Behind them, Doctor Kieran clutched his daughter tighter. He shook his head, his face pale with fear, a silent warning in his eyes.Darius, still catching his breath, chuckled lowly. Then he laughed harder, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You’ve made a big mistake."Doctor Kieran took a step forward. "Zach, please," he urged. "Let’s just leave. You don’t know what you’re dealing with. Darius isn’t a man you can take down."Zach didn’t even acknowledge him. His gaze remained locked on Darius.Darius smirked, pushing himself up to his feet. "When I’m done with you, I’m coming for them next." His voice was smug, filled with dark promise.Then he shrugged off his coat, tossing it to the ground. His muscles tensed, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the fight."You think you can take me on?" He spread his arms wide. "See this, you ordinary piece of shit."Darius stretched his right arm, and as he did, an eerie glow shimmered across the surface. Tiny sparkles flickered like d

Zach folded his arms, watching as Dr. Kieran examined his grandfather one last time before stepping back.“For the meantime, I want my grandfather to have a proper watch,” Zach said.Dr. Kieran nodded. “I can keep an eye on him.”McDonald raised a brow, surprised. “Such a remarkable doctor wants to take on such a task?”Kieran turned to Zach. “As long as my daughter is safe.”Zach’s gaze was steady. “I don’t repeat my promises. She’s safe with Laura.”“I believe you,” Kieran said with quiet conviction. “And thank you for earlier.” He bowed respectfully, lowering his head in gratitude.Zach acknowledged him with a nod, then patted his grandfather’s arm in a silent farewell before turning to leave.McDonald watched him go, then turned to Kieran. “I take it my young master has done something for you?”“Not just something,” Kieran murmured. “He saved my life. And my daughter’s. I’ll be forever grateful to him.”Zach drove back to his villa, needing a moment to himself after the day’s chaos

The grand Fitzroy mansion was silent in the early morning, its lavish halls illuminated bathed in the glow of the rising sun. In the side of the vast living room, Groy Fitzroy lounged comfortably in his high-backed leather chair, a thin line of smoke curling from the pipe between his fingers. His sharp eyes flickered with quiet amusement as a petite blonde—his latest plaything—massaged his shoulders, her manicured nails digging lightly into his tense muscles. Her dress was barely decent, the plunging neckline leaving little to the imagination, her small round breasts teasingly pressed against his back.Then, the heavy doors creaked open, and a figure stumbled inside.Darius Fitzroy barely made it past the threshold before his knees threatened to buckle. His fine leather suit was in tatters, his once-sleek hair was matted with sweat and dried blood, and his face was a mess of bruises and swollen flesh. He cradled his right arm against his chest, the limb twisted at an unnatural angle,

Barbara tapped her fingers against the rim of her coffee cup, her eyes locked on her phone screen. The message from Zach was short but firm:"No need to worry about transportation. I’ve got it covered."A small smile played on her lips. He was always so swift and efficient, handling things like he had the world in his hands. She muttered under her breath, “How does he do that?”Just as she was about to leave, Phoebe suddenly grabbed her wrist. “Barbara… are you sure you want to go with him to Belmont?”Barbara sighed, freeing her hand. “Yes, Phoebe.”Phoebe hesitated. “Your father won’t like this. He wants you and Julian to meet at the competition tomorrow. That’s why he sent me to bring you home.”Barbara froze mid-step. “Julian?”Phoebe nodded. “Yes. He still wants you. Five years, and he hasn’t given up. Your father has a bigger plan for you both.”A bitter chuckle left Barbara’s lips. “I don’t care. Julian is just going to watch me and nothing else. He can’t do anything about it.

Upon hearing the threat, Zach dusted his jacket off and stepped forward, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Let's see which party ends up in a pile of broken bodies," he said coolly, positioning himself slightly ahead of Barbara. His body was firm, shielding her from any potential attack.The men roared at him in response. "You're calling for your death!" one of them barked, stepping closer.Zach simply looked at them, unfazed, his expression unreadable. Five men circled them like vultures, their predatory eyes fixed on him. A silent exchange passed between them, and then, almost in perfect synchronization, they dipped their hands into their suit jackets.Barbara’s breath hitched when she saw the glint of sharp, dark steel in their hands. Her stomach twisted as her eyes landed on the star-shaped darts—sleek, with jagged edges and dipped in an oily, sickly green sheen.Her pulse quickened. She recognized them immediately. “Nightfang darts,” she whispered in horror.Julian’s men used th