Rex’s smirk faltered, but he forced it back. “That was when you had the Aldridge name backing you. But now?”He stepped closer, his tone dripping with arrogance.“Now you’re nothing. Just another fool who thought he could climb too high. Get lost before I beat the shit out of you.”“Call whoever you like,” he said softly. “But I’m walking through that gate.”Rex shoved him back as hard as he could.Adrian didn’t even move. He looked down at Rex’s hand pressed against his chest.Fear flashed across Rex's eyes. Was he really that strong?“Careful,” Adrian said, voice low. “You’ll want to keep that hand for the rest of your life.”Rex laughed, but his voice trembled slightly. “Don’t threaten me, Lancaster. I’m not scared of you.”Adrian tilted his head slightly. "Trust me, you should be."Rex’s smirk twisted into a sneer. “You really think you can talk your way past me?” he growled, shoving Adrian again, harder this time.Adrian didn’t budge. Not even an inch. The white rose in his hand

Her tone hardened like steel. “If you want to chase him away, then you’ll have to chase me away too.” The words landed like a hammer blow. Gerald stammered, “Miss Ivanova… we—this is a misunderstanding. I assure you—” Lilith cut him off with a raised hand. Her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. “A misunderstanding?” she echoed. “Your guards assaulted my guest. Your family humiliated him on sacred ground. That’s not a misunderstanding, Mr. Aldridge.” She turned her head slightly to Sophia. The air grew heavy. “You lost the right to dictate Mr. Lancaster’s movements,” Lilith said coldly, “the day you threw him away.” Sophia’s lips trembled, but no sound came. Lilith’s eyes glinted, her voice lowering to a deadly whisper. “He is under my wing now. Try to touch him again, and you will learn the true meaning of power.” The silence that followed was suffocating. Then President Ivanov himself stepped forward. His mere presence silenced the entire crowd. His height, his shar

"There are a lot of things you don't know about Rowan, young lady."Gerald turned pale, his fists trembling. “You monsters,” he snarled. “Who the hell are you people?”The leader tilted his head, his voice steady and cold. “We are the European Legion’s Guild. We answer to no law but our own. Every government on this continent recognizes our authority. We collect what is owed, no matter who stands in our way.”He took another step forward. “Your patriarch borrowed what he could not repay. The Duke was generous, and he waited, but now, the debt is due.”Sophia stumbled back a step, shaking her head violently. “This is madness!” she cried. “What is this, the 19th century? You think you can just walk into a funeral and claim a human being as debt?”The leader’s cold smile didn’t waver. “Whatever you think doesn't concern me young woman... we are not here to joke!”Her voice rose, trembling between rage and disbelief. “I won’t go anywhere with you! You can’t do this!”But the men around h

“The ring…” she whispered. “I—”Elena stepped forward, her voice sharp and frantic. “Sophia! Where is it?!”Sophia’s lips trembled. Her knees weakened as she whispered the words no one expected to hear.“I sold it.”The hall gasped as if the air itself had been ripped away.Gerald’s eyes widened in horror. “You did what?!” he shouted, his voice cracking.“I—I didn’t know!” Sophia stammered, tears flooding her eyes. “It was before all this! I needed to forget everything, to erase him from my life! I didn’t know it meant anything! I didn’t know!”Sarah covered her mouth, sobbing. “Oh God… Sophia… what have you done?”Elena stepped back, shaking her head in disbelief. “You sold it?! That ring carried the family’s seal! You’ve doomed us all!”Around them, the mourners whispered in shock. Some covered their faces. Others simply watched in pity.Sophia’s legs gave out. She fell to her knees, her body trembling. “The ring… I sold it! I ruined us!” she cried. Her voice broke into a sob that e

He ticked off the plan with his fingertips.“Step two,” he said, “steal the Phoenix Root in the Aldridge vault.“And Step three,” he said, his voice dropping, “make sure Sophia blames Adrian. The press will eat it up, and the Aldridges will turn on him, and he will have nothing left.”He circled the room, tension bouncing in every step. “Very soon I will control everything.”Malvin smiled dangerously.“Tomorrow,” he said softly, “the game starts.”Lilith entered the upscale bar in the Diamond District.The place was quiet and luxurious. The lights were dim and jazz was playing in the corner. She walked in with her usual poise all heads turned to her instantly.The red gown she wore hugged her body, and she radiated confidence.Her presidential guards lingered just outsideInside, she moved like a queen.Lilith slid into a booth near the back.She crossed her legs, leaned back, and ordered a martini from the VIP bartender she’d used before.The drink came quickly.She had invited Adr