章節 38: Chapter 38: The Seeds of Network

After the betrayal of Gideon, Lucian found himself alone in his study, the dim light of the candles casting long shadows across the walls. His empire had grown to unimaginable heights, but the threat of betrayal had left him shaken. He knew now more than ever that trust was a luxury he could not afford. The events of the past few weeks had shown him that no matter how tight his inner circle was, there were always cracks that could be exploited.

It was clear to Lucian that his business, now more successful and widespread than ever, required more than just brute strength and clever tactics. It required a veil of secrecy, a layer of protection that would allow it to flourish without attracting the wrong kind of attention. The church was closing in, rivals were becoming more aggressive, and the memory of Gideon's betrayal was still fresh. The stakes were higher than they had ever been.