The most dangerous weapons don't draw blood.
They erase names.
The First Cut
It began quietly.
Too quietly.
Donna noticed it first.
"Ace," she said slowly, "your access is gone."
Ace looked up from his tablet. "Define gone."
"Banking authorizations. International travel clearance. Three federal systems just flagged you as—"
She stopped.
"As what?" Ace asked.
Donna swallowed.
"Legally… nonexistent."
The room chilled.
[LAWYER SYSTEM ALERT]Threat Classification: LEGAL ASSASSINATIONObjective: Identity NullificationStatus: ACTIVE
Fight #1,654Opponent: ErasureStatus: Detected
Lucien's Real Weapon
Katrina stormed in with files. "Interpol red notice—provisional. EU compliance flags. Cayman trust suspensions."
Mike frowned. "That's impossible. He hasn't been charged."
Ace nodded.
"He doesn't need charges," Ace said. "He's attacking recognition."
Harvey cursed. "He's trying to make you untouchable by making you unacknowledged."
Ace's golden eyes sharpened.
"A man without standing can't fight," Ace said. "That's the idea."
Fight #1,671Opponent: Jurisdictional deathStatus: Understood
The Lockdown
Ace ordered it immediately.
"No one moves," he said. "No public statements. No counter-filings."
Louis panicked. "You're under attack!"
Ace replied calmly, "Then we control the battlefield."
He turned to Katrina.
"Map the legal architecture behind this."
To Mike:
"You're my proxy."
Mike stiffened. "You're handing me authority?"
Ace nodded once.
"Temporary. Absolute."
Fight #1,688Opponent: Power vacuumStatus: Sealed
The Enemy Reveals Himself
Lucien Moreau appeared—not publicly, but in motion.
Regulators acted without speaking.Banks froze without explaining.Courts delayed without docketing.
Lucien wasn't pulling strings.
He had written the loom.
Fight #1,704Opponent: Systemic manipulationStatus: Exposed
Ace Alone
That night, Ace stood on the balcony.
No phone access.No accounts.No international recognition.
Evelyn joined him quietly.
"They're trying to erase you," she said.
Ace didn't look away from the city.
"They can't," he replied. "Too many people remember."
She touched his arm.
"And if that's not enough?"
Ace finally turned.
"Then I remind the world."
Fight #1,721Opponent: Existential threatStatus: Accepted
End of Chapter 28
Lucien Moreau had fired his deadliest weapon.
Ace Charles still breathed.
But legally—
He was already dead.