2025-11-29 20:44:26
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 83
Cornelius stared at his two proxies—men he'd hired specifically for their loyalty, their ruthlessness, their absolute obedience to him and only him—as they knelt before Vanessa Sterling like worshippers before a goddess."This is a joke," he said, his voice cracking slightly. "You're pulling some kind of prank, right? Marcus? Rex? Get up! Stop playing around!"The proxies didn't move. Didn't even acknowledge he'd spoken. Their focus remained entirely on Vanessa, waiting for her next command with the patience of machines."I said GET UP!" Cornelius's voice rose to a shout. "I'm your employer! You work for me! Do as I say!"Still nothing.Vanessa's smile was small and cold. "They can't hear you anymore, Mr. Goth. Or rather, they can hear you, but your words don't matter to them. Not while they're under the influence.""What the hell did you spray them with?" Cornelius demanded, his earlier confidence completely shattered. "What was that?""A gift," Vanessa said calmly, placing the canis
CHAPTER 82
Just stopped. Mid-stride, mid-motion, like someone had pressed a pause button on their bodies.For a moment, nothing happened. Cornelius sat forward, confused. "What the hell—"Then both proxies dropped to their knees in perfect synchronization. Their heads bowed. And in voices that were suddenly flat, emotionless, robotic, they spoke in perfect unison:"Command us, Mistress."The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.Cornelius shot to his feet, his chair clattering backward. "What? What the fuck did you just—Marcus! Rex! Get up! What are you doing?"The proxies didn't move, didn't acknowledge him. They remained kneeling, heads bowed, waiting for Vanessa's orders with the patience of machines."I said get up!" Cornelius's voice was rising toward panic now. "Stop this shit and grab her!"Still nothing. They might as well have been statues.Vanessa lowered the canister slowly, her expression still perfectly calm but with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "I told you, Mr. Goth. I d
CHAPTER 81
Cornelius watched Vanessa's hand slide into her bag with a moment of genuine wariness. Guns were banned in the Twin Towers—the security screening was too sophisticated to sneak them through. But knives, tasers, chemical weapons? All fair game under the competition's surprisingly loose rules about self-defense.Then Vanessa's hand emerged holding what was clearly a small aerosol canister—the kind you could buy at any pharmacy. Pepper spray.For a moment, there was absolute silence. Then Cornelius threw his head back and laughed—a genuinely amused sound that echoed through the bar."Pepper spray?" he managed between laughs. "After all that tough talk, all that posturing about being prepared—you brought pepper spray?"The two proxies joined in, their deep voices rumbling with mirth. One of them—a scarred brute with hands like sledgehammers—actually had to wipe tears from his eyes."Oh, this is rich," the proxy said. "Lady, I've been pepper sprayed by cops, by security guards, by angry ex
CHAPTER 80 PART 2
"Among other things." Cornelius's smile was cold. "The five families have ruled this city for generations, Ms. Sterling. We didn't get here by playing nice. We got here by being smarter, more ruthless, more willing to get our hands dirty than anyone else.""How inspiring," Vanessa said dryly."Mock if you want. But understand this—if you continue in this competition, if you pose a threat to the interests of the families, you will be eliminated. And not just you. Everyone associated with you. Your employees. Your business partners. Your... proxies."The threat was clear. They knew about Alexander, or at least suspected a connection."Are you threatening me, Mr. Goth?""I'm warning you," Cornelius corrected. "There's a difference. Withdraw now, tonight, and you walk away unharmed. Your businesses continue operating. Your people stay safe. But if you insist on competing..." He shrugged. "Well. Accidents happen. Especially on the upper floors."Vanessa set down her glass with deliberate c
Chapter 80 PART 1
Floor Seventy-Five had a private bar tucked away from the main common areas—an intimate space designed for quiet conversations and strategic alliances.Dark wood paneling, soft leather chairs, ambient lighting that cast everything in warm shadows.It was the kind of place where deals were made and enemies were identified.Vanessa sat at the bar nursing a glass of scotch, her mind running through the events of the day.The missing Stanford proxy. The whispered conversations among the five families.The growing certainty that someone in this building was hunting for Alexander.She'd positioned herself as a target, tried to draw attention away from the lower floors. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something crucial."Excuse me, barman," a commanding voice cut through her thoughts. "Why don't you take a break? Go have a smoke. Come back in fifteen minutes."Vanessa looked up to see Cornelius Goth standing beside her—patriarch of the Goth family, a man whose manufac
CHAPTER 79 PART 2
The Floor Master gestured, and security guards materialized from the edges of the room. "Mr. Zhang, you agreed to the stipulation. The results are final. Please leave peacefully, or you will be escorted out by force.""You can't do this to me! Do you know who I am? Do you know who my family is?" Ethan was screaming now, his composure completely shattered. "My grandfather will hear about this! The Zhang family will—""Will do nothing," the Floor Master said coldly. "Because your grandfather is a businessman who understands that deals, once made, must be honored. You made your bed, Mr. Zhang. Now lie in it."The guards moved forward. Ethan tried to resist, tried to break free, but they were professionals. They had him in restraints within seconds, dragging him toward the elevator as he screamed threats and accusations."This isn't over! I'll sue! I'll destroy you, Alexander! I'll—"The elevator doors closed, cutting off his tirade.The casino was silent for a long moment. Then the Floor
You may also like
Rise of Power: Return of The Pathetic Commoner
Iwaswiththestars74.1K viewsThe Ex-Billionaire Husband
Sunny Zylven78.3K viewsSecretly The Quadrillionaire's Heir
Viki West121.1K viewsThe Almighty Dominance
Sunshine1.4M viewsEx Husband Returns: The Martial Arts Godmaster
Moody 5.5K viewsHUMILIATED SON-IN-LAW, INVINCIBLE SYSTEM
Victoria C 1.5K viewsPhoenix Heart: The Last Heir
J.O Medusa385 viewsAWAKENED ADRIAN LACANSTER
Michael Chi 18.2K views