Bryce shook his head so fast it might have snapped loose from his neck. "No, no. I'll have the money wired to Vale Group's account immediately."His fingers scrambled for his phone, the screen light harsh against his ashen face. He punched in the number for his company's finance department and pressed the device to his ear, every shred of his usual arrogance gone."Transfer one hundred million from the corporate account to Vale Group right now. First thing tomorrow morning, take a team over there personally to apologize on our behalf."Silence stretched a beat too long before the accountant spoke, confusion bleeding through the line. "Sir, that capital is earmarked for our current project. The investment deadline is the day after tomorrow. If you pull it now, construction progress could stall indefinitely.""Did I stutter?" Bryce's voice cracked like a whip. "I don't care about progress or deadlines. Wire that money this instant, or you can clear out your desk by

Nolan Rowland's voice dropped low, weighted with the gravity that came from invoking names most people knew better than to speak aloud. "Here in Haven City, there's an old saying. Two powers rule the underground: the Southern Boss, Weston Carver, heir to the Southern Fist syndicate, and the Northern Kingpin, Tristan Ashcroft, who controls everything beneath the surface on the north side.""Of course I've heard of them." Landon Whitfield leaned forward, curiosity and skepticism warring across his face. "But those are titans who operate on an entirely different level from the Three Great Houses. Why would men like that lift a finger for us?"Nolan allowed himself a thin smile. "The Southern Boss is getting on in years and doesn't involve himself in other people's affairs anymore, so approaching him would be difficult. But Ironwolf, one of the Northern Kingpin's four lieutenants, that's a different story. Getting him on board shouldn't be a problem."Landon's eyes went w

Perhaps that was what Serena truly felt, buried beneath all the years of silence and misunderstanding. The words she had let slip while drunk carried a weight that no sober conversation ever had, and Aaron found himself turning them over in his mind like stones worn smooth by a river.He had never seen her like this before. In all their time together, past and present, Serena had always been composed, careful with every syllable. Now she was flushed and restless, swaying against him as she mumbled incoherent fragments, her fingers clutching his sleeve as though afraid he might vanish. There was something painfully vulnerable about the way she pressed her face against his shoulder, and for a long moment Aaron simply stood there, holding her steady, unsure what to do with the ache spreading through his chest.He tightened his arms around her to keep her from stumbling, then fished his phone from his pocket and called Quincy.When Quincy pushed open the door and took in

"Thirty million? That's impossible."Adrian Vale stood in the middle of Serena's office, his composure cracking. The number hung between them like something physical, something he could neither accept nor push aside. His father, Brandon Vale, remained on the couch near the door, arms folded, watching with the quiet patience of a man who had already decided how this scene would end.Serena didn't flinch. She reached for a leather folder on her desk and set it down with a soft tap. "I can show you every contract. Every partner working with Vale Group has signed an agreement with a penalty clause set at five times the standard rate. That was deliberate, it exists precisely to prevent anyone from creating disruptions on a whim." Her voice carried no heat, no spite, just the flat certainty of someone who had already won this argument before it started.Adrian's jaw tightened. "What about the logistics contract?"Serena smiled, the kind of smile that made a person feel

"What do we have to be embarrassed about? My company may be small, but it's growing, and everyone in Haven City knows it." Serena refused to back down, her chin lifted with quiet defiance.Brandon Vale waved a dismissive hand. "That is enough. Sometimes I genuinely wonder whether you're actually part of this family.""Today's occasion is extremely important. I hope you won't embarrass the Vale name.""I know my limits, Uncle," Serena said evenly.The words had barely left her lips before she turned and walked with Aaron toward a quieter corner of the hall, settling into seats away from the crowd.Even so, their brief exchange had drawn more than a few stares. A striking couple like them was impossible to ignore regardless of the setting. Wherever handsome men and beautiful women appeared, eyes followed."Who is that man? I've never seen him before.""No idea, but he's incredibly handsome.""Don't bother. He came in with the Vale family's eldes