Sean crept through the woods, his boots pressing into the damp soil, crushing twigs and leaves beneath his feet. Shafts of afternoon sunlight filtered through the canopy, scattering gold across the forest floor. His fingers toyed with the sleek invitation card as he walked, the glossy gold letters catching the light.Event Gala — 8:00 PM, Wednesday Night.Tomorrow. That gave him time. Sean checked his watch, then glanced at the card again, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. A whole day left to prepare.He slipped the card deep into his pocket and lowered his gaze back to the undergrowth. His sharp eyes swept over patches of grass and moss, searching carefully for the herbs he had come to find. Every few steps, he crouched to brush aside leaves, the earthy scent of soil thick in the air.If he could find the herb he was after, he’d be able to prepare something Liana could use before the event. After all, he wasn’t even sure he would find anything useful there. The forest was one of the

Nodding at the attendant who had led him there, Sean stepped through the heavy double doors, the warmth of the gala wrapping around him. Crystal chandeliers dripped golden light over the marble floors, and the murmur of masked voices swirled like music.Every guest wore a mask: gold, silver, velvet, and feathers, hiding identities while revealing elegance in posture and dress.He picked up a crystal flute from a passing attendant and let the cool, sparkling liquid settle in his hand. Raising it slightly, he moved toward a quiet corner, leaning lightly against the edge of a gilded column. From here, he could observe without being observed.A group of women nearby caught his attention. Their masks were delicate, patterned intricately to catch the chandelier’s light. One wore a crimson dress that hugged her curves, while the other wore an emerald gown that flowed softly as she moved, the fabric swishing with each step.A subtle perfume of rose and sandalwood trailed behind them, mingling

Despite Stefan’s words, Sean didn’t answer immediately. His gaze stayed fixed on the stage curtain, his expression unreadable. The muffled shuffle of attendants behind the curtain hinted that the auction would begin soon, yet he didn’t move, didn’t react, didn’t even acknowledge Stefan.For Stefan, that silence was worse than any insult. His fingers drummed impatiently on the armrest, jaw tight beneath his mask. He tilted his head toward Sean, narrowing his eyes.“You think you’re better than me, huh?” he muttered, low, almost sulking. “Sitting there, acting like you’ve got nothing to prove.” A short, bitter laugh escaped him. “Well, maybe you don’t. But I do.”Sean finally glanced at him, eyes cool and detached, then looked away as though Stefan weren’t even there.That single, dismissive look made Stefan’s irritation flare.He leaned forward suddenly, voice sharp but hushed.“Don’t look away from me like that! Answer me at least once, damn it!”Sean shifted slightly in his chair, cro

Sean’s eyes locked onto the pendant, the faint gleam of its silver threads pulling his attention tighter than he expected. Unlike the coral, this wasn’t just a pretty decoration meant to dazzle a crowd.The obsidian drop seemed to hum with its own presence, an energy that lingered even under the artificial glow of the stage lights.He leaned back slightly, studying the faint shimmer that pulsed through the stone. It wasn’t a trick of the light. The glow wasn’t random—it beat with rhythm, deliberate and alive, like the slow thrum of a heartbeat.‘This isn’t just some legend spun to raise the price,’ Sean thought, narrowing his eyes. ‘There’s something real here. Something beneath the stories they’re selling to the crowd.’His gaze followed every curve of the stone, the way the threads of silver seemed to shift and catch in ways metal shouldn’t. If one stared too long, it almost felt like the veins inside the pendant moved, flowing slowly, as though something coursed within it.Around h

‘An additional enemy?’ Sean thought, his gaze flicking to Stefan before sliding past him and back to the auction stage. ‘I don’t think so. Not everyone is like you, Stefan.’To Sean, the blonde man wasn’t an enemy. Just someone who needed to learn a lesson, and Sean had already given him one. Nothing more. It wasn’t enough to spark true hatred.The auction went on. Item after item appeared on stage, bids rose and fell, voices buzzed, yet Sean remained still. His eyes held no interest.Until—“Next, we present a rare herb,” the host announced, his tone brightening. “This herb is known to greatly assist with breathing problems. For those suffering from such conditions, it is invaluable.”Sean’s eyes snapped to the stage. His calm demeanor shifted. For the first time since the second item, real interest stirred on his face. His gaze locked on the herb, fingers tightening slightly on the armrest.‘If I get that herb, I can help her. This isn’t something I can let slip by.’If he could ref