Barry's face drained of colour. For a long moment, he stared at Reeves, a wave of pure horror washing over him. The man wasn't just corrupt; he was utterly damned. "You sacrificed your own parents' souls?" Barry's voice was a thin, with disgusted. "Just for power?"Reeves shrugged indifferently. "They were old and useless to me anyway. Their legacy was failure. I built a new one. But I spared my sister," he added, as if this were a point of virtue. "She deserves to live and enjoy the empire I've built. This is my small act of mercy."Sebastian spoke again, his tone analytical. "This demon. Its power allows you to control anyone you wish, correct? That means all the workers on this island, they are not employees. They are slaves to your voice.""Precisely," Reeves admitted with a proud smirk. "Why pay wages when obedience is free? They look after my investments, maintain my paradise, and I multiply my wealth without the nuisance of payroll. It's the most efficient business model in t

Aggregor’s eyes flicked from Reeves back to Barry. A slight, almost bored smile played on his lips.“I'm afraid I can’t do that.”Reeves snapped, a vein thudding at his temple. “Why not? I’ll give you anything — just kill him. Do it now!” His hands clawed at the air as if he could squeeze life out of Barry himself.Aggregor’s mouth curved into a half-smile. “Barry carries a protection pact,” she replied. “Sebastian bound himself to that man. To take Barry you must first undo the pact that keeps him safe.” His gaze lingered on Sebastian with a knowing smirk. "That would mean killing Sebastian. He's the only obstacle standing in your way."Sebastian stepped forward, shoulders square. “Aggregor is right,” he said plainly. “Years ago I swore an oath to my master. As long as he lives, no demon — not even one bound to a name like Aggregor may harm him.” Aggregor tilted his head, that smirk widened in delight. “It's been two thousand years, Sebastian,” he purred. “How are you?” Barry’s h

Reeves lunged first, trying to turn his bulk into a weapon. He swung with the momentum of his weight behind each blow, driving his shoulder and hips into the motion as if sheer mass could batter Barry into the floor. His fists came down like hammers, each swing powered by years of pent up rage and hate.Barry dodged his blows. He was lighter and quicker on his feet than Reeves, giving him an unfair advantage. “I know how angry you are,” Barry said as he evaded a clumsy uppercut. “You think I destroyed your family for sport. But you’ve got to understand—I had no choice. Your people started it.”Reeves’ face grew red with rage, frustration flaring through him. He jabbed forward again. “You have no idea what we went through,” he barked, each word punctuating a swing. “Everyone in North Hills laughed at us. Friends turned their backs. We couldn’t even keep food on the table. If I hadn’t stepped up, what would have become of my family?”On his second full swing Reeves caught Barry with

Barry leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “What do you mean, Laura?” he asked softly.Her lips quivered as she tried to find the words. “Perhaps it’s karma,” she whispered. “For all the things I did to you back then. I was unkind, cruel even. You didn’t deserve what I put you through… and maybe that’s why all these things happened to me. Maybe… I had it coming.” Her voice broke, and tears streamed freely.To Barry’s astonishment, Laura slid from her seat and sank to her knees right there in the café, her hands pressed on the floor, her head bowed. “Please,” she sobbed, “forgive me, Barry. Forgive me for everything. I wished I had treated you better. My grandmother would be disappointed in me. I shouldn't have divorced you back then. I'm so sorry.”“Laura…” Barry’s chest tightened. He quickly bent down, took her trembling hands in his, and gently lifted her back to her feet. “You don’t have to do this. I forgave you long ago. Let me help you now.”He guided her back into the booth, wa

“Are you crazy? Why would you accept a deal like that? You should’ve told him no, Barry!” Veronica exclaimed. Barry stood before the mirror in a plain white undershirt, brushing his teeth lazily, while Veronica sat cross-legged on the bed, her laptop screen casting bluish light across her face.Barry spat into the sink, rinsed, and wiped his mouth with a towel before answering. “It’s not that simple, honey. Rochester’s a good friend, and I respect him. The man trusts me.”Veronica clicked something on her laptop with a snap of irritation. “Trust you or not, you should’ve done your homework. This isn’t about friendship—it’s about money, Barry.” She turned the screen toward him, showing him charts and figures. “Rochester’s Jets Limited is a sinking ship. The company’s struggling financially, way past its prime. There’s too much competition out there now. Newer, sleeker companies are dominating the market. Rochester's Jets one wouldn’t survive another year, not at this rate.”Barry bli