Barbara had barely stepped into Charlotte's office when she collided with Charlotte. The younger woman stumbled back a step, still shaken from the encounter moments ago. Barbara steadied herself, her eyes narrowing with urgency.“Charlotte,” she pressed, her voice taut, “who was that man? The one that just left? And what on earth did he come here for?”Charlotte’s hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her shawl. Her gaze shifted toward the door, still half-expecting the shadow of the visitor to reappear. Her lips parted, but the words caught in her throat for a moment before she finally spoke.“It’s him, Mum,” Charlotte admitted, her tone subdued yet heavy with dread. “That was Iron Hand—the same man we saw on the television the other night.”Barbara froze. Her face paled, eyes widening as though she’d been struck with a cruel revelation. “Iron Hand?” she echoed in disbelief, clutching the back of a chair for support. “Are you saying the infamous Iron Hand was standing in th

“Hello?” Logan answered his phone. His tone was cautious but alert.On the other end, a calm but authoritative voice replied, “Good evening, Mr. Logan Brooks. My name is Agent Farouk. I’m calling from the country’s security system. Please listen carefully to what I have to tell you.”Logan’s brow furrowed. “Country’s security system? What’s this about?”“Sir, we have been tracking a series of events involving items and materials that are traceable to a highly mysterious individual,” Agent Farouk continued. “Upon cross-referencing information from multiple sources, it was discovered that you are currently in possession of certain items connected directly to the identity and operations of the person our country has long been searching for.”Logan’s pulse quickened. “Wait… I don’t get you...”“Okay, let me come out clearer,” the agent replied firmly. “You hold a vault of power that qualifies you for a role of immense importance—the position of Iron Hand in Delva Country.”Logan took a

As soon as Logan stepped out of the room, Charlotte felt the tension in the air shift almost immediately. Charlotte sank slightly into the couch, her mind still replaying the events of the day.She was exhausted, physically and emotionally, but before she could catch her breath, Barbara’s voice cut through the quiet.“Charlotte,” Barbara said, stepping closer, her tone deceptively soft yet carrying an unmistakable edge of authority. “We need to talk.”Charlotte looked up, uncertain. “Mom… what is it?” she asked cautiously. There was something in Barbara’s eyes that made her uneasy—a glint of determination that Charlotte could not ignore.Barbara folded her arms and her gaze pierced through Charlotte like a dagger. “I’m going to be straightforward with you,” she began. “You need to reconsider this divorce with Logan. You’re throwing away a life with a good man for what? Pride? Anger? Stubbornness?”Charlotte flinched. “Mom, I…” she tried to speak, but Barbara held up her hand, sil

Mart Clerkey shut the front door with the languid, decisive motion of a man who thought himself already in possession of what he wanted. He hung his coat, poured himself a drink of something amber, and allowed the silence to thicken.Liam sat on the far side of the room, knees apart, hands clasped. He had that look: restless impatience wrapped in a veneer of obedience. He was younger than Mart by a decade, but he had learned to seem older through small cruelties and smaller lies. Tonight his eyes were alive and the plan in his head had been stoked to a fever.“You saw her,” Liam said instead of a greeting. “At the office. She—”Mart cut him off with a movement. “I saw what I needed to see.” He set the glass down—not empty, but not touched. “She’s clever. Better than the lot. That’s why this matters.”Liam leaned forward. “She could be the one, since you want a finish that’s worth the prize. She’s influential, she’s smart, and she’s untouchable—perfect.”Mart let himself smile,

Barbara’s hands trembled as she ended the call, clutching her phone to her chest as though it were a lifeline. Iron Hand’s voice still echoed in her ears, heavy with promise and persuasion. Houses. Cars. Land. Wealth beyond anything she had ever dreamed. All of it, offered at her feet—if only she could make Charlotte say yes. Just twenty-four hours. That was the condition.Her mind spun. Every detail of Iron Hand’s proposal painted itself in her imagination with striking clarity: sprawling mansions with white-pillared gates, glossy cars parked in their driveways, the taste of respect she had longed for. Barbara had spent too many years feeling that life had denied her more than it gave. Now, in one call, Iron Hand had dangled it all in front of her.She pressed a palm against her mouth, trying to steady her breathing. “I’ll do it,” she had told him. “I swear, I’ll make sure Charlotte accepts you. Just give me the time.” And he had.Now the clock ticked.Barbara paced the room im