Meanwhile, back in the cramped, quiet living room that felt more like a cage than a home, Charlotte Woods sat in the dark. The only light in the room came from the flickering glow of the television screen. Every major news outlet was broadcasting the same thing: the grand launch of Greene Global’s new AI and the meteoric rise of the Mikaelson Syndicate’s newest power player.On the screen, drone footage swept over the massive complex. It was a monument of glass and steel, a kingdom built in a matter of months. And there, in the center of a high-definition close-up, was Chris.He looked different. The man on the screen didn’t have the slumped shoulders of the husband who used to scrub her floors. He stood tall, draped in a suit that cost more than Charlotte’s entire remaining net worth. His expression was cold, distant, and undeniably powerful.Charlotte leaned forward, her breath hitching. "He did it," she whispered to the empty room. "He actually did it."The news anchor’s voice dron

The change from the chaotic launch to the dead silence of the next morning was a very drastic shift. Just hours ago, the big hall at the Green Global company had been a mess of chaos and panic. The Zenith Chimera assassins—the top killers sent to finish Chris—had moved in fast to turn his big moment into a huge flop.They failed completely.Chris’s guards, along with his own sharp instincts, took them down so fast and so quietly that the people in the room were so shocked when order was restored. By the time the assassins were apprehended and taken by the Syndicate, Chris was back on stage. He simply assured the people that everything was under control and the threat had been eliminated. He finished his speech as if the attempt on his life was just a small glitch in the lights.It was a power move. The world didn't just see a new product; they saw a man who couldn't be touched.Now, as the cold morning sun hit the tall windows of his office at Greene Global, the whole world was despe

Chris watched the steady rise and fall of the green line on the heart monitor for a moment before looking back at the man in the bed. Adrian looked terrible. His skin had a grey, waxy tint to it, and his eyes were bloodshot from a mix of painkillers and lack of sleep. Despite the high-end medical care of the estate, there was no hiding the fact that he had recently survived a traumatic incident."Adrian, you look like a ghost," Chris said, his voice dropping into a tone of genuine concern. He stepped closer to the bed and reached out, gently pushing the tablet away from Adrian’s hands. "You’re pale, you’re exhausted, and you’re supposed to be on a heavy dose of sedatives. You really need to drop all of this and just sleep. I can have BODAS handle the logistics, or I can bring in four of our top-tier analysts from the city office to manage the shipping units. There is no reason for you to be doing this right now."Adrian let out a short, dry laugh that turned into a wince as he clutche

Chris turned towards him as he looked Adrian in the eye. The atmosphere in the medical suite shifted. It was no longer about logistics or shipping units; it was about the final execution of a grudge that had been simmering for months."You’ve heard the name, but you don't know the mechanics," Chris began, his voice dropping to a low, cold register. "The Judas Strategy isn't about me hitting them with a where it hurts. It’s about handing them the knives and making them believe the person standing next to them is the one who’s going to use it first."Adrian shifted slightly, adjusting his position against the pillows. "So it’s an internal collapse? You’re going to make them fight?""Exactly," Chris said. "Through BODAS and the neural link, I’ve gained access to every dirty secret, every offshore account, and every backroom deal the Holloways and the Vances have made in the last twenty years. But if I just leak it all to the press, they might band together to fight the common enemy—me. I

The room was silent. The arrogance had evaporated, replaced by the realization that the man standing before them wasn't a "tech kid"—he was the owner of the board."Good," Chris said, turning to leave. "Matthew, keep me updated. I have a scandal to manage."By the time chris pulled back into the headquarters of Greene Global, the afternoon sun was beginning to dip, casting long, golden shadows across the glass facade of the building. He went straight to his private office, and sat behind his desk."BODAS, status report," Chris commanded."The union matter is settled, Master Chris. All logistics hubs are now operating at ninety-eight percent efficiency," the AI responded. "And the dossiers you prepared for the Holloways and the Vances are ready for Phase One. The media bots are primed."Chris leaned back, his fingers steepled. "Do it. Release the preliminary files on the Holloway jewelry line and the Vance logistics tax shelters. Just enough to start the fire.""Executing now," BODAS s