To Head Hunter's utter surprise, Karvel worked with swift precision, his hands moving expertly as he prepared the antidote. Within what felt like mere minutes, he straightened up and wiped his hands clean."I'm done," Karvel announced simply.Head Hunter's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "That's impossible! No one works that fast!""Do you want to waste more time questioning my methods, or do you want to save your people?" Karvel replied calmly.Head Hunter's jaw clenched. "You'll administer the cure to Vivian first. If she dies, you die with her."Karvel nodded without hesitation. "Fine by me."He moved toward Vivian's makeshift cell, carrying a vial of the clear antidote. Her face was pale and drawn, sweat beading on her forehead from the fever."This might sting a little," Karvel said gently as he administered the injection.Within moments, color began returning to Vivian's cheeks. Her breathing steadied, and the glazed look in her eyes cleared."It worked," she whispered in amazemen

Head Hunter's voice crackled through the phone speaker with barely contained excitement. "The problem at headquarters has been dealt with, Sebastian. You can come back now."Sebastian Sterling adjusted his grip on the phone, aware of Vivian's furious glare burning into him from across the bar table."I'm listening," Sebastian replied coolly."It's time for your next fight," Head Hunter continued. "I've got a mid-ranked member lined up for you. This one's going to be a real test of what you're made of."Vivian's face contorted with disgust as she listened to the conversation. The sound of Head Hunter's voice alone was enough to make her blood boil."I'll be there within the hour," Sebastian confirmed."Good. Don't disappoint me, Sterling. I'm starting to think you might actually have what it takes to climb the ranks."After Sebastian ended the call, Vivian exploded with renewed fury."You make me sick!" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Absolutely sick! How can you just sit the

Sebastian Sterling's lack of response to the verbal taunts only fueled Marco's rage further. The mid-ranked Ronin member's face twisted with fury as he launched himself forward."You think you can ignore me, you piece of trash?" Marco snarled as he threw his first punch.Sebastian's movements were sluggish, the poison still coursing through his system making his reflexes painfully slow. Marco's fist connected cleanly with his jaw, snapping his head back."That's what I'm talking about!" Marco roared, following up with a brutal combination to Sebastian's ribs.Sebastian staggered under the assault, his compromised coordination making it impossible to defend properly. Another vicious hook caught him in the temple, sending him crashing to the canvas.The crowd erupted in jeers and mockery."Look at the mighty Sebastian Sterling now!" one Ronin member shouted gleefully."Getting his ass kicked by someone half his reputation!" another voice added."This is pathetic! He's done for!"Sebasti

Karvel Cross stumbled through the secret entrance to his underground hideout, his body wracked with violent tremors. The forced detoxification from the poison had taken a brutal toll, and now he was paying the price for his desperate gambit in the ring.His vision blurred as waves of nausea crashed over him. The tetrodotoxin derivative he'd purged from his system through excessive bleeding had left behind a cocktail of side effects that felt like fire coursing through his veins.He collapsed onto his bed just as his phone began ringing. The sound felt like hammers pounding against his skull, but he was too weak to reach for it. His hand trembled violently as he tried to lift it, then fell limply to his side as consciousness faded.For three days, Karvel drifted in and out of delirium, his body fighting to recover from the ordeal. When he finally awakened, sunlight was streaming through the small windows of his hideout. His mouth felt like sandpaper, and every muscle in his body ached.

Emma ignored her stepmother's outburst and gently took Karvel's arm, leading him away from the confrontation. "Come on, Uncle Karvel. We need to talk privately."They walked to a quiet corner of the mansion's library, away from the prying eyes and ears of the other mourners."I can't tell you how relieved I am that you're here," Emma said, her voice breaking slightly. "Everything has been such a nightmare since Dad died.""What's going on, Emma?" Karvel asked gently.Emma's composure cracked, and tears began streaming down her face. "It's Victoria. She's trying to take everything Dad left for me. Everything.""What do you mean?""The will," Emma explained through her tears. "Dad left me the majority of his estate, including this house and the business. But Victoria is claiming there's a more recent will that leaves everything to her."Karvel's jaw tightened. "Do you believe there's another will?""Of course not!" Emma said emphatically. "Dad would never cut me out completely. But she'