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CHAPTER 102 PART 2
"I dare because your reputation doesn't intimidate me," Alexander interrupted. "Now, as I said—step aside. We have business to attend to.""Business?" Julian—the calculated one—actually looked impressed despite himself. "You have the audacity to stand there in your donated rags and talk to us about business? You, who probably don't have ten dollars to your name? You, who looks like you sleep in back alleys and eat scraps?""Is that what you think?" Alexander asked mildly."It's what everyone thinks," Marcus snarled. "Look at you! You're nothing! A nobody! A worthless piece of street trash playing dress-up in a world where you don't belong! You're so far beneath us that you shouldn't even be breathing the same air!"He stepped closer, getting in Alexander's face. "You're like a rat that wandered into a palace and thinks it can sit at the king's table! You're vermin! You're dirt! You're less than the shit on the bottom of my shoes!"Alexander stood there and took it all. Every insult. E
CHAPTER 102 PART 1
The Stanford family had positioned themselves deliberately in the center of the lobby—not just occupying space but dominating it. Every other competitor gave them a wide berth, instinctively recognizing apex predators when they saw them.Two men separated from the family group and moved to intercept Vanessa, Alexander, and Katarina. Brothers, clearly—they shared the same sharp features, the same cold blue eyes, the same predatory gait. But where one moved with calculated precision, the other radiated barely contained aggression.The calculated one—dressed in a suit that probably cost more than a car—spoke first, blocking Vanessa's path with his body positioned just aggressively enough to be threatening without being overtly violent."Vanessa Sterling," he said, his voice smooth as expensive whiskey. "We've been watching you. Very impressive performance on Floor Seventy-Five. The kill night, we're calling it. Twenty-four hours of sanctioned violence, and you managed to survive without
CHAPTER 101 PART 2
"Exactly," Alexander confirmed. "You two are the faces of our team. I'm the weapon in the shadows. They won't see me coming because they'll be too busy underestimating you."Vanessa considered this. "It's risky. If they figure out the strategy—""Then we adapt," Alexander said. "But until then, it gives us an edge. And right now, we need every edge we can get.""And the chemical canisters?" Vanessa asked. "How do we use those?""You carry one at all times," Alexander directed. "Hidden but accessible. If you get into trouble I can't immediately handle, you spray whoever's threatening you and turn them into your defender. Instant proxy army.""I like this plan," Katarina said. "Is sneaky. Is smart.""It's also dangerous as hell for Alexander," Vanessa pointed out. "He'll be doing all the actual fighting while we just—what? Stand there looking pretty?""You'll be doing the political fighting," Alexander corrected. "The social maneuvering. The alliance-building and information-gathering.
CHAPTER 101 PART 1
Alexander stood in the corridor leading to the Floor Seventy-Six elevators, his back still to Vanessa and Katarina. He'd meant what he said. They needed to leave. For their own safety. For his peace of mind.But then Vanessa's voice cut through the silence, firm and unyielding:"No."Alexander turned slowly. "What?""I said no," Vanessa repeated, crossing her arms. "I'm not leaving. You can't make me. And before you try to argue, let me explain why you need me up there on the higher floors.""Vanessa—""I have the knowledge, Alexander," she interrupted. "The dynamics of the upper floors. The politics. The players. You're walking into territory controlled by the wealthiest, most ruthless families in the country, and you don't even know who half of them are. You need me to navigate that.""I can figure it out—""No, you can't," Vanessa said bluntly. "Not fast enough. Not without making fatal mistakes. These people eat amateurs for breakfast. You need someone who understands how they thi
CHAPTER 100 PART 2
They moved through the service corridors to the kitchen Vanessa had described. It was indeed large—industrial-sized ovens, massive refrigerators, long prep tables. And most importantly, it had good sight lines to both entrances."This works," Alexander said, surveying the space. "We can barricade one entrance completely, watch the other. Set up warning systems with pots and pans so we know if anyone's coming."They spent the next thirty minutes fortifying their position. Alexander moved heavy equipment to block one entrance entirely. Set up makeshift alarms at the other. Vanessa distributed the three canisters—one for her, one for Katarina, one for Alexander."Remember," Vanessa instructed, "minimal dose. The compound is concentrated. Just a quick spray to the face is enough. Command them immediately while they're susceptible. The effect lasts anywhere from thirty minutes to three hours depending on the person's body chemistry.""Understood," Alexander confirmed.They settled in to wa
Chapter 100 PART 1
They moved through the corridors with Alexander leading, the two fire axes held loosely in his hands. Vanessa stayed close behind him, with Katarina bringing up the rear, her eyes constantly checking behind them for pursuers."What makes these canisters so valuable?" Alexander asked quietly as they navigated through another empty hallway. "I mean, I've seen what the Mesmerizer can do, but why go through all this risk to get more?"Vanessa glanced at him, her expression complicated. "Because you're the one who taught me to make it."Alexander stopped walking. Turned to face her. "What?""Years ago," Vanessa said, her voice soft. "Before your amnesia. Before everything fell apart. You showed me the formula. Taught me how to synthesize the compound. Said I needed a way to protect myself when you weren't around to save me."She looked away, her eyes distant with memory. "You told me I was useless in physical combat—not in a mean way, just stating a fact. And you were right. I've never bee
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