SHADOW OF BETRAYAL

Chapter 12: Shadows of Betrayal

The betrayal still clung to the air, thick and suffocating. Nathan's deception had been exposed, yet Zane hadn't had the chance to fully process it before another complication presented itself—Arthur Lancaster.

Vincent had arranged the meeting at one of his exclusive lounges, a private, high-security venue where only the most powerful men in the city gathered. The air smelled of aged whiskey and expensive cigars, the dim lighting casting long shadows against the mahogany walls. It was the kind of place where fortunes were made, empires were built, and alliances were forged—or destroyed.

Zane sat beside Vincent, exuding his usual lazy confidence, but Vincent wasn't fooled. He could see the tension in the way Zane's fingers toyed with the rim of his glass. His mind was elsewhere—likely still replaying Nathan's betrayal—but for now, they had to focus. Arthur Lancaster wasn't a man to underestimate.

Arthur entered with the confidence of a king, dressed in a perfectly tailored three-piece suit, his silver cufflinks glinting under the dim chandelier light. He was older, in his late forties, but sharp-eyed and still every bit as dangerous as the rumors claimed.

With a calculated smile, he took the seat across from them and set his whiskey down. "Gentlemen, let's not waste time. I'm here with an opportunity that could change the game for both of you."

Vincent's gaze was unreadable. "We don't entertain vague deals, Lancaster. Be direct."

Arthur chuckled, eyes gleaming. "That's why I like you, Graves. Straight to business." He leaned forward, fingers steepled. "I'm proposing a partnership—Harrington Luxe and Graves Corp working together on an exclusive luxury development project. A network of ultra-high-end resorts, elite shopping districts, and private estates catering to the world's wealthiest clientele. We're talking old money, royalty, billionaires. The kind of people who don't ask for a price tag."

Zane raised a brow, swirling his drink lazily. "And why would we need you for that? Vincent and I are more than capable of making our own business moves."

Arthur smirked. "You could. But it would take years of fighting bureaucracy, navigating international policies, and getting government approvals. I, on the other hand, have the right contacts to make those problems disappear."

Vincent's fingers tapped against the armrest, his mind already calculating the risks. Arthur wasn't just offering a business deal—he was offering power.

Zane took a sip of his drink. "And what do you get out of this?"

Arthur leaned back, his smile widening. "A seat at the table. A percentage of the profits, of course. And… exclusive influence over your expansion into Europe."

Silence.

Vincent studied Arthur carefully, his mind sharp as ever. There was always a hidden catch with men like Arthur. He had built his empire by playing dirty, and Vincent knew better than to trust him blindly.

Zane, ever the wildcard, smirked. "Sounds tempting. But we don't just jump into bed with anyone."

Arthur let out a slow chuckle. "Neither do I. But let's be honest—times are changing. Power isn't just about who has the most money anymore. It's about who controls the right industries, who shapes markets before anyone else sees them coming. Work with me, and you won't just be rich. You'll be untouchable."

The weight of his words settled between them.

Zane turned to Vincent, his eyes holding a flicker of something unreadable. This was a move that could shift everything—their businesses, their influence, their place in the world.

Vincent finally set down his glass, his expression cool and unreadable. "We'll consider your proposal. But make no mistake, Lancaster—we don't take orders from anyone."

Arthur chuckled again, raising his glass in a toast. "Then let's hope we're on the same side."

But as Vincent watched him closely, something in Arthur's eyes told him this was only the beginning.

End of Chapter 12.

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