Estelle Quinn dared to physically assault a defenseless housemaid to guard a locked corridor

The bright, airy cinematic light of the sunroom suddenly felt harsh and unforgiving. The revelation hung heavily in the air. Estelle's brother hadn't just sought revenge; he had brokered a catastrophic alliance. By framing Cassian as an unpredictable rogue who violated council treaties, he had given the ruling families a legitimate, terrifying reason to sanction a full-scale war against the Wolfe syndicate.

Ada stumbled backward, her legs hitting the edge of the velvet sofa. She felt physically sick.

"Cassian," Ada gasped, her voice trembling violently. "They know. You have to give him back. If you don't, they will strip you of your territory. They will kill you and everyone in this house."

Cassian didn't even look at her. He kept his cold, perceptive eyes locked entirely on Marcus.

"Did the Commission demand a vote for my removal?" Cassian asked, his voice a low, lethal hum that betrayed absolutely no panic.

"Yes, Boss," Marcus confirmed, checking the encrypted phone. "The tribunal convenes in exactly twenty-four hours. If you don't show up and hand the boy over, the entire Commission will back a coordinated hit on the estate."

"Do they believe I am easily intimidated?" Cassian asked smoothly, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored suit.

Marcus blinked, confused by the response. "Boss, they have the numbers. If the Commission backs the Cole family, we will be fighting a war on five different fronts by tomorrow night."

"Do numbers win wars, or does conviction?" Cassian countered coldly. He turned away from the security chief and finally looked at Ada.

She was pale and shaking, terrified that she had brought destruction down upon the only man who had ever made her feel safe.

Cassian walked over to her, his polished leather shoes silent on the rug. He reached out and gently gripped her arms, pulling her firmly against his powerful, broad chest. The sheer, immovable strength of his masculine frame grounded her instantly.

"Are you listening to me, Ada?" Cassian murmured, his deep voice vibrating against her cheek. "Did I tell you that you are under my protection? Do I look like a man who surrenders a child to settle a debt?"

"But the Commission—"

"Is the Commission running my city?" Cassian interrupted, his eyes burning with a dark, unyielding fire. "They believe they can dictate the rules of my territory from a boardroom in Chicago. Are they prepared to learn a very painful lesson in modern warfare?"

He released her slowly and turned back to Marcus, the lethal Mafia boss fully emerging.

"Recall all the heavy teams from the ports," Cassian commanded, his voice echoing with absolute authority. "Lock down the perimeter of the estate. I want snipers on the roof and the heavy armored vehicles blocking the gates. No one gets within a mile of this house."

"And the tribunal, Boss?" Marcus asked, typing frantic orders into his phone. "Are we ignoring the summons?"

"No," Cassian replied, a cold, merciless smile curling the corner of his lips. "We are going to attend. But are we going to negotiate?"

Cassian turned his gaze back to Ada, his dark eyes sweeping over her beautiful, terrified face. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a heavy, dull-gray keycard on a thick titanium lanyard.

"Take Leo down to the subterranean bunker," Cassian instructed softly, slipping the lanyard over her neck. "Lock the heavy doors from the inside. Will you open them for anyone but me or Marcus?"

"No," Ada whispered, her heart pounding with a mixture of terror and awe. "Please... be careful."