A week passed, and the silence surrounding Everhart Tower was not peace—it was anticipation. The media didn’t know what to report, competitors were too stunned to make a move, and within the boardroom, the remaining directors operated with a newfound fear-fueled respect. Javier Everhart had reasserted his dominance—not by shouting or begging, but through decisive force and unshakable calm.Still, Javier wasn’t satisfied.Because someone had bought the leaked BioSync data.And they hadn’t just bought it—they’d begun using it.“Atlas Dynamics,” Valeria said, laying a file on his desk. “Private tech firm. New player. Nobody took them seriously until last quarter. Now, they’re mirroring your patents, beating us to prototype.”Javier read in silence. The CEO of Atlas was a name he didn’t recognize. Jonathan Cross. American. Thirty-two. Built his empire fast—too fast.“Where did he get the capital?” Javier asked.Valeria replied, “He didn’t. A shell company funneled investments into Atlas l

“They moved their funds through six dummy accounts across Zurich, Singapore, and Dubai,” Javier said as he stood in the secure command room beneath Everhart Tower. His voice was level, unfazed, though the screen in front of him showed the massive financial hemorrhage caused by the Syndicate’s reach.Valeria stood beside him, arms crossed, eyes scanning the data. “And our clients?”“Two have pulled contracts. Five more are hesitant. They’re scared.” Javier didn’t blink. “Which means it’s time to scare them back.”A low hum buzzed from the encrypted comms device as Heather, his most trusted tech analyst, appeared on screen.“We’ve traced the money to Crosswell Ventures. Front company. Offsh

The grand ballroom of Everhart Estate buzzed with celebration. Power brokers, nobles, international investors, and high-ranking officials raised their glasses to toast the union of Javier Everhart and Valeria Arlington. The wedding had become more than a symbol of love—it was now a strategic statement: Everhart stood unshaken.But while music echoed and champagne flowed, Javier remained calm. He stood near the edge of the hall, watching the shadows of those who only a month ago doubted him, mocked him, even tried to destroy him. Now, they smiled and bowed.Valeria approached quietly, her gown shimmering beneath the chandeliers. “You're thinking too much.”Javier glanced sideways. “Thinking keeps enemies in check.”She slid her arm through hi

“Activate the inner firewall. And inform Ezra—I want Lazuris’ every move tracked. No more surprises.”Javier’s command was sharp, final.From the top floor of the Everhart Tower, the city looked almost calm. But Javier knew better. Beneath the surface, the game had already shifted. His enemies had dared to challenge him once—and failed. They would try again. But this time, they wouldn’t find a door. Only a wall of fire.Inside his office, Valeria sat quietly, scanning the latest security briefings. The wedding had been postponed again—no one dared speak of it aloud. The threats hanging above them made everything else feel secondary.“You’re expecting another move from Lazuris?” she asked without looking up.Javier stood behind her, arms crossed, face unreadable. “They won’t stop until they’ve either stolen Project Aether or destroyed everything that stands in their way.”She set the tablet down and turned toward him. “And what if it’s more than Lazuris? What if someone even higher is

The boardroom was filled with tension, though Javier sat at the head of the long obsidian table as if nothing could shatter his composure.A hologram displayed breaking news: “ARGON CORE files for bankruptcy following failed hostile breach of Everhart Estate.”Several executives shifted in their seats.One of them, a graying man named Darius Flint, cleared his throat. “Mr. Everhart, with Argon Core finished, we’re officially the most dominant tech-alchemic conglomerate on the eastern continent. The question is… what’s next?”Javier leaned forward, his fingers steepled beneath his chin.“The world is shifting. Old empires are crumbling, and desperate men are trying to re-write their legacies by stealing others. Let them try. We’ll expand west—cut through the European Consortium and absorb their energy division.”“But sir,” another executive began, “that would spark war with the Linvale Coalition.”“Then let it,” Javier said without blinking. “They either bend… or break.”Silence.Every