Chapter :- 112

Arc 6: Rise of the Mogul

Chapter 17: Checkmate Begins

The tension in the private club was suffocating. Victor Langston, the so-called kingpin of corporate warfare, sat across from Kai Ashton, a man who had dismantled his empire piece by piece in a matter of days.

Langston's usual air of untouchable confidence had cracked. Kai had taken millions from him, crippled his logistics, and left him bleeding in the business world.

Now, the question wasn't if Langston would retaliate—it was how and when.

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Langston's Dilemma

Langston narrowed his eyes. "You've made your move, kid. But do you really think this is over?"

Kai smirked. "I don't think—it is."

Langston scoffed, but Kai could see the flicker of uncertainty behind his eyes.

The problem for Langston was simple:

His business empire was built on secrecy, manipulation, and control. He ruled by fear, ensuring that no one dared to challenge him.

But Kai had flipped the script.

He didn't just fight back—he exposed Langston's weaknesses for the world to see.

And now, Langston had a choice:

Continue the war and risk total collapse.

Cut his losses and retreat.

For a man like Langston, there was no greater humiliation than admitting defeat.

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Kai's Final Warning

Kai leaned forward, his voice calm but laced with authority.

"I know what you're thinking, Victor. You want revenge. You think you can pull strings and take me down."

Langston's jaw tightened.

"But here's the thing…" Kai continued. "I'm not playing by your rules."

He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and turned it toward Langston.

A live security feed played—footage of Langston's personal safe being cracked open.

The older man went rigid. "What the hell—?"

Kai's smirk widened. "I know every skeleton in your closet. Your offshore accounts? Tracked. Your hidden assets? Marked. The favors you've called in from politicians and dirty cops? Recorded."

Langston's face paled.

"You make another move against me, and by tomorrow morning, every major media outlet will have a complete dossier on the real Victor Langston," Kai said, his voice smooth as silk. "Your name will be ruined. Your allies will abandon you. Your enemies will tear you apart."

Kai took a sip of whiskey before adding, "Or… you can walk away. Cut your losses, disappear, and enjoy whatever wealth you have left."

Langston clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.

Kai didn't wait for a response. He stood up, adjusted his suit, and gave Langston one final look.

"Your move, Victor."

Then, without another word, he walked away.

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A New Era Begins

By the next morning, news of Langston's sudden 'retirement' spread like wildfire.

The once-feared corporate king had sold off his shares, liquidated his assets, and vanished from the public eye.

Kai?

He sat in his penthouse office, overlooking the city he now owned.

With Langston gone, there was no one left to challenge him.

The business world was his for the taking.

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End of Chapter 17.