Chapter 1

Blood & Thrones

Prologue – Two Kings Cannot Rule the Same World

There was an unwritten law in the world of power.

The Business World belonged to Vivian Chater.

The Underworld belonged to Adrian Vance.

As long as they stayed on opposite sides...

The world remained peaceful.

But peace never lasts forever.

---

At the age of twenty-four...

Vivian Chater became the youngest CEO in history after taking over Chater Global Corporation.

Within five years...

Every multinational company feared negotiating against her.

She never smiled.

Never forgave.

Never lost.

People called her...

"The Emerald Queen."

---

Meanwhile...

The Mafia world had a devil.

Adrian Vance.

At thirty...

He ruled over hundreds of mafia families spread across continents.

Governments feared him.

Politicians avoided provoking him.

Even rival mafia kings lowered their heads before him.

His icy ruby-blue eyes alone were enough to silence a room.

He was known by one title.

"The Crimson King."

---

Everyone believed...

Vivian and Adrian would never cross paths.

They were wrong.

---

Chapter 1 – The First War

Three years ago...

The world's largest artificial intelligence company—

NovaTech Industries

—was put up for acquisition.

Every billionaire wanted it.

Including...

Vivian Chater.

And Adrian Vance.

---

The auction hall fell silent.

"$90 billion."

Vivian spoke calmly.

"$95 billion."

Adrian replied without even looking at her.

"$100 billion."

"$120 billion."

"$150 billion."

People stopped breathing.

No one had ever witnessed two monsters fighting over a company.

---

Vivian finally looked toward him.

Crystal green eyes met icy ruby-blue ones.

Neither blinked.

Neither smiled.

She said coldly,

"So... you're Adrian Vance."

He answered,

"And you're Vivian Chater."

"I've heard you're ruthless."

"I've heard the same about you."

---

"$180 billion."

Vivian announced.

Adrian leaned back.

"$250 billion."

The room exploded in whispers.

Vivian's fingers tightened.

For the first time...

Someone had cornered her.

She stood up.

"I withdraw."

Adrian won.

But before leaving...

Vivian stopped beside him.

"I don't lose twice."

Adrian didn't even turn.

"You already have."

Those six words became the beginning of a war.

---

– Fire Against Fire

Within months...

Vivian destroyed three companies secretly owned by Adrian.

She exposed corruption.

Cancelled billion-dollar contracts.

Bought his shipping routes.

Every business move hit him like a bullet.

---

Adrian responded differently.

Every businessman who betrayed Vivian disappeared from the market overnight.

Her suppliers suddenly refused to cooperate.

Her cargo ships were mysteriously delayed.

Her competitors gained confidential information.

She knew...

Only one person could be behind it.

Adrian Vance.

---

One morning...

Vivian entered the boardroom.

Her assistant announced,

"Ma'am... Vance Corporation has acquired East Crown Holdings."

Silence.

Vivian slowly looked up.

"That company belonged to us."

"Not anymore."

Her emerald eyes became colder.

"Prepare a counterattack."

---

At the same time...

Inside Vance Tower...

Alen, Adrian's trusted P.A., placed a file on the desk.

"Boss..."

"Miss Vivian has acquired our European logistics chain."

Adrian continued reading.

"Recover it."

"They won't sell."

Adrian finally raised his eyes.

"Then buy everyone around them until they have no choice."

"Yes, Boss."

---

The Queen's Declaration

Six months later...

Every financial newspaper had only one headline.

"CHATER GLOBAL DECLARES WAR ON VANCE CORPORATION."

The world panicked.

Stock markets trembled.

Governments prepared emergency meetings.

No one wanted these two titans fighting.

Because when giants fought...

Everyone else suffered.

---

During an international CEO summit...

Vivian walked inside wearing a black suit.

The hall instantly became silent.

A few seconds later...

Adrian entered through the opposite door.

The atmosphere froze.

---

Someone nervously laughed.

"So... perhaps today we can make peace?"

Vivian answered first.

"I don't negotiate with criminals."

Adrian looked at her expressionlessly.

"I don't negotiate with arrogant queens."

The hall fell completely silent.

---

Vivian stepped closer.

"One day, Adrian Vance..."

"I'll destroy everything you've built."

Adrian closed the distance between them until only inches separated them.

His voice was calm.

"If that day comes..."

"You'd better finish the job."

"Because if you fail..."

"I'll leave you with nothing."

Not wealth.

Not power.

Not a single ally.

---

The room watched in stunned silence as the two most feared rulers in the world stood face-to-face, neither willing to back down.

Outside, the media called it a rivalry.

Inside the halls of power, everyone knew the truth.

This wasn't business.

This wasn't politics.

This was a blood-soaked war between two sovereigns who refused to bow.

And in wars between monsters...

There were no innocent bystanders

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