are the only ones we are going to get! A slice-of-life, overpowered protagonist (overpowered pocketbook that is), comedy focusing on Sterling’s work to start a New World Order!

  “A Dungeon Core”

  Releases: Tuesday

  The main character dies and is resurrected as a dungeon core. So far, so normal. But he has no intention of staying as a crystal for eternity. Join this Core on his path to regain his body and his life while building up his defenses against people who would plunder and kill him!

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