The Cole Group headquarters had never been this noisy.Ever since rumors started spreading that Director Reyes was secretly reporting to an unknown chairman, the entire company had been in a state of quiet panic. Meetings felt tense. Conversations stopped the moment certain people walked by. Even the elevators seemed to move more slowly, as if they, too, were carrying secrets.On this morning, however, something was different.An internal notice had gone out just after eight.> All board members and department heads are to attend an emergency general meeting at ten a.m. Attendance is mandatory.No explanation. No agenda.That alone was enough to make everyone uneasy.By nine-thirty, the large conference hall was already half full. Executives, shareholders, department heads, and several influential managers took their seats, whispering to one another in low voices.“What’s going on?”“Is it about the funds?”“I heard the board is going to question Director Reyes.”“Didn’t Evan say she

The night wind was calm, but the undercurrent of danger in the city never truly disappeared.On the rooftop of a quiet building, two figures stood side by side, looking down at the lights below.Liora leaned against the railing, her long hair swaying gently in the breeze. Her expression was thoughtful, far from relaxed. Beside her, Smith stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes half-closed as if he was calculating something far beyond what ordinary people could understand.“It’s done,” Liora said quietly. “I’ve met Adrian. I’ve also met Kai.”Smith opened his eyes and looked at her, a faint smile appearing on his lips. “You did well. And you used your aura to guide that woman from the ancient line straight to him. That was clever.”Liora shook her head slightly. “Clever, but risky. If I miscalculated even a little, she could have possessed someone close to him and killed him without anyone noticing.”Smith’s smile faded a little. “That’s true. But you still chose the most direct

The afternoon light filtered gently through the tall windows of Miss Reyes’s office, casting long, neat shadows across the polished wooden floor. Unlike her usual habit of standing by the window to think, today she was sitting behind her desk, flipping through a stack of documents with calm, unhurried movements.Her phone vibrated softly on the desk.She glanced at the screen and picked it up.“Young Master,” she said.On the other end, Adrian’s voice was steady. “You said there was something?”“Yes,” Miss Reyes replied. “The Brown family sent an email this morning. Addressed directly to the chairman.”She paused, then added with a faint, cold smile, “It’s a very… heartfelt apology.”Adrian didn’t sound surprised. “They’re trying to save their project?”“And their future,” Miss Reyes said. “They’re asking for a chance to explain themselves in person.”“And the management?” Adrian asked.“I told them not to reply,” she said calmly. “No acknowledgment. No rejection. Nothing.”Adrian tho

The host finished the opening segment with a bright, practiced smile and stepped down from the stage. Soft music resumed, and the atmosphere loosened again. Guests returned to their conversations, the clinking of glasses and low laughter filling the vast hall.A staff member hurried up to the host and whispered something into her ear. She frowned slightly, then picked up her tablet and tapped on the screen a few times before walking back to the microphone.“Ladies and gentlemen,” she said, her voice clear and calm, “I’ve just received confirmation from the Cole Group. The earlier rumor that the Cole Group’s chairman would be attending tonight appears to be… misinformation. The Cole family has confirmed that the chairman will not be present.”A small wave of disappointed murmurs swept through the hall.The host smiled again, trying to smooth things over. “However, I’ve also been notified that a few very special guests and important social figures have arrived unexpectedly. So I’m sure

Chapter 112The hall was so quiet that even breathing sounded loud.All eyes were fixed on the piece of gold in the servant’s hands.The hostess examined it again. Then again.Finally, she raised her head.“This piece,” she said clearly, “is real gold.”The hall exploded.Voices rose at once.“What?!”“He actually found it?”“Out of twenty?”“This is impossible!”Catherine’s hand flew to her mouth. “Adrian…”Adrian himself didn’t react much. He only looked at the gold, calm, as if he had expected this result.Across the hall, Lucas’s face had already turned ugly.No… that shouldn’t be possible.But the proof was right there.The hostess raised her hand for silence. Slowly, the noise died down.“Since the real gold has been found,” she announced, “the rules will now change.”The crowd stirred again.“This piece will now enter a special bidding round,” she continued. “Anyone who wants it may compete for it. The highest bidder wins.”Catherine turned sharply. “What? That’s not what was s