At the top floor of Steele Tower, Lucas stood by the window, overlooking the city.
Night had fallen. The skyline glowed with ambition — and secrets.
Behind him, Butler Raymond entered quietly.
"Sir, a board member leaked today's courtroom footage to the media."
Lucas didn't turn around."Let them."
Raymond frowned. "They're trying to stir public opinion. Paint you as a dangerous heir. A tyrant."
Lucas finally turned, his eyes calm but cold.
"Good. Let them be afraid."
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit lounge on the east side of the city, Patrick Steele slammed a glass of whiskey on the table.
Across from him sat a young man in a white suit, fingers adorned with silver rings.
"You said he was finished," the man said lazily.
Patrick scowled. "He was supposed to be. He had nothing."
"But now he has the Lin girl," the man said. "And her law firm's protection. That's… inconvenient."
Patrick leaned in, voice low. "That's why I'm calling in favors. The underground wants him gone. We'll leak everything — stir up the press, burn his alliances, and if that fails…"
The man smiled. "There are other ways to make someone disappear."
They clinked glasses.
Elsewhere – Lucas's Penthouse
Sophia sat across from Lucas, swirling her wine. Their "thank-you dinner" had taken an odd turn.
He was calm, too calm. She was analyzing him like a case file.
"Why did you really come back?" she asked.
Lucas stared at the wine.
"Not for revenge," he said. "That's just dessert."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "And the main course?"
Lucas smiled slightly."To build an empire. One they can never touch."
She held his gaze for a beat longer than necessary.
"Then let's hope you know who your real enemies are."