Elias Verrick and his crew leaned forward in excitement, grins spreading across their faces as though they were about to watch a play where the ending was already written.Across the table, Selena and her family began to pale. Panic rippled through them like a cold wave. They knew very well how dangerous Wilder could be.No one at the table knew exactly what title Wilder held at the Grand Council. But the very name of that place was enough to make ordinary people tremble. The Grand Council wasn’t a place for common men—it was a realm of untouchable elites. If Wilder truly made a call, what would stop him from having the mayor of Ironvale City bend to his will?And if the mayor turned his back on Selena’s company, then the project she fought so hard for would crumble overnight. That would mean ruin—not just for her, but for every member of her family.Selena’s chest tightened with fear. Her hands shook as she reached for Jaden’s arm, her voice rising in desperation.“Jaden, please,” sh

Elias Verrick and his family moved in a frenzy, half-carrying, half-dragging Wilder out of the private hall. The man’s face was ashen, his body limp, and their voices echoed in panic as they rushed him toward the hospital. The once-proud lion of the table had been reduced to a fallen figure, and the sight left everyone else shaken.Back in the silence of the Peony Hall, Selena grabbed Jaden by the arm, pulling him aside. Her eyes were wide, her voice sharp but hushed so the others wouldn’t hear.“Jaden… tell me the truth. What did you do? Was that really—”Jaden only smiled faintly, calm as though none of the chaos had touched him.“That phone number is real.”Selena’s breath caught. Her lips parted, but no words came. The name itself carried too much weight. Michaelson Trump—the man everyone in the nation knew, the one they only ever saw from a distance on the news or in official broadcasts. To speak with him directly was something most people couldn’t even dream of.“Oh my goodness…

Elias jumped into his car with three burly bodyguards and a single-minded look. He had a mission: corner Vane, force an apology, humiliate them in public, then return to the mansion like a man who had done his duty. He underestimated two things. The night, and someone who moves in the shadows.As Elias’s convoy turned onto Novel Street, the headlights splashed across wet asphalt. Then, as if the world had folded, a matte black van slid across the road in front of them with no plates at all. It stopped so close that the grille almost kissed their bumper. The driver braked hard. Tires screamed. The air smelled of burnt rubber and fear.Before Elias could shout an order, the van’s side door ripped open. Half a dozen men in plain clothes poured out carrying Kalashnikovs and handguns. They moved fast and practiced. They smashed the car windows with the butts of their weapons. Glass exploded into the cab in a glittering rain.“Don’t move,” one of them barked, voice cold and steady. “One ste

Selena’s hand tightened around Jaden’s as they stepped outside. Her heart pounded so fast it almost drowned out the night sounds of Ironvale City.“I’m going with you,” she said, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound firm.Jaden shook his head. “It’s too dangerous, Selena. You can’t—”“No! He’s my uncle!” she interrupted, her eyes glistening with worry. “If I stay home, I’ll just be a panicking mess. I have to be there with you. Please.”Jaden studied her for a long moment. He could see the determination and fear entwined in her expression, and despite the danger ahead, warmth surged through him.“Fine,” he said finally. “Stay close to me. Don’t do anything reckless, understand?”“Yes, Sir!” Selena said, her grip on his hand tightening.After making sure Vane and Nora Verrick had tucked Mia into bed safely, they stepped out into the cool night. Just as they reached the street, three Jeeps roared around the corner, stopping abruptly before them.“Good evening, Sir, Madam!” T

Elias Verrick crawled to Ponytail’s feet, desperation etched in every line of his face. “Mr. Ponytail, please… I beg you! Let me go! I’ll give you anything you want—money, my properties… even my niece, Selena Verrick! She’s… she’s really pretty…” His voice cracked, and tears streamed down his cheeks.The looming threat of death had reduced Elias to a pitiful, groveling mess. Pride, dignity, even morality—everything had been thrown aside in a frantic bid to cling to life. He would sell anything, betray anyone, do anything, to survive the wrath of the Ortega family’s enforcer.Ponytail and his men stood in silence, their eyes cold and unmoving. Not a muscle twitched; not a word was spoken. The weight of the room pressed down on Elias, making each second stretch into an eternity.Suddenly, a voice boomed from the shadows behind them, deep and unwavering. “Well, Elias Verrick… you’re even more shameless than I imagined. Makes me wonder if I should’ve let you rot right here instead of comi