The city never slept.
Alex stood by the penthouse window watching the lights flicker across the river.
It was past midnight.
Traffic had slowed, but the towers still glowed like glass lanterns against the dark sky.
Behind him, the penthouse remained quiet.
Too quiet.
He heard the elevator open.
Soft footsteps crossed the marble floor.
"You're still awake."
Alex didn't turn.
"Sleep is overrated."
Adrian walked beside him.
"You've been here an hour."
Alex shrugged.
"Maybe."
Adrian studied him for a moment.
"You're thinking."
Alex smiled faintly.
"That's dangerous."
Adrian didn't respond.
Alex glanced sideways.
"You're not nervous."
Adrian answered calmly.
"No."
Alex laughed softly.
"That's impressive."
Adrian looked out across the city.
"The vote happens in twelve hours."
Alex nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian said nothing.
Alex leaned against the glass.
"You know Victor hasn't slept either."
Adrian didn't respond.
Alex continued.
"He's probably on the phone with every investor in the city."
"Yes."
Alex crossed his arms.
"He hates uncertainty."
Adrian glanced at him.
"So do you."
Alex shrugged.
"I grew up with it."
The room fell quiet again.
Alex looked down at the streets far below.
Cars moved slowly like small glowing insects.
"You know what the funny part is?"
Adrian waited.
"This entire war started because of a port."
Adrian said nothing.
Alex continued.
"A port that probably isn't even profitable anymore."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"It isn't."
Alex smiled faintly.
"Of course."
Adrian remained calm.
Alex looked at him.
"And now half the financial world is watching two men fight over it."
Adrian said quietly,
"Yes."
Alex shook his head slowly.
"People are strange."
Adrian didn't argue.
The silence between them grew heavier.
Alex noticed it.
That tension again.
Not about the company.
Not about Victor.
About something else.
He pushed away from the window and walked toward the kitchen.
"You know what Victor said earlier."
Adrian watched him.
"What?"
Alex poured water.
"He said you've changed."
Adrian's expression didn't move.
"He's wrong."
Alex drank slowly.
"Maybe."
Adrian said nothing.
Alex continued.
"You trusted me during the negotiation."
"That was practical."
"You followed my advice."
"That was strategic."
Alex smiled faintly.
"See the pattern."
Adrian didn't respond.
Alex leaned against the counter.
"You used to run this war alone."
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"I still do."
Alex tilted his head.
"Not exactly."
Adrian studied him carefully.
Alex continued.
"You asked my opinion."
"Yes."
Alex nodded slowly.
"That's the change."
Adrian didn't answer.
Alex walked back toward the window.
The city lights reflected across the glass.
"You know what Victor is afraid of."
Adrian waited.
"That he can't predict you anymore."
Adrian said nothing.
Alex smiled faintly.
"And honestly…"
He glanced at Adrian.
"…neither can I."
Adrian remained calm.
"That's intentional."
Alex laughed softly.
"Of course it is."
The room fell quiet again.
Alex watched the river for a moment.
Then he spoke again.
"You ever wonder what happens after this?"
Adrian looked at him.
"After the vote."
Adrian said nothing.
Alex continued.
"Victor retreats."
"Yes."
Alex nodded.
"The alliance backs away."
"Yes."
Alex leaned his shoulder against the glass.
"And the company goes back to normal."
Adrian didn't answer.
Alex smiled faintly.
"That sounds boring."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You prefer chaos."
Alex shrugged.
"I prefer interesting."
Adrian studied him for a moment.
"You like the game."
Alex shook his head.
"No."
Adrian waited.
"I like winning."
Adrian almost smiled.
Alex saw it.
"There."
Adrian looked away.
"No."
"Yes."
Alex laughed quietly.
"You really are terrible at hiding that."
The elevator chimed again.
Elena stepped into the penthouse.
She looked tired.
"Still awake."
Alex nodded.
"Apparently."
Elena walked toward the table.
"I have the final numbers."
Adrian turned toward her.
"How close is the vote?"
Elena checked the tablet.
"Closer than expected."
Alex frowned.
"That sounds dramatic."
Elena turned the screen toward them.
The shareholder chart filled the display again.
Alex leaned forward slightly.
"Well."
Adrian asked quietly,
"What changed?"
Elena pointed at several names.
"Three undecided investors."
Alex nodded slowly.
"That's the battlefield."
Adrian said nothing.
Elena continued.
"If Victor convinces even two of them…"
Alex finished the sentence.
"He wins."
Elena nodded.
"Yes."
The room went quiet.
Alex studied the names carefully.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Well."
Adrian looked at him.
"Well what?"
Alex crossed his arms.
"I've met one of them."
Elena blinked.
"You have."
Alex nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian asked calmly,
"When?"
Alex shrugged.
"Two years ago."
Elena frowned.
"Why didn't you mention that."
Alex smiled faintly.
"It didn't seem important."
Adrian studied him carefully.
"And now it does."
Alex nodded.
"Yes."
Elena crossed her arms.
"Do you think he'll vote for Victor."
Alex thought for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"No."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
Alex smiled faintly.
"Because he hates arrogant men."
Elena almost smiled.
"That's useful."
Alex leaned back.
"Victor is extremely arrogant."
Adrian said nothing.
The room fell quiet again.
Alex looked out at the city once more.
"You know something interesting."
Adrian waited.
"Victor thinks tomorrow decides everything."
Adrian asked quietly,
"And it doesn't."
Alex shook his head.
"No."
Adrian studied him.
"Why?"
Alex smiled faintly.
"Because wars like this don't end with votes."
Adrian didn't respond.
Alex turned toward him.
"They end with mistakes."
Adrian's expression remained calm.
Alex continued.
"And Victor is getting impatient."
The room fell silent again.
Outside the window, the city lights shimmered across the river.
Inside the penthouse, the war had reached its final hours.
Alex looked back at the glowing skyline.
"Well," he said quietly.
"Let's see if Victor makes his biggest mistake tomorrow."