Vergas stared at Kian, his face a mask of shock and barely suppressed rage. The air crackled with tension, a silent duel of wills playing out in the hushed luxury of The Grill. Kian had just thrown down a gauntlet, daring Vergas to accept a position he never imagined: becoming a pawn in Kian's game.
Vergas's mind whirled. His power, his reputation, his ruthlessness – they had always been his tools, his currency, his shield. And now, this young upstart, this boy who had risen from nothing, was offering him a choice: become a pawn in a game he didn't understand, or risk losing everything.
He remembered the raw fear that had gripped him when Lila, his daughter, had disappeared. Months of desperate searches, dead ends, and gnawing uncertainty had chipped away at his usual control. Kian had exploited that vulnerability, injecting a sliver of hope into his darkest moment.
"How do you know about Lila?" Vergas finally rasped, his voice rough with barely controlled emotion.
Kian's smile was cool, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Let's just say I have my ways. And I know more than you think."
He paused, letting the unspoken threat hang in the air. "But here's the thing, Vergas," Kian continued he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Vergas, a predator sizing up its prey, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper "I'm not offering you a charity case, Vergas. This is an opportunity. A chance to rebuild, to reclaim what was lost. But it comes with a price."
Kian leaned back, his gaze taking in the stunned expression on Vergas's face. "The price? Your loyalty, your skills, your resources. You will become a part of my operation. You will work for me."
Vergas scoffed, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "You're a kid, Kian and you're playing with forces you don't understand."
"Maybe," Kian replied, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "But I'm playing to win. And I need your help. You're the king of this city's underworld. I need your connections, your knowledge, your ruthlessness. You're the key to bringing down Immortal."
Kian watched as the anger flickered in Vergas's eyes, giving way to a flicker of understanding. He had spoken the right language, tapped into a primal need. The need for vengeance. The need for control. The need to get his daughter back.
"What do you propose I do?" Vergas asked, his voice a low growl. The king was considering the possibility of becoming a pawn.
Kian smiled, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "We'll start with a simple task. We'll get your daughter back."
Vergas remained silent, his eyes fixed on Kian, a mixture of resentment, curiosity, and a desperate flicker of hope playing across his features. The king was considering his move. And Kian had him right where he wanted him.
"But first," Kian said, his voice taking on a commanding tone, "you need to attend a meeting with my assistant. It's a small gathering, a strategy session. You'll see who I'm dealing with, and you'll understand why I need your help."
Vergas narrowed his eyes. He wasn't stupid. He knew Kian was trying to reel him in, to make him believe there was a power shift, that the tables had turned.
"My help? You want me to work for you, Kian?" Vergas sneered. "You think I'll fall for this little game of yours?"
Kian chuckled, a low, dangerous sound that echoed through the hushed restaurant. "It's not a game, Vergas. It's a collaboration. A chance for you to get your daughter back, a chance to reclaim your position in this city. And maybe even a chance for us to build something new."
Vergas wasn't convinced, but he was curious. He had to admit, Kian had him intrigued. He was willing to play along for now, to see where this went.
"Alright," Vergas growled. "I'll attend this meeting. But don't expect me to be your little errand boy, Kian. I'll be watching you, every step of the way."
Kian nodded, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He was playing a dangerous game, but he was confident in his strategy.
"I expect nothing less," Kian replied, his voice low and steady.
The meeting room of Starlight Corp was buzzing with activity. Vergas stood at the doorway, observing the scene with a critical eye. He was used to these gatherings, the power plays, the subtle negotiations, but something about this one felt different.
As he scanned the room, his gaze fell on a woman at the back, standing near a small table, looking like she was just another assistant. But Vergas recognized her. It was Zianna. The rising star, the businesswoman who had charmed the city's elite.
He had seen her on the front pages of magazines, heard whispers of her ambition, her ruthlessness, and her undeniable charisma. She was the face of Starlight, the epitome of success.
But there was something off. She was a shadow of her usual flamboyant self. There was a quiet intensity in her eyes, a sense of purpose that made Vergas uneasy.
He then turned his attention towards the small stage at the front of the stained glass room. He saw Kian, looking as if he had effortlessly transitioned from a young man into a confident leader. He was seated on a high chair, a casual posture that exuded authority.
Zianna was standing behind him, a silent, almost invisible presence. The picture was stark, a contrast of personalities.
Kian, the mastermind behind the scenes, pulling the strings, orchestrating the game. And Zianna, the silent force, the one who executed his plans with ruthless efficiency.
Vergas felt a shiver down his spine. He realized that the boy he had underestimated was much more cunning, much more dangerous than he had imagined.
He was starting to understand that this was no ordinary game.
He was dealing with someone who had the power to make even a king into a pawn.
The meeting room of Starlight Corp was buzzing with activity. Vergas stood at the doorway, observing the scene with a critical eye. He was used to these gatherings, the power plays, the subtle negotiations, but something about this one felt different.
As he scanned the room, his gaze fell on a woman at the back, standing near a small table, looking like she was just another assistant. But Vergas recognized her. It was Zianna. The rising star, the businesswoman who had charmed the city's elite.
He had seen her on the front pages of magazines, heard whispers of her ambition, her ruthlessness, and her undeniable charisma. She was the face of Starlight, the epitome of success.
But there was something off. She was a shadow of her usual flamboyant self. There was a quiet intensity in her eyes, a sense of purpose that made Vergas uneasy.
He then turned his attention towards the small stage at the front of the room. He saw Kian, looking as if he had effortlessly transitioned from a young man into a confident leader. He was seated on a high chair, a casual posture that exuded authority.
Zianna was standing behind him, a silent, almost invisible presence. The picture was stark, a contrast of personalities.
Kian, the mastermind behind the scenes, pulling the strings, orchestrating the game. And Zianna, the silent force, the one who executed his plans with ruthless efficiency.
Vergas felt a shiver down his spine. He realized that the boy he had underestimated was much more cunning, much more dangerous than he had imagined.
He was starting to understand that this was no ordinary game.
He was dealing with someone who had the power to make even a king into a pawn.
Kian caught his eye and gave him a subtle nod, a silent acknowledgment of his presence. Vergas walked towards the stage, his gaze fixed on Kian, his mind spinning with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.
The room fell silent as Vergas approached the stage. He was a shadow, a ghost from a forgotten world, a king reduced to a pawn. He had been a predator, a force to be reckoned with, but now he was being brought to his knees.
"Vergas," Kian said, his voice low and commanding, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "It's a pleasure to have you join us."
Vergas glared at Kian, his eyes narrowed, his face a mask of suspicion. He was not ready to trust this boy, not ready to play his game.
"I'm here," he said, his voice a low growl.
Kian nodded, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous gleam. He leaned back in his chair, his posture radiating confidence.
"I see you've met Zianna," Kian said. "She'll be your point person, your liaison. She'll handle the logistics, the details, the execution. I'll focus on the strategy, the vision, the bigger picture."
Kian was making it clear that he was in control, that he was the one who was calling the shots. He was turning the tables, shifting the power dynamic. He was making Vergas his pawn.
Vergas felt a surge of anger, a wave of resentment, a desperate need to regain control. He was a king who had been stripped of his crown, a predator who had been caged.
He was not ready to surrender.
But he knew that he had no choice.
He had to play the game. He had to find a way to survive.
He had to find a way to get his daughter back.
And he had to find a way to get his revenge.