Another executive burst in. “Sir—three banks just froze rolling credit. Shipping partners are postponing delivery slots. Insurance recalculated premiums overnight.” Victor’s face drained of color. “That’s impossible. Those agreements are locked.” “They were,” the man said hoarsely. “They say it’s market-driven.” Marianne whispered, “The news… it’s everywhere.”Marianne’s whisper broke into a sob.“No… no, this isn’t real,” she said, pressing her phone to her chest as if it might stop vibrating. “This can’t all be happening at once.”But it was.Alerts kept peeling in—layer after merciless layer—each one worse than the last.A third executive rushed in, tie askew, hair damp with sweat. “Sir—Asia-Pacific distributors have paused orders pending ‘clarity.’ They won’t give a timeline.”Another voice followed from the doorway. “European ports are rerouting capacity. We’ve been downgraded in priority.”Josh’s hand tightened on the edge of the table. The polished wood creaked faintly under

“Yes,” Josh said evenly. “I remember Kasher Watson. I remember the blood. I remember the fight we lost. I remember what that death will cost us.” His jaw tightened. “And I also remember one crucial thing.” He looked at each of them in turn. “We didn’t kill him.” A pause. “The Hadels did,” Josh continued quietly. “Or rather—their masked enforcer did. And the Watsons know that.” Victor shook his head. “That doesn’t matter. They associate us with the fallout. With weakness.” “Exactly,” Josh said. “And now we are weak.” Marianne hugged herself. “They’ll crush us out of spite.” Josh’s voice hardened. “They might. But Galaxy is already crushing us out of strategy.” Another alert chimed. Josh didn’t look at it. “We are out of options,” he said. “The Watson family is the only force large enough, ruthless enough, and angry enough to counterbalance Galaxy.” Max swallowed. “They’ll demand blood.” Josh nodded. “Then we negotiate whose.” A long, suffocating silence followed. Finall

The Salers filed in silently. Marianne slid into the back, clutching her handbag to her chest like a shield. Elena sat beside her, staring down at her lap. Victor settled across from Max, who refused to speak, eyes fixed on the darkened street. Josh climbed into the front passenger seat of the lead car, his gaze forward, muscles tense but controlled. He started giving brief instructions to the drivers. “Take the main highway. Keep speed consistent. Avoid unnecessary stops. We’re not showing weakness before we arrive.” Max muttered under his breath, barely audible. “Is it even possible to not show weakness right now?” Marianne shot him a look, voice trembling. “Shut up, Max! Just… just sit still!” Victor, too, let out a sharp exhale. “Everyone just… settle. We can’t afford a panic now. Not until we get there.” The city lights blurred past as the convoy moved in silence. The only sound was the low hum of engines and the occasional beep of navigation systems. Marianne whispered,

A collective gasp. Josh’s voice trembled. “Thank you—thank you, Gary. You won’t regret—” Gary raised a hand. “But not now,” he said. “And not on terms I’ll reveal today.” Fear crept back in. Marianne whispered, “W–What will you want?” Gary smiled. “If I told you now, it would be boring.” Elena’s hands shook. “So… we just wait?” “Yes,” Gary said. “And wonder.” They exchanged terrified looks—but nodded. They had no choice. Gary clasped his hands behind his back and paced slowly before them. “Now,” he said, “tell me what you actually want from me.” Josh straightened, rising slowly. “We want Galaxy destabilized. We want the Hadels neutralized.” Victor added, “Specifically—Jenna Hadel.” Max’s eyes lit up. “We kidnap her.” The word hung in the air. “She’s the key,” Max continued eagerly. “Without her, the Hadels collapse. She’s their strategist.” Josh hesitated—but didn’t contradict him. “And that Ethan boy,” Max went on, excitement sharpening his voice.

A low, humorless sound escaped the masked man who had suddenly appeared. It wasn’t quite a laugh. More like… disdain. “The arena?” he said at last, voice calm, edged with contempt. “Kasher Watson died because he was weak.” The words cut through the room like a blade. Marianne gasped. Elena took an involuntary step back. Josh stiffened. “You speak very confidently about a man who—” “—who failed,” the masked man finished. He took a slow step forward, boots whispering against the marble. “Power unused is the same as power nonexistent. Kasher had resources. Influence. Protection.” His eyes lifted, dark and pitiless. “He lacked resolve. He hesitated. And in the arena, hesitation is death.” Max frowned. “That’s exactly what he thought too.” The masked man tilted his head. “What?” Max’s voice wavered despite himself. “Kasher said the same thing. That no one could touch him. That no one could stop him.” For the first time, the masked man laughed. This time it was unmistakable. L