I didn’t like surprises. Especially not the kind that came from men like Lucian Dhark. So when the request came through—direct, immediate, and unmistakably urgent—I didn’t answer right away. I let it sit on my desk for a full minute, staring at it like it might suddenly just disappear. It didn’t. Of course it didn’t. Lucian Dhark wanted a meeting, just like I had predicted. And for once, I didn’t have to wonder why. Dhark Holdings looked exactly like it always did. Immaculate and untouchable— just what one would expect from a generation empire like this one. But the illusion cracked the moment I stepped inside. The tension hit me in waves. Assistants moved too quickly, conversations cut short the second I passed. Screens were lit up in every direction, and muted news channels ran on loop. It was a full crisis. One they couldn’t even pretend to contain. Good. They led me straight up to Lucian Dhark’s office. No delays, no formalities. The d
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