Three days after the Lanster financial crisis exploded, the atmosphere at the Lanster Group headquarters that morning was unbearably tense. Employees walked with their heads lowered, fearful whispers echoing through every corner of the corridors. The company’s stock kept plummeting, and rumors of corruption were spreading like wildfire across dry grass.Thom Haye sat inside Jasmine’s spacious office, still wearing a simple black shirt. In front of him, a cup of tea was still steaming. An expensive cigar burned slowly between his fingers.Suddenly, the office door burst open roughly. Four fully uniformed police officers entered, followed by a high-ranking commissioner named Commissioner Hartono.“Thom Haye,” Commissioner Hartono said loudly, “you are under arrest on charges of corruption in state project tenders, money laundering, and bribery of government officials. This is your arrest warrant.”The room instantly fell silent.Jasmine, who had been standing beside Thom, immediately tu

Back in the interrogation room.Thom leaned back in his chair. “I know the three of you accepted money from Bastian. But I also know Lieutenant Budi has massive gambling debts, and Captain Reza is trying to move his family overseas because he fears being killed by his former associates.”The two officers exchanged pale looks. They could not believe how Thom knew everything.Thom continued in a calm yet oppressive voice, “I have an offer. Help me, and I will erase all evidence of your crimes. Refuse… and by tomorrow morning, your careers will collapse alongside Bastian’s.”Commissioner Hartono clenched his fists. “You think we’re afraid?”Thom smiled faintly. “No. But you are definitely afraid of General Soediro.”That name instantly froze all three officers.“General Soediro… your former superior who is now the Head of the Intelligence Agency. He owes me his life from a war mission in the Middle East several years ago. One phone call from me, and the three of you will lose your positi

In a secret room hidden inside a luxurious building in the city center, Bastian sat casually in his black leather chair. In front of him were several CCTV monitor screens. One of the screens displayed a horrifying scene inside Club Eclipse— the bodies of General Soediro, Commissioner Hartono, Lieutenant Budi, and Captain Reza sprawled across the blood-soaked floor.Bastian slowly sipped his cigar, thick smoke billowing in front of his old yet authoritative face. He smiled faintly, even letting out a small chuckle.“Exactly as I expected,” he muttered. “Thom Haye… you truly never disappoint.”Beside him stood a muscular man named Marco—Bastian’s head of personal security and trusted confidant for many years.“Sir,” Marco said in a low voice, “Thom killed all of them without hesitation. Even General Soediro, who used to be close to him.”Bastian calmly exhaled cigar smoke. “I already knew this would happen. I deliberately allowed them to gather at that club. They were no longer useful a

Suddenly, a soft knock echoed against the thick steel door. Knock...Knock...knock... Marco immediately became alert. He approached the door while gripping his pistol. “Who is it?” There was no answer. Only another knock, softer this time. Marco turned toward Bastian. “Maybe one of the snipers, Sir. They probably already brought Thom’s body. They want to report directly.” Bastian burst into loud laughter. His laughter was filled with excitement and mockery. His shoulders shook from how delighted he was. “Hahaha! Finally! That damned King of War is dead! Open the door, Marco! I want to see his shattered head with my own eyes!” Marco nodded and pressed the automatic door control button. The thick steel door slowly slid open with a humming sound. But the man standing outside the door was not a sniper. Thom Haye. He stood upright in a black suit drenched by the rain, water dripping from the ends of his hair. In his right hand hung a long rifle taken from one of the de

Less than 24 hours after the meeting with the President, the Golden Circle revealed its true power.That morning, the Lanster Group collapsed in an incredibly short period of time. The company's stock plunged by 87% within just four hours. Major investors who had previously remained loyal to Thom suddenly withdrew all of their capital. Some even claimed there had been "illegal activities" within the company. Employees began resigning en masse after receiving significantly higher job offers from shell companies owned by the Golden Circle.In the nearly empty boardroom, the last remaining finance director called Jasmine with a trembling voice."Ma'am... they have breached Mr. Thom's offshore accounts. All of the primary investment assets have been illegally frozen. We... we can't fight them."The Lanster Company now existed in name only.Even worse, because Thom's status as the "King of War" had been officially revoked by the Eunosian government, all military support he once had disappe