The Red Lounge ShowdownThe Red Lounge Bar sat deep in the shadows of Brooklyn’s old industrial district — a den of smoke, jazz, and sin. The neon lights flickered crimson against the night mist, reflecting off the rain-slick pavement as if the street itself was bleeding. Inside, the bass thumped low, drowning out the murmurs of half-drunken laughter and whispered deals made in corners. But tonight, something was off — there was tension in the air, like the seconds before a storm breaks.Outside the bar, a convoy of black SUVs pulled up in a silent formation. The engines idled for a moment before the first door opened, and Felix Landon stepped out. His black coat flowed behind him as he adjusted his gloves, his sharp eyes gleaming under the dim streetlights. Behind him, his men — all dressed in dark tactical attire — fanned out with silent precision, their movements as calculated as the beating of a single heart. Felix was the undisputed king of Brooklyn’s underworld, and wherever he

Felix’s men, hardened as they were, stopped momentarily — even they hadn’t expected Ethan to move like that. Felix himself raised an eyebrow, mildly impressed.Chris’s lips curved slightly, the faintest ghost of approval. He stepped forward through the wreckage Ethan had left behind.Carlo’s confidence faltered. The arrogance in his eyes flickered, replaced by the faint tremor of fear. He reached inside his jacket — desperation guiding his hand — and drew a pistol. But before he could even aim, Chris was already moving.A blur. A sharp twist. A single sound — the clatter of metal hitting the floor.Chris had closed the distance in an instant, catching Carlo’s wrist, twisting it sharply until the gun slipped free, then driving a knee into Carlo’s gut. The larger man stumbled back, gasping, but Chris didn’t let go. He grabbed Carlo by the collar, spun, and slammed him against the wall with such force that the entire bar seemed to shake.“You just made your final mistake,” Chris said,

Felix laughed softly, stepping closer. “You really don’t get it, do you? They’re done taking orders from a man who kills his own subordinates for convenience.” He gestured lazily. “Brooklyn isn’t Washington. My word here is law. I’m offering them something you can’t — survival.”The hesitation in Ken’s men grew. Their grips loosened on their weapons.“Think, boys,” Felix said with a grin. “If Ken could shoot Carlo without blinking, what makes you think he won’t shoot you next? Serve him, and you die nameless. Serve me... and you’ll live to see another day.”It didn’t take long. One by one, the men lowered their weapons and stepped back.Ken’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You traitorous bastards!”Felix’s voice turned icy. “Looks like you’re out of friends, Ken. How about you kneel now, and I’ll make your death quick?”Ken clenched his jaw, trembling with rage. “Kneel? To you? You think I’d bow to some low-life kingpin of Brooklyn? You’re nothing compared to the Browns! I don’t kneel t

A soft knock on a mahogany door. “Miss Jensen,” a voice said. “Mr. Browne is waiting for you.”Amanda hesitated before stepping inside.Elias stood near the window, his reflection cast against the city lights — crisp suit, gold cufflinks, and a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.“Ah, my beautiful guest of honor,” he said, walking forward with arms wide open. “I was beginning to think you’d lost your way.”Amanda stopped him with a raised hand, her voice quiet but sharp. “Don’t.”For a moment, his smile faltered — then returned, colder. “You’re still as spirited as ever.” He stepped closer anyway, brushing past her boundary and pulling her into a brief hug. She tensed immediately, her jaw tightening as he placed a forced kiss against her cheek.“Elias…” she said through her teeth. “Don’t touch me.”He laughed softly, fingers adjusting his cufflinks as if her disgust was a joke. “You should really learn to act, Amanda. The fate of your family depends on that pretty smile of yours.”Aman

A few hesitant claps echoed through the room, quickly silenced by the icy glare Chris cast their way.The tension became suffocating.Chris didn’t flinch. “Done with your circus?” he asked coolly. “Because I suggest you stop this nonsense while you still can.”Elias’s smirk widened. “You think showing up here changes anything? You’re nothing, Chris. Sharon stripped you of your influence. You’re a name without a family, a title without power.”“Is that so?” Chris replied quietly, his voice calm yet edged with steel. “Funny. Because from where I’m standing, you seem to forget your place.”Elias stepped forward, pointing a finger at him. “My place? I’m standing exactly where I belong — in control. You, on the other hand, are just another illegitimate nobody trying to crawl back to relevance. Sharon made her choice. You were never fit to lead the White family, and the only company you had — Pegasus — fell apart under your so-called leadership.”He turned toward the crowd again, raising hi