Following the direction of Sebastian’s gesture, everyone’s gaze quickly shifted and settled on Christopher.Faced with so many intense stares, Anna instinctively tightened her grip on Christopher’s arm, her fingers trembling slightly. Christopher gently patted her hand and gave her a calm, reassuring smile, silently telling her not to worry.Despite becoming the center of attention, Christopher remained completely composed. His expression did not change in the slightest, as if he were merely an observer rather than the person being questioned.Not far away, Nathaniel and Seraphina exchanged doubtful glances. Sebastian’s claim that Christopher was responsible for destroying the Dark Shadow sounded too abrupt, and without any clear evidence, it was difficult to accept. It raised a question in their minds: was Sebastian simply making this statement to calm the crowd or to divert attention?Nathaniel stepped forward slightly and asked in a steady voice, “Mr. Hearthstone, do you have any p

Just as Nathaniel remained in hesitation, weighing the consequences of his choice, Seraphina, the woman in crimson red from the Crimson Lotus Pavilion, cast him a slow, deliberate look that carried an unspoken command, a glance that cut through the uncertainty and clarified his path in an instant; Nathaniel understood immediately that if Sebastian were to assume the leadership of Ravenholt’s underground forces, the delicate balance of power that had persisted for decades would shatter in a single moment, allowing the Ashen Fang Alliance to dominate every rival faction, impose their will unchallenged, and force both the Celestial Spirit Society and the Crimson Lotus Pavilion into subservience, leaving them nothing but the hollow satisfaction of compliance while the city’s entire underground world bent to Sebastian’s ambition.Christopher, for his part, remained immaculately composed, his expression calm and unyielding, as though the swirling politics and the vast networks of influence

Sebastian fell silent for a brief moment after hearing Darius’s proposal, his expression gradually turning darker as though a storm was gathering behind his eyes, and when he finally spoke, his voice was low, heavy, and filled with cold determination. “The six major enterprises and the Obsidian Tide have already made their choice by standing with Christopher, and that alone makes them a threat that cannot be ignored. If we allow them to continue growing under his influence, they will inevitably become a menace to the Ashen Fang Alliance. Sooner or later, they must be eliminated… and since the outcome will not change, we might as well act first and wipe them out completely before they have the chance to consolidate their strength.”The hall fell into a chilling silence as his words settled in, the intent behind them clear and merciless. Then Sebastian’s gaze shifted slightly as he asked in a flat tone, “Is there any news from Ronan?”Darius quickly straightened himself despite the pain

Christopher smiled faintly, the curve of his lips calm yet carrying an unspoken authority.“Please,” he said, his voice smooth and unhurried, “have a seat.”At his invitation, Nathaniel and Seraphina exchanged a brief glance before moving forward. Even as they sat, there was a visible caution in their movements—they did not relax into the sofa but instead perched subtly at the edge, their backs straight, their nerves quietly on edge.Christopher’s gaze shifted slightly.“Leon,” he said, almost casually, “serve tea to our distinguished guests.”The difference in treatment was unmistakable.When Halberg and the other chairmen had come earlier, they had been made to stand, dismissed with indifference, and sent away without even the courtesy of a drink. Yet now, Christopher extended both seat and tea—an acknowledgment, not of status, but of significance.Nathaniel and Seraphina noticed it immediately.And that only deepened their unease.Leon stepped forward in silence, his movements prec