“He visited with the General. He came with documents. Ledger copies. Asset sheets. Claimed he controlled the Stavros Trust and was taking over Hephaestus United. Said he had power over your remaining maritime holdings and that you were on the verge of retirement, urging the General to offer his daughter to seal this alliance.”
I feel my jaw lock.
My temples throb.
I glance at Cecilia briefly—she’s playing it cool, but I can see the tension in her shoulders.
She’s listening to every word.
“He said that?”
“He implied you had planned to step away from the business.”
“I see. Unfortunately, Mr. Li, my uncle is mistaken.”
“Is he?”
I lean forward now, bracing both hands on the table, crowding into the space between us.
“That old man is not in charge of a single thing, least of all my company, my family’s trust, or its holdings. Ever since my father died, those privileges and burdens have been mine alone. In fact, the only reason Dimitri is still breathing is because I allowed it.”
Shun Li shrugs, almost apologetic.
“We didn’t believe him. Not entirely. But he brought enough paperwork to muddy the waters. Enough that the General was admittedly curious.”
“Curious doesn’t cover why the General has tried to seize control of my mines. And if you truly believed my uncle, why are you here sipping drinks with me instead of signing papers with him?”
“You’re astute for so young a man.”
“I’m not that young. Now, what does the General really want, Shun?”
He studies me. Then glances at Cecilia.
“He wants to see who bleeds first.”
I sit back slowly. I understand the game.
This is a test.
A provocation.
Dimitri made his move, and now the underworld is watching to see what I do.
“I have every right to execute a man who steals from me,” I say softly.
Shun Li nods. “But if you do it now, you prove you’re unstable. Rash.”
“And if I let him live?”
“You prove he had reason to try.”
Cecilia shifts beside me. I feel her hand brush mine under the table.
“And just what do you suggest?” I ask.
Shun smiles.
“Take back what’s yours. Publicly. Irrevocably. Let the General see the shadow crown on your head still means something.”
