The ballroom remained completely silent. The recording had shattered the illusion of a grand society wedding. The wealthy elites of North City stared at Vincent Fang with sheer disgust. They were ruthless business people, but human trafficking under the guise of marriage crossed a line that even their greed could not justify.​Grandma Song felt the collective judgment of the room turning toward her. Her pristine reputation, built over forty years of careful manipulation, was evaporating in seconds. She gripped her carved wooden cane tightly, her knuckles turning white. She stepped forward, pointing an accusing finger at Chase Lu.​"Lies!" Grandma Song shrieked, her voice echoing shrilly across the marble floor. "That audio is a complete fabrication! It is a deepfake! Chase Lu is a vindictive ex husband trying to ruin this family!"​The crowd murmured. A few of the older aristocrats hesitated. Technology was advanced. Was it possible the audio was forged?​"I would never sell my grandd

The executive suite of the Titanium Group headquarters felt like a tomb. Just twenty four hours ago, this room commanded billions of dollars. Today, the massive digital monitors covering the walls displayed nothing but flashing red error messages.​Victoria Qin stood by the conference table. She looked exhausted. The phones had not stopped ringing since the Central Bank issued the freeze.​"The supply chains are completely dead, Chairman," Victoria said, looking at Chase as he walked through the doors with Bella. "Every single vendor saw the federal notice. They are demanding immediate cash payment for outstanding invoices. We cannot even wire money to pay the electricity bill for this building."​Chase guided Bella to a leather chair. He poured her a glass of water.​"What about the employees?" Chase asked, keeping his voice perfectly level.​"That is the immediate crisis," Victoria swallowed hard. "The miners at Ghost Peak. They have not received their biweekly wages. The digital pa

The asphalt stretched out like a dark ribbon across the barren wasteland. The sun was sinking rapidly, bleeding orange and red light across the desert horizon. Inside the lead Titanium Security vehicle, the atmosphere was incredibly tense.​Iron Tyrant gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the distant structure emerging from the heat haze.​"Chairman," Iron Tyrant spoke, his deep voice filling the cabin. "We are approaching the Dry River Bridge. It is a massive concrete span. It is the only way across the canyon into South River City."​Chase Lu sat in the passenger seat. He checked his polished silver watch. "We are on schedule. Maintain speed."​The radio console on the dashboard crackled with static. Jackal's voice broke through the speaker, sounding urgent.​"Director," Jackal reported from the trailing vehicle. "I have visual on the bridge ahead. The road is completely blocked. I am counting three heavy transport vehicles parked sideways across all three lanes."​Iron Tyr

The sun dipped below the city skyline, casting long, bloody shadows across the financial district. The reinforced glass doors of the Titanium Group headquarters groaned under the immense pressure.​"The glass is buckling," Victoria Qin said, standing in the lobby. She checked her watch frantically. "They are going to breach the doors in less than three minutes."​"Chase will be here," Bella replied. Her voice wavered slightly, but she stood her ground. "He promised."​"A promise does not stop a riot, Bella," Victoria sighed. "Vincent Fang played this perfectly."​Across the street, Vincent Fang sat in the back of an extended black limousine. He rolled down the tinted window, sipping a glass of imported champagne.​"Listen to them," Vincent smiled, looking at his assistant. "The beautiful sound of desperation. Chase Lu thought he could outsmart the Central Bank. He thought a few local thugs could save him. But you cannot fight a federal freeze with your fists."​"The agitators have suc

The towering glass and steel structure of Skyline Bank Headquarters stood like a monolith in the center of the financial district. Unlike the commercial retail banks Chase Lu usually visited, this building projected pure military strength. Armed guards in tactical uniforms patrolled the perimeter with absolute discipline. The lobby was devoid of promotional banners or smiling customer service representatives. It was a fortress of silent, calculating wealth.​Chase walked past the security checkpoints without hesitation. He did not need an appointment. His newly acquired status demanded immediate entry. The heavy mahogany doors to the executive suite opened automatically as he approached.​Victoria Qin sat behind a massive obsidian desk. She wore a tailored charcoal suit that accentuated her sharp, stunning features. Her dark hair was pulled back into a severe, perfect knot. The polite, subservient demeanor she had displayed while drafting his corporate contracts was completely absent.