The conference room at the Sanders & Associates law firm was overlooking the bustling heart of York Town. It was Monday morning, and the air was thick with tension.At the head of the long table sat Cain Sanders, Ethan’s lead counsel, looking calm. Opposite him were Naomi’s legal representatives, a pair of aggressive litigators who specialized in high-stakes settlements.Between them, the two parties sat like opposing armies. Ethan sat back in his chair, his eyes fixed on his smartphone as if he were playing a game, seemingly indifferent to the storm around him. To his left, Kara sat with her arms crossed.Across the table, Naomi Quinn wore a modest, high-necked charcoal dress, her makeup minimal to emphasize the feigned dark circles under her eyes.She leaned heavily against her husband, Aidan, her head resting on his shoulder. Aidan looked like he was filled with rage, his knuckles white as he gripped Naomi’s hand."Let’s get straight t

Ethan didn't flinch or even slow his pace. With a soft scoff, he walked past the towering figure of Nico Seaman with a deliberate, measured gait, and sat in his executive chair. He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other."Dave Seaman’s brother, huh?" Ethan remarked. He picked up a crystal fountain pen and began twirling it between his fingers. "Well, Mr. Seaman, or Nico if you’d prefer. I’m a busy man, especially on a day when half the city thinks I’m a felon. How can I help you? Or more accurately, why are you in my office?"Nico didn't sit back down but rather stood in the center of the room. "I’m here to clean up a mess, Ethan. As of six o'clock this morning, I have officially taken over the management of Seaman Technologies. My brother has been… transitioned into an early retirement."Ethan’s lips curled into a thin, mocking smile. "Transitioned? That’s a very corporate way of saying he tucked his tail and ran. What happened to Dave? Did he final

“Well, because… Because you went to see Ethan Vale!” Dave said, furrowing his brows in confusion.Nico huffed and went to pour himself a drink. The gold-rimmed glass in his hand caught the light of the chandelier as he swirled his bourbon, the ice clinking against the sides.Nico took a slow sip, savoring the burn, before finally looking at his brother."Yes, I went to see Ethan, Dave," He said, his voice flat and unimpressed. "I walked into his office, I sat in his chair, and I looked the so-called monster in the eye. And guess what?"Dave swallowed hard, his eyes wide. "What? What happened? Did he do anything to you? Did he threaten the family?"Nico let out a mocking laugh. "What? No! All I saw was a man, Dave. Just a man. A man with a sharp tongue and a very high opinion of himself, but a man nonetheless. This Ethan Vale you’ve been trembling over wasn't half as terrifying as you made him look. Dealing with him is going to be a piece

The charcoal-gray Maybach pulled up to the front of the Aurex Strategic Minerals headquarters with a mindblowing aura. Nico Seaman stepped out, adjusting his silk tie and smoothing the front of his designer suit.He looked up at the glass facade of the building, a cold glint in his eyes. This was the source. Whoever controlled this building controlled the raw power of the next decade.Inside, he was immediately ushered into a lush executive office. Mark Davidson, the Chief Commercial Officer, practically tripped over himself to greet him.Mark was a man who smelled of expensive cologne and desperation for status, exactly the kind of man Nico knew how to handle."Mr. Seaman! It is an absolute honor," Mark gushed, shaking Nico’s hand with both of his. "I recognized you the moment you stepped off the elevator. The new CEO of Seaman Technologies! The number one tech firm in York Town. Your family’s reputation precedes you, sir."Nico flashed

The silence that followed the termination of the call was more deafening than the screaming had been.Mark Davidson stood paralyzed, the smartphone lying on the plush carpet like a discarded weapon. His face was no longer gray; it was a ghostly, translucent white."Mark?" Nico asked, his voice losing its edge of arrogance for the first time. "Who was that and what did he say? It was a prank, right? Ethan probably just had some actor on the line—""Fired..." Mark whispered, his voice cracking. "He said I’m fired. He said I’m a brainless idiot and that I’ve ruined everything." He looked up at Nico, his eyes darting wildly. "He told me to pack my things and get out before the police throw me into the street.”“What? That is bullshit.” Nico laughed. “It must have been someone pretending to be him to fool you.” He added.“No, Mr. Seaman. It was the chairman! Nico... he sounded terrified. The Chairman was terrified!"Before Nico could