Chapter 12: The Game of Power

The streets of Emerald City gleamed under the neon glow of high-rise billboards, advertising luxury cars, elite fashion brands, and exclusive clubs that only a select few could enter. Liam walked with purpose, his thoughts racing. The name Gabriel Dorne lingered in his mind like a shadow he couldn't shake. A man with no records, yet with enough power to direct The Black Viper Syndicate? That was someone dangerous.

But Liam was done being on the run. If Dorne had set his sights on him, then he'd return the favor.

As he reached the parking lot where Tielen was waiting, he slid into the black sedan. The engine hummed quietly. Tielen glanced at him, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel.

"Well?" he asked.

Liam exhaled. "We have a name."

Tielen raised an eyebrow. "That was fast. Who?"

"Gabriel Dorne."

Tielen stiffened. "Dorne? That's a name I haven't heard in a long time."

Liam turned to him sharply. "You know him?"

Tielen's jaw tightened. "Not personally. But my father did. He used to say Dorne was the kind of man who never left a trail, but he was always watching. No one knew where he lived, what he looked like, or even how he operated. But he controlled more than people realized."

Liam clenched his fists. "Then that means he's been watching me for a while."

Tielen sighed, gripping the steering wheel. "And if he's watching you, then it means you're already in the game."

Liam's expression darkened. "Then I'll change the rules."

---

The next morning, Liam arrived at Kingston Elite Academy, a private university known for producing future billionaires, politicians, and business moguls. It was a place of prestige—where wealth was everything and power was displayed not just in money, but in status.

He adjusted the strap of his worn-out bag as he stepped through the grand iron gates. Around him, students walked in groups, dressed in designer suits and custom-tailored uniforms.

He was used to the stares. The whispers.

"That's Liam… the scholarship student."

"Did you hear? His ex dumped him for Aaron Lancaster."

Aaron Lancaster. The name made Liam's jaw tighten. Son of a corporate tycoon, heir to a multi-billion-dollar empire, and worst of all—his former best friend.

Liam ignored them, his footsteps steady as he walked toward the administration building. But just as he reached the steps, a familiar voice stopped him.

"Well, if it isn't our local charity case."

Liam turned to see Aaron, dressed in a perfectly tailored navy-blue suit, leaning casually against a luxury sports car. Beside him stood Evelyn Hart, Liam's ex-girlfriend, her arms wrapped around Aaron's. She smiled sweetly—too sweetly.

Liam's face remained impassive. "Aaron."

Aaron smirked. "Still pretending like you belong here?"

Liam didn't answer. He had no interest in playing Aaron's games.

Evelyn laughed softly, tilting her head. "Oh, Liam, don't look so cold. It's been a while."

Liam's voice was like ice. "Not long enough."

Aaron's smirk widened. "I heard you've been struggling with tuition. Must be tough not having a family to back you up."

The words were meant to sting. Liam remained silent, but inside, his fury burned.

Aaron pulled something from his pocket and tossed it at Liam's feet. A sleek, silver card.

"A little help," Aaron said mockingly. "I'm feeling generous today."

Liam stared at the card for a moment before picking it up. He turned it in his fingers, examining the smooth surface.

Then, he smirked.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out something else. A different card.

A black deluxe card.

Aaron's face froze. Evelyn's smile faltered.

Liam held it up between his fingers, letting the light catch the metallic sheen. "I appreciate the offer," he said smoothly, "but I don't need handouts."

Aaron's eyes narrowed. "Where did you get that?"

Liam slid the card back into his wallet. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

With that, he walked past them, leaving Aaron and Evelyn standing there, stunned.

Tielen, who had been watching from a distance, let out a low whistle as he caught up. "Where the hell did you get a black deluxe card?"

Liam smirked. "Let's just say… I had a friend who believed in me more than they should have."

Tielen chuckled. "You really love messing with those rich brats, don't you?"

Liam's expression darkened. "They think money is everything. I'll show them it's just a tool."

---

Later that night, Liam sat in a dimly lit lounge, studying a series of documents spread before him. His black deluxe card rested beside a neat stack of others—base, silver, gold, platinum, diamond. Each represented different levels of power and privilege.

But he wasn't after privilege. He was after control.

A knock on the door made him look up. Tielen stepped in, tossing a file onto the table.

"Got what you wanted," he said.

Liam opened it, scanning the contents. Names, locations, financial transactions. Traces of The Black Viper Syndicate's operations.

And one particular entry stood out—Gabriel Dorne.

Beneath the name was a single address.

Liam's pulse quickened.

Tielen leaned against the wall. "You sure you wanna do this?"

Liam closed the file, his expression unreadable. "If he's watching me, it's time I watched him back."

Tielen sighed. "This is dangerous, man. You're dealing with ghosts."

Liam's eyes darkened. "Then I'll become the nightmare they never saw coming."

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single desk lamp casting elongated shadows along the walls. Liam closed the file, his fingers tightening over the edge of the paper as his mind processed the name before him—Gabriel Dorne. A ghost in the underworld, a man without a past, yet holding enough influence to shift the tides of power.

Liam had spent years enduring mockery, betrayal, and deception, but now, the game had changed. He was no longer the pitiful scholarship student they ridiculed. He was rising. And if Dorne thought he could pull the strings from the shadows, Liam would show him that some strings had blades attached.

He tapped his fingers against the black deluxe card resting beside him, a silent reminder that power came in many forms. The road ahead was treacherous, but Liam thrived in the dark.

"Tomorrow," he murmured, standing up. "We begin."

---

The morning sun was barely breaking through the skyline when Liam arrived at Kingston Elite Academy once again. The campus was bustling, students dressed in designer wear, their conversations a mix of business deals and high-profile scandals. It was a world of wealth, power, and status, but Liam knew better than anyone that beneath the luxury, corruption festered like a disease.

As he stepped onto the marble pathway leading to the main hall, whispers followed him once again.

"Did you see the card he had yesterday?"

"A black deluxe card… how the hell does someone like him have that?"

Aaron Lancaster had not taken the humiliation lightly. If anything, it had fueled his rage. As Liam entered the lecture hall, he immediately noticed Aaron seated near the front, Evelyn beside him, her hand casually draped over his arm as if to make a statement.

Aaron turned his head slightly, smirking when he met Liam's gaze. "Enjoy your little moment yesterday?" he asked in a low voice.

Liam remained silent, sliding into his seat without acknowledging him.

Aaron leaned closer. "It doesn't matter what card you have, Liam. You're still nothing. A stray dog pretending to be a wolf."

Liam exhaled slowly. You'll regret those words, Aaron.

The lecture began, but the tension in the air was palpable. Liam felt the weight of Evelyn's gaze on him, her conflicted expression betraying the smug front she wore.

It didn't matter. He had bigger things to focus on.

---

That evening, Liam and Tielen stood outside a luxurious high-rise building in the heart of the city. The address from the file led them here—The Royale Tower, a place where only the wealthiest elites resided.

Liam adjusted his collar, his black jacket blending seamlessly with the city's nightlife. Tielen crossed his arms.

"So, what's the plan?"

Liam smirked. "We knock on the devil's door and see if he answers."

They walked into the lobby, where a receptionist greeted them with a polished smile. "Do you have an appointment?"

Liam pulled out the platinum card he had acquired earlier—one level below his black deluxe. The receptionist's eyes flickered with recognition, and immediately, her demeanor shifted.

"Of course, sir. Right this way."

They were led to a private elevator, one that required a special access code. As the doors closed behind them, Tielen let out a low chuckle.

"You really love playing this high-society game, don't you?"

Liam smirked. "They created the rules. I'm just playing better."

The elevator ascended smoothly, stopping at the 33rd floor. As the doors slid open, they were greeted by a silent corridor leading to a grand office.

A man sat behind a large mahogany desk, his fingers interlocked, his gaze unreadable. He was older, perhaps in his fifties, dressed in an impeccable charcoal-gray suit. His sharp features were devoid of emotion, his dark eyes piercing.

Gabriel Dorne.

Liam stepped forward, his stance unwavering. "We need to talk."

Dorne tilted his head slightly. "You're either incredibly bold or incredibly foolish."

Liam smirked. "Maybe both."

Dorne studied him for a moment before gesturing to the chair across from him. "Sit."

Liam took the seat, while Tielen remained standing, his arms crossed.

Dorne leaned forward. "You've been making quite the impression lately, Liam."

Liam met his gaze without hesitation. "You've been watching me."

A ghost of a smile crossed Dorne's lips. "Of course. You're an anomaly. A nobody rising in a world of kings."

Liam's jaw tightened. "You knew my parents, didn't you?"

Silence filled the room.

Dorne finally exhaled. "Not personally. But I knew of them."

Liam's heart pounded. "Then you know who killed them."

Dorne didn't deny it. "Yes."

Liam's fingers curled into fists. "Tell me."

Dorne's gaze sharpened. "The truth is a dangerous thing, Liam. Are you ready for it?"

Liam leaned forward. "I was born ready."

A smirk tugged at Dorne's lips. "Then let's play."

The game of power had officially begun.