Sophia blinked several times, her mind slowly piecing together the last thing she remembered which was the explosion and Adrian’s voice shouting her name… But something else caught her attention. Her body felt… different. Lighter. Stronger. Like every nerve in her body was alive again. She sat up slowly, ignoring her mother’s protests. “What... what did they give me?” she asked, her voice hoarse but steady. “I feel… different. Like I could run ten miles.” Mrs. Aldridge hesitated. She looked at her husband, unsure if she should say it. Sophia frowned. “What?” Mr. Aldridge cleared his throat. “You were unconscious when we brought you here... Adrian gave you a herbal serum which helped to stabilize you.” Sophia froze. For a moment, disbelief crossed her face. “Adrian?” she whispered. “He… saved me?” “Yes,” her mother said quietly. “But...” Sophia’s eyes softened for a second, something unreadable flashing in them. Then Mrs. Aldridge’s next words shattered it co

Lucien’s cold eyes swept across the courtyard, daring anyone else to speak.No one did.The silence was suffocating.But then Sophia moved.“Sophia, don’t...” Elena whispered, clutching her sister’s wrist. She could feel the tremor in Sophia’s body and that always means that she was about to explode with rage.But this was not the right time.Sophia tore her hand free. Her voice rang sharp through the smoky air. “You think because of your little party tricks I’ll bow to you?” she shouted. “You might be a prince but have no idea who I am!”Her father stepped forward beside her, his expression fierce despite the danger. “My daughter belongs to no one,” Gerald growled. “Not even the son of a duke!”Lucien’s smirk faltered. His eyes darkened. “You should’ve kept quiet.”He lifted one hand slowly, fingers twitching with unnatural precision. Behind him, his two alchemists stepped forward. The air began to hum.CRACK!The entire compound’s lights exploded at once. Sparks showered the court

Lucien’s smirk deepened. "It is already too late for you, Lacanster. Take a knife, slit your throat, and save me the trouble.”Adrian’s eyes didn’t even flicker. His voice, when it came, was quiet — almost bored. “You really brought a hundred men just to take one woman? Don’t you have any shame?”Lucien’s expression darkened.“A real man,” Adrian continued, stepping forward slowly, “doesn’t hide behind soldiers. If you had a spine, you’d fight me yourself. But you don’t... do you? You’re just another spoiled coward living off your father’s title.""So take my offer... get in your car, drive out of this compound, and take your tail with you.”The tension in the courtyard spiked like an electric charge. Even the birds that had perched on the rooftop scattered into the sky.Sophia’s heart pounded. “Adrian, stop it!” she shouted, her voice shaking. “Now is not the time to play hero! You have no chance!” She stepped forward, fear flashing across her face. “Please, get on your knees and be

Malvin avoided his gaze.Did Adrian really find the evidence?Adrian’s expression hardened. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small silver drive. The Aldridge family exchanged glances.Adrian connected the drive to the tablet on the courtyard table. The screen lit up, showing security footage from the cooking competition.The video was not clear but it showed a shadowy figure crouched near Adrian’s cooking station minutes before the explosion.Sophia leaned forward, her heart pounding. “Is that...?”Adrian zoomed in. “Someone tampered with the gas in my station and caused the explosion,” he said coldly.He turned, eyes locking on Malvin. “I know it was you, Malvin.”The words hit like thunder.Malvin blinked, frozen for a second and then his mouth fell open, his face twisting in outrage. “What?” he cried, his voice cracking. “You’re accusing me?”Adrian didn’t blink. “You were behind the curtains throughout, don't deny it, you caused the explosion from the footage I kn

Malvin grabbed at Lucien’s boot as the duke’s son turned away. “Wait—please!” he begged, voice raw. “If I betray you, kill me. Drive a blade through my heart. I swear I’ll be loyal.”Lucien paused, the sunlight cutting the edge of his profile. He did not smile. He did not pity. He simply looked at Malvin as a man looks at an insect.“Words are cheap, I want proof.Malvin’s chest heaved as he saw an opportunity. “Name it. Anything. I’ll do it. Give me a task I can finish. A chance is all I am asking for.”Lucien turned slowly. His coat whispered against the car as he moved. “Prove it,” he said. “Bring me Zane’s head. Kill the man who moves like lightning and I will finally trust you.”For a second everything in Malvin’s world narrowed to that one order. The name hit him like ice. His mouth went dry. “That’s impossible,” he croaked. “You saw him... he tore your men apart like paper. He’s not just a man. He is a storm. His skin can’t be pierced. His speed .. there’s nothing I can do. How