The location was an abandoned transit maintenance yard on the outskirts of the city.However, she found no one as she looked around.Just shadows.Her breath misted in the cold air as she walked deeper into the yard, her footsteps crunching softly against gravel.“Hello?” she called out, her voice tentative.After getting no response, she sent a message to the person, asking where they were and letting them know she’d arrived.The reply came almost right away.The person told her they were behind a bus frame on the east side.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​With that, she moved in that direction, weaving between the skeletal remains of old buses and machinery.The shadows grew thicker, the light from the distant streetlamps barely penetrating this far.And then she saw a figure, who was standing in the darkness, partially obscured by the frame of a gutted bus. It was obvious the person was a male from his build.He had on a dark hoodie with the hood pulled down low, covering most of his face, and hi

Lucas spread his arms, his smirk lingering as his eyes sweept over her tied form with cold satisfaction. "And now, you have my full attention."Jessica’s mind raced, until everything clicked into place for her.The burglary. The timing. The execution.It hadn’t been random.Lucas had sent them.He’d orchestrated the whole thing—had them hit every apartment in the building just to make it look like a regular break-in, to steal her evidence without raising suspicion.And then he’d dangled bait in front of her—the promise of new information, a lifeline when she was drowning in desperation.And she’d taken it.She’d walked straight into his trap."How could I have been so stupid?" Her fist clenched as she thought.Lucas tilted his head as if he could read every thought racing through her mind.Her gaze remained locked on his when she asked him what he wanted from her.Lucas chuckled. "What do I want?” He stepped closer, his footsteps echoing against the concrete floor.He crouched down i

The door closed behind them with a resounding thud, sealing the room and leaving only Ethan, Lucas, and two of Ethan’s men inside.Ethan stared down at Lucas, his expression unreadable, his hands still clenched at his sides.Lucas was still on the ground, clutching his bleeding shoulder, his face pale and slick with sweat, his breathing labored.The bullet had torn through the fleshy part of his shoulder, just above his collarbone.He let out a bitter, breathless laugh, his head tilted back against the wall.“What now?” he rasped, his voice strained, mocking despite the pain. "Just kill me and let's get it over with, dimwit!"Ethan didn’t respond immediately.He simply stared at him, his gaze cold and unwavering.The silence was more threatening than any words could have been.Then, slowly, he stepped forward, his footsteps echoing in the empty room.Lucas’s eyes tracked his movement, his body tensing despite the pain.Then, Ethan crouched down in front of Lucas, bringing himself to

“If someone had told me,” Cavill began slowly, his eyes fixed on Ethan, “that there would come a day when Ethan Aurelius—who believe he's the King of the World—would take someone’s life just because of a power struggle that is clearly not his to begin with—”He paused, his jaw tightening. "I would have denied it.” His voice was laced with disgust.Elara let out a bitter scoff, shaking her head. “Why are you surprised?”"It’s not shocking at all since he's nothing but an abomination." Her gaze was contemptuous as she stared at Ethan.“This is who he’s always been. We were just foolish enough to believe otherwise.”Ethan said nothing.He simply stood there, his hands still in his pockets, his expression calm.And then, slowly, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.“All because of what?” Dr. Richter said, his eyes narrowing. "Because you know there’s no way we can retaliate by taking your life? Is that it?”He gestured toward Lucas’s body, his voice rising. "So you do this? Y

Jessica’s breath caught in her throat, her heart hammering so hard she thought it might break free from her chest, while Ethan's eyes, which was vulnerable in a way she'd never seen before, held hers with an unwavering gaze.He held her face in his hand, his thumb softly stroking her cheek.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​“I love you, Jessica,” he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper now, but filled with a raw honesty that made her chest ache. "I love everything about you. And I’m terrified of losing you.”She swallowed hard, her throat tight, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.Yes, she loved him, but after what just happened and what he’d told her, she knew she’d end up being a burden. He’d constantly worry about her and lose focus trying to keep her safe.And even though he meant everything to her, she wasn’t sure she was ready to give up her goals just for their relationship. She didn’t want to be dead weight holding him back. In addition, there were other things she might want