Shards of glass skidded across the marble floor, the sound sharp and jarring. The air in the Hades household turned thick with tension, the staff shrinking back as Old Lady Hades’ voice cut through the silence.“Why is it that every time we try to fix one mess, she breaks something else?!”No one dared to move. Henry and his family exchanged secretive glances, the corners of their mouths twitching in barely concealed satisfaction. They had plenty to say but fear held their tongues. Magnus and Hazel’s branch was the target today, but everyone knew the Matriarch’s fury could turn on a dime.“Three Magnate Families,” Old Lady Hades seethed, her knuckles white as she gripped the arm of her chair. “Three families, all turning against us.”Henry’s smirk widened ever so slightly, but still, he kept quiet. The Hildestein family was already an enemy, bitter over Hazel rejecting their heir. But the Maples—long-standing rivals—had joined forces with the Yates. And all because Hazel had broken he

Henry turned to face them, his expression unreadable. Of his two children, John had the sharper mind for strategy—the one who might actually stand a chance against Hazel. He was the pride of their branch.“Do you have a plan?” Henry asked, his voice measured.John sat down next to Linda, his brow furrowed as he considered their options. “Given what we know now, it’s clear we don’t have many openings to turn this around. Before, Hazel was running out of time to secure a marriage. Even when she got engaged to Alan, I didn’t see it as a problem. They needed Grandmother’s blessing, and I was convinced that would never happen. But Alan has defied my expectations more than once. He took care of the Donovan family, easing the pressure from that side. Now, he suddenly has a background even more troublesome than being a rising CEO. He’s far more dangerous than we realized. With his background, not only will they get Grandmother’s blessing, but they’ll also solidify their hold on the family and

Alan's car rolled to a stop outside the grand entrance of a lavish hotel. The name "Gold Aries Hôtels and Suites" was elegantly etched on a stone monument, a fitting introduction to the building’s imposing presence.Carrying his duffel bag, Alan strode into the hotel. Despite its luxurious service, he preferred handling his own luggage, a habit ingrained from his time in the military. The lobby itself was a masterpiece of opulence—golden chandeliers casting a soft glow on the black-and-gold themed décor, with polished gold tiles reflecting the grandeur around them. Every detail screamed exclusivity, and the staff, dressed immaculately in black and gold, added to the sophisticated atmosphere."Welcome to Gold Aries," greeted a stunning receptionist with a radiant smile. Her elegant black dress, accented with gold trim, mirrored the hotel's lavish design. "How can we assist you today?"Alan nodded, satisfied with her professionalism. "I have a reservation," he replied, keeping his voice

"Here's the list of employees fired from Gold Aries Construction," David said, holding a file toward Alan, who sat at the head of the long boardroom table.Timothy, seated to Alan’s left, reached over, took the file, and glanced through it. He barely flinched, as if it wasn’t even worth the paper it was printed on.“You’re lucky you’re still here, David,” Alan said, his voice low but carrying an unmistakable warning. “If I were you, I'd keep my head down and make sure there’s no reason to be in this position again.”David’s face drained of color as he bent over repeatedly in quick bows. "Yes, sir! Of course, sir. Thank you, sir!" His voice was nearly a stammer.Alan waved him off, already disinterested. “Let’s move on. The real issue is using the Hades family as leverage to break into the international market.”The rest of the meeting dragged on for hours. When Alan finally left the hotel, the night sky had already settled in. He stepped into the waiting car, the city lights bouncing

Alan reached the edge of a large, industrial room. It was a trap. A perfect kill box. Staircases lined the sides of the hall, leading to floors with clear views of the open center below. From where he stood, concealed behind the only wall separating him from the quadrangle, he could see everything.Across the hall, Hazel was tied to a metal chair, blindfolded, gagged, and helpless. Behind her, the Taskmaster stood, his pistol pressed against her head. The only exit was a metal door behind them—probably the control room.Twenty men were stationed across the hall, rifles aimed directly at Alan's position.Pietro’s voice crackled in Alan’s earpiece. “Twenty-one hostiles, Hazel’s alive, but it’s going to be tight. Risky.”Alan didn’t need to peek around the corner to confirm. Pietro had a drone feeding him a live view of the situation, but Alan took a quick glance anyway.The room exploded in gunfire.Alan ducked back just in time as the bullets ricocheted off the walls around him.Taskma