The moment Marcus Bishop's command rang out, every soldier moved with drilled precision, disappearing into the hatches of their tanks and armored vehicles. The clang of shells being loaded echoed across the formation, and within seconds the entire armored regiment had shifted into combat-ready status, engines growling like caged predators."All batteries, aim for that mountain across the valley!" Marcus Bishop raised his arm and pointed directly at the peak where the Sterling family was conducting their ancestral rites.Up on the mountain, the Sterlings noticed the movement below. Turrets rotated with mechanical inevitability, barrel after barrel swinging upward until every gun was trained on their position.Vivian Sterling's pupils contracted to pinpoints. "What?!"Julian Sterling stood frozen beside her, disbelief carved into his face. "Has Marcus Bishop lost his mind? Even a lapdog has limits! Isn't he afraid of being court-martialed for abuse of authority? He

Kane Rollins' display of raw power filled the entire Sterling family with confidence, as if victory was already in their grasp.Indeed, for ordinary people, firearms were the ultimate weapon. And Kane had moved effortlessly under the fire of Caleb Bishop's twin pistols, even managing to banter casually throughout—dodging bullets like they were summer rain. The ease with which he commanded the battlefield was utterly terrifying.Kane asked Elias Vance whether he had any more tricks up his sleeve. Elias said nothing, merely watching him with a detached, almost clinical gaze, as though observing an insect crawling across glass."Then I'll make my move!" Kane narrowed his eyes, his body coiling like a drawn bow, every muscle tensed and ready to release at any moment. "If you want to back out now, there's still time!"He suddenly charged forward, his hand shooting toward Elias Vance's face in a blur of motion.Elias remained cold and impassive. He raised hi

Elias Vance had taken his father's words to heart.When Vivian Sterling had rallied the combined forces against Arthur Vance, some had turned traitor, some had stood firm, others had remained coldly indifferent. Adversity revealed who could be trusted. If not for a handful of loyal elders who had remained true to the Vance family, Tobias Vance, Sarah Vance, and Aria Vance would likely have perished alongside Arthur.Naturally, those who had stayed loyal had all faced retaliation from the Sterling family. Their lives now were far from comfortable.Elias had obtained a list from Tobias containing the names of everyone who had helped the Vance family back then."Dad, don't worry. Every favor returned in kind, that's the Vance family way. I won't forget," Elias said, slipping the list into his pocket. "Tomorrow, I'll go see them.""No, you go today. Right now." Tobias shook his head firmly.Sarah frowned. "Old man, the boy just got back. He's been running h

Elias Vance stood before Dante Russo, his gaze angled slightly downward."Whose orders?" Elias asked, his tone flat."The Haven Syndicate is just a front that someone powerful told me to set up..." Dante's voice trembled as he spoke. His fear of Elias had reached its peak. He suspected this man had already stepped into the highest realm of martial mastery.The Haven Syndicate's underlings looked on in shock. In their eyes, Dante Russo was a ruthless killer, a reckless madman who'd racked up countless deaths during his bare-knuckle boxing days. Yet now, facing this man who hadn't even made a move, Dante had already folded. To them, it was incomprehensible.Elias casually gripped the back of Dante's neck, lifting him like a chicken. "Take me to your boss."Dante had no strength to resist. After a pained yelp, he quickly shut his mouth and nodded stiffly. "Yes, sir..."Dante fumbled for his phone and dialed a number, his hand shaking so badly he nearly dro

The moment Elias Vance walked through the door of the private booth, every person inside did a visible double-take.It wasn't surprise born of recognition. It was the opposite. They hadn't seen him in so long that when Riley Dawson led someone through the doorway, their first collective thought was a simple, confused who is that? Then, half a second later, realization landed like a stone dropping into still water. That was Elias Vance. The room shifted with a quiet, collective intake of breath, old memories surfacing like sediment stirred from the bottom of a glass. A few people set their drinks down. Someone's cigarette paused halfway to their lips.Jessica Collins stared at him for a long moment, her gaze traveling from his face to his shoulders and back again, before she lowered her eyes with a slight furrow of her brow. A small knot of displeasure tightened in her chest, familiar and unwelcome.Elias had always been the striking, sharp-featured type, and his habit