The door of the penthouse closed with a soft click. For a brief second, silence filled the luxurious space behind Silas as he walked away.
Outside, the private elevator carried him down from the towering penthouse to the underground garage of the building. The ride was silent except for the faint mechanical hum of cables pulling the steel chamber downward.
Silas stood with one hand in his pocket, staring at the reflection in the polished metal wall. His expression was unreadable.
When the elevator doors slid open, a sleek black car was already waiting. His driver stepped forward immediately and opened the back door. "Good morning, Mr. Vane."
Silas entered the car without replying.
The door closed, sealing him inside the quiet luxury of the vehicle. "Head to the office," Silas said calmly.
"Yes, sir."
The car pulled out of the underground garage and merged into the morning traffic.
Rain still fell across the city, though lighter now, mist curling across glass towers and steel bridges.
From the back seat, Silas watched the city pass through the tinted windows.
The headquarters of Vane International rose like a monolith in the financial district. Thirty-five floors of black glass and steel.
When Silas stepped out of the car, the security guards immediately greeted him.
"Good morning, Mr. Vane."
Silas walked past them without acknowledgment. Inside the building, employees were already moving quickly through the polished lobby.
Shoes clicked against marble. Assistants carried stacks of documents toward conference rooms.
The atmosphere was tense.
No one dare to relaxed when Silas Vane was in the building.
The elevator doors opened the moment he approached. He stepped inside and pressed the elevator button that had thirty five on it.
His office occupied the entire top floor. A massive glass-walled space overlooking the entire city skyline.
When he entered, his secretary immediately stood from her desk. "Good morning, Mr. Vane."
She was a tall woman in her early thirties with sharp features and a perfectly composed expression. Her name was Lena Park, and she had worked for Silas for six years. She knew better than to ask unnecessary questions.
"There are three board meetings scheduled today," she said efficiently. "The Singapore investors have confirmed their video conference for eleven."
Silas walked past her toward his office. "Cancel them."
Lena paused. "All of them?"
"Yes." Silas placed his coat on the chair and loosened his cufflinks slightly. "I'm not interested in meetings today."
Lena nodded without hesitation. "Yes, sir."
She turned back to her tablet and began canceling appointments.
Silas moved toward the massive window behind his desk. From here, the city looked smaller and exactly how he preferred it.
After a moment, Lena spoke again. "There is also an update regarding Leon Vale."
Silas didn't turn. "Go on."
"The investigation unit released him early this morning. The charges were dropped immediately after the settlement payment cleared."
Of course they were. Money had a very persuasive voice.
"Where is he now?" Silas asked.
"He returned to his apartment."
Silas finally turned around."And?"
Lena glanced at the tablet. "He hasn't left since arriving."
Silas walked slowly back toward his desk.
"Keep watching him."
"Yes, sir."
"And make sure he's comfortable."
Lena raised an eyebrow slightly. "Comfortable?"
Silas leaned back in his chair. "Yes." He tapped the desk lightly with his fingers. "Make sure the apartment has groceries delivered. Send a doctor if necessary."
Lena studied him carefully. "You want him taken care of."
Silas's eyes lifted to meet hers. The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Did I say that?"
Lena immediately lowered her gaze. "No, sir."
Silas leaned forward slightly. "I said make sure he's comfortable." He rested his chin lightly against his knuckles. "Leon Vale is very important."
Lena nodded. "I understand."
Silas's expression didn't change. "He's a leverage. As long as Sylvain behaves," Silas continued calmly, "his brother lives peacefully."
"And if he doesn't?"
Silas didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up a pen and began signing a document on his desk.
The scratching of ink against paper echoed softly in the quiet office.
Then he spoke. "The boy becomes very unlucky."
Lena nodded once. "I'll make sure the surveillance continues."
"Good."
Silas tossed the pen aside. "Anything else?"
"Yes."
She hesitated slightly. "There were rumors this morning from the club."
"What kind of rumors?"
"About last night."
Of course. The underground world thrived on gossip.
Lena continued carefully. "Some of the members noticed the price that was paid."
Silas leaned back in his chair. "And?"
"They're curious about the transaction."
His lips curved faintly. "Let them be, you can go now."
By the time evening arrived, the rain had finally stopped. The office floors gradually emptied as employees finished their work and left for the night.
Silas spent most of the evening reviewing financial reports, approving investments, and dismantling three smaller companies that had recently become inconvenient.
By the time the digital clock on the wall reached 10:00 PM, the entire building was nearly empty.
Silas finally stood from his chair, Lena was still at her desk. "You're still here," he said.
She glanced up from her screen. "You had one more report to sign."
Silas took the file from her and signed it quickly. "Go home."
Lena stood. "Yes, sir."
Silas walked toward the elevator. Outside, his car was already waiting. The driver opened the door. "Where to tonight, sir?"
Silas adjusted his cuffs. "The Gilded Cage."
The club looked different at night. Luxury cars filled the private parking area, and the sound of low music pulsed faintly through the building.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with wealth and secrecy. Men in expensive suits sat in corners, drinking rare whiskey and discussing things that never appeared in newspapers.
Silas walked through the club without stopping. The staff immediately stepped aside.
Everyone here knew who he was, a man of steel.
He pushed open the door to a private lounge. Four men were already inside.
The moment Silas entered, one of them smirked. "Well, well."
The man lounged comfortably on a leather sofa, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. "Look who finally decided to show up." His name was Rowan Hale, a top notch business attorney.
Across the room, two other men glanced up with interest. "Silas," one of them said casually. "You missed the first round."
Silas ignored the comment and walked to the bar. He poured himself a shot of whiskey and drank it in one smooth motion.
Rowan leaned forward slightly. "So," he said.
Silas didn't look at him. "So what?"
Rowan grinned. "We heard something interesting last night."
Silas poured another drink. "Did you?"
"Yeah." Rowan leaned back lazily.
"Apparently someone spent a hundred million for a fresh goods."
The other men chuckled. "That's quite a purchase."
Silas lifted the glass to his lips. "And?"
Rowan's grin widened. "we want to see the product." He tapped his glass against the table. "What kind of product costs that much?"
Silas finished the whiskey and placed the empty glass down. "Mind your business."
Rowan laughed. "Oh come on."
He leaned forward again. "You can't blame us for being curious."
Silas didn't respond. Rowan continued talking anyway. "A hundred million for one night…"
He whistled softly. "That must be some incredible merchandise."
Silas turned his head slowly. The look in his eyes made Rowan pause for a second.
Then Rowan chuckled again. "Relax." He raised his glass casually."We're just joking."
Silas picked up the bottle again and poured another drink. The amber liquid caught the dim light of the room."Drink," Silas said calmly.
Rowan smirked. "Trying to change the subject?"
Silas didn't answer, instead he lifted the glass and downed it again. Then he placed the glass on the counter. "I'm leaving."
One of the men frowned. "You just got here."
Silas grabbed his coat. "I have something waiting for me."
Rowan leaned back again, watching him carefully. "That expensive toy of yours?"
Silas paused at the door and he spoke without turning around. "Be careful with your words."
The room suddenly became cold, silas opened the door and walked out.
Rowan watched the door close behind him. After a moment, he chuckled. "Well." He swirled the whiskey in his glass. "Now I'm even more interested in knowing this toy."
Outside, Silas's car was already waiting. The driver opened the door. Silas entered the back seat. "Home, sir?"
Silas stared out the window and responded "Yes." The car pulled away from The Gilded Cage and disappeared into the night.