The first meeting request came from Harrington & Shaw.
Old money. Old tactics. Old confidence.
Their senior partner smiled too easily across the table.
"We'd like to explore… mutual interests."
Ace listened politely.
Then spoke.
"You want protection," he said. "And plausible deniability."
The smile stiffened.
Harvey raised an eyebrow.
Ace continued calmly, "You're afraid you'll be next.
The room chilled.
"That's not—" the man began.
Ace leaned back slightly. "It is."
The meeting ended in seven minutes.
Fight #399Opponent: Diplomatic deceptionStatus: Neutralized
More meetings followed.
All the same.
Different faces.Same fear.
Ace cataloged them all.
[LAWYER SYSTEM UPDATE]Allies: OpportunisticEnemies: ConcealedFuture Conflicts: Inevitable
Mike Ross watched Ace work from across the room, awe barely hidden.
"He doesn't negotiate," Mike said quietly to Katrina.
Katrina nodded. "He defines gravity."
That afternoon, a name surfaced in three separate conversations.
Victor Hale.
Private equity. Government contracts. Quiet aggression.
Ace read the file once.
Then closed it.
"Put him on watch," Ace said.
Harvey frowned. "That's it?"
Ace met his gaze. "For now."
Fight #417Opponent: Victor Hale (Preliminary)Status: Observed
That evening, Ace and Evelyn shared dinner without interruption.
Rare. Intentional.
"You've made enemies," she said.
Ace nodded. "That's how you know you're moving forward."
"And friends?"
Ace considered. "Conditional."
She smiled softly. "I'm not."
Ace looked at her for a long moment.
Neither spoke.
Fight #423Opponent: Emotional vulnerabilityStatus: Failing