CHAPTER 168: ONE WHO FALLS FIRST

If gazes could burn, the two men would have turned to ashes. But one barely held his fury while the other was deadly cold and authoritative.

Lucien’s lips twitched uncontrollably. Taking Alaric as Lancaster and how much Edward valued Alaric, he truly hoped to dissolve the situation as soon as possible, but Alaric’s words burned his pride.

Alaric wouldn’t let go of the matter with an apology, would he?

Irrespective of whether the situation could have been solved, now it became a question about his reputation, his position, his power.

How could Lucien bow down?

"You think your petty little empire is untouchable?" Lucien sneered. "I can make one phone call and turn you into nobody."

Alaric didn’t join the war expecting a smooth win. After all, Lucien was a president with deep political and legal connections.

Witnessing no change in Alaric’s expression, Lucien knew what would hurt Alaric. Especially when he was doing so much for a woman. "You’ve got too much to lose, Alaric. That woman you keep so carefully guarded... accidents happen, don’t they?"

Alaric’s jaw tensed, but he stayed composed, watching the man. Now he understood why Aveline had cleared all her schedule until Sunday. It wasn’t just a timeline she gave for Astor; it was a line she drew to foil such plans.

"Accidents do happen, don’t they?" Alaric leaned back and crossed his legs, his lips curving into a dangerous arc.

Lucien’s fist clenched so hard his knuckles were turning white. It was like he had given Alaric an idea to use against him. How was he going to back down now?

He shot a sharp glance at his secretary, who was at the door. His secretary rushed to him and handed him a thick file.

He was a president, information, influence, and authority were at his disposal, after all. He pulled out a set of papers and threw them on the coffee table.

"I wonder how Lancaster Global Holdings’ shareholders would react if certain intelligence reports landed in the wrong hands, Alaric Lancaster."

Alaric’s head tilted as he looked at the papers on the table. This was the reason why he didn’t want a company as large as his father’s. Because there would be so many shareholders, so many disputes and wild cards.

"Your father built his empire on a global network. And you, Alaric Lancaster, have global clients. One word from me, and those borders close."

"You may command this city’s skyline, but I command the world stage. Think carefully about who bends first."

Alaric may control his company, his building, but Lucien could strangle overseas operations with sanctions, trade restrictions, or investigations with just a signature on paper.

Lucien dropped the whole file as he snickered, "That chick of yours... her business would kiss the ground tonight. Do you want to try me?"

His contemptuous voice earned him another target on his back.

Alaric wasn’t a bit worried about Lancaster Global Holdings because it would belong to Lucien’s son-in-law. And his company? He didn’t start a company depending on any country or clients. If Lucien dared to pull some sanctions, he would have to face the wrath of the whole country.

So he should be bothered about Aveline’s Grace and Bloom. She didn’t need his protection when she had gathered enough public attention on Grace & Bloom. Even a small incident at her company would have a butterfly effect in Astor’s life.

She was quiet but powerful.

But of course, Alaric wasn’t going to just sit and watch her company or her take the hit.

He flipped open the file Lucien threw on the table. "This file? President Astor, then you should read further down. Because the next page names the man who will fall first... and it isn’t Aveline Laurent or me."

Lucien frowned. He grabbed the file and flipped through it to realize the content of the file wasn’t the same he had read in the car. When was the file replaced?

Alaric continued, "Threats are the last language of desperate men, President Astor." He stood up, straightening his sleeves and smoothing his cuffs. "Let’s wait and watch the grand fall."

And then he walked toward the door.

Lucien trembled with pure rage. "I am the President. Men like you kneel, eventually. I’ll enjoy watching you realize that."

Alaric didn’t spare him a glance when he walked out. "The stink of politics clings to everything they touch. Scrub off every corner." He entered the elevator with his instruction to the manager.

Lucien gritted his teeth hearing him. He walked out and left with his security.

The head of security didn’t get to close the door of the car when Lucien slammed the door of the armored car harder than necessary.

In the car, Lucien’s jaw clenched so tight it hurt. The leather seat groaned under his weight as he spat, "Fucking Lancaster."

His hand twitched against his thigh, itching for a drink, even a cigarette, anything to burn out the humiliation crawling under his skin.

He was the President of the country. Heads of state bowed to him, monarchs entertained his calls, corporations built entire industries around his policies, yet one man had sat there like he was nothing more than a petty clerk.

"That bastard," he growled under his breath.

His secretary shifted nervously beside him, holding his tablet. Lucien’s voice snapped through the car like a whip. "Tell me. How the hell do we deal with him?"

Because he was clearly aware one move from Alaric could jeopardize his whole career and life. And it was inevitable that it would affect Seraphina’s political career.

The secretary cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "Sir... Alaric Lancaster doesn’t work like others. Every threat we could use, he already has counters prepared. It makes him..."

"...dangerous?" Lucien cut him off, lip curling. "No. It makes him arrogant. Everyone bends, sooner or later. Find me the lever, or I’ll find someone who can."

He turned to the window, watching the city streak by, but all he could see was Alaric’s cold green eyes. Eyes that had not flinched. Not once.

Lucien’s fist slammed the armrest. "I am the President. He will kneel. And when he does, I’ll make sure he stays there."

But time was ticking. And he didn’t even know how long he had before Alaric revealed his illegal dealings.