2025-12-31 23:49:07
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The words hung between them like live wires—and then Max moved.He stepped into Jenna’s space with deliberate arrogance, shoulder brushing hers as if she were nothing more than furniture in his way. His tone sharpened, each word designed to scrape. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you? That’s the problem with people who think a temporary win makes them powerful.”Jenna snapped. “Get out of my face.”Max smirked and leaned closer instead, voice low and venomous. “Or what? You’ll shout a little louder? Stamp your feet? You’re out of your depth, Jenna. Always have been.”Her fury finally boiled over. “You don’t intimidate me,” she spat. “You’re just a spoiled parasite riding on a corrupt name.”A few heads turned now. The air in the lobby felt tight, brittle, as if one wrong word would shatter it.“Oh?” Max laughed, sharp and condescending. “Funny. Because from where I’m standing, you look seconds away from losing what little control you have left.”Jenna’s hands were shaking open
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Jenna’s mind raced, connecting the dots instantly. Her pulse throbbed in her temples.“So,” she said, voice tight with barely contained fury, “you’re here because of your girlfriend? That’s your plan? To sneak in through someone else?”Max’s smile didn’t falter. He leaned casually against the polished obsidian floor, hands still tucked into his pockets. “Not sneak in,” he said smoothly. “Let’s call it… strategic oversight.”Jenna’s fists clenched at her sides. “Strategic oversight? Your family has already lost the match! The Hadel family won fair and square. You have no right to be here.”“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong,” Max said, tilting his head, eyes glinting with amusement. “The Salers never lose entirely. You think a single disqualification erases decades of influence?”Jenna’s jaw tightened. “Your family cheated. Everyone knows it! And now you think you can waltz in and sabotage our deal?”Max chuckled, low and dangerous, like a predator enjoying the moment before the strike
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The moment Jenna arrived at Galaxy Corporation, she felt the weight of it. The interior was a monument to controlled dominance—soaring ceilings lined with translucent alloy panels, holographic market data flowing silently along the walls like living veins. The floors gleamed in obsidian glass, reflecting soft white light from recessed strips that guided visitors forward with surgical precision. Everything about the space whispered money, influence, and authority that didn’t need to announce itself. Executives moved through the lobby in hushed efficiency. No wasted motion. No wasted breath. As Jenna stepped further inside, her gaze swept the room—until it stopped. A man stood near the central atrium, posture relaxed yet unmistakably confident. He wore a tailored charcoal suit with a high-collared inner layer instead of a tie, the fabric subtly threaded with silver filaments that caught the light when he moved. A minimalist wrist interface rested against his cuff, and
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Ethan planned to use Galaxy to first impose economic sanctions on the Saler family—the most obedient lackeys of the Watson family. Supply chains would freeze, accounts would stall, overseas partners would quietly pull out. Nothing overt. Nothing that could be traced back to him. Pressure without fingerprints. When the Saler family began to suffocate, the Watsons would have no choice but to intervene. And when they did, Galaxy would be watching closely—measuring every resource deployed, every favor called in, every shadow asset revealed. Only then would Ethan know exactly how much power the Watson family still held… and how much of it could be taken away. *** The executive conference chamber was carved from glass and shadow. A crescent table of obsidian composite curved around the room, each seat occupied by someone who could move markets with a signature. Holographic cityscapes floated behind them—Galaxy Corporation’s reach rendered in glowing blue trade routes and
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Ethan shifted uncomfortably. “You don’t have to—”John raised a hand, silencing him.“This is a Hadel matter.”Jenna’s hands clenched at her sides.They’re right.I crossed the line.Chris exhaled slowly. “We don’t undermine our own.”Jenna nodded, eyes down. “I know.”Silence stretched.Then John spoke again. “What do you do when you are wrong?”Jenna closed her eyes.She took a long, steady breath.In.Out.When she opened them, she stepped forward.One step.Then another.She stopped directly in front of Ethan.The masked fighter looked at her—curious, calm, unreadable.Jenna bowed.Deep.Formal.The kind of bow reserved for warriors… and apologies that mattered.“I was wrong,” she said clearly.The crowd quieted, sensing the weight of the moment.“I doubted you. I insulted you. I treated you like a liar and an impostor when you stood in front of me with nothing but your word.”Her voice wavered—but she didn’t stop.“That was arrogance. And fear. And pride.”She straightened, meeti
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Josh’s jaw clenched so hard it creaked. “You’re enjoying this,” he hissed. Chris grinned. “Oh, immensely.” Josh turned pale with rage. “You think this ends here!?” John laughed softly. “No. It ends by the rules.” Josh froze. “What rules?” Before anyone could answer— The arena lights flared. The announcer’s voice boomed out again, amplified and formal, carrying an unmistakable authority. “ATTENTION.” The crowd quieted. Josh’s eyes flicked upward. The announcer cleared his throat. “By official arena regulation… article seven, subsection three…” Josh’s stomach sank. “…any sponsoring family whose champion is defeated—” The announcer paused. Long. Deliberate. “…is required to immediately withdraw from all cooperative contracts associated with the match.” Murmurs exploded. Josh’s brother stiffened. “No—” The announcer continued, voice sharp. “This includes—but is not limited to—” A holographic seal flared above the arena. “…strategic cooperation with the Galaxy Cor
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