The cab drove along the road toward Connor’s mansion. The golden award was placed beside him on the seat. Connor leaned back and looked out the window. His face was calm, as if what happened at the award ceremony and Lena’s outburst no longer mattered.As he sat there calmly, all of a sudden, he heard a loud sound… BANG.The impact came without warning.The cab jolted violently to the side as another car slammed into it from the rear, the force throwing Connor forward slightly before the seatbelt snapped him back. The screech of tires was so loud Connor had to cover his ear, followed by the harsh grinding sound of metal scraping against metal. The cab shuddered, swerving before finally coming to a rough stop by the side of the road..Connor’s jaw tightened instantly.“What the hell was that?” he snapped, his calm finally cracking as he looked forward sharply.The cab driver cursed under his breath, gripping the steering wheel. “Sir, I swear, I was driving straight. That car—”“You wer

Victor Hale stared at Connor with open irritation, his lips curling into a bitter chuckle like he had just heard the most ridiculous joke of his life. The laughter from moments earlier slowly faded, replaced by an uncomfortable silence as Victor stepped closer, his expensive shoes scraping lightly against the asphalt.“Have you forgotten your place?” Victor asked coldly, tilting his head as he looked Connor up and down. “Or do you enjoy being humiliated in public?”Connor said nothing. His face remained calm, unreadable.Victor laughed again, this time harsher. “You really must like this,” he continued. “Standing there, letting people laugh at you. Or maybe you’re hoping someone will pity you.”He paused, then smirked. “You know what? I’ve changed my mind.”Connor finally lifted his gaze fully to Victor. “About what?”Victor pointed at the cab driver, who was still struggling to stand. “I’ll spare him,” Victor said casually. “After all, beating a poor driver isn’t satisfying enough.”

The moment Harris finished speaking, the air on the street seemed to thicken.Victor Hale stood stiffly in the middle of the road, his eyes wide, his lips slightly parted. For a few seconds, he did not move at all, as if his body had frozen while his mind struggled to catch up with what he had just heard.Around them, the crowd shifted.“Did you hear that?” someone whispered.“He said terminate his employment.”“Is that guy serious?”“No way. This has to be a joke.”Connor, however, showed no reaction.He stood calmly, his shoulders relaxed, his face expressionless. The noise around him did not seem to touch him at all. It was as if he was standing in a quiet room instead of the middle of a crowded street filled with shocked onlookers.“Harris,” Connor said again, his voice steady and clear.“Yes, sir,” Harris replied immediately, straightening his posture.“Fire Victor Hale,” Connor said flatly. “Effective immediately. Send the confirmation to my email. You have two hours.”“Yes,

The office was quiet, wrapped in darkness except for the soft glow of a single desk lamp.Li Feng sat casually on the edge of his desk, one leg crossed over the other, fingers tapping slowly against the surface. The city lights beyond the floor-to-ceiling window flickered, but his attention was not on the view. His expression was calm, almost bored, as if the night held nothing capable of surprising him anymore.The door opened silently.The man who stepped inside did not dare to walk too far in.The moment he crossed the threshold, he dropped to his knees.His forehead pressed against the cold floor as his hands trembled slightly. His voice came out low, reverent, filled with fear and worship.“Master Li Feng,” he said carefully. “You summoned me.”Li Feng did not look at him immediately.He let the silence stretch.Only when the man’s breathing grew uneven did Li Feng finally lift his gaze, his eyes sharp and cold.“Zhang,” Li Feng said slowly. “Do you know why you are here?”Zha

Connor let out a low chuckle, the sound calm and almost amused, completely clashing with the tension filling the room.“Harris,” he said lightly, “I’m not going to let you walk out there and risk your life in the name of protecting me.”Harris turned sharply, disbelief written all over his face.“Sir, this is not a joke,” he said, his voice strained. “That is the Black Lotus outside. You have no idea what you’re facing.”Connor shook his head slowly, still calm.“That’s where you’re wrong,” he replied. “I know exactly who they are.”Harris stared at him, his brows knitting together. “Then why are you this confident?” he asked. “What exactly are you relying on?”Connor’s lips curved slightly.“I’m not relying on anything,” he said. “If anything, they should be the ones worried if they meet me face to face.”Harris sucked in a sharp breath.“Sir, please,” he said urgently. “You shouldn’t speak like that. You’re provoking them.”Connor’s expression hardened just a little.“None of their