VEIL OF DECEPTION

The city was a beast that never slept, its veins pulsing with power, greed, and ambition. Ethan stood at the edge of it all, knowing that the first real shot had already been fired.

And now, it was his turn.

The penthouse was quiet, save for the faint hum of traffic below. Dominic poured himself a drink, shaking his head. "You're serious about this?"

Ethan smirked, rolling up his sleeves. "Deadly."

Dominic sighed. "They have everything—money, power, connections. You? You have a name that's starting to get too loud."

Ethan's gaze darkened. "And that's exactly why they're afraid."

He walked over to his desk, opening a drawer. Inside was a single, unmarked file. He tossed it onto the table.

Dominic frowned, picking it up. "What's this?"

Ethan leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "Every dirty deal, every skeleton in their closets, every secret they don't want the world to see."

Dominic flipped through the pages, his expression shifting. "Where the hell did you get this?"

Ethan smirked. "I have my ways."

Dominic exhaled sharply. "So what's the plan? Expose them?"

Ethan chuckled, low and dangerous. "No. That's too easy."

He picked up his glass, swirling the whiskey. "I'm going to make them watch as everything they built crumbles. Slowly. Painfully."

Dominic stared at him, then let out a short laugh. "You really don't do things the simple way, do you?"

Ethan took a sip. "Where's the fun in that?"

—

The gala was a playground for the elite—a sea of designer suits, expensive dresses, and fake smiles.

Ethan walked in like he belonged, which, technically, he did.

But tonight, he wasn't here to socialize.

Dominic adjusted his cufflinks beside him. "Remind me why we're crashing a party full of people who want you dead?"

Ethan smirked. "Because they won't expect me to."

Across the room, Donovan Pierce stood with a glass of wine, engaged in conversation with some senator's wife.

Ethan didn't wait for an invitation. He walked straight up to him.

Pierce turned, his smirk sharp. "Ethan. Brave of you to show your face."

Ethan took a glass from a passing waiter. "I thought I'd enjoy the show."

Pierce's eyes flickered with amusement. "And what show would that be?"

Ethan raised his glass. "Yours."

Pierce's smirk faltered for half a second. Just enough.

Ethan leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "By the end of tonight, you won't be standing where you are now."

Pierce's jaw tightened. "You're playing a dangerous game, Ethan."

Ethan clinked his glass against Pierce's, his smirk widening. "I always win."

—

An hour later, the whispers started.

A leaked financial report. A missing sum of money. A sudden dip in stock prices.

It was subtle, but deadly.

Pierce's phone buzzed in his hand. His face darkened.

Ethan watched from across the room, sipping his drink, completely at ease.

Dominic leaned in. "You did this?"

Ethan smirked. "Of course."

Dominic let out a low whistle. "You just pulled the first thread."

Ethan's gaze remained locked on Pierce, who was already making a hasty exit.

"Good," he murmured. "Because the whole thing is about to unravel."