Chapter 29: The Game of Power

New York, Presidential Suite on the hotel's top floor.

Leo stood in front of the massive floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at this city of sin lit up by neon lights.

The doorbell rang.

Leo said casually, "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Sophia walked in wearing silver high heels.

She wore a black silk dress, her chestnut hair casually draped over her shoulders, adding a touch of sophisticated charm to her cool demeanor.

"Mr. Ashford, you wanted to see me?"

Sophia saw Leo standing at the floor-to-ceiling window with his back to her, smoke from his cigar slowly rising in the light.

"Sit."

Leo turned around and pointed to the sofa across from him.

He took out a bottle of Romanee-Conti from the wine cabinet, poured two glasses, and pushed one in front of Sophia.

"Something happened."

Sophia didn't touch the wine glass but got straight to the point. "Just half an hour ago, John... that so-called uncle of mine, suddenly got worse and fell into a deep coma. The hospital says he's basically a vegetable now and could die at any moment."

Leo picked up his wine glass, gently swirling the crimson liquid, his face showing no expression.

"I did it."

"What?"

Sophia was briefly taken aback, then quickly calmed down.

Yeah, this was definitely Leo's style.

"You... how did you do it? The hospital security is tight, and John's room has people guarding it 24/7..."

"There's nowhere in this world I can't infiltrate."

Leo downed the red wine in one gulp. "Since John dared to be involved in killing Chloe's mother back then, he must pay the price. Death would be too easy for him."

"So... what do we do now?"

Sophia picked up her wine glass and calmly took a sip. "With John down, the Vanderbilt family will definitely fall into chaos over inheritance rights."

"That's exactly what I want."

A cold smile curved Leo's lips. "John has three sons, right?"

Sophia nodded. "That's right. His oldest son, Carl Vanderbilt, is reckless and impulsive, but he has the Drake family backing him. The other two sons are somewhat smart but lack a solid power base and have been suppressed by Carl all along."

"Good."

Leo lit another cigar and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Now, there's a huge power vacuum in the Vanderbilt family. Those three sons of John's will definitely fight to the death for the position of family head."

"What I need you to do is add more fuel to this fire."

Leo took out a USB flash drive from his pocket and tossed it on the table.

"In here is all the evidence of the Drake family secretly supporting Carl, including money transfers, secret agreements, and even their plans to jointly suppress the other two brothers."

"'Accidentally' leak this to John's other two sons."

Sophia instantly understood Leo's intention. "You want them to kill each other, fight among themselves?"

"Exactly."

Leo looked at the brilliant night view outside the window, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. "When they've fought each other to exhaustion, that's when you... retake power."

"I understand. I know what to do."

Sophia looked at the USB drive on the table, then at Leo's confident and composed figure, her respect and awe for this man deepening.

This man not only had extraordinary courage but also the wisdom to upend the entire game.

Outside John's hospital room.

John's three sons were gathered at the door, the atmosphere tense.

Carl wore an expensive Armani suit, his hair slicked back perfectly.

"Father's not going to make it," Carl swept his gaze over his two brothers, Henry and Charles, who looked grim. "The family can't go a day without a leader. From today on, I am the head of the Vanderbilt family."

He said it as if it were a foregone conclusion.

The older Henry's face changed, and he snorted coldly. "Carl, Father hasn't even died yet, and you're already this eager to seize power?"

Charles also said through gritted teeth, "Don't think we don't know you've been getting close to the Drake family lately!"

"Seize power?" Carl laughed as if he'd heard the biggest joke. "I'm just taking back what belongs to me."

He stepped forward, staring down his two brothers with vicious eyes. "That's right, the Drake family is supporting me. With them backing me, you two together are just two ants under my feet."

He straightened his tie and threatened deliberately, "I'm giving you a choice. Either obediently acknowledge my position, and you can still get some scraps later. Or go against me and get completely crushed by the Drake family and me together, left with nothing."

"You two losers, choose for yourselves."

Henry and Charles trembled with anger, their faces flushed, but were intimidated by Carl's arrogant manner and couldn't speak for a moment.

Just as Carl finished speaking, inside the room, the heart monitor suddenly let out a piercing, continuous beep.

This powerful family head, who had risen to power through conspiracy and betrayal for over twenty years, took his last breath.

And Carl, under the Drake family's direction, sent out invitations to all core family members.

He was calling an emergency family meeting.

To resolve the inheritance issue in the most direct, most brutal way.

Three days later.

The day of the meeting.

"Uncles, brothers."

Carl sat in the main seat, a victor's smile on his face.

"My father has unfortunately passed away, and the family cannot go a day without a leader. As the eldest son, I should naturally take on this responsibility."

"Bullshit!"

Henry shot up, pointing at Carl and cursing, "You dare mention Father? You traitor who colluded with outsiders and sold out the family! Don't you know what the Drake family is? You're inviting the wolf into the fold!"

"Exactly! We absolutely won't agree to you being family head!" Charles also stood up.

"Won't agree?"

Carl sneered, his face full of arrogance. "What do you have to fight me with? Your pitiful shares? Or your friends who only know how to brag at parties?"

"Let me tell you, if you two kneel and pledge loyalty to me now, you can still get some leftovers later. Otherwise, don't blame me, your big brother, for not caring about brotherhood!"

Just when Carl thought he had victory in his grasp and was about to reach the peak of power.

The heavy oak doors of the conference hall were kicked open from the outside!

Everyone was startled by this sudden loud noise and looked toward the door in unison.

They saw Sophia in a black dress, wearing high heels, slowly walking in, surrounded by two rows of bodyguards in black.