Chapter 2 – A Meeting of Kings

Three days later...

The headquarters of Ashford Global stood like an emperor overlooking the city.

On the top floor...

Victor Ashford presided over a private family meeting.

Dante, Elena, Adrian, Leonarda, Cassian, Valerian, and Alen were all present.

The atmosphere was unusually serious.

Leonarda closed his laptop before speaking.

"I searched every hidden network in Asia, Europe, and North America."

"There isn't a single trace of the person using the Crimson Spider Lily."

Valerian frowned.

"I searched the dark web too."

"Nothing."

"Whoever erased their tracks is better than almost everyone alive."

Leonarda glanced at his nephew.

"Or they had someone equal to me erase them."

Silence filled the room.

Victor tapped the table once.

"What about the destroyed Black Serpent Syndicate?"

Dante slid a file across the table.

"Over three hundred elite members."

"Every warehouse."

"Every account."

"Every weapon depot."

"Destroyed within six hours."

Elena calmly added,

"The operation was perfectly coordinated."

"There wasn't a single survivor capable of giving information."

Even Adrian's expression became colder.

"This wasn't revenge."

"It was an execution."

---

Meanwhile...

On the top floor of another skyscraper...

A woman sat in a black leather chair.

Her long dark black hair rested over her shoulders.

Her crystal ruby-like ocean violet eyes calmly studied dozens of files projected onto a transparent screen.

Without looking away, she spoke.

"Status."

A man dressed in black respectfully lowered his head.

"The Black Serpent Syndicate has been completely erased."

"Our people have returned safely."

She nodded.

"Our losses?"

"None."

Another woman entered hurriedly.

"Boss."

"The Ashford Family has begun tracing our financial routes."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"Faster than expected."

She stood and walked toward the window overlooking the city.

"So..."

"Adrian Ashford."

"The second son of Victor Ashford."

"The King of Eclipse."

"I wonder..."

"...whether you're worthy of being called my enemy."

---

That evening...

An invitation arrived simultaneously at every major corporation in the world.

The Global Business Summit.

The most prestigious gathering of CEOs, investors, royalty, and influential families.

Attendance was by invitation only.

Victor looked at the invitation before handing it to Adrian.

"You'll represent the Ashford Family."

Adrian accepted it without hesitation.

"As you wish."

Victor looked at Dante.

"You and Elena will attend as well."

Both nodded.

"Cassian."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"You'll accompany your parents."

Cassian answered firmly,

"I won't disappoint you."

Victor's gaze shifted to Leonarda.

"And you."

Leonarda sighed dramatically.

"I knew you'd say that."

"I'm coming."

Valerian smiled.

"What about me?"

Victor looked at his youngest grandson.

"You have school."

Valerian let out an exaggerated sigh.

"That's unfair."

Everyone ignored his complaint.

---

Elsewhere...

The mysterious woman also received the same invitation.

Her assistant asked respectfully,

"Boss..."

"Will you attend?"

She picked up the elegant black invitation.

Her violet eyes reflected its golden seal.

"Of course."

"The Ashfords will be there."

She closed the invitation with a soft click.

"It's time to see them with my own eyes."

A cold smile appeared on her lips.

"But not as a friend."

"As an opponent."

---

Far away...

Neither Adrian nor the mysterious woman realized...

That the upcoming Global Business Summit would be the first time the King of Eclipse and the Crimson Spider Lily stood under the same roof.

The moment their eyes met...

The balance of both the business world and the mafia world would begin to change.

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