The dimly lit chamber was silent as the old man and the mafia boss sat across from each other, an unspoken tension thickening the air between them. Heavy velvet drapes hung from the windows, casting the room in shadows, while the glow of a single lamp cast an eerie glow over the mafia boss’s face. He leaned back, eyes glittering with a strange mixture of curiosity and contempt, a faint smirk playing on his lips.The old man cleared his throat, his eyes steady as he looked directly at the mafia boss. "You want to know the issue that requires your… assistance?" His voice was steady, but a hint of frustration leaked through.The mafia boss raised an eyebrow, his tone casual but laced with menace. "Yes, that would be helpful. What trouble has our dear Ethan managed to get himself into that requires my involvement?" He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with interest. "And let’s be clear: I don’t move for just anything. So it better be worth my time."The old man exhaled, a lon

The heavy bass of the club thrummed through Jason's veins, an electric pulse that synced with his heartbeat. He leaned back in the plush booth, smirking as he surveyed the lively scene around him. The flashing lights danced over the crowd, casting fragmented shadows that seemed to follow the beat, and the women around him leaned in closer, drawn to the dangerous allure he exuded.Tonight, Jason had made a deliberate choice to dial back a bit on his usual reckless abandon. The last time he’d let loose in the club, things had spiraled dangerously close to exposure, and for a man like Jason, exposure was as lethal as a bullet. His usual confidence hadn’t dimmed, but caution now tempered the edge. Still, he allowed himself to revel in the hedonistic thrill of it all, his laughter low and his gaze roaming.“Jason,” a voice murmured into his ear, barely audible over the music. One of his men leaned in, a tall, sharply-dressed figure whose eyes held an unspoken urgency.Jason raised an ey

The hum of the city faded into the background as Ethan and Sandra sat comfortably in the back of the sleek, black sedan, heading back from the monument unveiling. Ethan, visibly relaxed, leaned into the seat with a contented smile, his fingers intertwined with Sandra’s. Paul sat in the driver’s seat, hands relaxed on the wheel, while Rachel sat beside him, scrolling through photos from the ceremony on her phone.“Can you believe it?” Sandra asked, still flushed from the excitement of the day. “Months of hard work, and it’s finally out there for everyone to see.”Ethan chuckled, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “It’s surreal. But you’re right—seeing it finally unveiled today made it all worth it.” He paused, a wry grin on his face. “Just hope the critics don’t have too much to say.”Sandra laughed, nudging him lightly. “Let them try. That monument’s practically indestructible. Just like us.”Paul chimed in from the front, glancing at them in the rearview mirror. “Speaking of i

In the dim, opulent interior of Sebastian’s chamber, a low, foreboding hum of silence filled the room. Richly adorned with antique furniture, velvet drapes, and dark wood panels, it was a place as imposing as its master. Seated behind a grand, polished mahogany desk, Sebastian looked every bit the calculating strategist, with his steely gaze, chiseled jaw, and aura of ruthless ambition.To his right stood Kiara, her posture rigid yet elegant, her expression a careful blend of respect and guardedness. Next to her was Jackson, his presence less refined, but equally intense—a figure who looked as though he’d do anything to please Sebastian.Sebastian leaned forward, hands folded as he directed his attention to Kiara. “Let’s hear it,” he said in a low, commanding tone.Kiara straightened and began, “The plan with Alex and Laurel is advancing well. He’s on edge, but motivated. He’s agreed to take Jason out, provided he meets Laurel first. I’m arranging that now.”Sebastian nodded approvi

Ethan’s heart pounded as he shut the heavy doors to his bedroom, muffling the sounds of the mansion bustling beneath him. His mind raced through every possibility, every angle, every weak spot in his fortress that had somehow been exploited. He paced, glancing around his room, mentally sorting through the events of the day before finally picking up his phone and dialing the one person who might still have the power to shift this disaster— the old man.It rang twice before a gruff voice answered, weary but sharp. “Ethan. I’ve just seen the news.”Ethan pressed a hand to his forehead, exhaling deeply. “The very thing we dreaded has materialized, just as you warned. They didn’t just throw a punch; they’re going for a knockout.”There was a pause on the other end of the line, just long enough for Ethan to imagine the old man processing the information with that calculating mind of his. “Looking for who leaked it is irrelevant at this point,” the old man said, his voice a low rumble. “The