Karvel Cross stood at the base of the courthouse steps with the same composed confidence that had infuriated Leo throughout their conflict, his appearance suggesting he'd been waiting specifically for this encounter."You're supposed to be dead," Leo whispered with obvious disbelief at seeing his supposedly eliminated enemy. "My death squad killed you.""Did they?" Karvel asked with apparent amusement at Leo's confusion."You seem to be seeing a ghost then.""This is impossible," Leo declared with obvious desperation as passersby stopped to witness this unexpected confrontation. "I sent six enhanced killers after you.""Your enhanced killers are all dead," Karvel replied with cold certainty."Just like your empire, your wealth, and your pathetic reputation.""How did you—" Leo began with mounting confusion."You never learn, do you, Leo?" Karvel interrupted with mocking observation."You keep trying the same failing strategies expecting different results.""This is just a temporary se

The iron bars of the city jail clanged shut behind Leo Romano as he was processed into the system. His once-pristine designer suit was now wrinkled and stained, his face bearing the bruises from his final confrontation with Karvel.The man who had once commanded an empire worth billions was now reduced to prisoner number 47291.Meanwhile, across the city in the elegantly appointed offices of Yale Pharmaceuticals, a very different scene was unfolding. Dr. Edmund Yale sat behind his mahogany desk, reviewing financial documents with Mariya Romano, who had shed her married name and reverted to her maiden name of Castellano."The quarterly reports look promising, Ms. Castellano," Dr. Yale said, adjusting his reading glasses. "Your cosmetics division has shown remarkable recovery in just three weeks since the divorce was finalized."Mariya smoothed her black pencil skirt and nodded gratefully. "I cannot thank you enough, Dr. Yale. When the scandal broke and my investors started pulling out,

The concrete walls of the city jail echoed with the sound of Leo Romano's bitter laughter as he paced his cramped cell. His orange jumpsuit hung loosely on his diminished frame, and his once-perfectly styled hair was now disheveled and greasy."This is all temporary," Leo muttered to himself, his voice hoarse from days of ranting. "That pathetic loser Karvel thinks he's won, but he has no idea who he's dealing with. When I get out of here, I'll crush him like the insect he is."He slammed his fist against the metal bars, the sound reverberating through the cellblock. "And my so-called rival... whoever the hell that coward is, hiding in the shadows... I'll find him too. I'll make them both pay for destroying everything I built."The electronic buzz of the cell door interrupted his tirade. Leo turned, expecting to see a guard, but instead froze as a tall, imposing figure stepped into his cell. The man was completely bald, his scalp gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. What made

Mariya sat frozen in her office chair, staring at the spot where the terrifying bald man had stood moments before. Her hands were still trembling as she tried to process what had just happened."This has to be some kind of sick joke," she whispered to herself. "Twelve billion dollars? Leo dead? This can't be real."The shrill ring of her office phone made her jump. She hesitated before answering, her voice shaky."Castellano Cosmetics, this is Mariya speaking.""Mrs. Romano?" came a gruff voice from the other end. "This is Warden Giuseppe Benedetti from the Metropolitan Correctional Facility. I'm calling because your name is still listed as next of kin for inmate Leonardo Romano."Mariya's blood turned to ice. "What... what about Leo?""Ma'am, I regret to inform you that Mr. Romano was found dead in his cell this morning. Another inmate attacked him during the night. I'm sorry for your loss."The phone slipped from Mariya's trembling fingers and clattered onto her desk. The warden's v

Karvel stood in the luxurious lobby of the Meridian Hotel, his mind still processing Vivian's passionate plea to help Mariya.The marble floors gleamed under the crystal chandeliers, but his thoughts were darker.Leo Romano's death in prison had robbed him of the satisfaction of watching his enemy suffer the full consequences of his actions."Who is this organization?" he muttered to himself. "What kind of reach do they have to eliminate someone in maximum security?"As he walked toward the exit, two men in dark suits suddenly appeared, blocking his path. One was a stocky Italian with graying temples, the other younger with cold eyes."Excuse me, Mr. Cross," the older man said with a thick accent. "My name is Marco Benedetti, and this is my associate Giuseppe Romano. Our boss would like to have a word with you."Karvel's expression remained neutral. "I don't know your boss, and I have no interest in meeting him."Giuseppe stepped closer, his hand moving slightly toward his jacket. "Mr