Chapter :- 106

Arc 6: Rise of the Mogul

Chapter 11: The New Pawn

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The Aftermath of Defeat

Damien Cross sat in a dimly lit room, his hands bound to the chair, but his smirk remained intact.

"You really think I'll work for you?" he chuckled, his voice hoarse from the paralysis wearing off.

Kai Ashton sat across from him, sipping a glass of whiskey, his expression unreadable.

"You don't have a choice," Kai said simply.

Damien exhaled. "You're a bold man, Kai, I'll give you that. But Nexus isn't going to let you do this. They'll retaliate."

Kai leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "I'm counting on it."

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A Calculated Risk

Cassandra and Ian stood behind Kai, watching the exchange.

"Are you sure about this?" Cassandra whispered. "He's dangerous."

Kai smirked. "Exactly why I need him. Damien knows Nexus inside and out. He's my key to dismantling them."

Damien chuckled. "You think I'll betray them that easily?"

Kai placed a folder on the table and slid it toward him.

Inside were detailed records of Nexus's operations, financial transactions, and—most importantly—evidence of their plan to eliminate Damien.

His smirk faltered.

"You're lying," Damien said, but there was hesitation in his tone.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Am I? Nexus doesn't keep liabilities, Damien. And after your failure tonight, what do you think they'll do to you?"

Damien clenched his jaw, his mind racing.

Then he exhaled, his shoulders loosening. "Alright, Kai. You win. I'll work for you."

Kai smirked. "Smart choice."

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The First Task

"Now," Kai continued, standing up. "I need intel. Everything you know about Nexus's next move."

Damien leaned back. "They won't sit still after this. They'll escalate. Fast."

Kai expected that. "How?"

Damien sighed. "They have a black-market auction in three days. They're selling something big—something that will shift the power balance in the underground. That's their next move."

Cassandra frowned. "What are they selling?"

Damien hesitated, then spoke.

"Biometric security tech. A device that can bypass any facial recognition, fingerprint lock, or retinal scanner."

Kai's eyes darkened. If Nexus secured that, no one's data—no one's empire—would be safe.

"So," Kai said, standing up. "We crash their auction."

Damien smirked. "Now that's a plan I can get behind."

End of Chapter 11.