At exactly seven o'clock in the morning, three black armored SUVs pulled up to the gates of the Northern Regional Logistics Depot. Gideon jumped out of the lead vehicle and signaled to the gate guards. The guards recognized the central executive crest on the hood and immediately pressed the wall release. The gates slid open with a loud screech.The motorcade rolled into the vast gravel yard. Forty long freight trucks stood lined up in perfect rows near the primary loading docks. Drivers in dark blue uniforms stood near the front hitches, holding clipboards and whispering nervously among themselves.The rear door of the middle SUV opened. Chris stepped out onto the gravel, holding the steel Dragon Scepter firmly in his right hand. The Supreme Dragon Seal Ring on his finger reflected the bright morning sun. Michelle stepped out right beside him, dressed in a sharp black blazer, while Linda followed with her tablet in hand.Gideon walked up quickly to Chris's side. "The trucks have been

The engines of the private jet hummed with a low, steady vibration as the plane cut through the dark night sky back toward Arcadia City.Inside the main cabin, the lights were turned down. Gideon and the tactical security team remained locked up front near the cockpit, leaving the spacious leather lounge completely private.Chris sat on the long sofa, his suit jacket discarded over the armrest and his white dress shirt unbuttoned at the neck. The steel Dragon Scepter rested securely in its wall mount across the cabin.Michelle sat straddling his lap, her hands resting flat against his broad chest. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders as she looked down into his eyes."Rose was crying, Chris," Michelle whispered, her fingers tracing soft, lazy circles over his chest shirt. "I don't think I've ever seen her lose her composure like that.""She worked in the shadows for years," Chris said, his hands coming up to grip her waist tightly. "People like Rose don't expect a throne. They just e

Earlier that morning in the penthouse after Michelle had left, Chris sat at the dining table, staring blankly down at his untouched coffee cup. Across from him, Adrian was flipping through a stack of morning security reports, taking small sips from his own cup.Chris hadn't moved a muscle in five minutes. His mind was entirely consumed by the phone call Michelle had taken in bed, and the name she had spoken so casually.Julian.Adrian set his report down on the table, leaning back in his chair with a raised eyebrow. "Boss? You’ve been staring at that coffee like it killed your ancestors. What’s going on?"Chris snapped out of his thoughts, his dark eyes shifting toward Adrian. "Do you know of any Julian in Michelle’s life?"Adrian blinked, pausing for a moment to think. He tapped his fingers against his chin, searching his memory, before slowly shaking his head. "Julian? No. Doesn't ring a bell. Why? Who is he?""Some guy called her early this morning," Chris said, his voice tight. "S

Later that afternoon, they returned to the penthouse. While Michelle went into the master bedroom to rest and prepare her makeup for the evening, Chris walked down the quiet hallway into his private glass office.Adrian and Gideon were already waiting inside.Chris walked behind his desk, removing his jacket and rolling his sleeves up to his elbows. The soft, gentle warmth he carried while with Michelle was gone, replaced instantly by the sharp, commanding presence of the Syndicate Leader."Report on The Grand Imperial," Chris ordered, leaning his hands against the desk.Gideon tapped his tablet screen. "Julian Moore has rented out the entire top-floor banquet hall for his high-school reunion. He invited sixty guests, including local business leaders, former classmates, and three regional financial journalists. He wants maximum visibility when he showcases his European backing."Adrian smirked from the side. "He thinks he's going to parade Miss Michelle around, show off his venture ca

​"I’m sitting right here," Chris announced softly, his voice dropping into a cold tone. "Let’s see who in this hall has the strength to make me stand."​The entire VIP section gasped in absolute shock.​"Is he crazy?!" classmates began shouting. "How dare he sit in Julian's seat!"​Julian’s face flushed a deep, violent red. Shaking with rage, he slammed his fist onto the table. "You arrogant parasite! You think you can dismantle my event?!" Julian turned to his assistant and roared, "Get the general manager of The Grand Imperial down here right now! Tell him to drag this trash out of my sight!"​Within two minutes, the grand double doors burst open, and Manager Harrison, the head director of the entire luxury complex hurried into the hall, flanked by four security guards.​"Mr. Moore, what seems to be the problem" Manager Harrison began, sweeping his eyes over the commotion.​But the moment Harrison’s eyes landed on the man casually sitting in the master throne, his words died in his