Chapter 38 - The Solstice Gathering
The recovery was swift, fueled by vengeance.
Within two weeks, Adrien’s physical strength had returned to a lethal baseline, his wounds knitting beneath the care of private combat surgeons. But more importantly, the Hudson war machine had mobilized.
Elena was no longer the naive bride who walked into the Hudson estate five years ago. She stood beside Adrien at the war room table in their fortified villa, dressed in an armored emerald evening gown that fell like liquid silk to the floor. Beneath the slit of her skirt was a concealed ceramic blade; inside her clutch was a silenced micro-pistol.
"The Obsidian Council is convening tonight in Milan," Elena said, pointing to the architectural hologram of the historic Palazzo Visconti. "They are holding the annual Winter Gala. Every major cartel boss, syndicate banker, and corrupt politician under Lucian’s payroll will be inside."
Adrien, dressed in a tailored midnight-black tuxedo that hid his medical dressings completely, strapped a silver watch onto his wrist. His platinum wedding band—cleaned of blood and polished to a blinding sheen—rested securely on his left ring finger once more.
"They believe Lucian succeeded," Adrien said coldly. "They believe I am dead and that Elena has fled to South America with our child. Tonight, they intend to vote on the partition of my assets."
"How will we enter?" Mateo asked from the doorway, checking a heavily encrypted tablet. "Security at the Palazzo is airtight. Biometric scans at every entrance, private mercenaries at every checkpoint."
Elena looked at Adrien, a dangerous, intoxicating smirk dancing on her lips.
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"We don't sneak in, Mateo," Elena said. "We walk through the front doors. We are the King and Queen of the Hudson Syndicate. And we are going to collect our crown."
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