Chapter 50: The Call from Myra

Ethan Cross sat in the dimly lit confines of his shabby apartment, the flickering glow of his laptop screen casting shadows across the cracked walls. Outside, the muffled sounds of the city hummed in the background, but inside, only silence lingered—except for the thoughts racing through his mind.

The events of the previous night replayed like a reel in his head. The Syndicate, those self-important billionaires who thought themselves untouchable, had been thoroughly humbled. He had laid out the truth in brutal clarity—they were nothing more than peasants in his eyes. He had reminded them that true power wasn't just wealth but absolute control. And in his world, even the so-called elites bowed to names like Viper, General Manager James, and the unseen forces who answered only to him.

They had sat there, stunned and speechless, as he made it clear—no one at that table had the right to order him around.

But now came the next move.

Ethan tapped his fingers on the old wooden desk, his mind calculating his next steps. Should he retaliate and cripple those who dared to challenge him? Or should he let them squirm in their insignificance, knowing they had provoked something far beyond their understanding?

He had options—too many, in fact. The Syndicate was powerful, but in the grander scheme of things, they were children playing with matches while he held the firestorm. He could destroy their assets with a single phone call, have their most prized secrets leaked to the world, or simply erase their influence overnight.

Decisions, decisions.

Just then, his phone vibrated against the desk, breaking the silence.

Incoming Call: Myra Langford.

Ethan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his tousled hair before picking up.

"Myra."

A soft chuckle came from the other end. "Took you long enough to answer, Ethan. I was starting to think you forgot about me."

He leaned back in his chair, glancing at the peeling paint on the ceiling. "And what makes you think I'd forget you?"

"Because, my dear fiancé," she said smoothly, "we have a deal, remember? Our first date. You were supposed to plan something extravagant to impress me."

Ethan smirked. "I don't need to impress you, Myra. You already know exactly who I am."

"True," she admitted, "but that doesn't mean I don't expect a proper date. You wouldn't want to disappoint your future wife, would you?"

He chuckled. "So you're actually taking this engagement seriously now?"

"You tell me, Ethan," she replied, her voice laced with amusement. "You're the one who made sure this contract happened. You're the one who wanted me tied to you. So the least you could do is follow through with the formalities."

Ethan tilted his head, considering her words. Myra Langford—heiress to the Langford Empire, known for her sharp wit, ruthless intelligence, and the ability to turn heads in any room she walked into. Their engagement was nothing more than a contractual agreement, a political move that benefited them both.

Or at least, that's how it was supposed to be.

But Myra? She never played by the rules.

"Fine," Ethan said, pushing himself up from his chair. "When and where do you want this so-called first date?"

She laughed. "Oh no, Cross. That's your responsibility. You're the one who likes to be in control, right? Then control this situation. Surprise me."

Ethan exhaled, shaking his head. "You just want to see if I'll go out of my way for you."

"Exactly," she admitted shamelessly. "So? Where's my date?"

He walked over to the window, gazing out at the city skyline. The world outside was so different from the one he had created in the shadows. To most people, Ethan Cross was just another man in a shabby apartment, living a modest life. But to those who knew the truth?

He was a storm waiting to be unleashed.

"I'll let you know soon," he finally said.

Myra hummed in amusement. "You better. Oh, and Ethan?"

"Yeah?"

"Wear something nice. I have standards, you know."

The call ended, and Ethan stood there for a moment, the weight of his next moves pressing down on him.

A war with the Syndicate. A contract engagement with Myra Langford. And the entire world watching his every step.

Ethan Cross smirked to himself.

This was going to be fun.