Chapter 10: The Tipping Point

The quiet after Walter's departure was unsettling. It was as if Henry had just severed the final ties that bound him to his old life—the one where he had to share his father's legacy. Now, the reins of Queen Consolidated were his, and no one could dispute that. But Henry wasn't one to bask in the glow of victory for long. There was always more to do. Always more to plan.

The next morning, as he entered the sprawling office that now represented his dominion, Henry immediately got to work. His team had already prepared a schedule for him—a relentless round of meetings with board members, stakeholders, and executives. He didn't have the luxury of easing into the role. The company's future, the city's fate, and his own path forward all depended on the choices he made in the coming days.

He'd already sent a memo to the board, inviting them for an emergency meeting. It wasn't a request—it was an order. The power shift was official. Henry was the new CEO, and he'd make sure they knew it.

As he sat in his office, reviewing files and sending messages, his phone buzzed. It was an encrypted message from Oliver.

We need to meet. There's something bigger at play.

Henry's mind immediately began to race. The moment Oliver had used the words "bigger at play," Henry knew this wasn't just about the company or their father's legacy. Something darker, more dangerous, was lurking on the horizon. And it was coming for them.

Later that afternoon, Henry and Oliver met in the abandoned warehouse they'd been using as a temporary base of operations. The dimly lit room felt like the kind of place where secrets were kept, and Henry liked it that way. Oliver, as usual, wasted no time getting to the point.

"They're trying to move faster than we anticipated," Oliver said, his voice tense. "It's not just the city they're targeting anymore—it's us. They want to eliminate anyone who stands in their way. And we're next on their list."

Henry folded his arms across his chest, his mind already shifting into a more tactical mode. "Who's behind it? What do they want?"

"It's hard to pinpoint," Oliver admitted. "But I've been doing some digging. There's a shadow organization pulling the strings. They've infiltrated key positions in the city. And they've already got eyes on Queen Consolidated. They're not just after your company—they want control of everything."

Henry's eyes narrowed, his thoughts churning rapidly. If the board wasn't already under threat, it soon would be. And if they wanted Queen Consolidated, they'd have to go through him first. "What do you need from me?"

Oliver hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking toward the door as though someone might be listening. "I need you to help me track down who's at the top. I can't do it alone. And, Henry..."

Henry raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"They know about you. Your skills. They're watching us."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Henry's lips. "They'll have to do better than that."

Oliver didn't smile back. "I'm serious. Whoever they are, they're not playing around. I've seen their work."

Henry's smile faded, his expression growing more serious. "We deal with them the way we always do—on our terms. I won't let anyone tear down what's mine. I have plans in motion."

Oliver nodded, understanding the subtle implication. It wasn't just about the company; it was about control over everything. "What are you thinking?"

Henry's eyes gleamed with cold determination. "We take the fight to them."

The following days were a blur of activity. Henry continued to solidify his position within Queen Consolidated, but he wasn't blind to the external threats. Every step he took inside the company was matched with one outside it. It was a balancing act—keeping the company running while hunting down whoever was behind the shadowy group.

Henry's first target was the board. Some members were already loyal to him, but a few still clung to their outdated allegiances to Walter. He didn't need them questioning his authority or loyalty to the company. Over the next several meetings, Henry ensured that every word he spoke, every decision he made, was a reminder of who truly controlled Queen Consolidated. His precision was impeccable. He manipulated situations with ease, ensuring the board remained aligned with his vision.

However, this wasn't just about business. As much as Henry could outplay them in the boardroom, the real fight was happening in the shadows. His efforts to track down the mysterious organization were relentless. Using his hacking skills, his connections, and his intelligence, he started pulling on threads that would eventually lead him to the puppeteers pulling the strings.

And then came the breakthrough.

It was a late evening when Henry finally uncovered something of significance. A series of encrypted communications, buried deep in the city's underworld, revealed the name of a person who was central to the group's operations. Someone with ties to both business and politics—someone who was both powerful and untouchable.

He had heard the name before, but now, it was clear. The connection was undeniable.

Dante Moretti.

A businessman with a reputation for getting what he wanted, no matter the cost. And now, it seemed, he was gunning for Queen Consolidated. Henry leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the desk as he processed the information. This was bigger than he'd realized. Moretti was no ordinary enemy. He was a force in Starling City, and Henry would have to outmaneuver him at every turn.

But Henry didn't back down from challenges. He didn't fear powerful people. If anything, they were just obstacles to be removed in his pursuit of control.

Moretti would be dealt with.

And Henry would be the one to end it.

The next morning, Henry found himself face-to-face with a more somber figure—Walter. Despite their earlier conversation, Walter seemed on edge, as if something had shifted beneath the surface. Henry greeted him with the same cool, calculated demeanor that had become his signature.

"Henry, I need to talk to you," Walter said, his voice unusually strained.

"What about?" Henry asked, not bothering to hide his skepticism.

"It's about Moretti," Walter replied, his eyes flicking nervously around the room. "He's not someone to underestimate. I know what you're trying to do, but be careful."

Henry leaned back in his chair, his fingers laced together. "You didn't think I knew what I was dealing with?"

"I've dealt with people like him before," Walter said quietly. "Trust me. He's dangerous."

Henry smiled, the edge of his confidence shining through. "Everyone's dangerous until they're not."

Walter didn't reply. Instead, he simply nodded, his face betraying a quiet resignation.

Henry knew Walter was right about one thing—Moretti wasn't someone to take lightly. But Henry wasn't in the business of backing down. He was in the business of winning.

And he'd make sure that in the end, it was Moretti who was left standing in the dust.