The drive back to the city was tense, the silence between Gregory and Clara thick with unspoken thoughts. Gregory’s mind was racing, each new revelation spinning him deeper into a web he hadn’t realized was even there. The existence of his uncle Richard, a figure so close to his father yet so hidden, had shaken him. But there was more. The mention of the organization and their connections to Obsidian only served to fuel his growing sense of dread. Every step forward seemed to reveal an even darker truth.Gregory’s fingers drummed on the steering wheel as he navigated the streets, his thoughts consumed by the documents Clara had shown him. Richard Hale was no stranger to the organization. It was clear now that his father’s investigation into him had been more than just a suspicion. His father had been trying to expose Richard, but in doing so, had likely sealed his own fate. Clara broke the silence, her voice calm but urgent. “We need to move fast, Gregory." If Richard is really part

Gregory's feet pounded against the cold marble floors, each step carrying him further from Richard's clutches. The adrenaline surged through his body, blurring the lines between fear and determination. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep this up, but the sight of the exit ahead filled him with a renewed sense of hope.Behind him, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. They were close, too close. He could hear the growl of Richard’s voice, but he dared not look back. If he stopped, if he slowed down, they would catch him. And that would be the end.Just as he neared the door, a hand shot out from the side, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him into a side room. He barely managed to stifle his yelp of surprise before he was thrown into the darkness of the room.“Shh…” a voice whispered urgently. “Stay quiet.”Gregory’s heart raced, but his mind couldn’t stop spinning. Was it one of Richard’s men? Had they gotten to him already?“Who—who is this?” he whispered har

Gregory's mind was reeling as the realization set in. Richard knew. How long had he been planning this? How long had he been anticipating Gregory’s every move? The web of deceit and manipulation Richard had woven was more intricate than Gregory had ever imagined. And now, he was stuck in the center of it, struggling to break free.Clara grabbed his arm, her face pale with worry. “What do we do now?” she whispered urgently, her voice shaky.Gregory glanced around, searching for an exit, an escape route. They were in the back corridors now, the mansion’s labyrinthine layout closing in around them. Every hallway felt like a dead end. Every door they tried to open was either locked or led to more guards. They were running out of time.“We can’t go back,” Gregory said, his voice low but firm. If we go back the way we came, Richard’s men will catch up with us. We need to find another way out.”Clara nodded, though the fear in her eyes was hard to ignore. “But where do we go? We don’t even k

The door behind Gregory creaked open, and Richard’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Put the gun down, Gregory. There’s no point in all this.”Gregory’s pulse quickened as he turned slowly, his grip tightening on the weapon. Richard stood there in the doorway, flanked by several of his men. His usual calm, authoritative demeanor was replaced by a chilling coldness that sent a wave of unease through Gregory’s body.“Richard,” Gregory said, his voice steady but laced with defiance. “I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’m not going down without a fight.”Richard raised an eyebrow, almost amused. “A fight? You think you stand a chance? You’re nothing but a housekeeper, Gregory. A nobody. And now you’re holding a gun, thinking you can take on me and my men. It’s laughable.”Gregory didn’t respond. He knew that Richard’s words were designed to provoke him, to weaken his resolve. But he wouldn’t let that happen. Not now. He had come too far to turn back.“I’m not afraid of you,”

Gregory woke to a world that smelled of antiseptic and sterile surfaces. The dull hum of machines was the only sound that filled the silence, their steady beeping a reminder that he was still alive—barely.His body felt heavy, as if gravity had doubled since he last remembered it.The pain in his side had dulled to a throb, but it was still there, persistent. He tried to move, but his limbs refused to cooperate, each muscle aching as if it had been torn from him.His mind swirled with fragmented memories: Richard’s men, the gunshot, Clara’s voice…and the stranger, the man who had appeared out of nowhere. The man who had saved him.Where was he now?The faint sound of footsteps approaching broke through the fog in his mind, and he turned his head, fighting against the sluggishness that weighed him down.The door opened slowly, and Clara stepped into the room, her face drawn with worry, but relief softened her features when she saw him awake.“Gregory… you’re awake.”Her voice was bare