Chapter :- 114

Arc 6: Rise of the Mogul

Chapter 19: A Ghost from the Shadows

Kai Ashton leaned back in his leather chair, fingers tapping against the polished oak desk. His eyes scanned the file Olivia had placed in front of him, but his mind was already moving three steps ahead.

Atlas Consortium.

The name was unfamiliar, but the effects of their movements were impossible to ignore. In just over a week, they had:

Acquired three struggling corporations and injected them with fresh capital.

Poured billions into tech startups, boosting innovation sectors.

Announced a financial services division, directly competing with Ashton Group's growing banking interests.

This wasn't an accident.

Someone was making deliberate, strategic moves—and they were aimed straight at him.

Kai exhaled slowly, placing the file down. "Who's backing them?"

Olivia adjusted her glasses, her expression unusually tense. "That's the problem. Their investors are hidden behind layers of offshore accounts. No single entity to trace back to."

Kai's lips curled slightly. "That means one of two things. Either they're government-backed, or—"

"Or an old enemy," Olivia finished grimly.

Kai chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Exactly."

For someone to appear this suddenly, with this much firepower, meant only one thing—a ghost had returned.

---

The Invitation

That afternoon, just as Kai was leaving his office, an unexpected email arrived.

Sender: Atlas Consortium

Subject: A Discussion Between Titans

Message: Let's meet. You choose the place. – A. C.

Kai's eyebrows lifted slightly. Bold.

Most people trying to challenge him worked from the shadows, using backroom deals and financial warfare. Atlas was different.

They were walking right up to him and knocking on the front door.

Kai forwarded the email to Olivia. "Book a private lounge at The Monarch. No security. Just me and whoever shows up."

Olivia hesitated. "No security? Are you sure?"

Kai smirked. "If they wanted me dead, they wouldn't have sent an invitation."

Olivia sighed, but nodded. "I'll set it up."

---

Meeting the Enemy

That evening, The Monarch's VIP lounge was empty, save for Kai and a single glass of bourbon in his hand.

The dim lighting cast long shadows over the room, and the air carried the faint scent of aged whiskey and expensive cigars.

The doors swung open.

A figure stepped inside, his presence filling the space immediately.

Tall. Refined. Dressed in a tailored black suit. Silver hair. Cold, calculating eyes.

Kai's smirk disappeared.

Victor Langston.

The man he had destroyed.

Yet here he was, standing in front of him, richer than ever.

Kai leaned back, his expression unreadable. "I must admit, I'm impressed. Not many people crawl out of the grave after being buried alive."

Langston smirked, pouring himself a drink from the crystal decanter on the table. "And I must admit, I expected more from you, Kai."

Kai's grip on his glass tightened slightly.

This wasn't a friendly visit.

Langston swirled his whiskey before taking a sip. "You crippled me once. Took everything from me. My empire, my reputation. But you underestimated me."

Kai remained silent, watching him carefully.

Langston's voice hardened. "I spent years rebuilding. And now, I've returned. Stronger. Smarter. And with a bigger war chest than before."

Kai smirked. "Let me guess. Atlas is yours?"

Langston leaned forward, his cold gaze locking onto Kai's. "Atlas is just the beginning."

Kai chuckled, setting his drink down. For the first time in years, he felt something real.

A true challenge.

---

End of Chapter 19.