icon 0
icon TOP UP
rightIcon
icon Reading History
rightIcon
icon Sign out
rightIcon
icon Get the APP
rightIcon
The Shadow King

The Shadow King

icon

Chapter 1 1 - The Funeral

Word Count: 1217    |    Released on: 17/10/2026

ound, her gaze locked on her father's coffin as it slowly descended into the earth. The steady beat of rain on the umbrellas did little to drown out the sou

Ruthless judgements, calculated risks and an unflinching resolve to stay on top had built his empire. He'd earned more than enough money over the years to assure his family's f

own home, a home that he himself had authorised with armed guards, monitoring systems and security measures. By the time she reached Manila the attackers were gone without a

r trail. Serene could not accept that her father's death would become another unsolved case, buried beneath official reports and empty promises. She had returned

is expression remained carefully composed, though the tension in his face was difficult to miss. He had served Sebastian for years and had been one

despite the grief weighing heavily in her che

appeared to be weighing his words, as though even the smallest mistake could have consequences neither

y indication that he was withholding some

l trust

betrayed Sebastian or provided information that should never have left his inner circle. Neither possibility was acceptable, and she

ow he had left it. The documents on his desk were organised in neat piles, the heavy curtains on the windows. The air was thick with the familiar aroma of leather and polished wood, but she had no ti

t was enough to make her pause, though she quickly gathered herself and opened it. Inside was a short letter, its c

laims to know the truth. There are powers in t

ing lay beyond his control, yet the warning suggested he had been aware of a threat he could neither confront openly nor dismiss. Whatever he had discovered, he had con

hadow

ns, while others claimed he operated through intermediaries so carefully chosen that even his closest associates might never see his face. He was said to control intelligence networks, financial channels, and private se

for my father's deat

ngerous situations throughout his career, yet the name seemed to unsettle him more than the details of Sebastian's murder

names are danger

stions, guarded statements, and people who seemed more concerned with what they could safely say than with what had actually happened. If the name on the letter frightened t

sure everyone

closer to the person responsible. The Shadow King had become the first name connected to the mystery, but Serene had no intention of a

man she intended to destroy

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open
The Shadow King
The Shadow King
“Ethan Reyes is a millionaire businessman, co-owner of Stone Global and Liam Stone's trusted best friend. To the world he's bright, charming, dependable--the man everyone admires and no one suspects. He's just the favourite uncle who has time for him to seven-year-old Noah. But beyond his decent exterior lies a frightening secret. Ethan is the Shadow King, the secretive head of Asia's largest criminal intelligence syndicate. His empire controls information, underground finance and private security, crushing the criminal organisations that threaten his planet. Ethan is ruthless. Calculating. Untouchable. For the last fifteen years, he's been creating an empire out of the ashes of his father's death. No one knows his real identity, and he doesn't want to tell anyone. Until Serene Gomez comes back. Serene is the daughter of a slain mob boss. For years she's been living in Europe, plotting to take back her family's legacy. Convinced Ethan Reyes murdered her father, she goes home with one mission: destroy the guy she believes is responsible for all she lost. Their first meeting ignites a palpable connection, but neither is ready to give in. And Ethan is watching her every step, while Serene is discreetly investigating him. An assassination attempt forces him to rescue her, and their hate tangles with a desire neither can fathom. As Serene draws closer to the truth, she learns Ethan is far more deadly than she ever dreamed. When he finds her sneaking into his hidden business he takes her to a secure safe house where safety becomes captivity and their burgeoning passion threatens to tear down their carefully guarded defences. Then Serene discovers information that ties Ethan to her father's death. Heartbroken and angry, she runs away not knowing that the proof was part of an intricate scheme aimed to turn them against one another. But when competing crime families band together against the Shadow Empire, Ethan finds himself facing foes bent on destroying everything he has built. The truth is a cruel betrayal. Serene's father was murdered by his own brother, Sean Gomez, who falsified evidence to hide his crimes and grab power. Now Ethan must wage a war on numerous fronts as he tries to win back the lady who thinks he's a monster. But when Sean kidnaps Serene the Shadow King unleashes a fury that could destroy the entire underworld. Meanwhile, Ethan's carefully built double existence starts to unravel when Liam finds out the truth. Years of secrets threaten their friendship and Ethan has to face the one thing his empire can't save him from-losing the people he loves. With the ultimate battle looming, Ethan must choose between continuing as the merciless monarch he was raised to be or taking a chance on a future with Serene. In a world of secrets, treachery, and blood, love can be the most perilous gamble of all. And when the conflict is ended, the Shadow King may finally see that the greatest empire he could ever establish is not one of dread, but a family that will stand with him. He took the underworld. But can he win the love of the woman sworn to his doom?”