Most of the people in the room were mid- to high-level stakeholders — men and women who had clawed their way into the company across decades. And all of them had assumed that when Vantasio finally retired, they’d get a piece of the kingdom.
"Let’s pause for a moment," Vantasio said, raising a hand. "I’d like to introduce you all to my heir."
He gestured to Dirga, who hadn’t even bothered with formal attire — simple black shirt, no tie, no polished shoes. A statement in itself.
"This is Dirgantara. From today onward, he will run the empire."
Whispers turned to murmurs.
Murmurs turned to disbelief.
"What? That’s irregular—"
"Sir, this isn’t how succession works—"
One voice rose. Then another. Then a third. Faces tensed, jaws tightened. This wasn’t a negotiation.
But Vantasio’s voice cut through it like a blade.
"And your job is to do what I want."
The resistance evaporated like smoke.
"I’ve already transferred 80 percent of my assets to Dirga," Vantasio continued. "The remaining 20 stays with me. I’ll be retiring from active leadership. From now on, Dirga has full authority."
Not one person argued.
Not because they agreed — but because they feared him.
And because something about Dirga unnerved them, even if they couldn’t name it.
Just sat beside Vantasio at the table, watching as the meeting resumed — filled with graphs, financial data, growth projections, and corporate jargon that meant nothing to him. But it didn’t have to.
He wasn’t here to listen.
During the meeting, Dirga’s eyes met Lilith’s across the table.
She wanted to say something.
And Dirga needed her to.
Lilith might be the next piece.
And in this game — every piece mattered.
After the meeting ended, the boardroom began to clear out. Tension still clung to the air like smoke after a fire.
Vantasio stretched his arms like a man finishing a performance.
"Well, Dirga," he said with a grin, "you’ve met the shareholders. They control the remaining twenty percent of the company. I still technically own it all, but that eighty percent I gave you?"
He tapped Dirga’s shoulder.
"It’s yours. I’ll begin my retirement plans this week. You settle in, get comfortable. Lilith will help you with the logistics."
Dirga reached out and shook his hand.
"Wishing you a peaceful retirement, Mr. Vantasio."
With a laugh, Vantasio turned and walked out of the boardroom.
Dirga turned to Lilith, who hadn’t moved from her seat.
"So?" he said quietly.
"Anything you want to say?"
Lilith gave a slow, unreadable look.
"Let’s talk in my office," she said flatly.
The walk wasn’t long.
Lilith’s office wasn’t overly luxurious — clean, minimal, efficient. No gold trim or imported sculptures. Just dark wood, books, a screen, and a subtle security camera in the corner. Practical. Sharp. Like her.
He collapsed into the chair without hesitation.
Lilith folded her arms and leaned against her desk, looking at him like a surgeon inspecting a rare tumor.
"Mr. Dirgantara... I honestly don’t know what to call you."
She tilted her head. "A scammer, maybe?"
"Or maybe a genius," she continued, eyes narrowing. "A devil hiding in a hoodie."
"Straight to the point, Ms. Wolfie."
Lilith’s gaze sharpened.
"We don’t want you here. Leave before this gets messy."
Her voice was serious now — cold and final.
Dirga leaned back, completely at ease.
"Then we’ll make you."
Dirga’s eyes gleamed with quiet menace.
"You can’t. It’s already in my name."
Lilith stared, but he didn’t flinch.
Then she spoke, lower now.
"We know about you, Dirga. About your family. Your... wife."
Dirga’s expression changed instantly.
Replaced by something colder.
His voice dropped to a growl.
"Don’t touch that line, Lilith."
"Believe me when I say... the pain I can cause makes the devil look polite."
The temperature in the room felt like it dropped.
Something pressed down. Heavy. Invisible. Power.
Lilith’s breath caught. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her instincts screamed at her that she’d just pushed the wrong man too far.
He didn’t threaten her.
And somehow... that was worse.
Dirga stood slowly, adjusting his jacket.
"I’m offering you something better."
He stared her down. "Twenty percent. You stay. You help me. You play your role."
Lilith hesitated, caught between fear and curiosity.
Dirga’s tone was even now — too even.
"Vantasio will die in three days."
Lilith blinked. "You’re going to kill him?"
"No," Dirga said. "His death will be natural."
"...That’s convenient."
"I just need your help with the transition. Keep the stakeholders calm. Take control when the time comes. You know how this empire works. I don’t want chaos — I want precision."
Lilith sat down, folding her hands together.
A long silence passed between them.
"Fine. But I want it in writing. Transfer the twenty percent now."
"Give me the contract."
Without another word, Lilith opened her laptop. Within minutes, a new contract was drafted — lean, binding, legal. She printed it, placed it on the desk, and slid it to him.
Dirga didn’t hesitate.
The moment the pen touched paper, Lilith changed.
The tension faded. The sharp edge in her eyes softened — not trust, but calculation.
The seductress returned.
The professional mask slipped back into place.
He simply watched her, mind already turning.
The piece was placed.
All that remained now...
Was Watching the Final move