The black envelope was a declaration — not of war, but of desperation. The Council of Five believed they could shake Zhao Feng. But fear was a weapon that held no power over him.
Standing in the grand office of the Sovereign Tower, Zhao Feng gazed out at the glittering cityscape of Hong Kong. The floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the bustling metropolis — a city that pulsed with the heartbeat of power and ambition.
Xiao Ling stood nearby, her expression cold. "They've made their move. The Council believes secrecy protects them."
Zhao Feng's eyes gleamed. "But shadows cast long trails. It's time to shine a light."
Zhao Feng didn't build Sovereign by playing fair. The luxury world thrived on connections, alliances, and ruthless strategy. And now, those same tactics would become his most formidable weapon.
"Xiao Ling," Zhao Feng commanded, "pull every intelligence asset we have. I want the Council's weaknesses exposed. Offshore accounts, secret dealings, hidden scandals — nothing is off-limits."
Xiao Ling nodded, already tapping into Sovereign Capital's vast network. "Consider it done. Within 48 hours, we'll have everything."
But Zhao Feng wasn't done.
"Schedule an exclusive gala," he said. "A Sovereign-initiated luxury summit. The wealthiest and most influential figures in the world will attend. I want the Council to watch as the global elite rally behind us."
Ding!
[Operation Shadowfall Initiated.]
[Influence +500]
[Simp Coins +300 Million]
The first crack formed with Laurent Duval.
A leaked dossier revealed massive embezzlement within Duval Luxury Holdings. Documents circulated online, showcasing years of mismanaged funds and falsified audits. Investors panicked. Stocks plummeted.
Next, Elena Volkov's carefully curated empire crumbled. A classified report, discreetly handed to regulatory agencies, exposed her involvement in illegal arms deals masked under her luxury resort investments. Interpol swiftly issued a warrant.
Kenji Hayashi wasn't spared. Sovereign's cyber-intelligence division traced a series of fraudulent digital transactions, linking him to unregulated gambling enterprises. Japanese authorities opened an immediate investigation.
Within days, three of the five had fallen.
Ding!
[Council Members Weakened: 3/5]
[Simp Coins +700 Million]
The Sovereign Luxury Summit was held at the Celestial Grand Hall in Dubai — an architectural masterpiece of gold and glass, shimmering beneath the desert moon.
The world's elite gathered, clad in custom designs from Sovereign Fashion. Kings, CEOs, Hollywood icons — all in awe of Zhao Feng's rise. But amidst the glamour, all eyes searched for the Council of Five.
Only Malcolm Royce and Giovanni Russo remained.
Seated on the upper balcony, they watched in tense silence as Zhao Feng took the stage.
"Tonight," Zhao Feng's voice echoed, "we celebrate not just luxury, but vision. True power is not built on deceit and control — it is earned through resilience, courage, and unwavering determination."
The crowd erupted in applause. But for Malcolm and Giovanni, it was the final blow. The world had already chosen its king.
Ding!
[Sovereign Luxury Summit Completed.]
[Global Reputation +2,000]
[Simp Coins +1 Billion]
As the night came to a close, Zhao Feng made one final move.
A single black envelope, identical to the one he had received, was delivered to Malcolm and Giovanni. But this one carried a different message:
"The shadows bow to the Sovereign."
Giovanni's hands shook as he read the words. Malcolm's expression darkened.
"Zhao Feng…" Malcolm growled.
But Zhao Feng had already won. The Council of Five was no more. The luxury world now belonged entirely to him.
And this was only the beginning.