Chapter 211: The Return of an Old Ghost

The world had already shifted under Chris's control—governments fell, alliances shattered, and the weight of his decisions shaped the course of history. But tonight, in the quiet corridors of the White House, the battle was not on a global scale. It was personal.

Skylar sat in her office, fingers hovering over her phone screen. The message stared back at her, the words cutting through the chaos of war and politics like a blade to her chest.

"You know what he's become. You know this isn't right. We need to talk."

And beneath it, a name she hadn't seen in years.

Ava Sinclair.

A sharp knock at the door made her jolt. She locked her phone and straightened as the door opened. Chris walked in, his presence filling the room like a shadow stretching under dim light.

"You're distracted," he observed, eyes sharp.

Skylar forced a smile. "It's nothing."

Chris studied her. He knew her too well.

"Good," he finally said. "Because the war with Russia just entered its next phase. Ethan's team is executing a full-scale cyberattack on their intelligence networks." He walked closer, lowering his voice. "I need you to prepare a press statement tomorrow. The world should know that this is not just war—it's judgment."

Skylar nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. Chris leaned in, brushing a hand down her arm.

"You trust me, don't you?" he asked softly.

Skylar swallowed. "Of course."

But as he left the room, the weight of the lie pressed against her chest.

—