Chapter1– Betrayal On A Rainy Night

The rain poured heavily over the city, reflecting the dim glow of the streetlights. Inside the tallest skyscraper, Varenzio Group, Leonard Varenzio sat in his executive chair, staring at the city skyline with empty eyes.

In his hand, a glass of red wine swirled lazily. Not to enjoy, but to calm his thoughts.

He knew.

Tonight would be the end of everything.

For years, he had built Varenzio Group from nothing, turning it into a corporate empire. But the higher he climbed, the more enemies he made—rivals who would stop at nothing to see him fall.

And the signs were clear.

Unusual stock movements. Confidential files suddenly vanishing. People who once swore loyalty now keeping their distance.

Betrayal always started small.

His phone vibrated. A message appeared on the screen.

"Be ready. They're coming tonight."

Leonard read it without reaction. No sender, but he already knew who it was from.

A smirk tugged at his lips. At least someone out there still had the decency to warn him.

With a slow breath, he downed the last sip of his wine and stood up. If this was truly the end, he would face it with dignity.

21:45 PM

A knock echoed through the office.

"Come in."

The door opened. Edgar Falken stepped in, his posture relaxed, followed by three men in black suits.

Familiar faces.

Once his allies. His brothers-in-arms.

Now, his executioners.

Edgar took a seat in front of him, trying to appear composed. But Leonard noticed the small details.

He wasn't leaning back—a sign of unease.

His fingers tapped too often—a sign of nervousness.

His gaze flickered—a sign of doubt.

He hesitated.

Leonard smiled faintly. "It's been a while since we talked like this, Edgar."

Edgar gave a tight-lipped smile. One that didn't reach his eyes.

"I don't like small talk," Leonard continued. "So let's get to the point. What do you want?"

Edgar finally met his gaze. "I want your seat, Leonard."

The air grew heavier.

Leonard nodded, unsurprised. He had expected this for a long time.

"And you think killing me will give you that?"

Edgar smirked. "You were always smarter than me. But this time, I'm prepared."

Leonard chuckled under his breath. "If you were truly prepared, you wouldn't look so anxious right now."

Edgar's jaw tightened.

A crack in his confidence.

Leonard leaned forward, his voice calm yet sharp. "I can see it, Edgar. You're not sure. You're still hesitating. There's something in your mind holding you back, isn't there?"

Edgar clenched his fists before giving a signal to one of the men behind him.

A gun was drawn. The cold barrel aimed directly at Leonard's chest.

"Enough talking."

Leonard's smirk deepened. "You're afraid."

Edgar's fingers twitched. "Shut up."

"If you were truly certain, you wouldn't have brought three men to do this. You would've done it yourself. But you can't, can you?"

Silence.

Leonard had won the psychological battle. But no matter how sharp his mind was, a bullet was still a bullet.

Edgar took a deep breath, then gave the final order.

"Do it."

BANG!

The gunshot echoed through the office.

A searing pain burned through Leonard's chest as blood soaked into his crisp white shirt.

Pain?

No.

What he felt was rage.

Rage at being betrayed by the man he trusted most.

Rage at having his life's work stolen in an instant.

Rage at being unable to strike back.

As his consciousness faded, one final thought consumed him:

"If I had a second chance… I wouldn't just survive. I would destroy them all."

And in that darkness… something unexpected happened.