Chapter :- 103

Arc 6: Rise of the Mogul

Chapter 8: A Dangerous Proposition

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A Game of Betrayal

Cassandra Sinclair's presence in Kai's private study was both unexpected and intriguing.

The woman was legendary—Nexus' top strategist, known for orchestrating corporate takeovers and eliminating threats before they even knew they existed.

And now, she stood before Kai, offering him a deal.

Kai leaned back in his chair, studying her. Her icy blue eyes held no fear—only calculation.

"An offer?" he mused. "You're either incredibly bold or incredibly desperate."

Cassandra smirked. "I prefer to think of it as… strategic foresight."

Kai's fingers tapped lightly against his desk. "Go on."

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The Nexus Divide

Cassandra perched on the edge of a nearby chair, her posture relaxed but alert.

"Nexus is fractured," she began. "Internally, the board is divided. Your recent moves have made the situation worse."

Kai's smirk widened. "Good. That was the plan."

She ignored his amusement. "The old guard wants to crush you. The younger members? They see potential. They think you could be… useful."

Kai tilted his head. "And you?"

She met his gaze. "I believe aligning with you is the smarter move."

Now that was interesting.

"You're saying you'd betray Nexus?" he asked.

She chuckled. "Let's just say I'm open to new opportunities."

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The Catch

Kai exhaled, thinking. He had anticipated Nexus would retaliate, but internal conflict? That was a golden opportunity.

Still, he wasn't naive.

"Let's assume I believe you," Kai said. "What do you want in return?"

Cassandra leaned forward. "A seat at the table. When you take Nexus apart piece by piece, I want a share of the empire you build in its place."

Kai smirked. "Ambitious."

She shrugged. "I don't work for free."

Kai studied her for a moment. Was she truly defecting, or was this a setup?

His instincts told him Cassandra was a predator, much like himself. She had seen the tides turning and wanted to bet on the winning side.

The real question was—could he trust her?

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A Test of Loyalty

Kai stood, circling the desk. "If you want a seat at my table, you'll need to prove your loyalty."

Cassandra arched an eyebrow. "And how would I do that?"

Kai leaned in slightly, his voice calm but commanding.

"Give me Nexus' next move."

Silence.

Cassandra exhaled. Then, she reached into her purse and pulled out a flash drive.

She slid it across the desk.

"This contains Nexus' planned counterattack," she said. "They've deployed an asset—a man named Damien Cross."

Kai's expression darkened.

Damien Cross. A ruthless corporate hitman, known for making powerful people disappear—whether through financial ruin or less legal methods.

Kai picked up the flash drive. "If this information is legit, then maybe we can talk."

Cassandra smirked. "Oh, it's legit."

She stood. "Be careful, Kai. Damien isn't like your usual opponents. He doesn't play fair."

Kai's eyes gleamed. "Neither do I."

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The Shadow Approaches

Later that night, as Kai sat in his study reviewing the intel, his phone buzzed.

A single message flashed across the screen.

Unknown Number: You should have stayed in your lane.

Kai's smirk returned.

It seemed Damien Cross was already making his move.

Good.

Let the real game begin.

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End of Chapter 8.