The cold wind blew hard across the dark wooden pier, carrying the sharp salt spray of the crashing ocean waves against the rusted iron posts. High above the industrial harbor, heavy rain clouds drifted slowly through the night sky, casting long, dark shadows across the wet concrete floor. The five armored black SUVs sat idling in a neat row, their dark engines letting out a low, steady hum that vibrated through the damp air.Ethan Vance stood completely still by the open door of the lead vehicle. He held the heavy gold envelope in his left hand, feeling the unusual thickness of the smooth, cold paper between his fingers. The bright red wax seal stamped on the back glowed softly under the yellow streetlamps, showing the detailed outline of a coiled dragon holding a sharp sword in its claws.Ethan did not show any surprise on his handsome face. He turned the heavy envelope over in his palm, looking at his own name written across the front in thick black ink. The writing was neat, elega

The grand top floor office of the Vance Group tower was completely quiet, save for the faint hum of the city traffic far below the thick glass windows. The grey morning light filled the room, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floorboards and the massive mahogany desk where Ethan Vance sat.Ethan looked at the small black tablet screen held out by Thomas. Bright red alert icons flashed across a map of the world, marking six giant international cargo ships that belonged to the Vance Group fleet. Every single one of those massive ships was currently locked down at the heavy concrete docks of the eastern harbor city across the sea. Millions of dollars worth of clean goods, raw materials, and essential medical supplies were stuck in place, unable to move even a single foot into the open water."Tell me the exact details, Thomas," Ethan said softly. His deep voice remained completely calm and smooth, without a single trace of panic or hesitation.Thomas took a quiet breath, h

The grand stone administration building was completely silent except for the fast, heavy breathing of Chief Vane. The fat Port Master lay flat on his silk rug, holding his sore neck with both hands while his body shivered in pure terror. He watched Ethan Vance turn his broad back and walk toward the wooden office doors with slow, steady steps."You do not understand what you have done, Chairman Vance," Chief Vane whimpered, his voice trembling so hard his teeth clicked together. "You think you can just come into this eastern territory, slap my guards, take your ships, and walk away clean? Victor Chen is not like the greedy men you defeated in your home city. He is a monster who eats entire families for breakfast."Ethan stopped right at the doorway. He did not turn around to look at the weeping man on the floor, nor did he show any fear in his posture. He simply stood tall, his heavy dark coat hanging straight over his shoulders."If Victor Chen wants to speak to me, he knows where t

The grand auction hall fell into total, heavy silence. The air inside the large stone building was so quiet that the faint sound of the ocean wind blowing against the high glass windows sounded like a loud roar. Hundreds of wealthy business owners, foreign traders, and rich local lords sat completely frozen in their soft velvet seats. Their eyes were wide with pure shock as they stared at the tall young man sitting comfortably in the very front row.One billion dollars.Nobody on the eastern coast had ever seen a single man toss out one billion dollars of pure cash for a piece of land without breaking a sweat or blinking an eye. It was an impossible amount of money, a massive sum that proved the Vance Group possessed far more wealth than anyone in the foreign territory had ever imagined.Up on the high VIP balcony, Victor Chen stood behind the dark stone railing, his face pale and twisted in wild, uncontrollable rage. His breathing was fast and shallow, his chest rising and falling l

The grand auction hall was so quiet that not a single person dared to breathe. The cold air inside the large stone building felt heavy and still, filled with a sudden terror that made everyone freeze in their tracks. High above on the walls, the warm yellow light from the hanging crystal lamps shone down on the wet red carpet, reflecting off the shiny metal frame of Victor Chen's golden handgun.That shiny gun was still pointing right at the middle of Ethan Vance's forehead. The cold tip of the barrel touched Ethan's clean skin, but Ethan did not step back. He stood tall and unyielding like a mountain peak, his sharp dark eyes calm and relaxed as if he were just standing in a quiet garden enjoying the morning sun.Behind Victor Chen, the dark shadows near the stage moved. Cynthia Thorne stepped out into the open light with long, silent steps. Her smooth face was as cold as ice, and her sharp eyes were locked onto the back of the warlord's head. In her strong hands, she held a long bl