The low hum of ambient chatter and muted jazz music in the high-end dining room did little to soften the heavy atmosphere settling over the corner table.Every few seconds, subtle, curious glances darted in Miyu's direction, causing her to squirm uncomfortably in her seat. The weight of their stares was suffocating, a constant reminder that she was being watched, judged, dissected.Slowly, she raised her sharp eyes to look at the woman standing stone-still beside her. Lara could have passed for a living statue given the sheer, radiating coldness emanating from her posture. Her presence was a dark cloud in the middle of the glittering restaurant, an anomaly that refused to be ignored.Clad in form-fitting black leather pants, a sharp dark T-shirt, and a tailored black vest, Lara looked far more like an elite operative than a traditional high-society bodyguard. Her dark eyes continuously scanned the room, sweeping over the patrons, the service staff, and the large glass windows with a p

"Look," Miyu pouted as she raised a foot, her voice carrying a note of theatrical helplessness. The gesture was deliberate, calculated to provoke. Lara drew a deep breath before leaning closer, her jaw tight with barely contained irritation. "What is it?" She sighed impatiently, her eyes fixed on the pristine lilac satin heel. "Can't you see?" Miyu pointed at a spot on her shoe, her finger hovering dramatically over a microscopic imperfection. "It's stained. Please get me a wet towel from the restroom." The stain was barely noticeable to the naked eye—a tiny speck that could have been a trick of the light. But the glint in Miyu's eyes told Lara all she needed to know. Miyu was testing her, waiting for her to react, pushing the boundaries of their uneasy alliance. Lara was determined not to give her the satisfaction. The intense irritation Lara felt almost leaked through her carefully blank face, threatening to spill over into outright aggression. She turned sharply on her heel and

"Wait right there!" Selene shrieked, thoroughly enraged by the humiliating prospect of Miyu casually walking out of the establishment unscathed. Her shrill voice carried straight across the dining room, sharp, demanding, and gratingly loud.At the sound of the desperate call, Miyu paused in her tracks and slowly turned around with exaggerated impatience. Her delicate features were set in an expression of sheer, weary annoyance, as though she were dealing with a persistent, buzzing insect."What is it now, Selene?" Miyu asked, her voice dangerously smooth. "Haven't you manufactured enough drama for one afternoon?""Are we all honestly expected to just blindly take the word of your paid thug?!" Selene sneered, her voice practically dripping with toxic contempt as she gestured wildly toward Lara. "You must think every single person in this room is a complete idiot! That we would all just passively swallow whatever elaborate lies you two spin to cover up a violent crime!"The casual, dism

Ding!A crisp, metallic chime echoed directly inside Reed Hawke's mind, accompanied by a glowing, translucent blue interface that materialized seamlessly across his field of vision.[System Update]Notice: Host has successfully acquired 100% of Connie White’s outstanding corporate and personal liabilities. Foreclosure proceedings executed. Full asset seizure and ownership of 'White Media Group' transferred to Host.Standing by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of his high-rise penthouse, Reed let out a soft, amused hum before taking a slow sip of his black coffee. A dark, satisfied smile spread across his face as he marveled at the terrifying, absolute effectiveness of the System.He had unlocked the third level weeks ago, which granted him the ability to see and acquire debts from a chosen target. The power was precise, efficient, and devastatingly effective. It was a talent that Reed enjoyed immensely and wished he could use whenever he wanted instead of having to physically confro

Cole Scott immediately swung into action, his mind working with the ruthless efficiency of a desperate man who had just been handed a second lease on life.Within twenty minutes of hanging up the phone, he had personally wired an exorbitant sum to completely buy out the evening bookings of L’Éclipse, one of Ruby City's most exclusive, ultra-hidden culinary sanctuaries that happened to be close to the airport.He ensured that every single patron was politely but firmly escorted out of the building, clearing the entire establishment so that he and Mr. Lane could dine in absolute solitude and conduct high-stakes business away from the probing eyes of rival moguls and gossip columnists.The restaurant was a masterclass in high-society discretion.Tucked away at the end of a private cobblestone alleyway in the historic district, it featured no street-facing windows, no flashing lights, and zero access points for lurking paparazzi. Its bulletproof double doors opened directly into a secured