“No,” Ethan said sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.Jessica's face scrunched in confusion.“What?” she asked, taken aback.He stood quickly, his expression tight.“It’s dangerous." He lied."You need to let this go, Jessica.”“I already have plans to make a public statement. Just… leave it alone.”He moved toward her quickly, then caught himself, running both hands through his hair in agitation."Jessica, please. Just don't. You don’t know what you’re—” He bit off the words, his chest rising and falling rapidly.When he spoke again, it was almost a plea. “Some stones are better left unturned. For your own sake. If you pursue this, I can’t protect you. Do you understand? I can’t—even if I wanted to."Her brows furrowed in suspicion.“Dangerous?” she repeated, a faint smirk tugging at her lips."Are you saying Adrian might try to harm me if I dig too deep?”Her smirk widened as her eyes gleamed. "If whatever I find could make Adrian want to harm me, then obviously

The press conference room was packed to capacity as reporters from every major outlet filled every available seat.The walls were lined with additional cameras on tripods, capturing every angle.Security stood at each entrance, their expressions stoic as they monitored the crowd.A podium bearing the Aurelius Conglomerate logo stood at the front of the room.The murmurs fell silent as Ethan stepped up to the podium.He wore a tailored black suit, his expression calm but controlled.His hands rested lightly on either side of the microphone as his gaze swept across the room.For a moment, he said nothing, letting the weight of the silence settle.“For the past twenty-four hours,” he began, his voice steady, “the world has been confronted with allegations that seemed impossible to believe. Claims that my uncle, Adrian Aurelius—a man we mourned, a man whose death was accepted as fact for over two decades—has returned from the dead with accusations that my father, Magnus Aurelius, attempte

Elara rose from her seat, breaking the contemplative silence.“You're is right,” she said firmly. "If anyone deserves to lead as the substitute King until a true King emerges, it’s you.”She paused, her tone turning cautious. “But we cannot ignore the reality of the situation. I don't Ethan will be willing to give up the throne. And even though the council has confirmed that The Army is no longer loyal to him and no longer protecting him, it doesn't change the fact that he has supernatural powers.”Her expression grew stern. “Reports also show that he’s got hired guards protecting him. If things turn into a full-blown war, he could bring in mercenaries. And in the process, we risk exposing The Order.”She looked around the room. “Unlike previous centuries, The Order cannot afford to be exposed in this era. Staying hidden is the only way we can keep doing what we do, especially with how modern governments work now.”Adrian’s smirk widened.“You’re absolutely right, Elara,” he said smo

Ethan had returned to the mansion since he’d cleared the air.He was in what used to be Magnus' study room—now his—when a guard knocked and told him that Lara was here to see him.His heart leaped.Without thinking, he quickly left the study and headed to the balcony where the guard said she was waiting.And there she was, standing with her back to him, facing the city lights that stretched endlessly below.His chest tightened with relief and excitement as he called her name. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you, especially here," he added.“I can’t believe there’d be a day where I’d be standing here again after I left,” she said quietly, her voice hollow. "At this exact favorite spot of Magnus.” A dry, bitter chuckle escaped her lips.Her expression made his stomach drop the moment she turned to face him.Her face was drawn, exhausted, as if the weight of everything had pressed down on her until there was nothing left. Tears were already forming in her eyes.“Sometimes,” sh

“Are you certain?” Ethan’s voice was sharp, his grip tightening on the phone. "Theo, are you absolutely certain about what you just said?”Lara’s head snapped toward him, concern flashing across her face.“I’m positive, My Lord,” Theo replied, his voice urgent. "I followed them from the warehouse where she was being held. I’m at the seaport now, hiding behind some shipping containers.”Ethan’s heart hammered in his chest.“They have her tied up,” Theo continued quickly.He paused, and Ethan could hear the tension in his breathing. "From what I overheard, they’re waiting for the order to… to finish it. They mentioned dumping her body in the water afterward.”Ethan shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.Lara’s head snapped toward him again, alarm flashing across her face.“Can’t you save her?” Ethan demanded, already pacing toward the window. His mind was racing, calculating distances, time, possibilities.“I can’t,” Theo said, frustration bleeding into his vo