The moment Liam finished outlining the final terms, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The weight of the discussion lingered between the three men, and although nothing explosive had been said, Whitlock felt as if something massive had settled into the air above them.
Since all that needed to be said had been said, the meeting wound down naturally. Liam rose from his seat with a calmness that did not match the storm he had left inside the CEOâs thoughts.
"Iâll wait for your response. I hope it comes soonâIâm not fond of delays," he said.
He didnât say it with pressure but the message was simple enough for even a fool to understand: he wonât wait.
Whitlock stood up as well, masking the tension in his fingers as he extended his hand. They exchanged a firm shake. On the surface, it looked like the polite ending of a regular business meeting. In reality, Whitlock felt as if he was shaking hands with the start of a new era and one he had no control over.
Liam recognized that expression easily. Whitlock wouldnât be able to resist the deal. The offer was too powerful, too beneficial, too far beyond what anyone else could provide. Yet the man also needed to maintain his image. He couldnât seem desperate. He couldnât give an answer too fast. Doing so would expose eagerness.
Liam didnât mind. He had made his position clear: he didnât need them. So Whitlockâs delay was only for Whitlockâs pride, not for Liamâs benefit.
Whitlock also understood that if he delays his response, Liam will definitely do as he said and build the future alone or find someone to replace him.
Whitlock released his hand and drew a steady breath to keep himself composed. He kept a polite smile on his face, but Liam could see through him with ease. The man was already thinking through hundreds of consequences and possibilities. But he was hooked. Deeply so.
Liam turned toward Daniel and noticed something amusing. Danielâs face remained controlled as always, but his eyes carried a tiny tremorâjust enough to show how much his thoughts were racing.
Liam found it funny. Daniel had endured enough shocks ever since becoming the Managing Director for his family office. Today was simply another one to add to the pile.
Liam gave him a small nod that said he understood the struggle but couldnât do anything about it. He still had a vacation to begin, and none of this was going to stop him from enjoying himself.
He walked toward the wide window that overlooked New York City. As he stepped forward, he raised a hand lazily in farewell without looking back.
"Iâll leave the rest to you and the family office," he said to Daniel.
Whitlock maintained his smile as he watched Liamâs form vanish from sight, cleanly and silently, without even the smallest sign of transition.
The CEO stayed still for a long moment, then let his weight sink into his chair. The leather creaked softly beneath him. The exhaustion heâd been holding back washed over him all at once.
Daniel let out a quiet breath. It wasnât dramatic, but it was the closest he had come to showing the internal strain he had been enduring.
Whitlock eyed him with dry amusement. "It seems youâre still adjusting to your employer."
Daniel gave a small smile. "Thereâs no adjustment possible," he replied. "I simply keep moving and hope I donât fall behind."
Whitlock believed him. Daniel wasnât joking.
Daniel rose from the couch, adjusted his suit, and thanked Whitlock for his time. After that, he walked out of the office.
Whitlock watched him all the way to the door, analyzing his steps, posture, and the faint stress in his shoulders.
Once the door closed, Whitlock leaned back again.
A dozen thoughts swept through his mindâstockholders, risk analysis, regulatory coverage, multi-sector disruption, geopolitical consequencesâbut he knew all those concerns were secondary for now.
The first priority was erasing the evidence.
Every second of surveillance footage showing Liam appearing in appearing in the office, and leaving without using the elevator had to be wiped. Not modified but wiped clean. Every digital and physical trace needed to vanish.
He also needed to remove the footage of Daniel arriving and leaving. Not because Daniel had done anything unusual, but because the meeting itself shouldnât exist to anyone outside the organization.
Was it excessive? Yes. Was it necessary? Absolutely.
Liamâs abilities werenât something the world could learn aboutânot now, and maybe not ever. And Whitlock couldnât risk anyone knowing that the CEO of JP Morgan had just met someone who operated outside the laws of physics.
Whitlock stood up immediately and walked to his desk. He pressed a button on the intercom with a controlled hand.
"Send in the cleaner," he said.
The reply came instantly. "Right away, sir."
Whitlock allowed himself one slow, heavy exhale. Today had changed everything. Not in theoryânot in projectionsânot in the abstract.
But kn reality.
***
Across the world, Liam had already crossed oceans.
He didnât bother returning to the Black Titan. The plane would still take more than half a day before reaching Macau. He had no desire to sit through that timeframe. If he could arrive instantly, then why not?
He appeared high above one of Macauâs tallest buildings, standing on the edge of the rooftop with his hands in his pockets. The wind brushed past him, carrying a mixture of cool air and faint city scents.
Below him, Macau thrived with early afternoon energy. It was bustling, with people and vehicles moving around.
His apartmentâarranged by the East Asian branch of his family officeâwas waiting for him somewhere below. Luxurious, spacious, and fully prepared.
But Liam had no intention of lying down.
He had relaxed enough over the past couple of weeks. It was time to enjoy himself. Real fun, not meetings or political dances or careful replies.
It was finally time to experience something normal, human, loud and chaotic and energetic.
Liam smiled as he stepped forward, letting himself drop from the building, before he vanished and reappeared in a quiet, shadowed corner.
He straightened his clothes and stepped out into the street. He looked around and smiled to himself.
Time to start his vacation.