Chapter 440: Shifting PlansWilliams leaned back in the plush leather seat of his car, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the steering wheel as he stared out at the neon glow of Emerald Falls. The city hummed with life, but his thoughts were far from the bustling streets. It had been weeks since he last saw Kane, Tom, and Dorian—weeks spent recovering from his injuries, handling personal affairs, and, most importantly, reworking his strategy.His hospitalization had been both a setback and a blessing in disguise. It gave him time to lay low, but it also meant he had to rely on others to maintain control in his absence. His orders before disappearing had been clear: Do not touch Jack and Jaxon. He had no intention of letting his assets go to waste. Jaxon’s father, Thomas Sterling, was too valuable, and keeping the boy alive meant keeping a financial lifeline open. That patience, however, had begun to wear thin.Williams had ensured Kane, Tom, and Dorian were taken care of during

Chapter 442: A Meeting After a MeetingWilliams stepped into the executive lounge, his sharp eyes immediately catching sight of Alisha Carl at the secretary’s desk. His brows knitted slightly. Alisha? He hadn’t expected to see her here, especially not in this position.“Alisha?” he called, pausing in front of her desk.Alisha looked up from the stack of documents she had been reviewing, a smile breaking across her face. “Oh, Williams!” she greeted warmly. “Good to see you back. I tried calling your hospital, but they said you weren’t taking visitors.”Williams gave a nonchalant shrug. “Yeah, I needed a moment to myself.”Alisha tilted her head slightly, studying him. “Glad to have you back. Hope you’re doing okay now. Sorry about your accident—” she smirked playfully, “—but I have to say, you really do have a habit of getting yourself into trouble.”Williams feigned a smile, though inwardly, he was already irritated. He didn’t have the patience for small talk today. His mind was preoc

Chapter 444: A Web of DeceptionWilliams unlocked his apartment door and stepped inside, exhaling deeply as he shut it behind him. His body still felt tense from the meeting—his ribs ached where Kai had struck him, and a dull headache throbbed at his temples. He set his bag down on the coffee table and loosened his tie, then walked over to the kitchen, pouring himself a drink with shaky hands.The meeting had been deadly—too close for comfort. Liam and Kai were a step ahead now, and that terrified him. For the first time in a long while, Williams felt a sense of powerlessness creeping in. He took a slow sip of his drink, letting the burn of the liquor ground him, then straightened up. No. He wouldn’t let them control him.They had given him an ultimatum: hand over everything about the virus or lose his life. That wasn’t an option. Williams wasn’t the kind of man to accept defeat. If they wanted the virus, he’d give it to them—but not the real one.He sat at his desk and powered on his

Chapter 446: Lana at EMCThe morning broke with a soft, golden glow spilling through the sheer curtains, casting warm patterns across the room. Lana Wane stirred from her sleep, stretching lazily as a slow smile formed on her lips. Today marked the beginning of her long-anticipated one-month leave from her beauty and aesthetics company, and she planned to spend it in Greece with Ellen.Although Ellen was still deep in the whirlwind of a pre-presidential election campaign with her parents, Lana looked forward to their time together. She could already picture the sun-drenched beaches, the luxurious resorts, and the much-needed escape from the constant demands of her business.As she lay there, memories of last night’s dinner with Williams replayed in her mind. It had been a pleasant evening—good food, easy conversation, and, for once, no major arguments. The only tense moment came when she brought up James.She sighed, staring up at the ceiling. She still couldn’t understand why William

Chapter 448: Lana meets LiamJames’ words echoed in the quiet office, thick with skepticism. “You want to meet Liam Carter, why?”Lana didn’t falter, her calm demeanor belying the intensity of the moment. “Yes,” she answered simply, as if her decision was already set in stone, something neither James nor anyone else could undo.“Lana,” James protested, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. “With everything you’ve been hearing—how he’s bought fifty percent of the company and plans major reforms? I don’t think you should go. He’s proud, and—”But Lana was already on the move. Before James could finish, she was out the door, leaving him in her wake, his protests trailing off in the vast emptiness of the room. The click of her heels against the polished floor was the only sound, punctuating her resolve.Lana moved with purpose, each step a reminder to herself and everyone around her that she was not a woman to be swayed or stopped. Her thoughts were crystal clear. She wasn’t here