The night air carried a damp chill as Lin Feng stood at the edge of the rooftop, the city lights glittering beneath him like scattered embers. The Apex Council summit had ended only hours ago, but its ripples had already begun to spread. Word of Lin Feng's maneuvering, of his quiet consolidation of power and the growing influence of the Crimson Circle, had reached ears far beyond their immediate reach.
But he wasn't looking down at the city in admiration. His mind was turning, spinning with layers of calculations. Beneath the glow of that skyline, enemies were mobilizing, and allies were wavering under Cassandra's expertly deployed charm and misdirection. She hadn't struck openly, not yet—but her subtle influence was weaving through conversations, glances, and rumors like a slow-acting poison.
