Three hours after the failed wedding, the financial heart of Empire City plunged into chaos.
Stock markets crashed.
Currencies fluctuated wildly.
Corporations backed by Leon Xu's hidden empire launched synchronized legal attacks and hostile takeovers.
It wasn't a business war anymore.
It was a full-scale, global battlefield—and Ella Lin was at the center of the storm.
Inside Lin Global's war room, the air was suffocating with tension.
"Chairwoman Lin, three of our major subsidiaries just fell under hostile acquisition!"
"The international markets are collapsing; Xu's forces are outbidding us at every turn!"
Ella stood still, her crimson dress a symbol of defiance amidst the crumbling walls of her empire.
"Hold the line," she commanded, her voice cold as steel.
But even she knew—Leon wasn't playing fair.
He never had.
Suddenly, a private encrypted message flashed on the master screen.
"Ready for the final round, my queen?" —L.X.
Her heart clenched painfully.
It wasn't just a business war.
It was personal.
He was attacking everything she loved… to force her back into his arms.
And then, the final blow.
"Chairwoman, we just lost the controlling shares of the Imperial Communications Network!"
Ella's vision darkened.
That was the last pillar of her global influence.
She turned toward the massive screen, where a live global broadcast had already begun.
Leon Xu sat on a throne of black marble, his eyes gleaming with dangerous triumph.
"To the world watching… I promised you a queen. But it seems, even queens can bleed."
He raised a single hand, and behind him, the Empire's new flag unfurled—marked with his personal insignia.
"Ella Lin… your move."