Elliot raised an eyebrow.“Oh, I’m not done yet. Surrender the Montgomery estate and everything that comes with it. Do that, and maybe—maybe—I’ll let the old man walk out of here alive.”Max’s mind raced. I can’t give him control of the family. If he takes it, everything my father fought for is gone. But if I don’t act fast, Grandfather won’t make it out alive.As Elliot continued to gloat, Max’s sharp eyes caught movement in the shadows above the staircase.Emily, her weapon hidden beneath her jacket, had positioned herself on the balcony overlooking the hall.Her gaze locked with Max’s for a split second, and he knew she had a plan.“Elliot,” Max said, drawing his rival’s attention.“You keep talking about control, but we both know this isn’t about power. It’s about revenge. You think destroying me will bring your father back?”Elliot’s smirk faltered slightly.“Don’t try to psychoanalyze me, Max. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”Max took a step forward, careful not to provo

Red Fang smirked, rolling his shoulders.“Good. I like a challenge. Go.”Emily grabbed Max’s arm.“He’s right. We can’t afford to waste time. Elliot won’t wait.”Max nodded reluctantly, clapping a hand on Red Fang’s shoulder.“Don’t die.”Red Fang grinned.“Not planning to.”As Max, Emily, and Molly slipped past the firefight and headed toward the facility, Red Fang launched himself at Victor and his men, his blade moving with deadly precision.The clash of steel and the roar of gunfire echoed behind them as they pressed forward.As they moved deeper into the facility’s perimeter, Molly’s tablet pinged with new data.She stopped abruptly, her eyes widening as she read the screen.“Max,” she said, her voice trembling. “You need to see this.”Max turned, his brow furrowing. “What is it?”Molly held up the tablet, showing him a financial report she had intercepted.“Elliot’s empire—it’s collapsing. He’s hemorrhaging money. His assets are frozen, his mercenaries haven’t been fully paid, a

Nathaniel’s voice cracked.“It wasn’t Max. It wasn’t his father. It was Reginald. And now you’re about to destroy the very thing I wanted to build with Alexander.”Elliot’s arm shook as he kept his gun raised, his knuckles white.“No… no. This can’t be true.”Max stepped forward cautiously, his voice unwavering.“You can end this, Elliot. Right now. Read the proof, or keep going down this path of destruction.”Elliot glared at Max, his body trembling with rage.“You think this makes us even? That I’ll just walk away? You’ve ruined me, Max.”“No,” Max said, his tone firm.“Reginald ruined you. I’m just trying to stop you from destroying what’s left of your father’s legacy—and yourself.”Elliot’s gaze darted to the files on the floor, then back to Max.His breathing was ragged, his finger twitching on the trigger.Nathaniel spoke again, his voice filled with both desperation and love.“Elliot, please. You’ve always been better than this. Don’t let Reginald’s lies define you.”Elliot’s l

The air in the chamber was charged with tension as Elliot and Victor collided once more, their rage fueling every strike.Blood dripped from both men as they exchanged vicious blows, each one heavier than the last.The room echoed with the sound of fists meeting flesh, grunts of pain, and the scrape of boots on the metal floor.Victor sneered as he blocked one of Elliot’s punches, slamming his knee into Elliot’s ribs.“You’re pathetic, Elliot,” he spat.“You think you’ve got what it takes to lead? You couldn’t even kill your father. You’re weak.”Elliot stumbled back, clutching his side, but his eyes burned with fury.“Weak? I’ve fought harder and bled more than you ever will. You’ve spent your life leeching off others. You’re nothing.”Victor smirked, wiping blood from his split lip.“And yet here we are, you barely standing while I’m still in control.”Elliot roared and charged, tackling Victor to the ground.The two grappled violently, rolling across the cold floor as they fought f

The following morning, Max stood in the main hall of the Montgomery estate, the sunlight streaming through the repaired windows.The staff moved about with purpose, cleaning up the remnants of the war and restoring the mansion to its former glory.Winston approached him, his expression unreadable.“Young Master, there’s someone here to see you.”Max frowned. “Who is it?”Winston hesitated. “He says… he knew your father.”Max’s pulse quickened. “Where is he?”“He’s waiting in the study,” Winston said.Max walked into the study, his eyes immediately locking onto the figure standing by the window.The man was tall, his back straight, and though his face was weathered, his sharp eyes carried a spark of familiarity.The man turned slowly, his expression calm but intense.“Max Montgomery,” he said, his voice steady.“You’ve done well to hold this family together.”Max’s brow furrowed.“Who are you? And how did you know my father?”The man stepped closer, holding out a worn leather journal.