Chapter 536

Bruno clung to the hope that the woman he had kept could shift the balance in his favor.

He hosted an extravagant banquet, expecting Cedric's presence, but the man never showed.

Before Bruno could come up with his next move, he was hit by a crushing defeat so absolute that any attempt to recover felt impossible.

His phone buzzed incessantly with calls from the marketing department.

"Mr. Deleon, there's a major problem with our latest game."

"Mr. Deleon, hackers have cracked our newest release;pirated copies are flooding the market!"

"Mr.Deleon, our market share has plunged from 50%down to a mere 5%!"

"Mr. Deleon, our stock is on the verge of a historic crash!"

"Mr.Deleon..." Bruno was drowning in dire reports. Yet he was completely incapable of stopping the downfall.

Once more, he stood at Elite Lux's entrance,the time since his last visit feeling like an eternity.

Memories surfaced-his last visit, his harsh words towards Daniela.

Now,Daniela remained untouchably brilliant, while he teetered on the edge of financial ruin.

Bruno took a step towards the entrance of Elite Lux.

The security guard smirked. "Apologies, Mr. Deleon.No appointment, no access."

Bruno lifted his gaze to the towering building, tears carving paths down his face.

With a hollow thud, he collapsed to his knees at the entrance.

The pride he once flaunted now mirrored the depth of his current desperation.

He bellowed, "Cedric! Please! Just one more chance!I'm begging you,Cedric!"

Onlookers gathered, watching as Bruno slapped himself repeatedly.

Blood seeped from his lips, dripping onto the pavement in crimson streaks.

Without warning, the heavens unleashed a torrential downpour.

The crowd scattered, leaving Bruno drenched and alone, his desperate cries slicing through the rain."Cedric! Please! See me!"

The sound of approaching footsteps made Bruno's head snap up in shock.

Cedric loomed over him, an umbrella in hand, his gaze icy. "Your chance is long gone."

Bruno latched onto Cedric's leg, his voice trembling."I swear, I never meant to cross you! I shouldn't have insulted your wife. I get it now. Please, have mercy!"

Cedric peered down at Bruno, whose outward submission was betrayed by his tightly balled fists.

A lethal glint flickered in Cedric's eyes.

If not for men like Bruno, Daniela would have remained the radiant young woman she once was.

He could never erase the image of Daniela, broken and despondent.

A girl once as luminous as a princess had been dimmed by their greed. After all this time by his side, Daniela was only now relearning how to smile and truly unwind.

People admired Daniela's strength, but who remembered that she was just twenty-four?

A young woman in her prime, meant to bask in love and parental care, had instead carved out an empire with her own hands.

The world called her formidable, but all he felt was sorrow for her struggles.

Daniela was so remarkable, so gentle, so full of life.Yet because of these people, she endured so much pain.

A storm of hatred and fury brewed in Cedric's gaze.

He sent Bruno flying with a kick. "Mercy doesn't exist in my world!"

Bruno lifted his gaze, only to meet Cedric's unyielding,icy stare.

"Cedric, why? Why are you doing this to me? I don't understand!"

Cedric's lips curled into a cold, indifferent smile."Because you had it coming!"

Bruno stumbled back to the commerce association, a mere shell of the man he once was.

Inside the conference room, the remaining seven members were already gathered.

Their eyes flickered with astonishment-some surprised, some fearful, others indifferent to his downfall.

Hackett sighed."Bruno,you got too careless."

The rest nodded in silent agreement.

Huey smirked. "If you ask me, your plan was weak.Otherwise,how could you fall so completely, with no way to fight back?"

Farley nodded. "You should've secured the shareholders from the beginning. Now, you've lost their trust and control."

Bruno scanned the room-each of them speaking as though they bore no responsibility.

He threw his head back and laughed a loud, unhinged laugh. He clutched his stomach, pointing at them,laughing until tears rolled down his face.

Hackett frowned. "Bruno, have you lost it? It's just one defeat. Is it really that bad?"

Bruno stood, wiping away his tears. "Is it worth it? Easy for you to say when you're not the one suffering-but don't worry, your turn is coming."

With that, Bruno turned and strode toward the exit."Let's see if you stay this composed when it's your head on the chopping block."

Just as he reached the door, he paused and turned back. His sharp gaze locked onto Hackett's.

"You yes, you. You orchestrated Brylee's death. Just wait. Daniela will come for you! Ha-ha!"

Bruno's crazed laughter echoed through the halls of the association.

A moment ago, the room had been full of chatter and amusement; now, everyone sat frozen, their smiles erased.

In that instant, a single thought consumed them all.

Who would be next?