Chapter 150 The Sovereign Shield
The roar of a high-grade tactical helicopter suddenly drowned out the sound of the storm as it descended through the dark clouds directly over Pier 42. The massive searchlights from the aircraft illuminated the iron deck of the cargo freighter in a blinding, daytime glare.
Dominic Ashford stood at the open cabin door of the helicopter, his gray cashmere sweater soaked with rain, his dark hair messy, but his presence carrying the absolute, dominant sovereignty of a man who ruled a multi-billion-dollar empire.
He didn't carry a weapon - he didn't need to.
His private security team was already rappelling down the lines onto the ship’s stern with lethal field precision.
"Daniel Cross!" Dominic’s voice boomed over the helicopter’s high-power PA system, cold, mechanical, and entirely unyielding.
"Your accounts in Zurich have been completely frozen by the Ashford Group’s compliance detail. The escape freighter you are standing on has just been legally purchased by my New York office. You are trespassing on my property, and my operatives have absolute authority to clear the deck."
On the main deck, Daniel Cross stumbled backward, his face turning an absolute, terrified pale as he realized his entire shadow grid had been systemically dismantled in a matter of minutes. The Cordova Group was dead, his money was gone, and he was completely surrounded by global titans.
"This... this isn't your war, Ashford!" Cross screamed up at the sky, his hand shaking as he kept his grip on Teresa’s arm. "This is a Mason family feud!"
"Every war that threatens my wife’s family belongs strictly to my office, Cross," Dominic growled softly into his headset. "Team Alpha... execute the clearance sequence. Secure the asset."