Three days later, Alexander stood in the city courthouse, his hands cuffed in front of him, wearing the same rumpled suit he'd been arrested in. The courtroom was surprisingly full—word had spread that the mysterious Alexander Howard was facing serious criminal charges.Victor sat in the gallery, his expression smug, his expensive suit immaculate. He'd personally sponsored the prosecution, hiring one of the city's most aggressive criminal attorneys to ensure Alexander faced maximum penalties."The people call this case to order," the judge announced. "Mr. Howard, you're charged with eight counts of aggravated assault and battery. How do you plead?"Before Alexander could respond, the courtroom doors opened and a woman in a perfectly tailored suit strode in with the confidence of someone who owned every space she entered."Your Honor," she said, her voice clear and commanding. "Miriam Chen of Morrison, Chen & Associates. I'll be representing Mr. Howard."Victor's mouth fell open in sho

Victor Chen sat in his newly leased apartment—nowhere near as luxurious as his former penthouse, but a significant upgrade from the seedy motel—staring at his phone with barely contained frustration. The screen displayed his recent expenses: failed fighter recruitment, legal fees from the disastrous court case, bribes to various low-level contacts who'd provided nothing useful.All funded by Adrian Cross's generosity. All amounting to absolutely nothing.Alexander Howard remained untouchable. Worse than untouchable—every attempt to hurt him had backfired spectacularly, leaving Victor more humiliated than before.The memory of Alexander's hand around his throat still haunted his nightmares. The cold certainty in those eyes that death was just a squeeze away. The warm wetness spreading down his legs as his bladder had given up.Victor's hands clenched into fists. He couldn't defeat Alexander with his current resources. That much was painfully, humiliatingly clear. He needed more. Better