Chapter 27: The First Crack

In a game of power, the first to show weakness was the first to fall.

Ethan knew this better than anyone.

But knowing wasn't the same as preventing.

And tonight, the first crack in his empire appeared.

—

The night was quiet—too quiet.

Ethan's penthouse was perched high above the city, the skyline stretching endlessly before him. He stood by the window, whiskey in hand, the distant hum of traffic beneath him.

Then—his phone buzzed.

Dominic's voice was sharp. "We have a problem."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Where?"

"The warehouse on 14th."

A slow exhale. "Who?"

Silence. Then—"You already know."

Cavalli.

Ethan grabbed his coat. "I'm on my way."

—

By the time Ethan arrived, the warehouse was already lost.

Flames licked the night sky, casting eerie shadows across the wet pavement. Smoke curled into the air, thick and suffocating.

His men stood at a distance, helpless.

Dominic approached, his face grim. "It was a message."

Ethan stared at the burning wreckage. Millions gone. More than money—power.

And worse? Cavalli hadn't taken anything.

He had simply destroyed it.

Because this wasn't about resources.

It was about control.

Ethan's grip tightened. "How many men did we lose?"

Dominic hesitated. "None. He let them walk."

Ethan exhaled sharply. "Of course he did."

Because Cavalli wasn't just attacking—he was toying with him.

Testing him.

And Ethan couldn't afford to fail.

—

Back at his penthouse, Ethan poured himself another drink. The fire still burned in his mind.

Seraphina sat on the couch, watching him.

"He made his first move," she murmured.

Ethan swirled his whiskey. "And I'll make mine."

She smirked. "You sound confident."

Ethan leaned forward, voice dark. "I don't play to lose, Seraphina."

Her gaze flickered with amusement. "Then let's hope Cavalli isn't better at this game than you."

Ethan smirked. "We'll see."

—

Meanwhile…

Across the city, Lorenzo Cavalli sat in his private study.

His right-hand man stood nearby. "He'll retaliate."

Cavalli sipped his wine. "I'm counting on it."

A pause.

Then a slow smile.

"Let's see if the boy can dance."