A tense silence hung in the warehouse.
Ceil's words echoed like a slow-burning fuse, ready to ignite the room.
"Let's talk business."
Velena's breath caught in her throat.
She had seen Ceil manipulate, dominate, and destroy before. But this? This was different.
This wasn't about revenge anymore.
This was about control.
Andrew's smirk widened, his sharp eyes gleaming with intrigue. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Lucian shifted uncomfortably, his grip tightening on his gun. "Ceil, don't do this."
But Ceil didn't acknowledge him. His focus was locked on Andrew—two predators circling, each assessing their next move.
To Andrew, this was a negotiation.
To Ceil, it was a war.
A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL...
Andrew crossed his arms, his tone taunting. "If you're serious about this, let's make one thing clear—you don't get to rewrite history. Your father built his empire with blood and lies. You either continue it, or you burn it down. There's no in-between."
Ceil's smirk was cold, calculated. "That's where you're wrong."
Taking a deliberate step forward, he said, "My father built an empire. I'll forge a dynasty."
Andrew chuckled low, his voice dripping with amusement. "And what makes you think you'll succeed where he didn't?"
Ceil's tone turned razor-sharp. "Because unlike him… I don't lose."
For the first time, Andrew hesitated. The smirk faltered, replaced by something else. Amusement? Respect? Or maybe… a flicker of unease.
Velena watched, her heart pounding.
She should have been relieved Ceil had stopped chasing ghosts.
Instead, all she felt was fear.
VELENA'S DOUBT....
Lucian finally snapped. His voice cut through the air like steel. "You're making a mistake, Ceil."
Ceil turned, his expression unreadable. "Am I?"
Lucian's jaw clenched. "Your father was a monster. You've spent your life trying to destroy his legacy. And now you're telling me you want to be him?"
The smirk slipped from Ceil's face.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then—
"I never said I wanted to be him."
His gaze flicked to Velena, unreadable and cold.
"But if I don't take control of his empire, someone else will. Someone worse."
Velena's voice trembled as she spoke. "And you think that person should be you?"
Ceil's eyes darkened, and his response sent a chill through her. "Who else?"
THE TEST BEGINS...
Andrew broke the silence with a slow, deliberate clap. "Well, well. You've finally figured it out, Kingston. Took you long enough."
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small flash drive. With a smirk, he tossed it toward Ceil.
Ceil caught it in one smooth motion, his grip firm.
Andrew's voice turned deadly serious. "Everything you need is on that drive. The power to take over your father's empire—or to destroy it completely."
Ceil twirled the drive in his fingers, his movements deceptively casual. "And what's the catch?"
Andrew's smirk deepened, his words carrying the weight of a threat. "Survive."
Velena felt the air shift.
This wasn't an offer.
It was a challenge.
One Ceil couldn't afford to lose.