Elizabeth’s jaw snapped shut with an audible click, her face tightening like a trap about to spring. The tension in the room was almost physical, thick enough to choke on. No one spoke at first; they were all chewing over the same bitter thought.Aiden broke the silence with a snarl, his voice carrying the heat of pure resentment. “What the hell happened? We were this close to securing the Greyfield Shopping Mall project. Everything was lining up perfectly—and now these bosses are suddenly falling over themselves to invest in her?” His fist came down on the arm of his chair with a dull thud.Silence followed, heavy and suffocating. Eyes darted between one another, but no one seemed eager to be the first to speak again.Finally, Elias leaned forward, his tone slow, deliberate, and cutting. “It’s not hard to figure out if you think about it. Greyfield is a massive project. Once it’s completed, the returns will be astronomical. We know that… and you can be damn sure those businessmen kno

When Lionel Bobson heard that Harrison Hart was planning to “teach Jaden Rift a lesson,” his face lost all trace of ease. The man rarely let emotion slip in business matters, but this time his jaw set hard, and his voice carried a sharp warning edge.“Harrison,” Lionel said, every word deliberate, “I advise you to think very carefully before taking this course of action. Jaden Rift is not someone you want to provoke.”Harrison had the phone on loudspeaker, the call echoing through the lavish living room where Jones Morello, Elias, Talon, and Elizabeth sat watching him. They all heard Lionel’s words, and for a brief moment, the room seemed to tighten with curiosity.A slow, mocking snort left Harrison. “Director Bobson, are you telling me I shouldn’t touch Jaden Rift? Me—the king of the underground?” His tone was half incredulous, half amused, as though the idea itself was an insult to his reputation.“Yes,” Lionel replied, his voice firm, almost clipped. “I’m telling you to leave him