Game of Phones: A Wall Street Epic: Game of Phones, #1

By A L T Hughes

In the electrifying debut of the Games of Phones series, Wall Street's power players are thrust into a high-stakes game where every move could mean life or death. As Ed Starkey, a rising star in the cutthroat world of finance, uncovers evidence of a diabolical hacker threat targeting Stark Enterprises, he forms an unlikely alliance with the tech-savvy analyst Kathy Tuller and the enigmatic former Wall Street hotshot Max Leandros.

 

Together, they plunge into the heart of a sinister conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of Wall Street. From corporate boardrooms to clandestine meetings, from high-tech skyscrapers to underground hacker dens, they race against time to uncover the truth and save Stark Enterprises from certain doom. But as they peel back the layers of deception, they realize that they are not just up against a faceless enemy – they are fighting against a shadowy cabal of powerful individuals with their own hidden agendas.

 

Filled with heart-pounding action, jaw-dropping twists, and spine-tingling suspense, Games of Phones is a pulse-pounding thriller that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. In a world where loyalty is fleeting and betrayal is the name of the game, Ed, Kathy, and Max must navigate a treacherous landscape where every secret could be a deadly weapon. Will they uncover the truth in time to save Stark Enterprises, or will they become pawns in a game where the stakes are higher than they ever imagined?

• Language: English
• Publisher: A L T Hughes
• Release date: May 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224206681

Book preview

Game of Phones: A Wall Street Epic

Game of Phones, Volume 1

A L T Hughes

Published by A L T Hughes, 2024.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

GAME OF PHONES: A WALL STREET EPIC

First edition. May 27, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 A L T Hughes.

Written by A L T Hughes.

Also by A L T Hughes

Game of Phones

Game of Phones: A Wall Street Epic

Throne Games

Throne Games: The Tribalia Saga

Standalone

The Lords: War of Horirrhim

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By A L T Hughes

Game of Phones: A Wall Street Epic

Chapter 1: The Game of Phones

Chapter 2: Old Wounds

Chapter 3: Uneasy Alliances

Chapter 4: Rumblings in the Tech Sector

Chapter 5: Boiling Point

Chapter 6: Counterplay

Chapter 7: A New Player Emerges

Chapter 8: The Rise of Bigfinger

Chapter 9: Unraveling Threads

Chapter 10: Shadows of Deception

Chapter 11: Shadows Revealed

Chapter 12: The Darkest Hour

Chapter 13: The Verdict

Chapter 14: The Stark Legacy Crumbles

Chapter 15: The Stark Sisters' Trials

Chapter 16: The Rise of Anna Starkey

Chapter 17: A Shift in Power

Chapter 18: The Fall of Stark Enterprises

Game of Phones: A Wall Street Epic

Chapter 1: The Game of Phones

The shrill ring of the phone cut through the air of the corner office, its urgent tone a stark contrast to the muted hum of the bustling trading floor beyond. Robert Barrow, CEO of KingCorp, swiveled in his leather chair and picked up the receiver with a practiced calm.

Barrow here, he said, his voice steady despite the brewing storm in his mind.

Robert, it's Jim Lancaster, came the reply, smooth and composed. We need to talk. It's urgent.

Robert's grip tightened on the phone. Jim Lancaster, his brother-in-law and KingCorp's Chief Financial Officer, was not one to use the word urgent lightly. What's going on, Jim?

It's about the Taylor shares, Jim continued. There's been some movement we didn't anticipate. Someone's been buying them up quietly, and it's got our analysts spooked.

Robert's eyes narrowed. The Taylor name still cast a long shadow over Wall Street, despite their downfall fifteen years prior. He had risen to power in the aftermath of their collapse, but the ghost of Aaron Taylor, the Mad King of Wall Street, and his ruthless son Richard still haunted the corridors of power.

Who's behind the buys? Robert asked, his mind racing through the possibilities.

We're not sure yet, Jim admitted. But whoever it is, they've got deep pockets and a lot of patience. This isn't a typical takeover play.

Robert leaned back in his chair, his thoughts momentarily drifting to Anna Starkey, whose death had set the course for his rise to power. Her brother, Ed Starkey, was one of his staunchest allies, and they had forged a bond stronger than any business contract.

I want a full report on my desk by the end of the day, Robert said finally. And call a meeting with Ed and Jon. We need to strategize.

Already on it, Jim replied. I'll see you in the boardroom at four.

Robert hung up the phone and stared out the window, the skyline of Manhattan a jagged reminder of the battles fought and won. He knew the game never truly ended on Wall Street; it only changed players. And it seemed a new player had just entered the arena.

Across town, in a modest office at Stark Enterprises, Ed Starkey was poring over financial