“Leonard, what are you doing just standing there? Move!”The voice cut through the noise like a whip. Leonard turned slowly, his expression calm but unreadable. His mother-in-law, Miranda Westwood, stood at the end of the grand dining room table, pearls glinting against her stiff collar. Everyone else was seated; her husband, Robert, sipping wine with quiet judgment; her son, Victor, smirking; and Elena, Leonard’s wife, sitting stiffly with her gaze fixed on the empty plate before her.It was Miranda’s birthday dinner. And Leonard had been summoned like a servant.He crossed the marble floor, placing the velvet box on the table.“That’s your gift?” Victor chuckled, leaning back. “What is it? A discount trinket from the street market?”Leonard said nothing. He simply opened the box. Inside was a delicate gold pendant, modest but elegant.Miranda’s lips curled. “You’ve been in this family for three years, Leonard, and this is all you can give me? A piece of costume jewelry? My maid wear

“Found something.”Victor’s voice carried a thrill as he entered his father’s study the next morning. Robert was already there, scrolling through market reports. Miranda sipped coffee like she owned the world despite last night’s scare.Robert didn’t look up. “Talk.”Victor dropped a folder on the desk. “Your favorite son-in-law isn’t as clean as he looks. Orphan, no real records before age twenty-one. But that’s not the best part he has no financial footprint. None. No debts, no loans, nothing. It’s like he didn’t exist before marrying Elena.”Miranda frowned. “So? Maybe he’s just poor.”Victor grinned. “Poor men don’t get Stonecliff to retreat overnight.”Robert leaned back, interested now. “Where did you get this?”“Friend at City Hall. I ran a deep scan. Something’s off. It’s like someone wiped his past.”Miranda’s eyes sharpened. “Wiped? Why?”Victor smirked. “Exactly the question. And guess what? He’s been spotted entering a private building downtown security so tight you’d thin

“Tell me this is a joke.”Robert Westwood’s voice was hard as stone. He slammed the morning paper on the table. The headline screamed: Kane Consortium Acquires Westwood Suppliers in Surprise Move.Victor paced the room, his face pale. “It’s not a joke. I spoke to the board this morning. Three suppliers left overnight. Contracts void. Kane paid in cash.”Miranda’s jaw tightened. “This… this Kane. Who is he? Where did he come from?”Victor turned to her, his smile brittle. “Mother, it’s worse than you think. Kane Consortium didn’t just buy suppliers. They bought shares. Fifteen percent. And the buyer’s name on every document is Leonard Kane.”Silence fell like a blade.Robert’s fingers clenched. “Leonard. Kane.”Miranda’s voice cracked. “He used our name. Our family. He was in this house eating at this table!”Victor spat, “And we handed him divorce papers like fools. He signed them like he didn’t care because he didn’t need us.”Robert grabbed his phone. “Call legal. Freeze every accou

“Move!”The shout cut through the hum of the lobby as security scattered toward the glass doors. Leonard was already standing, calm but alert. His aide, Adrian, hurried to his side.“Stonecliff just made their move,” Adrian said. “Two vans, masked men, armed. They’re not here to talk.”Leonard’s jaw barely moved. “Get Elena out. Level three protocol.”“What about you?”“I stay. This is my building.”Upstairs, Elena was in the conference room when the first alarms sounded.“What’s happening?” she demanded.Adrian appeared at the door. “Stonecliff attack. We need to leave. Now.”Her eyes widened. “Attack? Here?”“They want Kane,” he said, gripping her arm. “And if they can’t get him, they’ll take you. Let’s move.”Downstairs, the glass shattered. Three masked men stormed in.“Where is he?” one barked.Security drew weapons.“Sir,” Adrian’s voice crackled through Leonard’s earpiece, “they’re inside.”Leonard’s tone didn’t change. “Seal the east wing. Channel them toward the loading bay.”

“Victor, you need to leave. Now.”Miranda’s voice was cold, urgent. She paced the Westwood estate’s marble foyer, phone to her ear.Victor’s tone was sharp. “What’s happening?”“They’re coming for you. That video Leonard sent? It’s already circulating in private groups. If it leaks publicly, you’ll be finished.”Victor swore under his breath. “I can fix this.”“No, you can’t. Kane is dismantling Stonecliff piece by piece, and he’s coming for you next. Your only chance is to disappear.”In Leonard’s penthouse, Adrian stepped into the study, face grim.“They’ve moved,” he said. “Stonecliff just pulled funds from three dummy accounts. They’re hiring outside contractors people who don’t care about laws.”Leonard didn’t look surprised. “Desperation makes men stupid.”“This isn’t stupid. This is dangerous. They’re bringing in someone named Vargos. Ex-intelligence, no conscience. He doesn’t come cheap.”Leonard leaned back. “Good. Expensive men make expensive mistakes. Prep security for full