Jordan Peele frowned, tapping a leather-bound folder in front of him. “Jonah, your willingness to step up is admirable, but we must adhere to the legal framework of the consortium. Adam was meticulous. The company bylaws explicitly state that in the event of his incapacitation, absolute control of the global assets, voting shares, and the chairmanship are to be bypassed entirely to a legal trust designated for his daughters, Sara and Mia, under the temporary execution of his wife, Leah.”Jonah didn't blink.He had anticipated this exact hurdle.He slowly lowered his hands, letting out a hollow, bitter laugh that sent a chill through the room.“Jordan... Do you think I haven't read my brother's will?” Jonah asked softly, turning a somber gaze toward the board. “But look at the reality of the situation. Have you checked the latest security feeds from the Smith manor? The news reports have already confirmed it. My sister-in-law, Leah, and my two beautiful little nieces... they vanished f

“Gentlemen, institutional partners, please lower your voices and sit down,” Leah commanded smoothly. “The Smith Consortium has survived market fluctuations far worse than a morning of media hysteria. You have absolutely no reason to worry about your investments, nor do you have any reason to withdraw a single cent of your capital.”She paused, locking eyes with Jordan Peele. “My husband was not kidnapped. He is perfectly safe. He suffered a private vehicular accident late last night on the northern outskirts of the city, and he is currently resting and recuperating under the care of highly trusted, private medical specialists. He will return to this office to personally sign the capital logistics clearances before the week concludes.”“That's a lie!”Jonah’s voice erupted from the side of the room, sharp and panicked, shattering his own attempt at a calm demeanor.He stepped forward, his eyes bloodshot as he pointed a trembling finger at Leah. “The board cannot accept this! Leah is cl

“You have a very short amount of time left to enjoy the air of this city, Jonah,” Leah said, her voice dropping into a low, terrifying whisper that echoed in the empty boardroom.Jonah braced his hands against the table, trying to summon a shred of his former bravado. “I don't know what you're talking about.”Leah snorted. “Enough with the lies. I know you are responsible for Adam's kidnapping. To think that my husband spared you, yet you would dare to go to such an extent. You disgust me.”Jonah panicked. “You have no proof of anything.”“Don't worry, I'm working to get my hands on proof and once I have it, I swear I'll make you pay,” Leah said. Then, she took Sara and Mia’s hands, turning toward the exit.Before stepping out, she paused, looking back over her shoulder.“Enjoy the chairman's office while you can still walk into it freely,” Leah murmured. “Because when Adam wakes up, he won't just take your corporate titles. He will ensure there isn't a square inch of this country wh

Alistair didn't need a wiretap or a bug.The faint vibrations of Jonah’s frantic voice, transmitted through the glass and across the air currents, were as clear to Alistair’s divine consciousness as if the man were whispering directly into his ear.When Jonah finalized the command to his mercenary gang, Alistair’s lips curved into a terrifyingly calm, mocking smile.He slowly opened his eyes, the irises flashing with a brilliant, dangerous golden qi.“Excellent,” Alistair murmured to the open sky. “A cornered rat always runs straight to its secondary burrow. I was wondering how many more hidden weeds I would have to pluck from this city.”He had intentionally instructed Leah to show the video and apply maximum psychological pressure on Jonah without revealing the full truth.A man like Jonah, when blinded by panic and the fear of losing his status, would always resort to his final, dirtiest card.By forcing Jonah to initiate a desperate kidnapping attempt using his mortal criminal net

“Do you have them?!” Jonah’s voice exploded through the receiver, laced with manic desperation. “Tell me you have a woman!”“We don’t, Boss! The plan is blown!” Tyson yelled over the sound of a nearby explosion. “The damn Bolton family stepped in! They brought an entire private vanguard—heavy armor, tactical gear, everything! They just intercepted us on the highway and took the target. We can’t get to her!”“What?!” Jonah’s voice dropped into a horrified, breathless squeak. “The Boltons? Why would Caleb Bolton risk open warfare for Adam’s wife?! This makes no sense!”“I don’t know, but my men are getting wiped out!” Tyson barked. “We can't capture Leah. If I were you, I’d ghost right now, because the Boltons don't play around. I'm pulling my remaining crew out!”The line went dead, leaving Jonah standing in the center of his lavish executive office like a man facing a firing squad.The phone slipped from his hand, bouncing uselessly on the plush rug.The walls of the room suddenly fel