LOGINInside the sunlit penthouse office of Laurel Tower, the main monitor on Darius's desk hummed quietly as it processed the information. He watched the loading bar on the screen for several seconds before it finally changed from red to green.The data recovered from Lucas's private records began appearing across the screen, filling it with long lists of names, locations, numbers, and other information. Darius leaned closer as he went through the files, scrolling slowly through everything that had been recovered.Valkira stood behind Darius, watching the screen over his shoulder. She had no plans to stay in the tower for much longer.The room still smelled of fresh furniture polish mixed with the cool morning air coming through the windows. Leon stood beside her, following the information as it appeared on the large screen.The encrypted files slowly began to make sense. One line after another changed from scrambled symbols into readable records, revealing financial accounts, properties,
Morning light came through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Laurel Tower, filling the penthouse with sunlight. From the windows, Valkira could see the courtyard below, where military transports and supply trucks were already moving around the grounds. General Liam's men were stationed near the main gates while other soldiers escorted the last of the defeated traitor guards toward the waiting transports in heavy iron chains.The tower had been under military control since the battle, and signs of the previous night's fight were still visible around the grounds. Soldiers were clearing away damaged equipment and securing the entrances while the remaining guards were taken away.The sound of chains and weapons carried up from the courtyard as soldiers moved around the grounds. Boots hit the wet pavement as the troops went about their work, while heavy transport doors opened and closed along the streets. The entire economic district was waking up to a different reality. The old leadership w
The deepest cell in the maximum-security dungeon was cold and damp. The smell of wet stone, rust, and stagnant water filled the small room. No sunlight reached this part of the building, and the only light came from a weak bulb hanging overhead, leaving most of the concrete walls in shadow. Lucas was chained to an iron ring fixed to the wall. His bruised body shook as he struggled against the chains, his once-expensive suit now covered in dirt from the floor. The poison was getting worse, and dark veins stood out across his forehead and neck. He coughed violently and spat dark blood onto the floor, then struggled to catch his breath before another wave of pain hit him. His fingers closed weakly around the chains as he tried to pull himself forward, but he barely had the strength left. His boots scraped against the dirty floor while the heavy shackles cut into his swollen wrists. Every breath came harder than the last, and he knew the poison was slowly killing him. Lucas let out a r
The grand council chambers of Laurel Tower were packed, with twenty-three global investors seated around the upper gallery and seventeen council members gathered below them. Morning sunlight came through the tall glass windows and fell across the stone pillars. The investors sat quietly, watching the chamber below while the council members waited in tense silence.The iron doors opened, and everyone in the chamber turned toward them.The sound of metal chains followed, breaking the silence as they dragged across the stone floor. The iron links clinked with every step, echoing through the chamber. For several seconds, that was the only sound anyone could hear.Chris walked into the chamber with four armored Border infantrymen behind him, all of them pulling a heavy chain between them. Four men were chained to it—Fred, Ivan, Travis, and Kelvin. Their expensive suits were torn and stained with blood, and their faces were pale and bruised. They kept their heads down as they were led into
The spotlights shone down through the dust still hanging in the air, lighting up the damaged hall. Laurel Tower, which had been filled with music and conversation earlier that night, was now almost completely silent. Alpha Sterling slowly came down the marble stairs, his hands shaking as sweat gathered along his forehead. He held a thick leather briefcase tightly against his chest, barely taking his eyes off Valkira.Sterling was the lead continental investor and the man who had been trusted with the final records belonging to the six packs. The briefcase contained the documents tied to everything they had taken over the years, including territory deeds, cargo rail lines, and corporate shares. Losing those records meant losing their claim to the wealth and property they had built on stolen land.He reached the bottom step and walked slowly toward the center of the hall, the briefcase still held tightly against his chest. His boots echoed across the marble floor as he approached Valkir
The two women stood facing each other under the flashing searchlights, both breathing heavily as the hall fell strangely quiet around them. Grey smoke drifted through the room, carrying the smell of burnt silk, blood, and metal. Seraphina's chest rose and fell beneath her torn dress as her Southern Alpha aura continued to pulse through the hall, making the remaining glass fixtures shake above them. A few loose crystals finally broke free and crashed onto the marble floor.Seraphina's eyes were wide and bloodshot as she stared at Valkira, her fangs still exposed while blood ran from the wounds along her ribs and down her legs. Her black silk dress hung in torn pieces around her body, barely resembling the elegant outfit she had worn earlier. She was hurt and trapped, and she knew she was running out of options, but the desperation on her face made it clear she wasn't ready to give up.Valkira watched her closely, paying attention to every small movement. Her golden eyes didn't leave Se







