Connor’s heartbeat skipped once. His sharp eyes locked onto the screen of his iPhone as multiple emergency notifications flooded in at the same time. BREAKING NEWS — DYNAMICS TECH ENGULFED IN MASSIVE FIRE CASUALTIES CONFIRMED CEO, SEVERAL EXECUTIVES AND EMPLOYEES DEAD. For the first time that morning, the calmness inside Connor’s face cracked slightly. His thumb moved instantly across the screen, opening the article from Caesaria Times. Images loaded immediately. Dark flames swallowed the gigantic Renaissance-style headquarters of Dynamics Tech. Smoke spread violently into the sky while terrified employees ran across the streets covered in blood and ash. Ambulances flashed endlessly around the compound while reporters shouted questions into cameras. Connor’s jaw tightened. “Unbelievable…” His cold voice carried dangerous disbelief. The article continued updating live. Several executives had already been confirmed dead. Others remained trapped inside the c

The forest had become a living nightmare. Cold wind howled through the trees while Connor pushed forward at the front of the Eagle Squads, his flashlight cutting across the darkness like a blade. Wet branches slapped against their tactical uniforms, and the sound of boots crushing leaves echoed endlessly beneath the moonlight. “Activate the Hunter-Eye scanners,” Connor ordered coldly. “Yes, Master!” Immediately, two Eagle Squad members pulled out compact black devices from their waists. Blue digital lights spread across the forest floor while the machines scanned heat traces, footprints, and broken vegetation. Don Tornado stared at the glowing screen. “Their body heat is still nearby. They can’t be far.” Connor’s expression remained dark. “Then stop wasting time.” The squads increased their speed instantly. Minutes later, faint footsteps suddenly echoed from somewhere ahead. Crunch... crunch... crunch... One Eagle Squad member froze. “Did you hear that?” Connor

The encrypted data finished loading across Connor Wood’s golden laptop as morning sunlight spread across the glass walls of the suite His sharp eyes moved calmly from one report to another without emotion. Charts, revenue flows, security alerts, and market performance reports filled the screen one after another. “All subsidiary markets are stable, with only a few minor instabilities…” Connor studied the reports calmly before leaning back slightly. “These aren’t serious issues,” he murmured quietly. “They’ll be resolved within minutes during my free time.” “CloudTech profits increased again…” His finger slid across the trackpad. Then the damaged report appeared. Dynamics Tech. The burned subsidiary. Several red warning indicators flashed across the financial charts, but Connor’s expression did not change. He leaned back slightly and studied the losses in silence. Assets worth billions had disappeared overnight, but the rest of the Wood Group remained steady. A f

Connor’s question hung in the air like a blade. For a brief moment, even Wyatt's cold expression shifted. His jaw tightened slightly, as if the name carried weight he did not expect Connor to ask so directly.Gibson lifted his head slowly. This time, he did not avoid eye contact or glance at Wyatt. His fear was still there, but it was controlled. He swallowed once and finally spoke. “He… he is the most powerful figure in Augustrio State.” Connor’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Augustrio State?” Gibson nodded quickly. “Yes. The former financial center of Numerica. Everyone there knows him.” Connor leaned back slightly in his chair. “First time I’m hearing such a name.” Gibson continued without hesitation now, as if the dam had broken. “In Augustrio, even the governor doesn’t move without his approval. He commands him directly. That’s how deep his influence runs.” A faint silence followed. Don Tornado shifted slightly behind Connor, gripping his rifle tighter. Connor’s voice stayed

Connor quickly stepped into the backseat of the black Rolls Royce Spectre, his expression unreadable as the phone remained pressed against his ear. Gibson entered immediately after him while the two armed guards shut the doors with precision before taking their positions inside the vehicle. “Drive,” Connor ordered calmly. The driver nodded at once. “Yes, Master Wood.” The engine growled softly as the luxury vehicle pulled away from the precinct, leaving the flashing lights and armed officers behind. Through the tinted windows, the city lights slid across Connor’s cold face while the call continued. “Master Wood,” Mr. Leonard’s respectful voice came through the line. “Master Lucien Varros needs your presence.” Connor’s eyes narrowed slightly. “For what exactly?” There was a brief pause before Mr. Leonard answered carefully. “He didn’t tell me, sir. He only said he needed your presence. That’s all.” Connor leaned back into the leather seat, one hand resting calmly on his