Chapter :- 110

Arc 6: Rise of the Mogul

Chapter 15: Breaking the Board

Kai left the VIP lounge with a calm expression, but his mind was already working three steps ahead. Victor Langston had made his threat clear—Cassandra was now a target.

And that was a mistake.

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Securing the Queen

As he approached Cassandra, her sharp eyes studied him. "Langston made a move, didn't he?"

Kai gave a slight nod. "He thinks he can scare us. He mentioned accidents… involving you."

Cassandra's lips curled in a smirk, but her fingers tapped lightly against her glass. "So, I'm a pawn now?"

Kai leaned in, his voice low. "No. You're the queen. And I don't let anyone touch my queen."

Her smirk widened just a fraction. "So, what's the counterplay?"

Kai turned slightly, scanning the crowd. Langston had eyes everywhere. This wasn't just about brute force; it was about control. Information. Influence. He needed to make a move that would force Langston to rethink his approach—or regret it.

"We strike first," Kai murmured. "And we make sure he never sees it coming."

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The Bait is Set

An hour later, Kai sat inside the penthouse suite of his hotel, Cassandra standing near the window, arms crossed. Across the coffee table sat Ethan Graves, his most trusted information broker.

Ethan whistled. "So, Langston wants Cassandra out of the picture? That's bold."

Kai's gaze was cold. "I want to send a message."

Ethan leaned back. "Something loud or something subtle?"

Kai's smirk was dangerous. "Both."

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The Trap

Two hours later, the plan was in motion.

Langston operated with an army of mercenaries and corporate sharks, but like any kingpin, he had one glaring weakness—his overconfidence.

Ethan fed Langston's network a carefully placed rumor: Kai Ashton had left Cassandra unguarded, alone in a high-rise suite downtown.

It took less than an hour for Langston to take the bait.

At 2 a.m., five black SUVs rolled up outside the targeted building. Armed men in tactical gear slipped inside, moving with the precision of professionals. They bypassed security, neutralized the cameras, and reached the penthouse floor.

They thought they were hunting prey.

Instead, they walked straight into an ambush.

The second the lead mercenary breached the door, a stun grenade went off. Bright white light flooded the room, followed by a deafening bang.

By the time they recovered, Cassandra was already in motion.

She moved like a specter, her silencer-equipped pistol snapping off precise shots. Three men dropped before they even realized what was happening.

The last two tried to retreat, but Kai was already behind them. A single strike to the throat, another to the ribs. The last man crumpled before he could even fire.

The whole assault lasted twelve seconds.

Kai picked up one of their radios. "Tell Langston his mistake just cost him five men."

Then he dropped the radio and walked out.

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Langston's Retaliation

By sunrise, Langston had received the message loud and clear.

He was furious. That much was obvious. But he wasn't the type to throw a tantrum—he was already plotting his counterattack.

Kai wasn't worried. Because by the time Langston reacted, the real trap would have already snapped shut.

The game wasn't over.

It was just getting started.

End of Chapter 15.