His assistant checked the attached instructions. “Grand Master Ethan is known for avoiding public political displays. He may not want reporters turning the dinner into a campaign event before both of you reach an understanding.”One investor leaned against the table. “Powerful men do not meet publicly when discussing the future. They speak privately first, decide what they want, and allow the cameras to see only the final result.”Roland nodded slowly. “Then he intends to speak honestly.”For a brief moment, Felix Vale entered his thoughts. Felix had lost his job and licence after an unknown visitor caused trouble inside the hospital. Hilton had acted with unusual speed, and the timing of it all still troubled Roland.He looked at his assistant. “Did Xavier Group explain why Ethan chose me?”“No, sir,” the assistant answered. “They only said the discussion concerns Verdanis, healthcare, and the future.”The answer pushed Felix out of Roland’s mind. Healthcare and the future were the e

The line remained connected, but the insider did not finish his sentence. Roland heard hurried movement, followed by strained breathing.“Speak to me,” Roland ordered. “Who received the evidence?”There was another impact, louder this time.Then the man released a broken sound.“Argh…”Roland rose partly from his seat. “What happened? Answer me!”Nothing followed except faint movement on the other end. The silence lasted five seconds, but it felt far longer.“Can you hear me?” Roland demanded. “Say something!”The call ended.Roland stared at the screen before immediately calling the number back. The first attempt failed before it even began.He tried again.The call reached a dead line.On the third attempt, a message appeared across the screen.DEVICE UNAVAILABLE.Roland stared at the message in disbelief. That encrypted device had never failed before.“This isn't a network problem,” he muttered.The driver glanced into the mirror again. “Sir?”“Nothing,” Roland replied sharply. “Ju

The assistant leaned toward the window. “Perhaps only the top floor was reserved.”Roland's expression hardened. “That is not what the invitation suggested.”The vehicle stopped beneath the entrance lights, but Roland did not immediately step out.“Call Xavier Group and confirm the arrangement,” he ordered.His assistant checked the invitation on his tablet. “There is no return number, sir. Only the encrypted confirmation channel.”Roland looked back toward the Tribunal soldiers. “That is unusual.”“But Grand Master Ethan's soldiers are here,” the assistant reminded him. “They would not surround this place without a reason.”Roland remained silent for another moment.He considered ordering the driver to leave. Arnold was missing, Marcus had been cut off while speaking, and now the supposedly private restaurant was filled with customers.Too many things felt wrong.Roland looked once more at the restaurant entrance. “First Marcus disappears, then Arnold refuses to answer, and now this.

“Your safety matters more.”“So does becoming president.”The assistant fell silent.Roland looked down at the invitation on his phone. He had spent years building his reputation, buying influence, creating alliances, and placing himself within reach of the presidency. Walking away from Ethan Xavier because of fear could destroy an opportunity that might never return.He selected Marcus’s number again.Call five.Nothing.His assistant watched the screen. “Still unavailable.”Roland said nothing and immediately called Arnold.Call six.The line rang until the connection failed.His assistant exhaled slowly. “That is six calls, sir.”Roland lowered the phone. “I know.”“Something is wrong.”This time, Roland did not argue.Instead, he stared at him. “Who else knew what Wagner had access to?”The assistant hesitated.Roland noticed instantly. “Why did you hesitate?”“I was thinking.”“You looked afraid.”“I do not have enough information, sir,” the assistant replied quickly. “Arnold wor

"Get out of my way sir before things get ugly." Ethan warned.The assistant froze for a moment. He had expected the poorly dressed stranger to apologize, perhaps lower his head and leave before security became involved. Instead, Ethan’s warning carried a calm confidence that made the threat feel far more serious than if he had shouted.“You are threatening me?” the assistant asked, trying to recover his authority. His voice was firm, but the surprise on his face betrayed him.Ethan held his gaze. “I am warning you. There is a difference.”The assistant glanced toward Roland, embarrassed that an ordinary-looking stranger had spoken to him that way in public. “You clearly have no idea who you are dealing with.”Ethan’s expression remained calm. “I know exactly who I am dealing with. That is why I am asking you to move.”That answer unsettled the assistant even more. Ethan spoke like a man who knew something everyone else did not.The assistant opened his mouth to respond, but something