Chapter 283: A Shadow BeckonsChris had always believed in self-reliance. From the moment he was cast out by the Browns, he had vowed never to depend on anyone. It was that same drive that led him to establish Sterling Heritage Financial Institute.This was a company built on transparency and innovation, a direct challenge to the old-money institutions that once shut him out. But what he didn’t realize at the time was that his audacity had drawn the attention of an invisible force that watched the rise of ambition like a hawk circling its prey. --- It had been six months since Sterling Heritage opened its doors. Chris was sitting in his office, flipping through a report on their first quarter’s performance. The company was gaining traction, but the financial world was a battlefield, and competitors were already spreading whispers to tarnish his reputation. He was still engrossed in the report when his assistant knocked. “Mr. Brown,” she said, hesitating slightly, “there’s

Chapter 285: Veiled IntentionsChris’s focus remained locked on the pages of ‘Shadows of Influence.’Every line about the *Black Summit Syndicate* felt like a revelation and a warning all at once. Their power was undeniable, their methods calculated, and their secrecy absolute. But in the quiet stillness of the library, Chris became vaguely aware that he wasn’t alone. He glanced up briefly and caught Sinclair’s reflection in the polished glass of a nearby display case. She wasn’t lingering near the door as he had assumed—she was closer, her eyes darting toward him before quickly averting. Chris pretended not to notice, returning to the book as a thought crossed his mind. Sinclair had always been cordial, professional even, but lately, her attention toward him had seemed... different. --- Sinclair, for her part, watched Chris with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. He was engrossed, flipping through the pages of the thick tome with a concentration she rarely saw in him. Some

Chapter 287: A Calculated RealizationGeorgina Sterling Brown sat in her dimly lit study, a single desk lamp casting a pale glow over the documents sprawled across her desk. Her expression was unreadable, but her tightly clenched fists betrayed the storm brewing inside her. For weeks, she had been conducting a private investigation into Chris Brown, determined to unearth the secrets he so carefully guarded. She had assumed that his exile from the Browns had left him broken and scrambling for relevance.But the truth now laid bare before her was something she hadn’t anticipated. Her investigator’s report detailed everything, from his humble beginnings after leaving the Brown estate to his rapid rise as a self-made businessman. But the revelation that caught her off guard—the one she had read and reread several times—was his connection to the ‘Black Summit Syndicate’.The Syndicate. She leaned back in her chair, letting the weight of the name sink in. Georgina wasn’t a strang

Chapter 289: it was all Chris brown Sinclair Pete sat in his study, the heavy drapes drawn to block out the evening sun. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the mahogany desk, the wheels of his mind spinning faster than they had in years. The situation was delicate. Georgina's request had forced him to act decisively, but he knew he couldn’t risk exposing himself. To topple Chris Brown, Pete would need to utilize someone who had both a personal vendetta and a history with the Black Summit Syndicate. That someone was James Paul, the disgraced former CEO of Clear Bank. Pete had kept tabs on James since his fall from grace. The man was still bitter, still burning with the need for revenge against those he believed had wronged him. His downfall had been spectacular. A year ago, James had been exposed for running an illegal money-laundering operation under the guise of legitimate banking practices. The authorities had come down hard on him, not just revoking his licenses but e

Chapter 291: Unveiling Secret’sChris had chosen to meet Sinclair Pete at a quiet café in the heart of the city. The venue was small and unassuming, with dim lighting and soft jazz playing in the background. It wasn’t the kind of place where anyone would expect to see him, which made it the perfect spot for a discreet conversation. He arrived early, his gaze scanning the tables until he found one tucked in a corner near the window. Sitting down, he ordered a coffee and leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with questions. Sinclair had insisted on meeting him, claiming she had information that couldn’t wait. When she walked in, the faint chime of the café door signaled her arrival. Dressed in a fitted cream blouse and a pencil skirt that accentuated her figure, Sinclair exuded confidence. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she carried herself with an air of purpose. Chris couldn’t help but notice how heads turned as she walked by. “Chris,” she greeted him wi