"You really thought you could play me, Ava?"Tobias’s voice was a low, dangerous growl as he stormed into the dimly lit lounge, his eyes blazing with fury. Ava barely spared him a glance as she sipped from her crystal glass, lounging on the velvet chaise like a queen holding court."What are you on about now, Tobias?" she drawled, swirling the dark liquor in her glass.Tobias slammed his palm onto the marble table between them, rattling the glasses and scattering a few documents."In less than twenty-four hours, the vote for the new head of Apollo Empire takes place," he hissed. "And you conveniently forgot to mention that I wasn’t the only one gunning for the company?!"Ava smirked, tilting her head. "It must have slipped my mind.""Slipped your…" Tobias exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face before leaning in, his voice venomous. "Tell me, why aren’t we selling that goddamn crumbling empire yet? That was the plan, wasn’t it? Let it rot, take it over, break it apart, and sell

"Somebody better start talking before I start putting bullets in heads!"Quinn’s voice was a gunshot in the silent room. His men flinched, exchanging nervous glances, but no one dared to speak first.He stood at the head of the large, dimly lit penthouse, the city skyline stretching behind him like a mocking backdrop. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He had barely made it out of the pier alive, and now, he wanted answers.He kicked the coffee table, sending an empty whiskey bottle crashing against the wall. "The deal was fucking perfect! No leaks, no snitches, no loose ends. So how the fuck did the FBI show up?!"No response.Quinn’s eyes cut through the silence, landing on Dante, his right-hand man."You were running point on this, Dante. So tell me—who sold us out?"Dante swallowed hard. "Boss, I don’t know. We checked every angle. There was no chatter on the streets, no heat. Someone must’ve tipped them off at the last second."Quinn narrowed his eyes.

"May the best man win... but we all know there's no such thing in this family."The room was thick with tension.The air carried an unspoken war..silent glances, unreadable expressions, fingers drumming on polished mahogany tables.At the head of the long conference table sat the council, the board members, and the high-ranking officials of the Apollo Empire. The fate of the empire rested on the outcome of today’s vote.Four men. One throne.Dimitri Apollo.Nikolai Markov.Tobias Velasco.Quinn Apollo.They were all waiting.Waiting for the verdict.Waiting to see who would be crowned king..or who would fall. Each man had his own inner conflict. Quinn sat in his chair, legs spread, one hand gripping his knee while the other held his phone under the table."The fuck do you mean you haven't found him?" he hissed into the receiver.The voice on the other end stammered. "The guy disappeared. We’re tracking him, but…""You’re tracking him? You should have eliminated him already, you fucki

"What the hell were you thinking, Havana?!"Dimitri’s voice was a roar as the door slammed behind him. The air inside the room was thick, charged with something electric…rage, relief, fear. Havana barely had a second to catch her breath before he was in front of her, grabbing her shoulders. "You think standing in front of a loaded gun is bravery? That was fucking reckless!"Havana yanked herself free, her pulse pounding. "Oh, I’m sorry, Dimitri, did I ruin your grand plan?! Maybe next time you should show up earlier and save me the trouble!"His jaw clenched, his body rigid with frustration. "You think this is a joke?!""I think this is my life! And I think I don’t need you acting like you own it!" she shot back, her voice shaking with emotion. "You wanted me out of this, remember? You pushed me away, so don’t you dare come in here acting like you suddenly get to play hero!"Dimitri’s hands flexed at his sides, as if he was restraining himself from either shaking her or pulling her in

"Do you have eyes on every exit?" Nikolai asked sharply, eyes flicking to the main hall monitor."Yes, sir. No one leaves or enters without clearance," one of his men replied.Nikolai turned to another guard. "Double-check the perimeter. This is Ksenia's night, and nothing is allowed to go wrong."Downstairs, the party was already in full swing. The chandeliers glittered over the grand ballroom as laughter and soft classical music floated through the air. Ksenia Markov stood radiant in a custom-made crimson velvet gown that hugged her like a second skin, her long hair flowing in elegant waves down her back. Cameras flashed as guests gathered around to celebrate her 25th birthday.Dimitri walked in with Viktor Mikhailov and Vladimir close behind. Klaw, ever watchful, hovered at Dimitri's left. Eyes immediately turned in their direction. Suits and gowns turned with whispers. Dimitri wore a black suit, his expression unreadable as always. His presence had weight…a quiet, brooding authori