ORION'S POV

I just get out of the shower with my towel hanging low on my waist when I turn on the tv.

'Tech genius or digital criminal?. Today we'd be looking into...

I change the channel.

'Is Orion King watching your every move? These are the questions on our minds...

'The billionaire who knows too much'...

Channel after channel my company pops up with my picture by its side.

Sighing in frustration, I turn off the tv. I don't need this kind of energy.

For the past few weeks I've been dealing with allegations of Polaris stealing people's information.

Polaris was designed to help with diagnosing immune system glitches in humans and would move on to animals after a few upgrades. It was designed to help diagnose health issues faster to ease the stress on doctors.

Now we're being accused of illegally collecting data and sharing them with rival nations.

I sigh again, calmly this time.

'The truth has never been as profitable as a lie.' I think to myself.

I go through my morning routine without any distractions and I'm on my way to the office.

Unlike the conventional billionaire, I don't like to flaunt my wealth. I like being by myself and I detest social gatherings. My wealth does not define my style in any way. I'd rather sit indoors reading a book than be seen at a party.

AT THE OFFICE

I arrive at the office and my bodyguard opens the door for me.

'Good morning sir.'

I wave him off

I'm not a man of many words.

I notice the change in the atmosphere once I'm at the office. And it's not because my employees fear me, it's more of respect.

'Julia, how's your mom now?', I ask.

'Oh, she's a lot better sir. Thanks for asking', she replies.

I make my way to the tech wing.

'This is brilliant, Jo! Now the security on the app is amped.' I say tapping his shoulder.

He beams.

I'm in my office now and Stacy walks in.

'You have a meeting with the board in 45 minutes sir', she says as she drops my coffee

'Thank you Stacy. I'll be on my way'

She runs me through my other programs for the day.

Honestly she makes things really easy for me. She tracks my meetings and manages basically everything concerning administration. I don't know what I would've done without her.

There's a knock at my door.

Adrien walks in just as Stacy leaves.

'You know she definitely likes you'

'And you know I don't have time for all of that', I retort.

He laughs.

I've seen the way she looks at you man. She's really into you'

I shake my head smiling.

Adrien has been my friend since forever. We basically grew up together. Our mum's were friends and it wasn't hard for us to become friends too. When he lost his mom he basically became my brother and we've been inseparable ever since.

'We have a meeting with the board and I assume you know about this?' I ask.

'Of course. I'm here to drag your ass down there. I know you don't like meetings or socializing in total'

'Can't you just handle it for me. I'll call in sick'

'What! No way you're ditching this meeting. It's your company man and the scandal is growing'

He's right.

'Okay okay. I'll be there in a few'

He leaves for the board room.

I take some time to think about everything and also to wear my mask of confidence again. Public appearance matters to me a lot, even if I try my best to avoid the public.

At the board room Stacy, Adrien, Victor and a few important board members are present.

Victor is our chief financial officer.

Once I walk into the board room everyone stands on their feet to acknowledge my presence.

'Let's begin.', I say

'So I know we've all been seeing the controversial reports going on online. Someone is definitely trying to sabotage the company and we have to try our best to keep this a secret until investigation is done'.

'But there's definitely no way to keep this hush hush. I mean it's all over the news', one board member blurts out.

I stare at him and he regains his posture. I definitely am all for inclusivity but there's no need to be rude about it.

His statement causes murmurs to erupt.

'I think we should sue the newspapers. They don't have enough information on this matter and they haven't even conducted proper investigation', Victor says.

Some board members nod in agreement.

'Suing the newspapers would only attract negative backlash from the public and it'll make them think we actually have something to hide', Adrien says. 'I think we should have a press conference to update the public on the things we've found out during the course of our investigation.'

I give all these ideas some thought.

'Defending yourself against every accusation only teaches people where to aim next', I say. 'I don't think we should do anything for now'

My statement surprises everyone at the meeting.

Considering the amount of damage the media is causing over this scandal their reactions are right. I have a knack for being calm in messy situations.

We finish up with the meeting and everyone goes about their work.

I decide to head to the AI laboratory where Polaris was developed.

'At Starsign Tech we aren't just another software firm, we develop Artificial Intelligence, Medical Diagnostic Systems, Cybersecurity platforms and Disaster prediction software.' an AI voice says on the monitor.

I stop beside a wall displaying the company's motto.

Technology should protect people not control them.

'The public thinks otherwise tho', I think to myself.

I walk around the lab again trying to notice any subtle thing that'll point to sabotage but I don't see anything.

I'm in my office again when Adrien walks in.

'There's a journalist that has submitted interview requests almost every week'

He hands me a file.

'Lola Castle', I read.

'Isn't she the journalist from The Supernova?'

'Yes she is. It's either she's incredibly determined or incredibly stubborn'.

I'm unfazed.

'Decline it.'

'Again?'

'Again.'

I drop the file Adrien hands me on my table not bothering to read her proposal.

Did I mention that I don't like the press...at all.

After everyone leaves, I open a secret drawer in my office and bring out an old photograph.

It's one of me and Karina, smiling, showing off her ring.

I don't know why I still keep the picture with me. I put the photograph on my table face down and pour myself a cup of whiskey.

'Some betrayals never stop bleeding', I think to myself as I take a swig of the drink.

LATER AT NIGHT

I'm still at the office trying to push the thoughts of the scandal from my mind when the alarm system blares.

I run down to the security department.

The system detects someone remotely trying to access classified company files. It happens for only a few seconds and the alarms go off.

The cybersecurity team dismisses it as a system glitch but I'm definitely not convinced.

This is the fifth time in two weeks.

It's definitely not a glitch.

I return to my office once things are calmer and I look out to the city and for the first time in years I feel uneasy, but I brush off the feeling.

3RD PARTY POV

Somewhere in the city, someone watches Starsign Tech from a laptop screen

The hacker smiles.

'Soon, everyone would believe he's exactly who i say he is'.

3 months later.

LOLA'S POV

The Supernova is bustling. Being the country's leading investigative newspaper you can easily feel the tension in the room. Reporters are rushing between desks, editors are barking orders and the phones are ringing nonstop.

I sit at my desk filled with notebooks, newspaper clipping amongst other things. But one thing stands out. There are photographs, numerous photographs of one man, Orion King.

My computer screen displays the message that has now become very familiar,

'Interview request declined'

I sigh, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

I'm still reeling from the declined request when I'm summoned to Lucas' office.

I walk in and he barely looks up from the papers on his desk when he speaks.

'You've spent 3 months chasing a ghost Castle'

'I don't believe he's a ghost sir.'

He leans back into his chair.

'I need a front page story, Castle. Not another failed interview request'

He tosses the newspaper onto the desk.

The headline reads;

'STARSIGN TECH UNDER FRESH INVESTIGATION'

'This is your story,' he says, 'and you know that everyone wants a piece of Orion King. Find something no one else has.'

I hesitate.

'I don't want to write rumours'

He smirks.

'Then find facts Castle.'

I use that as my que to leave the office but before I leave he adds,

'If you come back empty handed again, I'll reassign the story to someone else.'

He points me out and I leave hurriedly.

Back at my desk, I begin researching Orion from scratch. I refuse to rely on gossip from other newspaper companies.

I throw myself fully into work mode, studying company financial reports, patent registrations, charity records, interviews with former employees, anything that will point him to the crime.

The more I investigate, the more confused I get. The accusations against Orion are serious, yet there is no evidence connecting him personally to the crime.

The deeper I dig I find records of scholarships funded anonymously, rural hospitals equipped with AI diagnostic systems, cybersecurity tools provided freely to schools, none of which were made public.

'Who are you really, Orion King?', I whisper to myself.

I met up with Celine at a nearby cafe. She's off duty today since she doesn't have any important story she's working on.

She laughs once I mention the rejection to her.

'Girl, thats gotta be number 10 or something'

'Number 12 actually, but oh well.'

'You're obsessed, girl'

'I'm persistent.', I corrected her.

'What's the difference?' she says laughing. 'You know powerful people don't like journalists asking difficult questions, girl. You gotta watch yourself.'

'I'm not after power.' I say, taking a sip from my coffee.

'Then what are you after?'

'The truth.' I say, staring out the cafe window.

'That's why you'd either win a Pulitzer prize or get yourself killed, girl!'

We both laugh at her statement but I know that Celine isn't joking in any way.

BACK HOME

I rewrite my interview proposal on my laptop and I really hope on this one.

Instead of accusing him, I write honestly.

'Mr King,

Every newspaper has already decided who you are. I haven't.

I don't want your lawyers' statement or your company's press release.

I want your story.

If you're innocent, you deserve to be heard.

If you're guilty, the truth should prove it.

Either way, let the facts speak'

I go over my proposal again before hitting SEND.

NEXT DAY (AT STARSIGN TECH)

ORION'S POV

Adrien walks into my office carrying a tablet.

'You've received another interview request'

'Decline it.', I reply without looking up from my tabloid.

He hesitates.

'Come on man. It's been 3 months and she's been very persistent'

I'm still not convinced.

'This one's...different'

That catches my attention and I collect the tablet from him.

I read through the proposal and I hand the tablet back to Adrien.

'Decline it.', I say after a long silence.

Adrien raises his brow.

'You read the whole thing?'

'I did.'

'And?'

'If she's truly after the truth...', I pause. '...she won't stop.'

'I think you're right', he says smiling.

LATER THAT AFTERNOON

I'm leaving my office when I notice a woman across the street speaking with a security guard while holding a press badge. The security officer pays no heed to her.

She makes gestures trying to convince the guard to let her inside.

My guess is that she's Lola Castle.

I watch from a distance and she has no idea.

The guard shakes his head, the only expression she's been able to get from him for the past minutes.

She nods politely and walks away instead of causing a scene.

She's clearly disappointed but she's very composed which I find intriguing.

I watch her keenly until she disappears into the crowd.

I get into my car on my way home.

BACK AT THE SUPERNOVA

LOLA'S POV

I'm going through reports when an email comes in.

I open it with little hope.

|Subject: Interview Request.

I click on the mail.

|Request Declined.

I exhale slowly, closing my laptop and whisper to myself

'Fine, Mr King.' A determined smile spreads across my face.

'If you won't come to me, I'll come to you.', I say, picking up my notebook.