"Do not touch that cup."
The Zenith CEO screamed the command from the back of the stage. He was sweating completely through his bespoke collar.
Maestro Valerius did not look at the panicking executive. He stared exclusively at the steaming dark liquid resting on the wooden podium.
His chest burned with absolute agony. Every shallow breath felt like inhaling shattered glass. The terminal lung disease was slowly drowning him in his own biological fluid.
"He is trying to silence you forever," the Zenith CEO yelled frantically. "Kick the cup over right now."
Valerius looked up into the freezing dark eyes of Ryan Parker.
The young billionaire did not look like a desperate criminal trying to poison a federal witness. He looked like an absolute sovereign offering a final shred of mercy.
"T
