War God’s Last Stand

Chapter 8 — Thin Smiles and Sharp Paper

The company building was slowly emptying as the evening crept in. Office lights flickered off one after another, and the usual noise of phones and footsteps faded into a dull hum.

Selene remained at her desk longer than most, reviewing files with tired eyes while her mind replayed everything Leon had told her on the phone earlier that day. Every number mattered, every signature mattered, and every delay felt like another attempt to crush her resolve.

When she finally stood and gathered her things, the floor felt strangely quiet. Security was already preparing for night watch, and only a few staff members remained. Selene walked toward the elevator, her heels tapping softly against the polished floor, when a familiar voice cut through the silence.

She stopped before turning.

Lucien stood near the glass wall overlooking the city, hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed as if he owned the building and everyone inside it. His presence alone felt like pressure in the air.

“You really think you are going to win that countersuit,” Lucien said with a laugh as the office lights dimmed for closing, and his voice echoed slightly through the near empty floor, “just because your little lawyer pulled a few cheap tricks yesterday.”

Selene turned to face him, her expression calm even though her chest tightened. “I am not interested in playing games with you tonight,” she said. “Move out of my way.”

Lucien leaned against a desk, clapping once as if amused. “Oh come on,” he said, shaking his head, “you walk around with that look like you already won, and yet you forget who you are dealing with. You will not win this lawsuit. Not now. Not ever.”

Selene lifted her chin. “You sound very confident for someone who keeps delaying court dates,” she replied.

Lucien laughed again, louder this time. “Because I can,” he said, stepping closer. “The jury can be bought, the evidence can be rewritten, and witnesses can forget what they saw when the price is right. And you,” he added with a cruel smile, “you will walk away with nothing, just like always.”

She stared at him, refusing to flinch. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

“No,” Lucien said, his smile widening, “it is supposed to prepare you. You came back thinking you could fight me with paperwork and a crippled husband sitting at home watching the news like a good little dog.”

Selene felt heat rush through her, but she kept her voice steady. “Do not talk about my husband.”

Lucien shrugged. “Why not,” he said mockingly. “He cannot even stand for himself, let alone protect you. I almost feel sorry for you. Almost.”

They stared at each other in silence for a moment, the hum of the building filling the space between them.

Lucien broke the silence first. “You should withdraw the countersuit while you still have dignity,” he said. “I will make sure you are left with enough to survive, and you can disappear quietly with your useless husband.”

Selene smiled then, and it was not soft or uncertain. It was sharp.

“You talk too much,” she said calmly.

Lucien frowned slightly. “What did you say?”

Selene reached into her bag and pulled out a thin folder, and she walked past Lucien and stopped in front of the glass wall. She opened it and slid a document forward. “Read this,” she said.

Lucien’s laughter faded. “What is that,” he asked, his voice tight.

He hesitated, then took it, his eyes scanning the page. His face changed slowly, color draining as he read further.

Selene spoke clearly as her brother continued reading. “That is proof of falsified asset transfers linked to offshore accounts under your name,” she said. “It also traces back to shell companies you used to move our parents' assets without consent.”

Lucien stepped forward. “That is fake,” he snapped.

“It is certified,” Selene replied. “And it was obtained legally. My lawyer knew exactly where to look, and he waited until you were careless.”

For the first time, Lucien did not laugh. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

Selene closed the folder gently. “You should worry less about bribing juries,” she said, “and more about explaining this.”

She turned and walked toward the elevator without looking back, her heels echoing against the floor as the doors closed behind her, leaving Lucien standing in silence with a smile that had finally broken.