The Billionaire's Multiplier System
Chapter 103 - 104 – Storms of Silk and Steel

Chapter 103: Chapter 104 – Storms of Silk and Steel

The night air carried a damp chill as Lin Feng stood at the edge of the rooftop, the city lights glittering beneath him like scattered embers. The Apex Council summit had ended only hours ago, but its ripples had already begun to spread. Word of Lin Feng’s maneuvering, of his quiet consolidation of power and the growing influence of the Crimson Circle, had reached ears far beyond their immediate reach.

But he wasn’t looking down at the city in admiration. His mind was turning, spinning with layers of calculations. Beneath the glow of that skyline, enemies were mobilizing, and allies were wavering under Cassandra’s expertly deployed charm and misdirection. She hadn’t struck openly, not yet—but her subtle influence was weaving through conversations, glances, and rumors like a slow-acting poison.

Behind him, Yan Xin stepped onto the rooftop, the click of her heels quiet but unmistakable. She’d changed into something more casual—a navy coat over a white sweater—but her posture remained razor-sharp.

"You’re doing that brooding thing again," she said. "People are starting to think you’ve turned into a sculpture."

Lin Feng gave a faint smile. "Sometimes silence gets more done than words."

"Depends on who’s listening."

She approached, leaning on the railing beside him. "We’re being watched. The Foundation, the Ministry, even some old dogs from the East Corridor Alliance. You’ve shaken too many trees, Lin Feng."

"I expected as much. That summit wasn’t just about aligning goals. It was a declaration."

Yan Xin nodded. "And now they’re calculating. Who you’ll back, who you’ll bury, and how deep."

He turned toward her. "And what about you? Still betting on me?"

Her eyes glittered with a mix of warmth and warning. "I don’t bet. I invest. So don’t make me regret where I put my chips."

Before he could respond, Lin Shuang’s voice crackled through his secure earpiece. "Feng, we have movement. Surveillance just caught Zixuan’s men at a South Bund property. Looks like he’s setting up a temporary HQ outside the traditional network."

Lin Feng’s eyes narrowed. "Details?"

"Encrypted network nodes, five rotating teams, and a familiar visitor—Luo Yuan. The strategist."

That name drew a hiss from Yan Xin. "Luo Yuan? That snake nearly collapsed the Xu Holdings during the Yantai acquisitions."

Lin Feng nodded. "Zixuan’s shifting gears. He’s bringing in his high-tier tacticians."

Shuang’s voice returned. "There’s more. The Spectron cleanup you initiated last week? It’s being countered. New shell companies are springing up overnight. Cassandra might be using legal fronts to launder reputations."

Lin Feng’s expression darkened.

"I’ll be there in ten," he said.

He turned to Yan Xin. "Call the others. I want a roundtable by midnight. Virtual. No AI ciphers."

"You expect a hit?"

"I expect a message. Probably wrapped in velvet."

Across town, Cassandra lounged in a private booth inside the Scarlet Pavilion, a discreet high-end bar often used for quiet negotiations among Shanghai’s elite. Her appearance was impeccable—midnight blue dress, diamond earrings, and an aura of relaxed power that made her more dangerous than any assassin.

Opposite her sat Zhao Ruoyan, one of the newer Apex members. Young, idealistic, and easily charmed.

"I just don’t understand why Lin Feng is so reluctant to collaborate more broadly," Zhao said, sipping her wine. "You’ve brought valuable capital, connections... What does he stand to lose?"

Cassandra leaned in, eyes gleaming. "That’s just it, Ruoyan. Lin Feng doesn’t think in losses. He plays possession. If he doesn’t control it, it’s a threat."

Zhao hesitated. "You don’t think he’s... dangerous?"

"Oh, he is," Cassandra whispered. "But the truly dangerous ones are those who never let anyone see their full hand. You’ve felt it, haven’t you? That tension when he walks into a room."

Zhao nodded reluctantly.

Cassandra smiled gently. "There are alternatives. Other alliances forming quietly. Ones that don’t demand absolute obedience."

As the young woman processed those words, Cassandra knew the seed had been planted. It didn’t need to blossom immediately. Influence was water—steady, patient, inevitable.

By midnight, Lin Feng sat in his study, multiple screens surrounding him. Holograms of his inner circle flickered to life—Yan Xin, Lin Shuang, Mo Yixue, Tang Rou, and even Song Zhilan, who dialed in from her private jet.

"No time for pleasantries," Lin Feng began. "We’re under siege. Not with bullets. With whispers, leverage, and slow rot."

Mo Yixue frowned. "Cassandra’s pushing wedges?"

"Yes. And she’s using soft power. Flattery. Distrust. Distraction."

Tang Rou’s voice came next, sharp and efficient. "Do we cut her off?"

Lin Feng shook his head. "No. We counter. We show strength through clarity. Through moves that cannot be twisted."

Lin Shuang added, "You want to go public with something?"

Lin Feng’s fingers drummed the table. "I want to announce the Crimson Expansion—a series of open investments in mid-tier firms. We make it seem like a strategic development push. In truth, we lock in loyal allies."

Song Zhilan raised an eyebrow. "And Cassandra?"

"She’ll try to outbid or undercut us. But every move she makes publicly pulls her deeper into visibility. She won’t risk exposing her real network."

Yan Xin nodded. "And while she’s distracted, we secure the new talent you’ve been watching."

Lin Feng smirked. "Exactly."

Three days later, the Crimson Expansion launched with headlines across financial and tech media. From renewable energy startups to localized logistics chains, Lin Feng’s name—and the Apex Circle’s backing—became synonymous with innovation and revitalization.

The effect was immediate. Mid-level players who had once stayed neutral now began flocking toward Lin Feng’s camp. He wasn’t just promising opportunity; he was delivering platforms.

Meanwhile, Cassandra responded with grace. She welcomed the initiative, praised "Lin Feng’s leadership," and publicly expressed her "deepest hopes for unity."

But in private, her smile was tight. Controlled.

In a luxurious hotel suite far from the public eye, she spoke with Luo Yuan over secure lines.

"He’s forcing us to play clean," she said bitterly.

"He’s not playing clean," Luo Yuan replied. "He’s playing smart. But he’s still predictable."

Cassandra turned to the floor-to-ceiling window. "Then it’s time we change the board."

Back at Lin Feng’s temporary command center, he reviewed a list of scheduled encounters. Old contacts had resurfaced—some neutral, some potentially hostile. Among them was a name he hadn’t seen in months: Ye Qian.

An old rival. A woman with ambition sharper than steel and no allegiance but her own.

"She’s reaching out," Lin Shuang confirmed. "Wants to ’talk terms.’"

Lin Feng leaned back. "That’s a warning."

Yan Xin folded her arms. "She’s not loyal. But she respects strength."

"Then we remind her I haven’t gotten weaker."

He stood, eyes flashing.

"The storm is coming. And we’re not building shelters anymore—we’re building lightning rods."