A heavy silence fell.Thomas froze, then whipped around to Selene and Lance, his arrogance doubling.“Did you hear him?" "Get on your knees now!” he barked. “You’ve angered Mr. Smith! You people are going to lose your heads today!”Nathaniel smirked. “It doesn’t matter how strong you think you are. One word from Mr. Smith, and you’re all dead.”Selene didn’t move.Instead, she stepped forward, eyes sharp, voice cutting through the tension like a blade.“How dare you mention Astra Corp?” she demanded. “None of you are worthy to even speak its name, let alone represent it.”She took another step.“Astra Corp stands for honor and integrity. But you—” her gaze swept over them, filled with disgust “—you use power only to oppress and trample others. Is this how the East District conducts itself?”Mr. Smith jolted. His lips parted, panic flickering in his eyes.“No—” he started, but—Thomas cut him off.“What’s it to you?!” he snapped. “How dare you question how we do things here?”His lips

Lance could not help but let out a low chuckle.Thomas stiffened.The humiliation burned.But this was life or death.With a trembling voice, he turned sharply toward Nathaniel and Catherine.“You fools!" "Don’t just stand there, GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES AND BEG!”Catherine and Nathaniel collapsed to their knees, bowing their heads furiously. Her shoulders shook, her breath ragged.“Miss Selene, please! Forgive me! I had no idea it was you! I— I was rude! I was blind! Please, have mercy!” Catherine begged, her voice trembling.Beside her, Nathaniel trembled. Then—SMACK!He slapped himself across the face.“Miss Selene, please! Have mercy on us!”SMACK!He slapped himself even harder this time.His palm stung red, but he didn’t stop.“It was all a misunderstanding!”SMACK!Blood trickled from his split lip.“We are sorry! From today onwards, we will devote our lives to Astra Corp! Please, Miss Selene, please! Have mercy!”Thomas' hand flew to his cheek, his eyes wide with shock.“Mr...

Selene’s gaze snapped to him, cold and sharp.Nathaniel swallowed hard.“We were only doing what was best for Astra Corp!” he insisted. “This man, this worthless fool.""He’s the real problem! He should be the one punished!”Selene’s eyes turned to ice.“Even now, you still have the guts to call Lance a fool?”Nathaniel flinched.“You show no remorse,” she continued, her words dripping with disgust. “Astra Corp will never associate itself with people like you!”Nathaniel’s panic exploded into fury.He shot to his feet, jabbing an accusing finger at Lance.“It’s all your fault!” he roared. “If you hadn’t shown up, none of this would’ve happened! Because of you, we’ve lost everything, our position, our wealth, my life of luxury is all GONE!”His chest heaved. His face was red with rage.And then he lunged forward at Lance.But he didn't take two steps before...BAM!The guards moved like lightning, slamming him to the floor.His arms were wrenched behind his back. His face pressed into

Sir Sylvester stepped forward, his heavy boots echoing through the hall.His sharp gaze locked onto Selene.“These crimes against you are outrageous,” he declared, his voice ringing with authority. “And they deserve serious punishment.”The crowd held its breath.But Selene did not flinch.She lifted her chin, her piercing gaze meeting his without fear.“Sylvester,” she said, her voice cool and unwavering, “you should not believe everything you hear.”SMACK!Sylvester gave her a brutal slap, the force of the slap snapped her head to the side.Gasps erupted across the room.A deep red mark bloomed on her cheek.And then she slowly turned back.Her eyes burned with defiance as she glared at him.“How dare—”“HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT?!” Sir Sylvester roared, cutting her off.His voice shook the grand hall.“You are nothing but a mere CEO! And I am one of the Four Warriors of Prescott!”Murmurs rippled through the crowd.Selene stood , her face unreadable.Sir Sylvester sneered.

Sylvester’s eyes flashed with fury.“You foolish woman!” he bellowed, his voice thundering across the hall.“How dare you threaten me?”His gaze darkened, filled with contempt.“You may be the general’s personal assistant, but I am the newly appointed warrior.”His chest swelled with arrogance.“I have not even seen the general in person, yet my loyalty is absolute.”His lips curled into a sneer.“If you continue to disrespect me…”His voice dropped, laced with menace.“I will execute you on the spot.”A cold chill swept through the room.Then—The chief’s laughter shattered the silence.“Lance!” he called mockingly, shaking his head.“You have no idea what’s coming for you.”His eyes gleamed with cruel amusement.“You’d better get on your knees and beg!”Then his finger jabbed toward Evelyn and Rachel.“You too. Kneel.”His voice turned cold.“Or you will all die today.”Evelyn’s breath caught, her fingers tightening around Lance’s arm.Rachel paled, trembling slightly.But Lance—La