Fifteen minutes remained before the official stage presentation and deal signing between Sovereign Enterprises and Carnegie & Berkeley.Gregory wheeled himself down the executive corridor behind the main ballroom, heading toward the VIP holding suite. He needed to take care of one crucial matter concerning the deal.He pushed open the door to the executive suite. Inside, Tristan stood beside a table, busy on his phone. The sound of the door opening made him look up. A polite smile crossed his face when he saw Gregory wheel himself into the room.“Uh, I heard there was a minor security issue near the side lounge a few minutes ago,” Tristan said, concerned.“It’s been handled,” Gregory replied calmly, stopping his wheelchair a few feet away from his elder brother.Gregory looked straight into Tristan’s unreadable eyes. Tristan had always played the role of the perfect brother, but Gregory knew better. Every move he made was calculated, always keeping him one step ahead.“I came here to

When Robert returned home, he had a look of triumph on his face. Despite the humiliation, he held his head high, trying to exude the aura of a victorious general returning from war.“It’s done, Alice,” Robert announced, pouring himself two fingers of scotch at the bar. “The Hilton officially signed the deal.”Alice’s eyes were still glued to the glowing screen of her tablet. When she heard the news, a brief wave of relief washed over her face, but it vanished almost instantly as her eyes shifted back down to the financial losses flashing on her screen.She didn’t run into his arms to celebrate with him.“That’s wonderful, Robert,” Alice exclaimed as she gave him a feigned smile. “I’m glad your family saved the deal.”Robert’s shoulders dropped to his sides. His brow furrowed slightly as he walked over to her. He had expected her to drop to her knees in gratitude, kiss him, and praise his brilliance. Instead, she looked like she was sitting at a funeral.“What’s with that tone, babe?”

Alice was in the kitchen with her daughter, about to prepare lunch, when her phone started buzzing in the living room.Her phone had been ringing every thirty seconds with calls from angry investors and supply chain managers. Her face was pale, and her designer dress was already rumpled from the stress.Just as she reached into the fridge for a can of fish, Nora exclaimed, “Mom, your phone is ringing!”Alice took a deep breath. She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her blurry vision before replying in a warm voice, “Yes, honey. I know it's ringing.”“Mom, should I bring it?” Nora asked energetically, her white teeth showing as she smiled.Alice didn't respond.“Mom?”“Okay, dear. Let me have it.” Alice hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.A minute later, Nora ran back into the kitchen, just as quickly as she had run into the living room. She held out the phone to Alice.Alice wanted to decline the call, but the moment she saw Marcus's name, her thumb froze over the red butto

On Monday morning, Julian Vance and Eleanor Hayes arrived at Interrogation Room 2 in the police station.Eleanor was holding a briefcase containing their initial findings—a collection of dashcam clips from commercial trucks parked near the crash site where Gregory was involved in a car accident, while Julian held his tablet.Standing outside Interrogation Room 2 was Detective Miller, a man with unkempt grey hair and a badge pinned crookedly to his belt.As soon as he saw the two lawyers approaching, Miller stepped into the middle of the hallway and folded his arms across his chest. His posture made it clear he intended to block the door.“You’re wasting your time, Counselor,” Miller said, his tone flat and unfriendly. “The suspect, Thomas Washington, already gave a full statement last week. It’s an open-and-shut case. He was drunk at the tavern down the block, got behind the wheel of a stolen car, and lost control at an intersection. It’s just a simple hit-and-run DUI.”Julian Vance s

Adrian Smith walked quietly out of the police station. He didn’t bother going back to the main hall to confront Detective Miller or check on Julian and Eleanor.He already knew what was happening.Robert’s fixers would be moving as soon as that call ended, and confronting Miller inside the station would only waste valuable time.He got into his car, started the engine, and pulled into the street.Inside the reception area, the smell of fresh coffee filled the air.Julian and Eleanor stood near the property clerk’s desk, waiting for the receipt confirming their evidence. Suddenly, the glass front doors swung open.Two tall men walked into the lobby. Both wore black coats, expensive gold chains, and black jeans. Their faces were rough, with old scars and cold eyes. They didn’t look like ordinary people coming to visit a relative. Something about the way they carried themselves immediately put Julian on alert.The bigger man walked up to the counter and slapped a thick stack of cashier’s