By late afternoon, Finn was already at his private office, the city skyline casting long shadows through the glass walls. The phone rang continuously, emails stacked like mountains, but Finn didn’t falter. Each message, each inquiry, was part of the pulse of the empire he was building. He knew Daniella and Hans would be plotting somewhere, trying to regain leverage, but their movements were predictable to him now.He reviewed the investor reports again, noting the subtle shifts in sentiment. Some had begun questioning their alignment with Daniella’s ventures after Finn’s clear display of competence. It was subtle, like the first ripple before a wave, but Finn recognized the significance immediately. “Good,” he muttered under his breath, “they’re already overextending themselves.”A knock on the door announced the arrival of an assistant. “Mr. Callahan, there’s a message from one of the city’s top media strategists. They want to meet about controlling the narrative after the recent sca

Finn didn’t waste a moment after the call with Ruth. He drove through the city streets with laser focus, analyzing every possible angle. Ruth had hinted that some investors were already wavering, manipulated subtly by whispers and rumors. He knew Daniella and Hans would exploit any weakness. Finn’s mind raced, plotting responses even before reaching his office.Back at Callahan Group, Finn entered the glass-walled boardroom. The morning sun cast sharp lines across the floor, illuminating the pristine surface where the executive team gathered. Albrecht was already present, reviewing documents with the meticulous attention that had always impressed Finn. Finn placed his briefcase on the table, setting the agenda in motion.“Gentlemen,” Finn began, voice calm but commanding. “I’ve been informed that a few investors have been influenced by external voices. Let me make something clear: Callahan Group’s future will not be dictated by fear, rumor, or jealousy.” His gaze swept the room, sharp

Finn’s lips curled into a thin, controlled smile as he watched the shadowy figure in the SUV finally recognize their containment. Every subtle shift, every minute twitch, betrayed panic beneath their professional façade. He knew the moment of reckoning had arrived.Albrecht’s voice, calm but tense, came through the earpiece. “Finn, they’re contained, but do you want to confront them directly or wait for the authorities?”“I confront,” Finn replied, his tone quiet but absolute. “I need answers before anyone else touches them.”He moved toward the garage exit, every step deliberate, his presence radiating authority. Security personnel flanked him but remained slightly behind, giving Finn the stage. The figure, realizing escape was impossible, finally opened the car door, exposing themselves to the dim fluorescent lights.“You’ve been careful,” Finn began, voice low and deliberate. “But not careful enough. Who sent you? Why are you following Ruth?”The figure’s hooded eyes flicked toward

“Magister is a shell,” Finn said. “But while Magister hired the muscle, Walton supplied the funds. That’s why the moves were surgical and well-resourced.” He felt the pieces of the conspiracy rearrange themselves: Daniella’s horsetrading, Hans’s strategic misdirection, Christy’s cold contempt — all hands on a single lever.Slowly, a plan threaded itself through Finn’s mind; it was elegant and brutal. Expose the ledger publicly and Christy’s network would splinter — investor lawsuits, regulatory probes, reputational blood in the water. But he needed more: proof beyond the ledger, something that tied the Walton signature to the payments in a way no PR firm could smudge.Finn’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and nearly dropped it. An image had been sent from an unknown number: Ruth, pale and fragile, sitting in the hospital’s private wing — but not alone. In the photo Ruth leaned forward, speaking softly to someone in a tailored coat. The face was obscured by shadow and a surgica

Albrecht nodded subtly, his gaze betraying satisfaction, while Daniella’s lips pressed into a thin line. Hans opened his mouth, prepared to launch another critique, but Albrecht’s raised hand stopped him. “Mr. Hans,” he said firmly, “your perspective is noted, but I trust Mr. Hargrove’s approach. This plan is comprehensive and aligns with our objectives. Further debate at this point is unnecessary.” Finn’s glance at Hans was sharp but controlled, a silent acknowledgment that any attempt to destabilize him would be met with the authority of evidence and support from Albrecht.By midday, the presentation concluded, and the delegation was visibly impressed. Finn fielded questions with patience, using clarity and insight to guide them through every nuance. Daniella tried to interject again, but each attempt was subtly neutralized, leaving her increasingly frustrated. Hans, ever strategic, began considering new angles, but the unspoken pressure of Finn’s composure forced him to temper his