Chapter 33: Rose

The Rosenberg Mansion, main building, living room.

Chloe finished watching the video on YouTube, put down her phone, and frowned.

"Leo, we're winning the PR battle, but the Drake family's roots run too deep. Public opinion alone probably won't be enough to really take them down."

"You're right."

Leo exhaled a puff of smoke. "That's why the PR battle is just an appetizer. What really destroys these big families isn't external attacks—it's internal collapse."

"Internal?" Chloe paused. "You mean..."

Leo flicked his cigarette ash. "William's branch may be in power, but that doesn't mean everyone's loyal to him."

A flash of worry crossed Chloe's eyes. "But... this is too dangerous. Everyone in the Drake family is a cunning old fox."

"Chloe."

Leo walked up to her and gently pinched her cheek, his tone unusually tender.

"Don't worry. The Drake family isn't going to turn the tables on us."

With that, he turned and headed for the door. "I'm going out."

"Where are you going?"

"To see an old friend."

10 PM, a hotel in Manhattan.

Leo, wearing a black trench coat with his hands in his pockets, walked across the thick carpet to a presidential suite on the top floor.

He didn't knock.

Instead, he pulled out a key card and swiped open the door.

Inside, the lights were dim, with only the fireplace casting dancing shadows.

A young woman in a wine-red silk robe was lounging lazily on the sofa, swirling a glass of red wine in her hand.

She looked about twenty-five or twenty-six, with features so delicate they seemed like carefully sculpted art, and wavy black hair cascading over her shoulders.

Most striking were her eyes—deep as night, yet carrying a dangerous allure.

Hearing the door open, she didn't even look up, just let out a soft laugh.

"Still so rude. Walking into a woman's room without even knocking."

"You gave me the key card so I'd come straight in, didn't you?"

Leo closed the door, tossed his coat onto a nearby chair, walked to the bar, and poured himself a whiskey.

"Long time no see, Rose."

The woman finally looked up, her deep eyes studying Leo with amusement.

"Long time no see, Reaper."

She set down her glass, stood up gracefully, and walked toward Leo in her heels, running her slender fingers across his shirt.

"What, did you come to New York because you missed me?"

"Cut it out."

Leo downed his whiskey in one gulp, ignoring her flirtation. "I'm here on business."

"So cold."

Rose pouted, but quickly returned to her seductive smile. "But I like it. Men who are too easy aren't interesting."

She walked back to the sofa and sat down elegantly, crossing her long legs.

"So tell me, Reaper, what business is important enough for you to come find me yourself?"

"Never thought the famous Rose's real name would be Ivy Drake."

Leo closed the door, sat on the sofa across from her, and lit a cigar. "A true direct member of the Drake family."

She laughed softly. "I thought you'd never figure out my identity."

She stood up, walked barefoot to the bar, and poured Leo a whiskey.

"But you're not quite right. The Drake family has several branches. William's branch is just a side branch handling business."

"My branch is the true direct line. We focus on politics and the military, never getting involved in dirty business dealings."

Leo took the glass, looking at her with deep eyes. "So your branch wasn't involved in what happened to the Rosenberg family twenty years ago?"

"Of course not."

Rose sat back on the sofa, crossing her legs. "We may share the Drake name, but we parted ways with William's branch long ago. We never participate in the shady things they do."

She paused, a flash of disgust in her eyes. "Honestly, I've always despised William's lowlife tactics. Murder, fraud, stealing technology... It's disgraceful to the Drake family name."

Leo smiled.

"So you've been waiting for me to come ask you to work together?"

"Smart."

Ivy walked back to the sofa and sat down elegantly. "Leo, you destroyed the Romano family, disrupted the Rosenberg and Vanderbilt families' plans, and now you've got William backed into a corner."

"With that kind of power, those methods..."

She licked her red lips, excitement flashing in her eyes. "Of course I want to work with you."

"Name your terms." Leo got straight to the point.

"My terms are simple."

Ivy held up one finger. "At the Drake family's next core meeting, I need you to provide enough evidence for me to publicly impeach William."

"Once William falls, my branch can regain control of the family."

Leo was silent for a few seconds.

"Sounds good. But what do I get?"

"What you get..."

Ivy stood up, walked to the desk, pulled out a thick manila envelope from the drawer, and tossed it in front of Leo.

"Is this?"

Leo opened the envelope.

Inside was a stack of photos and documents.

In the photos, William was scheming with several suited men in a secret room.

Those men were all important figures in Washington politics, from the party opposing the Drake family's political faction.

"This is..."

"William has been secretly funding our political rivals for years."

Ivy sneered. "He wants to use money to build his own power base in Washington, undermining our branch's political influence."

"This evidence is enough for me to accuse him of betraying family interests at the family meeting."

Leo collected the documents and nodded.

"Good. This is exactly what I need."

"So we have... a deal?"

Ivy extended her hand.

Leo shook it.

"Deal."

However.

Ivy didn't let go.

She pulled hard, drawing Leo close, her exquisite face almost touching his.

"But..."

Ivy's voice became seductive and dangerous. "This evidence alone isn't enough."

"Not enough?" Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Right."

Ivy released his hand, sat back on the sofa, crossed her legs, and looked at him with amusement.

"I also need... you."

Leo smiled. "What 'Rose' wants isn't just me as a person, is it?"

"Smart."

Ivy picked up her glass, gently swirling the crimson liquid. "I do need you to do one more thing for me."

"What?"

"Help me..."

Ivy looked up, a flash of cold killing intent in her eyes.

"Kill someone."

"Who?"

"My fiancé."

Leo paused.

He hadn't expected that.

"Your fiancé?"

"That's right."

Ivy set down her glass, the seductiveness disappearing from her face, replaced by deep hatred.

"Alexander Montgomery. The second son of the Montgomery family, a rising star in Washington politics, future Senate candidate."

"Can't help it—families like ours love arranged marriages. But I just can't stand men who scheme against me!"

Leo lit a cigar and exhaled smoke.

"The Montgomery family... they're pretty prominent in Washington politics."

"Sure, you want to move against him?"

"Positive."

Ivy was firm. "If you help me kill him, all that evidence is yours. And at the family meeting, I'll fully support you in taking down William."

"Even more..."

She stood up, walked to Leo, and gently tapped his chest with her finger. "After I take power, you can use all the resources of the Drake family's political branch."

Leo looked into her deep eyes.

After a moment, he smiled.

"Deal."

Delight flashed in Ivy's eyes. She walked back to the desk, pulled out another envelope from the drawer, and handed it to Leo.

"In here is Alexander's complete schedule for the past three years, including his address, security detail, and even what time he wakes up every day."

Leo took the envelope and turned toward the door.

"Wait for my news."

"Leo."

Ivy suddenly called out to him.

Leo stopped and looked back at her.

Ivy walked up to him, stood on her toes, and planted a light kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."

Leo said nothing, just turned and left the room.

The door closed.

Ivy stood there, looking at the door, a complex smile playing on her lips.

"Reaper... you really are as fascinating as the rumors say."

She picked up her glass and took a small sip.

"I hope you don't disappoint me."