The city looked smaller from the top floor.
Adrian Velasco stood in front of the glass wall of his office, overlooking the skyline he had conquered. Every building, every company, every flashing light below—it all reminded him of one thing.
Control.
And he never intended to lose it.
"Sir, the board is waiting."
His assistant's voice broke through his thoughts.
Adrian didn't turn immediately. "Let them."
There was power in making people wait.
Especially when they needed you more than you needed them.
When he finally entered the boardroom, all eyes shifted toward him. Executives straightened. Investors leaned forward.
Fear and respect looked the same in rooms like this.
"Let's begin," Adrian said, taking his seat at the head of the table.
The presentation started smoothly—profits rising, expansion plans, international deals.
Until—
A name appeared on the screen.
Reyes Holdings.
The room tensed.
"They've acquired three of our target partners," one board member said carefully. "And rumors suggest they're entering our market segment."
Adrian's expression didn't change.
But his fingers tapped once against the table.
A sign only the observant would catch.
"She's moving fast," someone added.
Adrian leaned back slightly.
"She always does."
The board exchanged glances.
"You know her?" another executive asked.
Adrian's eyes flickered—just for a second.
"Not personally."
But that wasn't entirely true.
He knew her type.
Calculated. Strategic. Dangerous.
Exactly like him.
"Prepare a counteroffer," he ordered. "And double our acquisition budget."
"That's risky—"
"It's necessary."
Silence fell.
Because when Adrian Velasco made a decision, it wasn't a suggestion.
It was already happening.
As the meeting ended, Adrian returned to his office.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He almost ignored it.
Almost.
"Velasco."
"Still as cold as ever," a familiar voice said.
Amara.
He didn't smile.
But something close to amusement crossed his face.
"To what do I owe the call?"
"I just wanted to warn you," she said calmly.
"About?"
A pause.
Then—
"I'm not here to compete anymore."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Then what are you here for?"
Her answer came softly.
"To take over."
The line went dead.
And for the first time in a long while—
Adrian Velasco felt something unexpected.
Excitement.