The executive floor of Carter Group in Arcadia City was usually calm and serious, where important decisions were made behind closed doors. But today felt different. Tension filled the room. Michelle Carter stood in her office, the city skyline behind her. She ignored the files on her desk. Her eyes stayed fixed on the large digital screen.On the screen, Chris Greene was finishing his statement. He stood tall, his presence filling the frame with an authority that seemed to be felt through the glass. Michelle felt a familiar tightness in her chest—not of anxiety, but of profound, overwhelming pride.She hadn’t been there in the dark years when he was enduring the insults of the Woods family. She hadn't seen him washing dishes or taking the blame for things he didn't do. But from the moment their paths had crossed, she had seen the spark that everyone else was too blind or too arrogant to notice. While the world called him "trash," she had looked into his eyes and seen a King waiting fo

The sleek, armored helicopter tore through the rain-streaked sky above the industrial district, far away from the glitz and glamour of Onyx Harbor. Inside the cabin, the air was silent, save for the low hum of the BODAS interface running on Chris’s tablet. He stared out the window as the neon lights of the city faded, replaced by the rusting skeletons of abandoned factories below. They were descending toward "The Iron Vault," a repurposed underground warehouse that the Mikaelson family used for "special" conversations.The aircraft touched down with precision on a hidden landing pad. Two guards in tactical gear stepped out of the shadows of the warehouse eaves, their rifles lowered only when they recognized the Mikaelson crest on the helicopter's tail. The heavy steel gates of the building groaned open, and Chris stepped off the pad into a cavernous space lit by flickering industrial lamps. The smell of oil, damp concrete, and fear hung heavy in the air."Is he ready?" Chris asked, hi

The interrogation was over, but Chris was not finished. He did not feel pity for the man in the chair. He felt only the need to send a message that the Inquisitor would never forget.Chris turned his head toward the heavy iron door. "Leo," he called out. His voice was not loud, but it carried an authority that was heavier than usual.The head guard of the Mikaelson tactical unit, stepped forward. He was a mountain of a man, dressed in black combat gear. He did not ask questions. He simply stood at attention, waiting for his Master’s command."The Inquisitor thinks he can send warnings into my home," Chris said, pointing a steady finger at the hitman. "He thinks he can strike at me and remain hidden. He is wrong. He needs to understand the price of entry into Onyx Harbor."Leo looked at the prisoner, then back at Chris. "What are your orders, Sir?""I want you to take a piece of him," Chris said. His voice was flat, devoid of any human emotion. "Cut off his right arm. Cleanly."Leo nod

Chris locked eyes with Julian. The sapphire glow in Chris's eyes was cold and steady."It’s interesting you mention ghost-engineers, Julian," Chris said. His voice was calm, but it carried a sharp edge. "I imagine a man with your history in the Northern Capital of 'borrowing' work would be sensitive to that. How is the Blue-Star investigation going? I heard the authorities are getting very close to the source. It would be a shame if those transaction records were made public."Julian’s face went from smug to ghostly pale in an instant. He choked on his drink, coughing into his hand."I... I don't know what you're talking about," Julian stammered, his confidence vanishing."I think you do," Chris said, leaning in. "You rebooked your flight from the Capital because you’re desperate. Don't come into my house and insult my work while your own career is held together by lies. Sit down, buy a unit, and stay quiet."Julian didn't say another word. He practically ran toward the back of the ro

A heavy railgun bullet smashed through the glass window. It hit the Chimera square in the back. The impact was massive, knocking the breath out of the super-soldier and sending a spray of blue synthetic fluid onto the floor. The Chimera fell to the ground, completely knocked out by the power of the shot.Chris immediately dove behind a thick concrete structural pillar, hiding from the sniper’s line of sight. He pressed his back against the cold stone, his heart thundering in his chest."BODAS, find the exact location and identity of that sniper," Chris hissed with cold focus."Scanning," the AI replied. A map appeared on Chris’s watch. "Target found on the roof of the Continental Hotel. It is another Zenith Chimera.""BODAS, call Leo. Now."The line clicked open. "Sir!" Leo said. "We’ve got the crowd under control. We are headed your way!""No," Chris said. "I’ve sent you some information. There is a sniper on the roof of the Continental Hotel. It’s another Chimera. I can't move from