The morning sunlight shone brightly through the tall glass windows of the grand private study inside the Vance family estate. The air inside the room was calm, fresh, and quiet, carrying a gentle breeze from the green garden outside. The dark wood of the massive mahogany desk gleamed under the warm light, and the rows of heavy leather-bound books on the tall shelves stood neat and orderly.Ethan Vance sat behind his desk. He wore a dark, perfectly tailored suit that fit his broad shoulders effortlessly. His handsome face was completely relaxed, his dark eyes focused and steady as he looked over some final documents sent in from the regional supply depots.Ever since the grand festival and the national broadcast, life across Capital City had continued in a state of absolute peace and happiness. The streets were clean, the schools were full of cheerful children, and working families were enjoying their new homes without any worries. But Ethan was not a man who ever sat back and let tim

The grand international conference hall of the Capital City Financial Center was a masterpiece of classic architecture and modern elegance. Towering white marble pillars rose up to support a high vaulted ceiling covered in polished gold leaf details, while giant crystal chandeliers cast a warm, brilliant glow over the polished stone floors. Long rows of heavy mahogany tables stretched across the center of the hall, covered in dark green cloth and neat placards bearing the names of powerful nations from across the globe.Eighty of the most influential finance ministers, central bank governors, and international trade lords had gathered inside the hall from every corner of the earth. They were men and women who controlled national currencies, regulated global shipping lanes, and directed billions of dollars in international commerce. Today, they had traveled thousands of miles across oceans to Capital City for one single, historic purpose.They had come to sign the Vance Accord.For ma

The grand dining hall of the Vance family estate grew quiet after Thomas delivered his heartfelt toast. The air was filled with a deep, warm feeling of love and peace. Everyone at the table smiled, feeling the strong bond that held them together through all the hard years of the past. They clinked their glasses together in a soft, cheerful toast, drinking to each other's health and happiness.Dinner continued with light conversation, gentle laughter, and stories of funny moments from the old days. Lily talked about her favorite classes at school and how excited she was for the weekend picnic plans. Cynthia shared a funny story about trying to bake a chocolate cake in the estate kitchen last week and making a total mess of the counters, which made everyone burst into bright laughter. Thomas smiled like a proud grandfather, watching the young people he loved enjoy such a wonderful, stress-free evening.For the people sitting around that table, this wasn't just a celebration of wealth o

The cool night air moved softly across the wide marble floor of the master balcony, carrying the sweet scent of blooming white jasmine flowers from the garden below. All across the sprawling grounds of the Vance estate, everything was wrapped in a deep, comforting silence. The tall trees stood still under the silver moonlight, and the soft sound of water trickling from the stone fountain added a gentle, steady rhythm to the quiet night.Far beyond the high wrought iron gates of the estate, Capital City rested in absolute peace. Thousands of warm streetlights and glowing windows twinkled like fallen stars across the metropolitan landscape. There were no sirens wailing in the dark alleys. There were no armed thugs roaming the streets to threaten innocent people. There were no hidden enemies plotting revenge in smoke-filled rooms.The long and difficult war that had shaped the past three years of Ethan Vance's life was finally, truly over.Ethan stood alone against the stone ledge of th

The dark shadows of midnight rested peacefully over the grand private study inside the Vance family estate. Outside the tall glass windows, the moon hung like a silver coin in the clear night sky, shedding a soft, gentle light over the wide green lawns, the sleeping oak trees, and the stone garden fountains. Everything was quiet, still, and calm.In the corner of the room, the faded gold card from three years ago sat resting inside its glass display case, gleaming softly under the moonlight as a permanent symbol of where the entire journey had started.Ethan Vance stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by the cool night air. The warm yellow light of his desk lamp was gone, but his dark eyes remained bright, steady, and sharp. He took a slow, deep breath, feeling a sense of complete satisfaction settle into his chest.He walked quietly across the soft rug, leaving the study behind, and moved down the wide hallway toward the grand master bedroom. He did not need to check the securi