The waiter hesitated, unsure if he had heard correctly. “The… Golden Special, sir?” he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.“That’s right,” Zen confirmed, his tone as calm as ever. “Two plates, if you don’t mind.”Paul’s sneer faltered slightly as he realized what Zen had ordered. The Golden Special was the restaurant’s most expensive dish, renowned for its rarity and luxury. It cost a staggering $30,000 per plate—an amount that even Paul himself would hesitate to spend on a single meal.“You’re bluffing,” he said, trying to regain his composure. “There’s no way you can afford that.”Without a word, Zen reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek, black card, handing it to the waiter. The waiter’s eyes widened as he took the card, recognizing it immediately.Around them, the murmurs in the restaurant grew louder. Whispers spread quickly as people took note of the black card Zen had handed over.“Isn’t that…?”“Yes, it is. That’s a black card.”“But only the highest of
Nia nodded, her voice lowering to a sultry tone. "Yes, that’s so."There was a brief silence as they held each other’s gaze, the tension between them was electric. Zen broke the silence first, his voice calm and measured."You’re not like most girls, Nia," he said, his eyes searching hers. "Initially i thought you were shy and timid but you’re none of that. You’re straightforward, direct… you don’t play games. I admire that."Nia’s heart skipped a beat at his words, but she kept her composure, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I don’t see the point in games," she said quietly. "Life’s too short for that."Zen nodded in agreement. "You’re right," he said. "Life is too short. And it’s rare to meet someone who’s as real as you are."Nia blushed at the compliment, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Thank you, Tom," she said softly. "That means a lot to me."Zen leaned backwards again, his eyes never leaving hers. "I’m just telling the truth," he said simply. Nia bit her lip, her hear
Without warning, a thug lunged at Zen, aiming the blade at his side. But Zen was faster. He sidestepped the attack with fluid precision, grabbing the thug’s wrist and twisting it with enough force to disarm him. The switchblade clattered to the ground as Zen delivered a swift elbow to the thug’s face, sending him sprawling. Zen clenched his jaw, he had thought Natasha would want the best for herself and now she had led him straight into a trap. "In the end, you ended up like everyone else," he replied, his voice laced with disappointment. Before Natasha could respond, the man standing next to her stepped forward, a sneer on his face. "Touching, really. But we’re not here to chat. You’re coming with us, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll cooperate." Zen’s eyes flicked to the man, sizing him up. "And if I don’t?" The man chuckled, pulling out a switchblade, the sharp edge glinting under the light. "Then things get messy." Zen’s expression didn’t change, but there was a dan
Zen’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as Willow explained the details. “So, Silas Wales owns Policy Entertainment?” he asked, his voice calm but carrying a sprinkle of irritation.“Yes,” Willow confirmed. “We only found out after re-examining the case. He’s been using actresses from the company to sweeten his business deals—one of his many schemes to get ahead.”Zen’s face hardened, his jaw clenching with disgust. “That’s revolting. I should’ve given him a worse beating last time,” he muttered.“Well, there’s also something I must say,” Willow advised carefully. “The Wales family is known for being ruthless. The fact that they haven’t responded yet likely means they’re letting Silas handle his own mess. If you escalate things, it could draw the entire family’s ire.”Zen snorted, his eyes narrowing. “Do you think I’m afraid of them? How dare you underestimate me?”“Ah—” Willow came back to reality, but Zen cut her off sharply.“I’ve heard enough.” He ended the call with a swipe, s
As Sinclair’s car glided smoothly along the road, Zen took in the changing scenery through the window. The city’s vibrant lights began to fade, replaced by the lush greenery and tranquility of the outskirts. Sinclair, sitting opposite him, began to explain.“Welcome to Fairy Island. You know, Chief, Fairy Island is also owned by the Albrecht family,” Sinclair said, breaking the silence. “This estate made them one of the major players in the world of elite estates. To the point that it got separated from the rankings of best estates in the city.”Zen’s interest was piqued. “The Albrecht family again, huh? What makes Fairy Island so special?”Sinclair glanced briefly at Zen. “Fairy Island is a massive luxury estate, no one knows much about the person who designed Fairy island but when the land was bought and the high society saw the blueprint, Albrecht was the first family to see the vision. They hold a significant margin of shares in several major industries, which gives them unparalle
The auction hall was abuzz with anticipation, the tension could be felt as the first item of the evening was revealed. From Room A, a shadowy figure watched intently, their presence barely noticeable behind the opaque glass. In Room C, another cloaked figure peered through the transparent barrier, their gaze fixed on the auction floor below. Room B, reserved for the patriarch of the Wales family, was where the real action seemed to be unfolding.As the first item was wheeled onto the stage, the crowd's murmur grew into excited whispers. It was a lavishly decorated antique clock, its golden frame encrusted with jewels. The auctioneer, with a radiant flair, began the bidding."Opening bid for this exquisite timepiece is set at one million dollars," he announced, his voice echoing through the hall.In Room B, the patriarch of the Wales family, a tall, imposing man with a steely gaze, watched the proceedings. His guards, dressed in sharp suits, flanked him closely."Ten million," the patr
As the auctioneer stepped back up to the podium, his voice amplified and echoed through the grand hall. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, with a sly smile on his lips, "we now come to the final item of the evening, a treasure of unparalleled significance, as I had earlier said. Hidden away by none other than the God of War himself, the Monarch of Death." A murmur swept through the crowd, almost instantly. In Room D, Zen’s eyes narrowed, and his posture straightened. Sinclair, standing beside him, leaned in closer, his voice was nearly a whisper. “Chief, is this what I think it is? The box—what’s inside it?”Zen remained silent, his expression unreadable, eyes fixed on the auctioneer. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “How did they find the box? It was hidden away so carefully, so many years ago,” Zen thought to himself.The auctioneer raised his hand, signaling for silence. "The bidding will start at one hundred million dollars."A hush fell over the room. For a moment, ther
Back in Room D, Sinclair stood behind Zen, as they both watched the hall. “So, Chief,” he said, his tone was light but his eyes serious, “what’s the plan now? You’ve got the box. What are you going to do with it?” Zen didn’t answer right away. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze distant. “First,” he said slowly, “we find out who leaked the box and how they managed to get it here. Then…we deal with them.” Sinclair nodded, his smile fading. He knew better than to press Zen for more details. The man had a way of revealing only what he wanted, and Sinclair had learned long ago to trust his instincts. As the crowd began to disperse, the energy in the room slowly settled back into a steady hum, Zen’s thoughts were already turning to the next move. After the auction concluded, the hall slowly began to empty. Zen and Sinclair made their way downstairs, the opulence of the venue was very much evident in every marble pillar and crystal chandelier. Their steps echoe