The sun hung low over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold as Elijah guided Sophia into the villa. The property was secluded, perched atop a hill with a view of the sparkling ocean below. Soft breezes rustled the curtains as Sophia stepped inside, marveling at the tranquil beauty of the place.“Elijah,” she said, turning to him with a smile. “You’ve outdone yourself this time.”“I thought we deserved a little escape,” Elijah replied, setting their bags down. “No threats, no plans, no enemies—just us.”Sophia’s heart warmed at his words. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”They spent the afternoon exploring the villa’s grounds. The infinity pool shimmered under the fading sunlight, and lush gardens surrounded the property, offering privacy and a sense of peace they hadn’t felt in weeks.Later, as the evening fell, Elijah surprised Sophia with a candlelit dinner set up on the terrace. Strings of fairy lights cast a soft glow, and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks

The grand doors of Arthur Palace creaked open as Elijah and Sophia stepped inside, their brief retreat leaving them refreshed but wary of what awaited them. Doug was already waiting in the main hall, his posture rigid, a grim expression on his face. “Marshal,” Doug began, nodding as Elijah approached. “We have a situation. The Quinn family is making moves again.” Elijah’s jaw tightened. “Go on.” Doug gestured for them to follow as he laid out a folder on the study table. “Alexander Quinn, one of the younger members of the family, arrived in Evendore three days ago. He’s presenting himself as a legitimate businessman—charity events, high-profile meetings—but we’ve traced several questionable dealings back to him. He’s quietly rebuilding their influence.” Sophia leaned over the table, scanning the documents. “The Quinns always did have a knack for masking their intentions. What’s their endgame?” Doug sighed, his fingers tapping the edge of the table. “It’s too early to tell, b

Sophia paced her office, her face a mask of focused determination as reports of the cyberattack flooded in. “How bad is it?” she asked sharply, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. One of her IT specialists looked up from a screen filled with cascading lines of code. “They’ve breached the perimeter defenses. Whoever is behind this knows exactly where to hit us—our client database, financial records, operational plans.” Elijah entered the room with Doug in tow, his expression dark. “Any leads on where the attack is coming from?” The IT specialist shook his head. “Not yet, but they’re fast. If we don’t counter soon, they’ll wipe us out.” “Not on my watch,” Elijah said grimly. He turned to Doug. “We need someone who can outmatch them.” Doug nodded. “I’ve already contacted Riley. She’s the best we’ve got for this kind of work. She’ll be here within the hour, sir.” Sophia crossed her arms, her jaw tight. “This has Alexander’s fingerprints all over it. He’s coming

Elijah sat across from Alexander Quinn in a private room of a luxury restaurant, the air thick with tension. The Quinn patriarch exuded an air of smug confidence, his tailored suit and composed demeanor betraying none of the chaos his family had caused.  “Elijah,” Alexander began smoothly, swirling his wine glass. “Let’s put the theatrics aside. We’re both men of ambition, driven by legacy and loyalty. It doesn’t have to end in bloodshed.” Elijah’s expression remained cold, his piercing eyes locked on Alexander. “You targeted Sophia, disrupted her business, and infiltrated my life. What makes you think I’ll entertain anything you have to say?” Alexander leaned forward slightly, a sly grin tugging at his l

“You’re too late,” the lieutenant sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “Alexander’s plan is already in motion.” Elijah’s jaw tightened, but his voice was calm. “Talk. Now. Or I’ll ensure you wish we were late.” The man shifted in his chair, glancing between Elijah and Sophia. “He’s targeting the core of Evendore—your political leaders, your business moguls. All of it. He’s got dirt on everyone, enough to bring the whole system to its knees.”Sophia crossed her arms, her sharp gaze pinning him in place. “And how exactly is he pulling this off? What’s his endgame?” The lieutenant smirked, though the sweat on his brow betrayed him. “Blackmail. Sabotage. He’s already got people in your circles working for him—wil