Chapter 3: A Deal in Shadows

In a city where power dictated the air you breathed, three men sat in the dimly lit backroom of a private club where the real decisions were made. The polished mahogany table gleamed beneath a single low-hanging chandelier, casting shadows like secrets. At its head, Dr. Adrien Lancaster – founder of Siren.Ltd, known in pharmaceutical and underworld circles alike – leaned back, his fingers steepled and gaze unreadable behind gold-rimmed glasses.

Opposite him sat Graham Vale, the nation's most revered legal mind, head of Vale & Associates, and a man who had long since exchanged emotion for strategy. Between them, the third figure reclined, wearing a smug grin: Senator Marcus Alwyn – a politician with a clean public image and a private reputation for ruthless dealings.

Siren.Ltd was in freefall.

A damning exposé had struck the headlines like lightning. Leaked footage of a secret medical trial, featuring dangerously high dosages of an unapproved compound, had gone viral. A former scientist, once protected by non-disclosure clauses, had become a whistleblower. In the footage, children were seen trembling in metal hospital beds. Adrien's empire trembled.

"The media won't stop," Adrien said, voice low. "This is beyond control. Investors are pulling out. We are bleeding."

Senator Marcus Alwyn crossed one leg over the other, swirling the dark liquor in his glass. "That's because you tried to cure a nation in the shadows, Adrien. You forgot that exposure is a political beast. But you're in luck. Every beast has a leash."

Graham Vale didn’t flinch. “You want to buy silence. As always.”

Adrien’s green eyes flicked toward Graham. “I want survival. You’re the best at rewriting a narrative. My company was framed. That’s the story."

Marcus chuckled. “The government can be soothed. I’ll push this as an anti-national sabotage, blame it on foreign interference, economic warfare. But we need public sympathy. We need court sympathy. Graham... we need your daughter."

A pause.

Graham’s jaw tightened slightly. “Mayra won’t take a case unless she’s convinced. And she’s... difficult when it comes to her own code.”

“Then break it,” Adrien snapped. “You taught her the law, didn’t you?”

Marcus raised his hand, smooth and diplomatic. “Let’s not get emotional. The plan is simple. Adrien buries the media using our friends in the press. I take care of the political pressure and investigative bodies. Your daughter... wins us the trial. The scientist becomes a rogue figure. Siren.Ltd is the victim."

Graham said nothing for a long time.

He stared into the shadows of his glass before finally speaking. “She’ll take it. I’ll make sure of it.”

Adrien exhaled. "Good."

Marcus stood up, placing his empty glass down. "And there’s another thing. After the case, there’s opportunity for alliance. Your kids. Levi and Mayra."

Adrien arched a brow. "You're suggesting a marriage?"

Marcus smiled. "An alliance, Adrien. Your son becomes untouchable with Mayra at his side. The people adore her. And she’d civilize that cold sword of yours."

Graham didn’t react.

Adrien looked thoughtful, then nodded once. “I’ll discuss it with Levi later. But I like the sound of it.”

Graham gave the faintest smirk. “So do I.”

They all stood.

And thus, without their knowledge, two legacies began to intertwine—through ink, intent, and ambition, not love.

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