Rain was running down Catherine Flower's face. Her expensive coat was soaked. She was still on her knees in the cold, dark mud. In her hands, she held a small silver box. Inside was a heavy black ring with a golden dragon and a blue stone in the middle."Lord Sovereign," Catherine said loudly over the helicopter noise. "The Emperor's Ring knows your hand. Your 3 years of silent vow are fulfilled."Lloyd stood still in the rain. His wet hair was stuck to his head. He did not take the ring right away. He only looked at his mother in his arms. She was barely breathing."Save her," Lloyd said quietly, with no emotion. "Everything else can wait."Catherine snapped her fingers. "Medical team, now! VVIP!"Two big vans opened. Four doctors in blue clothes ran into the mud with a metal bed that had life-support machines. They carefully moved Mary Wallace onto the bed."Her pulse is 32 and weak!" the main doctor shouted over the engines. "Kidneys failing, lungs full of water! Get the regen cham

The big wooden doors of the Charlton Logistics office closed with a loud bang. Mr. Charlton and Jane were inside their expensive office. On the big wooden desk were 4 different plans to buy new ships, trucks, and warehouses in 3 nearby provinces."We don't just need 5 new ships, Jane," Mr. Charlton said, tapping his heavy gold ring on a glass map of the coast. "We need 20. If we take the main shipping routes before winter, our company will be worth 100 million dollars. The whole province will bow to us.""The expansion costs a lot, Father," Jane said, fixing her purple blazer and diamond earrings. Her eyes were full of greed. "The shipyard wants 20 million dollars right now just to start building the heavy trucks and chassis. Our cash is stuck in the 45 million dollar trade contract.""Then we borrow," Mr. Charlton laughed, picking up a thick folder with a silver logo. "Valmont Genesis Bank opened a new branch on Financial Avenue last week. They have 3 trillion dollars. They are looki

Charlton Logistics main conference table held 3 contracts to buy 200 heavy steel shipping containers and 30 custom trucks."The Valmont Genesis audit was cleared in 12 hours, just like I predicted," Mr. Charlton said, throwing his pen on the table with a satisfied click. He leaned back in his leather chair, smoking a thick Cuban cigar."It was just a small computer glitch when they changed servers. The bank's vice president called me personally this morning to say sorry for the temporary lock.""I knew it," Jane said smoothly, standing by the big window in her expensive white silk jumpsuit, her eyes looking at the busy harbor below. "Hayden was too nervous last night. Rich people love to gossip about drama, but power is about who is still standing when the dust settles.""That broke thug Lloyd got lucky," Madam Helen added from the leather sofa, fanning herself with a lace fan. "He barged into a 7-star hotel, made a scene while the bank's system was updating! What a nerve! I hear he a

Morning sun broke on the top floor of the Charlton Logistics headquarters; the executive floor was buzzing with loud, happy energy.Four waiters in white gloves moved quietly across the soft burgundy carpet, setting down glasses, silver coffee pots, and trays of fresh French pastries on the 16-foot marble conference table.Mr. Charlton stood near the middle of the room, adjusting his custom pinstripe navy suit. He took a heavy sip of black coffee, turning to smile broadly at his wife and daughter."Look at this room, Jane," Mr. Charlton boomed, his voice echoing off the glass walls with rich satisfaction."In less than an hour, Nirvana Group's audit team will walk through those doors. Once they check our expansion and see our profit plans, this master partnership will be signed."Madam Helen sat on the leather sofa near the wall, smoothing her tailored crimson dress, and let out a sharp laugh."Our rise is completely unmatched," Madam Helen declared proudly. "Everyone in high society