THE MESSAGE IN BLOODThe atmosphere inside the room instantly became heavy after Isabella revealed Robert’s disappearance. Raymond’s eyes darkened immediately, while the old man lying on the bed slowly closed his eyes with a troubled expression. The timing was far too perfect. Robert had only just revealed information about the Black Serpent, yet within such a short period, someone had already infiltrated the mansion and taken him away.That alone proved one thing clearly.The Black Serpent’s eyes and ears were everywhere.“When did this happen?” Raymond asked calmly, though the coldness in his voice caused Isabella’s heart to tighten slightly.“Only a few minutes ago,” Isabella replied quickly. “After I left the east wing, I ordered extra guards to watch him, but when one of the maids went to deliver water, she found the guards unconscious outside the room.”Raymond narrowed his eyes.“Unconscious?”Isabella nodded.“They’re still alive… barely.”Without another word, Raymond immedia

UNINVITED VISITORSThe atmosphere near the estate entrance immediately became tense after the guards confirmed that the police had arrived. The bright headlights from the black SUVs cut through the darkness outside the gates, illuminating the cold night road while several uniformed officers stepped out one after another. Their movements were calm and organized, but something about their timing felt deeply unsettling.Isabella’s brows tightened immediately.“Who reported a murder?” she asked coldly.None of the guards could answer.The servant’s death had happened only a short while ago, and Isabella had already ordered everyone inside the mansion to remain silent about everything that had happened tonight. Under normal circumstances, news should never have reached the police this quickly.Raymond’s expression gradually darkened.“They came too fast,” he said calmly.Isabella turned toward him immediately.“You think they’re connected to the Black Serpent?”Raymond did not answer immed

OPEN FIREChaos erupted across the Green estate the moment the dart struck the stone pillar. Guards rushed to shield Isabella while several police officers immediately drew their weapons and pointed them toward the dark rooftops surrounding the property. The peaceful atmosphere from earlier had completely vanished, replaced by shouting, confusion, and rising panic.“Take cover!”“Watch the rooftops!”“Protect Deputy Chief Warren!”The courtyard instantly became a battlefield.Raymond stood motionless for a brief second, his sharp eyes locked onto the dart embedded deeply inside the pillar. A faint black liquid coated the tip, and even from several feet away, he could smell the bitter scent carried by the night wind.Poison.The Black Serpent clearly had no intention of capturing him alive anymore.At that moment, another sharp sound cut through the air.Pfft!A second dart flew downward from the darkness above.This time, it targeted one of the police officers near Warren.“Aah!”The

THE EXPOSED OFFICERThe moment the mask was torn away, the entire courtyard fell into a dead silence. The flashing police lights reflected clearly against the stunned faces surrounding the scene while several officers instinctively stepped backward in disbelief. No one had expected the masked attacker to be a police officer.Deputy Chief Warren’s expression changed drastically the instant he recognized the man lying unconscious on the ground.“Officer Daniels…” he muttered under his breath.Isabella, who had just been pulled away from danger by two guards, also stared at the exposed face in shock. Her breathing was still uneven from the blade that had nearly cut her throat moments earlier, but even she understood how serious this revelation was.One of the police officers nearby lowered his gun slowly.“That’s impossible…” he whispered.Raymond remained standing over the fallen attacker, his eyes cold and unreadable. The faint golden glow within his pupils had already faded, but the t

PROTECTIVE CUSTODYThe atmosphere inside the courtyard became unnaturally quiet after Warren revealed the federal order. Even the officers standing nearby exchanged uneasy glances as the weight of those words settled heavily over the scene.Protective custody.It sounded harmless on the surface.But Raymond knew better.His eyes remained fixed on Warren calmly, though the coldness behind them deepened slightly.“Protective custody?” Raymond repeated lightly.Warren nodded slowly.“The request came directly from federal intelligence. They want you transferred immediately.”Isabella frowned immediately.“Transferred where?”Warren shook his head.“That information wasn’t included.”Raymond almost laughed.Of course it wasn’t.The timing was far too convenient.First, the Black Serpent attacked openly.Then a federal order suddenly appeared demanding control over him.Interesting.Very interesting.Raymond slowly stepped forward.“And you expect me to go willingly?”Several officers inst