“Then let them use them,” Sophia shot back, her chin raised, her voice vibrating with fury. “I won’t be held hostage by cowards in masks.”A ripple of tension passed through the room. Even the other shoppers hiding were shocked at their defiance.The leader’s stance shifted, his entire body going rigid. Slowly, he lifted his rifle until the cold black muzzle hovered inches from Sophia’s forehead.“Sit down on the floor,” he said, his voice a low, dangerous growl, “or I’ll put a bullet in your fucking skull right now.”The room seemed to shrink around them. Sarah let out a sharp gasp and lunged forward, grabbing her daughter’s arm.“Sophia, please,” Sarah pleaded, her voice cracking under the weight of terror. “I am begging you… I don’t want to lose a child today. Do as they say.”But Sophia didn’t move. Not even a flinch. Her eyes locked on the leader’s masked face, unwavering, as though daring him to pull the trigger.Malvin stepped forward. “Sophia, please… just sit. It’s not worth

Sarah swallowed, glancing at Elena beside her, then out the window.“Cecelia… It’s Malvin. He—” Her voice cracked, and she forced the words out. “He’s been shot. We’re following the ambulance to the hospital.”On the other end of the line came a sharp intake of breath — and then Cecelia’s voice shattered into a scream.“My only son—!” Her anguish bled through every syllable, she could barely believe what she just said. Malvin had left home a few minutes ago, and he said he was going to the mall for shopping.Now he was shot?“Who did this? How could people be so cruel?”Elena sat rigid beside her mother, she could hear Cecilia's cries and screams even though the phone was not on loudspeaker. Sarah tried to steady her tone, though her eyes burned. “We don’t know yet. It happened so fast, some armed robbers attacked the Crest Mall… he saved Sophia’s life.”There was silence for a breath, then Cecelia’s voice returned, although it was still filled with grief.“Which hospital?”“Silver

Adrian drew a deep breath and began the preparation.He ground the Moonshade petals first, slow and precise, releasing a luminous sap that shimmered like liquid moonlight. Into the mortar, he added fireleaf dust to stimulate the mind’s dormant pathways and a pinch of silverthorn pollen to stabilize the mixture.His movements were like he had done this over and over again. This was not just medicine. This was an ancient cure, one lost to most modern healers. Steam curled from the copper bowl as he warmed the mixture over a small flame, the scent of Moonshade filling the room.When the elixir reached its perfect hue, Adrian poured it into a crystal cup.He moved to Clara’s bedside. Her lips were pale, her lashes unmoving against her cheeks.“Drink,” he murmured, tilting the cup gently to her lips. The liquid slid into her mouth, and for a moment, she stirred faintly, as if her body recognized the ancient power it now held.Then came the second step.Adrian opened the Mindpulse briefcas

And then Adrian caught a scent coming from him, it was faint but undeniable.A scent that didn’t belong in a sterile hospital room.His jaw tightened as he turned to the family standing by his side.“What happened?” Adrian asked finally, his voice calm but filled with suspicion.Sophia stepped in before anyone else could answer.Her voice carried a mix of anger, relief, and awe.“We were robbed,” she said. “Inside Crest Mall. Five of them. One of the robbers tried to shoot me… but Malvin—” she glanced at him, her eyes softening, “—Malvin stepped in front of me. He took the bullet instead.”Cecilia gripped her son’s hand tighter, her gaze brimming with pride, while Sarah nodded firmly as if to confirm every word.Adrian didn’t respond immediately.Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly.Maybe… maybe he had been too quick the first time.He stepped closer, the low hum of the machines filling the silence between them. His gaze swept over Malvin once more — slower this time, sharper, like a surg

Malvin, lying against the pillows, lowered his gaze to hide the faintest twitch at the corner of his lips.Inside, he was smiling.“Enough!” Sophia’s voice cracked through the room, sharp and trembling with rage.“Enough of all these baseless accusations — for what?!” Her eyes flared as she stepped closer to him. “To have your way with me?”Adrian’s gaze didn’t waver, but his silence felt heavier than any retort.Sophia’s voice shook with the force of everything she’d been holding in. “First you accuse him of poisoning me. Then you accuse him of poisoning my Grandfather. And now…” her hands clenched at her sides, “now you’re accusing him of pretending after he took a bullet trying to save my life?”Saying it aloud made Adrian realize how crazy it sounded.But it was the truth.Her breath hitched, but she didn’t stop. “I refused to see it before, but jealousy has clouded your senses, Adrian. That’s all this is. Jealousy.”Still, Adrian said nothing. Not a single word.“Take your things