Alaric’s gaze hardened, his voice low but commanding.“Bring her here.”The two men dragged the woman closer until she knelt before the desk. Her chest heaved with panicked breaths, her eyes wild and wet with unshed tears.Alaric leaned forward, folding his hands on the desk. “Why were you fleeing the city?"The therapist said nothing. "This man here saved me from the poison in one of your oils?”"Who sent you?""Why were you trying to kill me?"The therapist’s lips trembled but still she said nothing.“Speak!” one of the guards barked, jerking her by the arm.And then, suddenly, the fear vanished.Her expression twisted, and her voice became a sharp, venomous cry.“Why should I answer you? You deserve to die, Alaric! You and your entire empire!”Gasps rippled across the room. Adrian’s eyes narrowed, observing.Alaric’s brows furrowed. “…What did you say?”The woman snapped, her rage bursting like a dam.“You destroyed us! My family’s clinic was in that district you bought out for you

Adrian’s eyes lingered on the glowing screen.Meet me at Liora Café. Minutes later, the low hum of his car faded as he parked. The café stood warm against the night, its tall windows spilling golden light onto the pavement. He chose to sit down at the booth at the far end.Not long after, he heard the door chime, and Sophia walked in.She moved quietly, her dark coat sliding from her shoulders as her eyes searched the café until they found him. Without hesitation, she crossed the room and sat opposite him, her gaze steady, unreadable.Adrian leaned back, lips curving faintly. His voice carried a calm, teasing edge. “You decided to look even better today. Perhaps it’s because I complimented you the other night?”For the first time, her composure cracked, just slightly. Sophia’s eyes narrowed, a faint glare flashing across her face. “You’d never miss a moment to stroke your own ego, would you?”Adrian chuckled low, the sound almost mocking. “What can I say? I’d hate to disappoint e

Her laughter rang louder, spilling across the café until every eye was on them.Adrian sat still, his expression carved from stone, watching her with eyes that didn’t waver.The laughter lingered on her lips as she finally steadied herself, though the mockery still danced in her eyes. She leaned forward, her voice dropping in lto a sharp tone.“You might be a healer, Adrian. Perhaps even a great one. Elder of the Medical Association, savior of the dying, master of toxins…” Her lips curved into a smile, cold and merciless. “But you’re no match for me.”The words struck the air like venom.Her gaze sharpened, daring him to flinch. “Do you have any idea how many men fight for my attention? How many slide into my inbox daily- men of power, men of wealth? Young billionaires, heirs to dynasties, even kings who’d throw kingdoms at my feet just to see me.”Her eyes glittered, hard as ice. “And I turned them all down.”The café seemed to shrink around them, even the curious onlookers who had l

Adrian straightened and placed a steady hand on her shoulder.“It’s time for your treatment, Clara” he said quietly.Clara nodded without question, her small fingers curling around his as he led her down the corridor. Evelyn stepped aside at the door, bowing her head. Adrian did not speak to her, he pushed the door open himself and guided Clara inside.The room dimmed as the door closed. At the bedside, he knelt and reached beneath the cabinet. A soft metallic click broke the silence as he drew out the black case, the Mindpulse Briefcase. He set it on the table. Another click. The locks released.The case opened revealing rows of silver needles and vials of the futuristic medicine suspended in glass.Clara sat obediently on the bed, her wide eyes curious but trusting. “Brother… shiny,” she whispered with a soft smile.Adrian allowed the faintest curve of his lips. “Yes, Clara. Shiny.”Then his face hardened.He washed his hands in the basin, the water dripping steadily into silence.

Every head snapped upward.The intercom crackled, and a voice boomed over the chaos:“Lucian Grayson. You have a visitor.”For a heartbeat, Lucian just stood there, stunned. Relief washed over him like cool water. His shoulders sagged, the breath he had been holding finally slipping past his lips.Whomever it was had just saved him from the bearing of his life.... Well, postponed it... At least it was a little hope, another miracle could take place... He doubted whether he was that lucky.The four men froze. Then the leader leaned close, his voice low, venomous.“Lucky you,” he sneered. “But when you come back, CEO… we’ll finish where we left off.”A shiver knifed down Lucian’s spine. His stomach clenched with dread.Two guards appeared, heavy boots striking the pavement, batons swinging at their belts. “Move,” one barked, seizing Lucian by the arm.The men stepped back, smirking, already tasting the unfinished violence.Lance wished he could be dragged like this outside these walls.