The steady tapping of fingers against the mahogany desk echoed through the room, blending with the sound of the rain outside that had begun to subside. Thomas Sterling—now fully in control of what remained of the Western Faction's conspiracy—studied the digital blueprint of a five-star hotel ballroom displayed on his tablet. Beside him, Julian Vance and Chloe Miller watched with bated breath, placing what remained of their lives in the hands of the middle-aged man before them."Sterling Group's business banquet. This will be our stage," Thomas Sterling said, his voice low and filled with deadly tactical confidence. He swiped across the screen, revealing a list of conglomerates and speculative investors from the outside faction.Julian Vance frowned, his jaw tightening with curiosity."Uncle Thomas, how can a banquet held in Natalie's company's name possibly benefit us? Vance Corporation's assets have already been frozen by the Central Bank!""That's exactly why we take advantage of th

Morning in the Western Sector began with extraordinary activity at Sterling Group's headquarters. After the news of the massive collapse of Miller Group and Vance Corporation spread widely, Sterling Group's position on the stock market soared sharply. Natalie Sterling stood beside the large window in her office, gazing at the cityscape with a faint smile that radiated the confidence of a newly established ruler of the upper faction.Knock! Knock!Alena stepped inside after the door was knocked on twice. The secretary's face was bright as she placed a red leather folder containing important documents on Natalie's marble desk."Miss Natalie, the board of commissioners has just sent the final agenda for the business banquet two nights from now," Alena said enthusiastically. "All the preparations have been completed. The digital invitations have also begun to be distributed throughout the Western faction's elite network and to international representatives."Natalie walked toward her desk

Knock! Knock! Knock!The loud pounding on the front door of the luxurious Miller Family mansion rang out like the toll of a death knell.Inside the master bedroom, which was in complete disarray, Chloe Miller flinched. Her trembling hand nearly dropped the small bottle of expensive perfume that remained on her vanity table. Every nerve in her body tensed, consumed by overwhelming psychological fear that had haunted her since dawn.Before she could take a single step, the bedroom door was forced open from the outside. Three court enforcement officers in stiff gray uniforms entered the room. Leading them was a middle-aged man wearing tactical glasses and holding a digital tablet bearing the emblem of the Western Sector High Court."Miss Chloe Miller," the chief receiver said, his voice cold and flat, devoid of the slightest trace of warmth. "The voluntary vacating period for the collateral assets of Miller Group expired at four o'clock this afternoon. Pursuant to the order issued by Alt

The grandeur of the Grand Celestial Hotel's main ballroom that night truly represented the highest pinnacle of the upper faction's reality in the mortal city. A massive crystal chandelier hanging from the ten-meter-high ceiling radiated a golden glow, reflecting its splendor across the marble pillars plated with cyber brass. The soft melody of a classical orchestra drifted through the air, blending with the gentle clinking of crystal champagne glasses and the cheerful laughter of conglomerates, senior politicians, and representatives of international investors from foreign factions, all dressed in luxurious formal attire.Behind that dazzling brilliance, however, a tense atmosphere enveloped the emergency access door at the rear of the building. Two figures moved stealthily through a deserted corridor illuminated only by dim wall lamps.Julian Vance and Chloe Miller.Wearing the last evening outfits they had managed to save from confiscation by the court-appointed receivers, they hurr

The dazzling grandeur of the main ballroom at Grand Celestial Hotel, packed with distinguished guests, made Chloe Miller feel increasingly suffocated. Although she had successfully slipped inside alongside Julian Vance, the gazes cast by several socialites from the Western Faction as they passed through the side corridor felt like sharp blades stripping away the last remnants of her dignity. Julian had separated from her and headed toward the main bar area to locate Thomas Sterling and monitor the arrival of the investors from the outside factions, leaving Chloe standing alone beside a marble pillar in a relatively quiet side room.Holding a cocktail glass filled with a deep crimson liquid, Chloe stepped backward behind the shadow of a large velvet curtain to avoid any social interaction. However, her ears suddenly stiffened when she overheard the conversation of several upper-faction women gathered on a luxurious sofa in the side room, only two meters away from where she was standing