The person was no one other than Vanessa.She stepped inside with her head high, moving as if the whole ballroom belonged to her.Her dress, a deep crimson silk that shimmered under the chandelier lights, clung to her curves. A thin chain of diamonds shimmered across her neck, catching the light, while her dark hair flowed down her back in soft waves, and her red lips curved into the faintest smirk, daring anyone to question her presence.The crowd turned as her heels clicked softly against the marble floor with every step she took.Soft gasps and hurried whispers spread like wildfire.“Why is she here?” someone muttered under their breath.“Does she have a death wish?” another whispered.“She must be crazy to show up.”"Does she seriously think she belongs here? How shameless.”“Look at her, walking in like she owns the place. Pathetic.”Vanessa soaked it all in, her smirk stretching wider.She stopped near the center and casually ran her hand over the jeweled clutch in her grip.Fro

The hall had slowly calmed from the storm Vanessa created. Waiters moved about again, pouring wine and clearing plates, though the whispers still lingered in the corners. Barely three minutes had passed since Ethan, Lara, and a few others had walked Magnus out of the hall to his car. Magnus had claimed fatigue, saying he was heading home early.Now, Mr. Chen and Sophia approached Ethan and Lara where they were seated.“Mr. Cross,” Mr. Chen said warmly, “it was truly a wonderful evening. But we must also take our leave now."He chuckled softly before adding, “I look forward to our future discussions.”Ethan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Of course, Mr. Chen. I appreciate you being here tonight.” His gaze then shifted deliberately to Sophia, his tone softening. “What’s your plan for tomorrow morning? Do you have anything scheduled?”Sophia blinked at him, surprised but pleased. Then, she gave a slight shrug, a smile playing on her lips. "Nothing meaningful, really.”“G

Ethan stood in the center of the hall, his chest rising and falling hard, his shirt soaked in blood—some of it his, but most from the masked men he had taken down.All around Ethan, the floor was covered with the bodies of the masked men.They lay sprawled out awkwardly, weapons dropped beside their lifeless hands, blood slowly spreading across the marble.It felt unreal. Just minutes ago, the hall had been filled with flying bullets. Now, only the dead and the injured were left.But the impact of the masked men’s attack still made the room shake with fear. Those who were left alive clung to each other—some gasping in relief, some clutching their chests, others frozen in place.Lara slowly pushed herself up from behind the overturned table, her body tight and her knees shaky.Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the destruction.Her breath came in quick, sharp gasps, and the trembling in her hands showed the storm of feelings she was trying to hide.When her eyes landed on Ethan—stil

A thousand questions raced through Ethan’s mind as he drove alone through the dark streets toward the hospital. But he pushed them all aside, focusing on only one thing—getting to Magnus and finding out if he would survive.However, he couldn’t shake the scene he’d passed on his way there that still burned in his memory.The wreckage was horrific—Magnus’s car completely crushed, the convoy vehicles twisted metal, bullet casings scattered across the road like deadly confetti.Marcel had warned him not to go alone. "Boss, whoever did this might come after you if they find out you survived,” he’d said urgently.But Ethan’s mind was made up. He’d rushed out of the hall, leaving everyone behind, though he knew they would follow him.The moment his car screeched to a halt outside the hospital, he bolted from the driver’s seat and ran inside. His heart hammered against his ribs as he approached the reception desk.“Where’s my fa—” he started, then caught himself. "Where’s Mr. Aurelius?

Even though every fiber in Ethan’s being screamed not to trust this mysterious man who claimed to be The Guardian, when he explained that Magnus could be saved once Ethan was properly coronated as the King of the World—that the ritual would unlock Ethan’s full power and give him the ability to heal even the most fatal conditions—Ethan couldn't hesitate.His desperation to save Magnus overrode all his suspicions.“Fine,” Ethan said firmly, looking directly into The Guardian’s eyes. "If there’s even the smallest chance this could save him, I’ll do it. What do we need?”The Guardian’s expression remained calm. “Time is crucial. We need to prepare immediately. The ritual requires specific elements, and it must be performed in the chamber."Ethan was shocked that this mysterious man knew about the chamber and seemed to know everything about The Order. Something felt off about him, but Ethan couldn’t figure out what it was.“Then let’s get started,” Ethan said anyway.He would worry about