The harbor breathed with a peculiar tension that night, as if the sea itself understood the nature of the gathering about to unfold. Nathan stood near the pier, dressed in a tailored black suit that fit his frame with quiet precision. In his right hand rested a sleek leather suitcase. Inside lay one million dollars in cash—every cent of the commission he had earned from the Victoria Group contract. That money was never meant for indulgence. Tonight, it represented Aurora’s fragile chance to survive.He was not alone.Amy stood beside him, wearing a dark crimson evening gown that flowed with restrained elegance. The dress contrasted sharply with the seriousness in her eyes. She carried her own compact case, far lighter than Nathan’s, yet infinitely heavier in meaning. It held her life savings. Years of discipline. Years of restraint. All willin

Before the Blackjack table reopened to the public eye, Darren stepped away from the glittering chaos of the Executive Club and entered a concealed chamber hidden behind a panel of smoked glass. Inside, the lighting was dimmer, heavier, designed for conversations that were never meant to be remembered.Tristan was already waiting.Despite his tailored suit and composed posture, Tristan instinctively lowered his head the moment Darren appeared. Their familiarity did not imply equality. In this world, money decided hierarchy, and Darren’s fortune was built not only on wealth, but fear.“I need you to crush him,” Tristan said, voice restrained but urgent. “Nathan must leave this place with nothing.”Darren stared at him for several seconds, then

Edward sat frozen at his desk, the morning newspaper spread open before him like a death notice written in ink too bold to ignore.The headline dominated the page.MASSIVE ILLEGAL CASINO RAID: EXECUTIVE CLUB DISMANTLEDHis eyes skimmed the article once. Then again. Then slower, this time forcing himself to absorb every sentence he had hoped not to read.So that was why Tristan had gone silent.Edward exhaled sharply through his nose, fingers tightening around the porcelain mug in his hand. The coffee inside had gone lukewarm, yet the bitterness on his tongue had nothing to do with temperature.The police had struck hard. Faster than expected. Cleaner than any underground rumor had suggested.He scanned the list of initials printed midway through the article. Several names were redacted, replaced with letters meant to protect ongoing investigations, but Edward did not need full identities to understand what he was seeing.TC.DC.Other combinations he recognized from whispered conversa

The road toward Boulevard stretched wide and quiet, framed by glass towers that reflected the afternoon sun like polished mirrors. Nathan sat in the passenger seat, eyes fixed ahead, while Aurora navigated the traffic with practiced calm. The destination felt ordinary on the map, yet the weight it carried pressed heavily on his thoughts.Boulevard. The name lingered in his mind long before Aurora spoke.“You’re sure about this place?” she asked, glancing at him briefly. “Not many people outside Morraine Group even know it still exists as a separate property.”Nathan nodded. “I’m certain.”Aurora frowned slightly. “Strange. That land has been contested for years. Investors have tried everything. How did you even hear about it?”He offered a faint smile. “Let’s say… I’ve been curious for a while.”She did not push further, though surprise lingered in her eyes. Aurora knew Boulevard well. Everyone in high-level investment circles did. It was the one missing puzzle piece in an otherwise s

Nathan pressed his palm against his mouth, forcing every breath to pass silently through his nose. Inside the wooden crate, the air felt thick, stale, heavy with the smell of dust and dried wood. His heartbeat thundered so loudly in his ears that he feared it might betray him before anything else did.Just beyond the narrow gaps between the planks, Adam stood with his machine gun raised.The muzzle pointed directly at the crate.Nathan knew one simple truth with terrifying clarity: if Adam decided to open the lid, there would be no warning, no demand for surrender. The trigger would be pulled first, questions never asked. Adam’s posture was that of someone trained to eliminate threats, not negotiate with them.Nathan forced his body to remain completely still.Adam had not discovered him yet, but that only made the moment worse. Suspicion hovered in the air like a drawn blade. Nathan watched through the crack as Adam’s gloved hand slowly moved toward the latch on the crate.Time stret