Loyalty wasn't declared.
It was demonstrated.
Ace arrived early again.
This time, he didn't summon everyone.
He waited.
Who Shows Up
By 8:00 a.m., the answer was clear.
Mike Ross.Katrina Bennett.Louis Litt.Harvey Specter.
Others trickled in later.
Some not at all.
Ace noted everything.
Fight #1,048Opponent: Silent defianceStatus: Logged
The Confrontation
Richard Vaughn requested a private meeting.
Ace granted it.
"You're restructuring too aggressively," Vaughn said.
Ace replied evenly, "You're confusing discomfort with danger."
Vaughn stiffened. "This firm isn't yours alone."
Ace leaned forward slightly.
"No," he said. "But its future is my responsibility."
Silence.
Vaughn stood.
"So that's it?"
Ace nodded. "Yes."
Vaughn resigned within the hour.
Fight #1,059Opponent: Open resistanceStatus: Removed
Promotion as a Test
Ace called Mike and Katrina into the conference room.
"I'm creating a new operational tier," Ace said. "Main Partners—strategy, not ego."
Katrina's eyes sharpened. "And you're offering it to us."
Ace nodded. "Provisional."
Mike exhaled. "You don't ease into anything, do you?"
Ace allowed a small smile.
Fight #1,071Opponent: HesitationStatus: Cleared
Louis Proves Himself
Louis discovered a compliance issue—minor but dangerous.
He brought it to Ace immediately.
Not defensively.
Not politically.
Responsibly.
Ace listened.
Then nodded. "You just saved us six months of pain."
Louis straightened proudly.
Fight #1,084Opponent: InsecurityStatus: Overcome
Harvey's Moment
Harvey stayed behind after everyone left.
"You don't need my permission," Harvey said.
Ace met his gaze.
"I value it."
Harvey smirked. "Good."
Then—
"You've got this."
Fight #1,092Opponent: Harvey Specter's skepticismStatus: Conceded
The Firm Realigns
By evening, the firm felt different.
Sharper.Quieter.Aligned.
Ace reviewed the final report.
[LAWYER SYSTEM UPDATE]Loyalty Index: 96%Resistance Nodes: EliminatedLeadership Stability: High
Ace closed the overlay.
Quiet Certainty
Evelyn joined him once more.
"So," she asked softly. "Who stayed?"
Ace looked around the firm.
"The right ones."
She smiled.
Fight #1,101Opponent: LonelinessStatus: Defeated
End of Chapter 21
Ace Charles didn't rule by fear.
He ruled by clarity.
The firm stood united—not because it had to, but because it chose to.
The city would test him again.
Enemies would rise.
But inside these walls—
Ace Charles was no longer proving himself.
He was established.