The sharp chemical odor of spent bullet rounds still clung to Ethan’s clothes…”The three remaining SUVs rolled up the steep approach road, the doors were scratched, metal dented. Behind them, a fourth vehicle turned away on Leonard’s order, carrying the bodies of the driver, butler and two other security personnel back to the Xavier estate.At the main gate of Arkstone Ridge, guards in dark uniforms stepped forward. Their eyes swept over the damaged cars, then locked on the silver dragon emblem of Xavier on the doors.One of the guards stepped closer. “Master Ethan… you came straight here?” he asked, trying to hide his surprise.Ethan opened the door and stepped down. Dust still clung to his shoes. There was a faint streak of dried blood on his sleeve. He didn’t bother to hide it.“The council summoned me,” he said. “I am here. Open the gate.”The guard swallowed and nodded quickly. “Yes, sir.”As the heavy gates slid aside, Leonard came around the SUV to stand beside Ethan. “We can

Victor smiled thinly. “Not yet,” he said. “You spoke earlier about leverage. You quoted a few numbers. Let me explain why I am not impressed.”Ethan looked up, eyes colder now. “Then listen while I correct you,” he said. “My grandfather Magnus Xavier did not just give me a chair. He gave me his files.”The room grew very still. Ethan tapped the folder once with his fingers.“Those files say Danielson Conglomerate is overleveraged,” he went on. “Mr Victor Danielson your refineries and mines are mortgaged against tomorrow. Xavier tech quietly props up your energy trading platforms when the markets swing. Our backup systems keep your power grids from slipping into rolling blackouts at night.” He held Victor’s gaze. “You call it sentiment. I call it charity.”Herold’s smirk faded a little. Harrington shifted in his seat. Hilton’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses.“So before you suggest ‘overseeing’ Xavier Group,” Ethan finished, “perhaps you should worry about how many of your pipelines w

Victor Danielson ignored him. His eyes were fixed on Ethan.“Master Ethan,” he said, his voice was hoarse. “I… was wrong. I disrespected you and your grandfather’s memory. I spoke like your company was a toy when it has been holding my empire together.”Ethan looked down at him, his face was unreadable.“Restore Xavier global holdings support to Jacostia,” Victor continued. “If those pipelines stay dead, Danielson Conglomerate will collapse. My workers, my cities… everything goes with it.”“You mean,” Ethan said, “you are the one rolling in the mud now.”Victor bowed his head. “Name your terms,” he said. “Any terms. I will sign it.”Around the table, the other men stared at the sight. The king of energy who was in his sixties was on his knees before the youngest man in the room.Herold’s jaw tightened. “You see?” he snapped at Ethan. “This is what happens when you pull triggers like a child. You break the balance.”Harrington glanced at Ethan with new respect. “Balance was already bro

Ethan sat in his G-Wagon across the street from Imperium Bank and listened to Florian breathe into the phone like a man standing over a cliff.“Okay, Mr Florian,” Ethan said, eyes on the glass doors of the branch. “I’m at your bank.”On the other end, Florian sounded like he almost stood up. “Good, good. Just wait there, I’ll come down and receive you properly. I’ll clear the floor if I have to. The staff will roll out a—”“There’s no need,” Ethan cut in. His tone stayed calm, but firm. “I don’t want attention. I told you already, I intend to keep my identity private today. I will stand in the queue, do what I need to do, and leave like nothing happened. You understand me?”There was a pause, then Florian’s voice dropped into full respect. “Okay, boss, I fully understand. Your wish is my command. The account will be opened as you requested, and the forty percent share acquisition will be processed once you give the word.”Ethan was about to be a major shareholder in the imperium bank

Ethan shifted his gaze. He did not look at Fridel yet. He did not look at the mistress. He let the question hang in the air like a weight. The silence made it worse. Everyone could feel something heavy building, and no one knew which direction it would break.Just then, the security doors of the bank slid open.Two tall men in dark suits entered first, shoulders wide, eyes sharp. Behind them walked Florian Donalds. He wore a dark grey suit, but the confidence he usually carried was gone. Today his steps were careful. His eyes moved quickly, searching.The hall seemed to hold its breath again.“That’s the chairman of this bank,” someone whispered. “Florian Donalds.”“Is the suspension over?” another customer asked softly. “Did he fix it?”Kellan straightened at once. For a moment, his instincts told him to rush to Florian. But then he remembered who was standing right in front of him. He stayed rooted beside Ethan like a soldier beside a general.Florian’s bodyguards scanned the hall.