Sounding close to tears, Helena’s voice trembled as she said, “President Verrick… I just found out the truth. The Verricks were duped into buying that land years ago. They paid eight hundred million for it, thinking it would be prime development property. But soon after, the government classified it as an ecological reserve. They couldn’t build a thing on it, so they just abandoned it.” Selena’s knees nearly gave out. Her vision blurred as she whispered, “So it was all a scam…” A billion, down the drain. Her billion. Rift Corporation’s billion. The room suddenly felt smaller, heavier—like the air itself was pressing down on her chest. Just then, the door opened. Jaden walked in carrying a thermal container, a faint smile on his lips. “Lunch break,” he said casually, but the moment his eyes fell on their pale faces, his smile faded. “Selena?” His voice sharpened. “What happened?” Selena couldn’t hold back anymore. She threw herself into his arms, her voice breaking. “J

At Selena’s furious shout, every head in the room snapped toward her.The laughter died instantly.Moments ago, the Verrick family had been basking in their petty victory, but now their smiles froze as the person they had mocked appeared before them — eyes red with fury, her voice trembling with hurt.Xander slowly set down his teacup and leaned back on the sofa. Gone was the friendly, doting old man who’d smiled so warmly just days ago when he sold her the land. In his place sat someone cold, sharp, and calculating.His tone was dripping with disdain as he said, “Selena, is this how you greet your elders now? Charging in and yelling like a spoiled child — how disrespectful.”Her fists clenched at her sides. “Don’t you dare lecture me about respect, Grandpa. You clearly knew the plot of land at Phoenix couldn’t be developed, so why did you sell it to me? Was it your plan all along to ruin Rift Corporation?”Xander gave a careless shrug. “Why can’t it be used? I don’t know anything abo

Gaping, the Verricks rushed forward like vultures spotting fresh prey. They surrounded Selena, jostling each other as they tried to snatch the documents from her hands.“Move over! Let me see that!” Elias barked, his voice trembling with desperation.Elizabeth elbowed him aside, her eyes darting over the papers. “No… this can’t be right,” she muttered under her breath.But it was.Once they confirmed with their own eyes that the Phoenix plot had been reclassified as development land, silence fell over the room — thick, stunned silence.It was as though the air itself had frozen.If the land had remained an ecological reserve, it would’ve been nearly worthless in economic terms. Even at five hundred million, no investor would’ve blinked twice at it. But now?Now that it was development land…It was worth at least two billion.Two. Billion.The number echoed in their heads like a hammer blow.Having sold it for one billion just a few days ago, Xander had practically given away a fortune

Pointing toward his father-in-law, Jaden suggested calmly, “How about Dad? He studied business management and was the general manager at Helix group for years. He’s got the credentials and the experience. I’m sure he’ll be able to handle it.”Vane’s heart leaped in his chest at those words. You know me that well, kid? How did you figure I still had that fire in me?A flicker of pride and excitement flashed across his eyes, though he quickly masked it with a modest chuckle. When he turned to his daughter, his tone wavered between hesitation and hope. “I’m not that old yet, so I wouldn’t mind having something to do,” he admitted. “But a factory manager? That’s no small role. I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle that kind of pressure anymore.”Nora stepped in, her tone warm and encouraging. “Why don’t you let your father give it a try? He’s always been good at managing people.”A small laugh escaped Selena’s lips. “As his daughter, of course I believe Dad can do it,” she said proudly. “It

Jaden and Morganna stared at each other for a beat, then at the circle of men. It smelled like a setup. Scammers, or worse.Before they could even open their doors, the group closed in with quick, confident steps. Faces tight, eyes hard. No hesitance. No fear.A huge man with dark skin and a square jaw slammed his fist against the passenger window so hard the glass jumped. “Get off the car! What the hell kind of driving is that? You hit my buddy!” he barked.Jaden and Morganna climbed out slowly. Jaden counted seven men, including the one who had been sprawled on the asphalt. Recognition hit him cold. These were the same men who had beaten Vane. These were The Hounds.The white-haired man on the ground was Terrier. The man who’d smashed the window introduced himself by the way he moved: Bigi. The Devs had walked into their trap and into Jaden’s headlights.Jaden kept his hands visible, palms open, voice level. “You say I hit your buddy. Where is he hurt?”Terrier began to blubber, voi