The ck luxury car sped out of Goldridge City and finally came to a stop in front of a secluded vi on the southern bank of the Moonveil River.

    Scarlett pulled her fur coat tighter around her shoulders and stepped out slowly. In front of the vi, rings of ck-suited bodyguards stoodyered in formation, and every single one had bulging temples and the aura of a trained killer.

    Even Andrew would have thought twice before charging into that kind of formation.

    "Ms. Driscoll, this way please," said a man at the entrance, his sleeve tied with a red ribbon. "Mr. Fischer and the other heads of house are already inside."

    Scarlett nodded in acknowledgment. The red ribbon was a long-standing emblem of the Fischer family''s elite guard.

    Inside the first-floor hall, Scarlett entered to find over a dozen individuals already seated in silence.

    The hall waspletely quiet with no one speaking, and the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

    By the floor-to-ceiling windows, Henry stood with his hands in his pockets, gazing at the scenery outside. He slowly turned around and nodded to Scarlett. "Have a seat. Let''s get down to business."

    Facing Henry, Scarlett did not dare put on airs and said obediently, "I''ll follow your leadpletely, Mr. Fischer!"

    Henry sat in the chair by the firece, crossed his legs, and said calmly, "Though I''m of the same generation as Mr. Driscoll Senior, the Fischer family has many brothers. I''m actually only three years older than you, Ms. Driscoll, so you don''t need to be so formal."

    Scarlett took her seat and asked, "So, Mr. Fischer... Are we really doing it tonight?"

    Henry waved his hand. "No need to wait for tomorrow. We will act tonight." Scarlett''s eyes widened. "Tonight?"

    The others in the room turned sharply toward Henry in surprise. Among them were martial kings and heads of families even more powerful than the Yeagers.

    One elderly man in a pristine suit and polished cane tapped his foot heavily and spoke with weight. "Mr. Fischer, changing the n at thest minute vites every principle of military strategy. We''re talking about a coordinated strike on Jerome, and this isn''t a joke."

    Another raspy and sharp voice came from an old woman with narrow eyes that seemed half-shut. "Mr. Henry, we all agreed the operation would begin tomorrow. Jerome used up a great deal of strength in his duel with Alvaro. It''ll take at least three months for him to recover fully."

    She continued, "And after the ambush we arranged during his celebration. banquet, his condition has worsened. But don''t make the mistake of thinking he''s some famb waiting for ughter. Even

    wounded, his martial prowess is

    terrifying. Charging in recklessly

    would only get us all killed."

    Scarlett, usually arrogant, nodded in agreement. "Mr. Fischer, I think they make a valid point. Jerome has held the Southern Martial Union''s top seat for over two decades. Even injured, he''s still not to be underestimated."

    Henry''s face turned cold. "Everyone, stay calm. If I moved the n up, it''s because I''ve secured a better path forward. Jerome''s right-hand man, Alex Wace, is already mine."

    The entire room shifted, and a flicker of shock crossed their faces.

    Scarlett stared. "Alex? You bought him off?"

    Henry snorted. "Alex has no integrity or principles. He''s the type to skim profits even off a basic outer disciple trial. Someone like that? Buying him wasughably

    easy."

    The old man with

    the cane shook his

    head. "That''s not enough. Not by a

    long shot, Alex alone can''t shake Jerome''s foundation. If we want to bring him down, we need to strike where it matters: his body. The only way to win is to cripple his terrifyingbat ability. Bribes and turncoats won''t cut it."

    Henry smiled faintly. "You''re right, Mr. Buckner. A low-level pawn like Alex can''t shake Jerome''s foundation. Jerome himself is the mountain we must climb. That''s why I''ve already secured someone better: his adopted son, Eric Humphrey."

    This time, no one objected.

    Scarlettughed out loud. "Mr. Fischer, for the sake of being the next union leader, you really are using every trick in the book!"