As Clara steps into the boardroom, Lucian's phone buzzes with an urgent, encrypted security alert from the main city bank: someone inside the building has just initiated a hidden self-destruct liquidation clause on all Vane Corporation assets.

Lucian did not lose his cool for even a single second. His sharp dark eyes flared with lethal, icy fire as he looked down at his glowing screen. He raised his large hand, signaling Silas, who stood right behind him like a quiet shadow of pure intelligence.

"Silas," Lucian growled out in a deep, booming voice that echoed off the high glass walls of the top floor suite. "Override the bank transfer right...