Chapter 461: Smoke and ShadowsWilliams stepped out of Mr. Sterling’s office with his hands buried deep in the pockets of his coat. The soft click of the door closing behind him felt like a seal on a conversation he had no intention of honoring. His steps were steady, but his mind was racing. The hallway was quiet, only the muffled sounds of chatter from distant rooms echoing faintly. None of it concerned him. Not now.He made his way down the elevator, the polished metal doors reflecting his cold stare. As the numbers ticked down floor by floor, he exhaled slowly and murmured to himself, “They really think I’m playing by their rules…”The elevator doors opened, and he walked into the underground parking lot. He moved like a man with a purpose. His driverless black sedan waited where it always did. He slipped inside, started the engine, and drove off without a second thought.The sun outside was beginning to set, bathing the streets of Emerald Falls in golden light, but Williams wasn’

Chapter 463: The Balance of PowerThe morning sun was barely up when Liam Carter stepped out of his black SUV, surrounded by two bodyguards in dark suits. The air around EMC headquarters was thick with tension, though the usual buzz of employees trying to look busy filled the halls. In his office on the top floor, Eric sat behind his desk, sipping black coffee and flipping through reports. He looked tired, his hair a little messier than usual and his tie loosened. His secretary, Cara Hart, tapped on his glass door and entered without waiting for a response.“Sir,” she said, a little nervously, “Liam Carter is on his way up to see you.”Eric’s hand paused mid-turn on a report page. He looked up slowly. “Now?”Cara nodded. “He didn’t book a meeting. Just said he’s coming. Should I let him in?”Eric exhaled and leaned back in his chair. “Of course you should,” he muttered. “Let him in.”A few seconds later, the door opened, and Liam walked in like he owned the place. His suit was sharp,

Chapter 465: Control ProtocolThe glass elevator hummed softly as it descended into the lower chambers of EMC, its view revealing the underbelly of one of the most secure buildings in Emerald Falls.Liam stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture relaxed, but his face was painted with that same smug satisfaction that often made people unsure whether to admire or hate him. Beside him, Kai stood silent, his sharp eyes flicking down to his laptop screen as he made last-minute checks to his code. He had double-checked everything already—but he enjoyed looking busy, especially when people were watching.When the elevator doors opened, they stepped into a dim, sterile corridor lined with gleaming silver panels. At the far end stood a massive, armored gate bearing the seal of EMC. Mounted beside it was a tall humanoid figure—an android security guard that looked like something out of a dystopian dream. It had no visible face, just a smooth metallic mask with a glowing blue str

Chapter 467: The ApplauseThe afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the EMC skyscraper, its reflective glass exterior shimmering like a beacon of triumph. Inside, the atmosphere was electric. An impromptu all-staff meeting had been called by CEO Eric Wood, a rare occurrence that sent ripples of curiosity and anticipation through every department.Employees from all levels gathered in the grand auditorium, a state-of-the-art facility designed for such significant announcements. The room buzzed with chatter, the air thick with excitement and speculation. Whispers of the recent virus removal and the mysterious figure behind it dominated conversations.The middle rows were filled with dozens of staff from departments like finance, IT, customer care, logistics, and development. They whispered, leaned sideways, and shared raised brows as they clapped.“That’s the guy, right?” one whispered to her colleague.“Nathaniel Grey. They say he barely even comes to EMC.”“Well, he shows up and boom—t

Chapter 469: A Game of TrustThe late afternoon sun filtered through the tinted windows of James’ office, casting long shadows across his polished mahogany desk.The room was a blend of modern elegance and understated power—sleek monitors, neatly stacked files, and a single framed photo of his parents, a reminder of the legacy he was fighting for.James leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. His sharp blue eyes, usually calm, flickered with unease as he stared at the muted TV screen mounted on the wall. The news ticker blazed: “EMC VIRUS NEUTRALIZED: COMPANY RESTORED TO FULL OPERATIONS.”James’s jaw tightened. Yesterday’s headlines had been a whirlwind of relief for EMC—customers flooding back, stock prices climbing, and employees celebrating. But to James, it felt too neat, too sudden. He’d long suspected Williams Jesse, the cunning tech manager, and Mr. Sterling, the manipulative head of the board, was behind the virus that had crippled EMC’s systems