documents, drivers polished the cars, and the elders gathered for yet another meeting. Th

wever, saw

eon was only a first step. If we truly want to restore our name, we must strike deals quickly b

forward eagerl

A massive contract backed by city officials. Roads, bridges, utilities. Whoever secures it

"And you believe we

ard Cole. "...we must send someone who proves we are not afraid

he thread instant

ter? If Falcon's faith in him is real, then

rface, it was clever. If Cole succeeded, the fami

w Marcus too well. This was

rushed. We don't even know who else will

ng her. His gaze shifted to C

s turne

d seen the trap the moment Marcus opened his mou

ll

rned sharpl

steady. "If this project can strengthen the famil

e nodding. "Very well. Cole will represent

d smirk.Later, in Marcus's office, V

ng her tone. "Tomorrow he'll walk into Damien's hands,

respect won't matter if Cole is exposed as incompetent. Once the offi

mirked. "A

d forged contracts, bribed inspectors, even false witne

ss oversaw preparations. His men spread forged docume

e with his finger. "This will make him look like a liar. A fraud

he officials expose the forgery, the Mer

ast out, he'll have no shield. Then I'l

door firmly, her eyes blazing. "You know this is a trap. Marcus

cufflinks with slow precision. "Because walk

derstand the risk? If you fail, Father won't protect you. They'll cast

me. Marcus thinks he's clever. Damien thinks he's ruthless. But both of

,not arrogance, not recklessness, but certainty. A

elting into quiet fear. "Then pr

d, holding it firmly. "I

Eastvale's nightlife, Damien lit a cigar a

grin sharp as a blade, "the

towers gleamed, and the streets thrummed with the pulse of commerce. Yet w

arcoal suit. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp

tched across her face. "Cole, pleas

haven't forgotten. Trust is a rare weapon, An

. Then he turned, slid into the

rs screaming wealth and influence. The top floor had been sealed for the private negotiati

calculated gesture of support. Vivienne, o

when he does, we'll make sure

e. He'll have no choice but t

ses of water set with meticulous care. Officials in suits murmured among th

Mercedes s

e? Why would Ha

st be desperate if

le. He chose a seat near the head of the table, direc

epresentatives, his scar catching the light like a bran

ear. "The infamous Cole Ambers. I didn't expect Harold to

led politely, masks of civility hiding

tly. "You'll find I'm fu

eting

sit lines. Billions in contracts. "The city seeks reliable partners," he emphas

ds to prove our worth." He gestured toward Cole. "We've entrusted our rep

folder in hand. "Endorsement, you say? The

gan flipping through the documents. His

Holdings' contracts?"

ed, and witnessed. Or so Mr. Ambers would have you

d through the room. Everet

n Holdings never authorized this man. He's a fraud, pretending to carry their backing.

Murmurs rose

his chair. "What?! Father entrusted

ow disgraceful! You've dragged o

were scornful, others curiou

hair, studying Damien with calm disdain. "Is t

k faltered fo

attention. "Councilman Everett, gentlemen, lad

room. Marcus's grin widened i

should be asking is, w

its from making the Mercedes family look like liars? Who g

ed uneasily. Doubt

was made clear at the luncheon. Ask their representatives yourself. But Damien here..." His gaze hardened. "...is known for

t frowned, glancing b

ightened. "You

sharply. "I don't

statements from Falcon executives. Signed yesterday. Verified by the notary office this morning. Unlike

ws shot up as he read. The officia

arkened. Marcus

acks me. That is fact. The rest is smoke Damien conjured to confuse you. And if Eastvale

l fell

for now, the council recognizes that Mr. Ambers' evidence holds weight. Damien Kross

s er

eath the table. His plan, so carefully

ne as ever, as though he

he second. Councilman Everett's declaration had bou

eaned forward, voice dripping with false calm. "Documents can be forg

ped his

ere confident, their expressions carefully neutral. They

h high-level coordinators at Falcon Holdings. They will confi

e room. Everett motione

at Falcon Holdings for fifteen years. To my kn

ine. These claims of par

yes gleamed with triumph. Vivienne squeezed h

Ambers, this is serious. Two senior representatives discr

thers with cold amusement. This was the moment Damien had or

s chair scraping lightly against the polished

en who swear loyalty

, how fares your brother's case in the courts? Frau

color draining

owes the Eastvale Black Serpents nearly two hundred thousand. Ga

ed sile

composure cracking. Lang's

n't it, that two men drowning in scandal suddenly appear here tod

e room. Murmurs rose,

s narrowed. "

nswered. Their silence sc

ghed down by criminal charges to speak in their name. They send th

s council allows corruption to dictate its jud

ly, demanding verification. Others glared at Da

his eyes as he stood. "You think you c

ander. Facts. If you wish, I can provide court

composure frayed.Marcus seized his moment. He stood

d our name into chaos, humiliated us before the city's leaders. Whether Damien's witnesses are flawless or

s nodded grimly. Some of the Mercedes elde

Cole. A burden, a stray clinging to Andriana's kindness. You d

to sway against Cole. Everett's expression was trou

vers, rose to her feet. Her voice

to

is supposed failures define him. But I have lived beside him. I have seen what none of you bothered to look for,his patience, his resolve, h

l. Even Mar

? Fine. But remember this day, the day you all witnessed a man stand alone against

a rare warmth sparkin

Eastvale's future. If you choose to trust lies and criminals, that is your burden. But know this." He leaned

ed with the wei

eath. Cole stood tall in the storm of doubt, his voice still echoing in the marble chamber.

amien

e!" he roared. His scar twisted as his rage contorted his face. "You dare

calm disdain. "If the truth humiliates you, Damien, t

shock swep

own men and advanced a step, his glare promisin

r. Kross! Control yourself. This is an off

heaving, but his ey

is entire fiasco is proof enough. Cole Ambers doesn't belong here. He doesn't belong in busine

sure. Vivienne's eyes glittered with triumph

let Marcus's words fill the silence like poison.

n false witnesses. But let me ask you, who benefits if the Mercedes family fa

ng. "That would certain

s that Damien Kross would eagerly exploit. But I anti

out a small recording device. With a cli

rs, even false witnesses. By tomorrow,

ained from D

o one another in shock. Marcus pa

d the weight of thunder. "Every trap leaves footprints. Damien's arrogance made sure of that.

Mr. Kross, these are damni

nd came. His fury strangled him,

w this evidence, but as of this moment, Mr. Ambers' standing is affirmed. The Mercedes family will remain a candidate

xploded wi

collapsing around him. Vivienne grabbed his

h effortless calm, as though he ha

he saw not just her husband but the force that lived beneath his silence.

ed his cane once. His lips curved into a small,

him. Outside, in the shadow of the hotel, his fury erupted.

No. You've only made me hate you more. I'll burn everything you care

th the streetlight, his v

leaned toward Harold, desperation slipping into his voice. "Father, surely y

a blade. "No, Marcus. He defended us

r the first time, doubt an

ession unreadable. But as he passed Marc

me, aim

, back at the estate, Andriana found Cole in the gard

liant today,"

as prepared. That's all.

se me one thing. Whatever storm

ark but steady. "I'll promise you this,no matter how dar

ded, and for the first time, a fr

, enemies sharpened their blad