The moment Leon and Jarvis left the hall, the temperature outside was cold and unfriendly and Jarvis couldn't help but let out a sharp breath. “That man…” he muttered with a low disbelieving chuckle. “President Vorn actually blocked you from seeing a dying president. What does he think he’s doing?” ““He’s afraid,” he said simply as they descended the stairs. “He’s afraid of losing control.” “He’s also afraid of what you are,” Jarvis stated and glanced sideways. “He wants to own you.” Leon scoffed. “He can’t even own his own fear.” When they reached the lower courtyard, a black government car was already waiting, the same one that brought them. But this time, the driver looked nervous, eyes darting everywhere but at Leon. ‘Things sure travel fast here,’ Leon thought, narrowing his eyes. The driver quickly opened the door for them. “Let’s go home,” Jarvis said firmly. “A place where the air isn’t rotten.” They both entered the car, and it drove off. As they crossed th

President Halveth lay on the medical bed in his private suite within the Velmaria diplomatic wing, surrounded by machines that hummed and blinked. His breathing was shallow with pain pulsing beneath his ribs. His Chief Aide, Callen Mirek, stood by the door with a phone in his trembling hand. He didn't know how to say what he was about to, but he knew he had to. “Sir…” Callen said quietly. Halveth opened his eyes, tired, sunken, but still burning with the stubbornness of a man who had ruled for years. “Tell me,” Halveth rasped. “Has Azrael arrived?” Callen swallowed. “He did.” A flicker of relief lit Halveth’s face. “Then bring him in,” he said, trying to sit up despite the pain. “I don’t care what Velmaria’s government says. I will see him. Now.” Callen didn’t move. “Sir…” His voice cracked. “He left.” Halveth froze mid-motion. “…What?” “He came to the capital,” Callen explained softly. “But President Vorn forced him into a meeting. Azrael didn’t stay long. He walked out b

It was late in the evening… Victor Marston arrived at Empire, the upscale bar he used to treat like his personal playground back when he still had money, status, and a last name that commanded respect. This was the meeting spot he saw in the group chat, and he knew the guys were already upstairs in one of the VIP rooms. He straightened his shoulders and walked inside, trying to act like nothing had changed But the second he stepped in, eyes turned because they all knew him. Two girls near the bar whispered behind their glasses. “That’s Victor Marston, right?” “Mm-hmm. The one who used to throw drinks at waiters?” “Did you see the news? His family went bankrupt in just hours all thanks to Azrael.” “Good for him. Karma always loops back.” Victor felt the sting of their voices but kept walking, jaw tight. A group of guys spotted him next and one nudged another. “Yo, isn’t that the idiot who tried to get the bouncer fired last year?” “Let him try that now. Hey, I'm pretty sure

“I do love you, Isabella,” he murmured to himself, eyes fixed on her as she stood waiting for her driver, completely unaware that she was being watched. “But not enough. You were never more than a prize to be taken… and I don’t lose what I’ve claimed so easily.”A bitter chuckle slipped from his lips. “Isabella, Isabella… you’re lucky you’re not the one I’m checking off my list tonight.”Moments later, her driver arrived. She stepped into the car, the door closed, and the vehicle pulled away, disappearing down the street.Victor let out a slow breath and turned his gaze elsewhere, remaining where he was.Less than thirty minutes passed before the person he had been waiting for finally appeared. A low chuckle escaped him as he stepped out from the corner where he had kept himself hidden.“Hey, Julian.”Julian rolled his eyes at the sound of the familiar voice and turned toward him. “You’re still here,” he said flatly, irritation clear in his tone.Victor walked closer, nodding once. “Y

“I told you to keep your eyes on Zane Jones,” Jarvis said with a measured tone edged with intensity. “I’m extremely curious about that town. There’s something about it that doesn’t sit right with me.”Kane nodded in agreement. “You’re not wrong, Mr. Grave. Scorchfield is… unsettling. My men said it’s hard to stay there for long. The atmosphere alone feels wrong. As for Zane…” he paused briefly, then continued, “he’s dead.”Jarvis froze. “Dead?”“Yes,” Kane confirmed. “Unfortunately, we don’t know how it happened. All we could uncover is that he was hiding from someone… or something.”Jarvis leaned back into his chair, his brows knitting together as his thoughts spiraled. “Scorchfield,” he murmured. “A lawless town beyond order. I can’t even begin to imagine the kind of secrets buried in a place like that.” He straightened slightly and looked at Kane. “Proceed carefully. Be subtle. I have a feeling whatever is hidden there is dangerous… something beyond ordinary human understanding.”