News alerts exploded across Luna’s screen. Suddenly, every financial blog and industry newsletter blared with a single, devastating headline. Vantage Developments, led by the notorious Julian Vance, had launched an aggressive, multi-pronged attack. He wasn't merely interested in the skyscraper project. Vance wanted everything. Frantic calls flooded Luna's office lines. Her phone vibrated incessantly. Each message confirmed the same chilling truth: Vance was moving with surgical precision. His firm had filed a series of legal challenges. They targeted the skyscraper’s land acquisition, citing obscure environmental concerns and questionable permits. Suddenly, the local news ran segments portraying Luna’s project as a dangerous gamble, a threat to the city's heritage. Luna stared at the screen, her knuckles white against the desk. Betrayal still stung, but a colder, fiercer emotion began to burn. This wasn't just corporate rivalry. This was war. Her legal team, already stretched thin, looked haggard. “He’s attacking from every angle, Luna,” her lead counsel, Mr. Davies, explained, his voice strained. Vance had initiated a hostile bid for a key supplier, essential to the skyscraper’s unique facade. He also spread rumors of financial instability within Luna’s own development firm. Worst of all, whispers began circulating about the historical designation of her family’s ancestral property. Vance’s team seemed to know every detail, every potential loophole. Sleeping became a luxury. Luna spent her nights poring over documents, fueling herself with strong coffee and an unyielding resolve. Every day brought a fresh wave of attacks. Share prices dipped. Investors called, their voices laced with doubt. Luna pushed harder. She rallied her team, issuing defiant statements, assuring partners. Her publicist worked overtime to counter Vance's relentless smear campaign. Deep down, a part of her screamed for Alistair. His strategic mind, his connections, his sheer force of will could turn the tide. But the thought was fleeting. He had chosen his side. Luna would fight alone. Meeting after meeting blurred into a continuous struggle. They defended their permits. They countered Vance's outrageous claims. They scrambled to secure alternative suppliers. Every time they plugged one leak, Vance opened two more. He was a relentless predator, exploiting every crack in their foundation. Her family was suffering too. Her mother's voice on the phone wavered, filled with fear about their beloved home.

Chapter 28: The Predator Strikes