Chapter 49: Peasants in My Eyes

Ethan Cross didn't walk into the Syndicate's meeting like an outsider. He walked in like he owned the room.

Because he did.

The private lounge at the top of the Blackstone Tower was reserved for the world's elite—those who controlled industries, governments, and underground networks with a snap of their fingers. The obsidian table in the center of the room reflected the dim golden glow of the chandelier above, casting long shadows over the gathered figures.

At the head of the table sat Kairos Westwood, arms folded, a knowing smirk on his face. To his right was Nathan Pierce, his sharp gaze dissecting every movement Ethan made. Victoria Hale leaned back in her chair, legs crossed, eyes filled with veiled curiosity. Other prominent members of the Syndicate sat in silence, waiting for the newest guest to prove himself.

Ethan, however, had no intention of proving anything.

Victoria gestured lazily to the empty seat across from Kairos. "Sit."

Ethan didn't move.

Instead, he let his gaze sweep across the room, taking in each of them as though they were nothing more than children playing at power. His smirk widened.

"You seem to be under the impression that I need to impress you."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "You don't?"

Ethan let out a low chuckle. "You? You're peasants in my eyes."

The room fell silent.

A heavy, suffocating silence.

Victoria's smile faltered for just a moment. Nathan's expression hardened. Kairos' fingers tapped against the table, the only sound in the stillness.

Kairos leaned forward, amusement laced in his voice. "Big words for someone standing alone."

Ethan slipped his hands into his pockets, completely at ease.

"Alone?" He let out a soft, mocking laugh. "That's cute. You think you're at the top, don't you?"

He shook his head, his expression one of quiet amusement.

"But the real power? The ones who truly move this world?"

He let the weight of his words sink in before speaking again.

"They work for me."

A ripple of tension passed through the room.

Ethan pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and a second later—

Ping.

Kairos' phone buzzed. His jaw clenched.

Victoria checked hers, her expression unreadable.

Nathan's posture stiffened.

They weren't the only ones. Around the table, others glanced at their devices, eyes widening as they saw the notification.

Because what they saw wasn't just a claim.

It was fact.

Viper. The faceless ghost who could make billionaires disappear overnight, the whisper of his name enough to send shivers down the spine of world leaders.

General Manager James. The one who controlled the offshore accounts of every major power player, holding their secrets and wealth in his hands.

And three others. Individuals so powerful, their influence wasn't just measured in wealth—but in their ability to control the very infrastructure of the world's economy and underground networks.

All of them?

Employees of Ethan Cross.

Not allies. Not associates.

They worked for him.

Ethan leaned forward slightly, resting a hand on the back of the chair they had offered him. His smirk hadn't faded.

"You don't tell me what to do," he said, voice calm but razor-sharp. "You don't test me. You don't invite me here to see if I'm 'worthy.'"

He let his words settle like a blade at their throats.

"The only reason I stepped into this room… was because I was curious."

A muscle ticked in Kairos' jaw. Victoria's fingers tightened on the armrest of her chair. Nathan exhaled slowly, his analytical mind already calculating what this meant for their power structure.

Kairos finally spoke, his voice measured. "If that's true, then why are you here?"

Ethan smirked.

"Because I was bored."

And just like that, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Victoria called after him, her voice smooth but edged with something new—respect, or perhaps wariness. "You're leaving?"

Ethan didn't even look back.

"If I ever need something from you," he said, his tone dripping with amusement, "I'll let you know."

Then he was gone.

And for the first time in the Syndicate's history—

They had just been dismissed.

---

The elevator doors slid shut behind him as Ethan pressed the button for the ground floor. His reflection in the mirrored interior showed the same smirk, but his eyes? They were cold.

The Syndicate thought they were untouchable. They thought they were the unseen rulers of the world.

They were wrong.

Ethan leaned against the elevator wall, tapping his phone screen once more.

A message appeared in his private chat with Viper.

Ethan: [Pull all records on the Syndicate. Full financials, offshore holdings, blackmail material. If they move against me, I want them erased before they take their next breath.]

The reply came almost instantly.

Viper: [Consider it done, boss.]

Ethan smiled as the elevator descended.

The game had just begun.

And he was already winning.