Chapter 53: The New Queen

Next morning.

The Drake Mansion, main building, conference room.

Around the long mahogany conference table sat the members of the Drake family's council.

They were the family's power brokers, controlling its resources across multiple sectors.

But right now, everyone's face was tight with unease.

The news of William's sudden death from a heart attack last night had already spread through the family.

Combined with Jonathan and Evan's fratricidal deaths a few days ago...

In just one week, three leaders of the Drake family had all died suddenly.

It left everyone feeling that something was off.

"Everyone."

The conference room door was pushed open.

Ivy walked in with measured confidence, wearing a black business suit and high heels.

Two bodyguards in black suits followed behind her.

Ivy walked straight to the head seat and sat down without any hesitation.

"Ivy, this is..."

An elderly council member frowned. "The position of leader should be decided by a council vote..."

"A vote?"

Ivy chuckled lightly, took a slim cigarette from her handbag, and lit it with practiced ease.

"Fine, let's vote then."

She exhaled a puff of smoke and looked around. "Those who support me becoming the new head of the Drake family, please raise your hands."

Silence filled the room.

No one raised a hand.

But no one dared to object either.

"What?"

Ivy stood up, smiling down at them. "Do you all think I'm not qualified?"

"Or do you think I don't know about your side deals?"

The silence turned heavy.

All the elders went pale, not daring to make a sound.

Because before the vote, they had all received photos containing evidence against them.

It was obvious that the person who sent the photos was Ivy.

"Now..."

Ivy sat back down in the head seat, crossing her long legs. "I'll ask again. Those who support me becoming the new family head, please raise your hands."

Almost everyone raised their hands.

"Good."

Ivy nodded with satisfaction. "Then from today on, I, Ivy, am the new head of the Drake family."

"Any objections?"

"No..."

Everyone answered in unison.

"Good."

Ivy stood up, placing her hands on the conference table, looking down at everyone present.

"Now, I'm announcing several things."

"First, starting immediately, the Drake family will undergo complete restructuring. All illegal businesses will be cut off and spun out, including underground casinos, money-laundering operations, and illegal arms dealing..."

"What?"

Several family elders' faces changed dramatically.

Those businesses were the family's cash cows.

"Ivy, those businesses bring the family tens of billions of dollars in revenue every year..."

"I don't care."

Ivy interrupted him, her eyes cold. "The Drake family's reputation has already been ruined by you people. Starting today, I'm putting the Drake family back on the right track."

"Second..."

Ivy paused. "I'm announcing as head of the Drake family that the Drake family will form a strategic alliance with the Rosenberg family and the Vanderbilt family. The three families will cooperate fully in finance, energy, government, and other areas."

"What?"

The conference room instantly erupted.

"The Rosenberg family? Aren't they our enemies?"

"The Vanderbilt family, too!"

"Ivy, are you just handing over the Drake family to others?"

"Shut up!"

Ivy slammed the table, and the room instantly went quiet.

"I said, from today on, I'm in charge of the Drake family. Anyone who dares to oppose will end up like William."

A flash of murderous intent crossed her eyes. "Is that clear?"

"Yes... yes, it's clear..."

No one dared to speak up anymore.

"Good."

Ivy sat back down in the head seat. "Meeting adjourned."

All the elders left as if pardoned, getting up and leaving one after another.

In less than two minutes, only Ivy remained in the huge conference room.

She lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

A satisfied smile curved at the corner of her mouth.

"The Drake family... is finally mine."

That evening.

New York, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, top floor presidential suite.

The doorbell rang.

Leo opened the door.

Ivy wore a black evening gown with a plunging neckline, her delicate skin glowing under the lights.

"Congratulations."

Leo stepped aside to let her in. "The new queen of the Drake family."

Ivy let out a seductive laugh, walking into the room in her high heels.

She went straight to the bar, poured herself a glass of red wine, then lazily sat on the sofa, crossing her long legs.

"Thanks."

Ivy took a light sip of red wine, a playful glint in her eyes. "But you helped me achieve all this. Leo, I owe you a big one."

"No need for favors."

Leo sat down across from her, lighting a cigar. "I just want you to keep your promise."

Ivy raised an eyebrow. "What promise?"

"Luke's technology."

Leo exhaled a puff of smoke. "You promised that once you took power, you'd transfer Luke's controlled nuclear fusion technology patent back to Luke."

"Of course."

Ivy put down her wine glass, took out a document from her handbag, and handed it to Leo.

"This is the patent transfer agreement. I've already signed it. From today on, ownership of that technology belongs to Luke again."

Leo took the document, read it over, and, after confirming everything was in order, nodded.

"You actually kept your word."

"Of course, I keep my word."

Ivy stood up, walking over to Leo in her high heels. "Because... I want to continue working with you."

She leaned down, placing her hands on the armrests, trapping Leo between her and the sofa.

The neckline of her sheer evening gown hung loose, revealing the cleavage beneath.

"Leo..."

Ivy's voice became seductive and alluring. "You heartless man. You just helped me take over the Drake family, and all you can think about is your dead friend."

"What? Am I, a living person, really that unattractive?"

"Ivy."

Leo looked up, his eyes calm. "Speak properly."

"I am speaking properly."

Ivy licked her red lips, a flash of burning desire in her eyes. "What I'm saying is... I want you."

With that, she suddenly sat on Leo's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Leo, from today on, all the Drake family's resources are yours."

"My money is yours."

"My power is yours."

"My body..."

Ivy moved closer, her red lips almost touching his. "Is also yours."

Leo looked into her deep eyes and was silent for a few seconds.

Then he reached out and grasped her slender waist.

"You're sure?"

"Sure."

Ivy smiled seductively. "I never lie."

"Alright then."

Leo suddenly stood up, hoisting her entire body over his shoulder with one hand.

"Ah!"

Ivy cried out in surprise, not yet realizing what was happening.

"Leo! You..."

"Didn't you say you're mine?"

Leo strode toward the bedroom, a playful smile curving at the corner of his mouth.

"Then I'm taking you now."

The bedroom door was kicked shut.

Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, enveloping two intertwined figures in a hazy glow.

The wine-red silk nightgown slipped onto the carpet, like a blooming rose.