Ethan barely registered the sound of Emma’s gasp before her body went limp in his arms. Her skin felt clammy, her breath shallow. Panic surged through him, sharp and uncontrollable.“Emma!” he called, his voice breaking as he adjusted his grip. “Emma, stay with me—hey, look at me!”No response. Her head lolled against his chest.Without wasting another second, Ethan scooped her up fully and turned toward the grand staircase, carrying her upstairs. The sound reverberated through the quiet mansion like a drumbeat of dread.“Help! Someone get the doctor!” he bellowed.Within seconds, the household sprang into motion. Footsteps pounded in the halls; servants rushed from every direction. Mrs. Harper, the head maid, appeared first, her face pale with alarm.“Oh, dear heavens!” she cried, hurrying beside him. “What happened to her?”“She fainted,” Ethan said, his voice strained. “Out of nowhere. Call the family doctor—now!”Mrs. Harper nodded frantically and darted off toward the telephone i

“…What are you saying, sir?” Ethan asked, his voice caught somewhere between confusion and dread.Grandfather Robbins’ gaze was unwavering. “I know about your past — The Moon's Crown Forces.”Ethan froze. For a moment, his heart stopped beating. The words felt like a knife twisting in his chest. “You… you know about that?” he breathed, disbelief etched across his face.The old man nodded slowly, the faintest hint of something — not anger, not judgment, but cold recognition — passing through his eyes. “You think your record, your secrets, your years in the dark could stay buried forever? No, Ethan. I’ve known since the day you stepped foot into this mansion.”Ethan took a small step back, his pulse hammering in his ears. “Then why… why let me stay? Why let me anywhere near Emma if you knew what I’ve done? What I was a part of?”Grandfather Robbins’ lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Because of it.”Ethan blinked, thrown off balance. “Because of it?”“Yes.” The old m

Matthew’s eyes seemed to sink into the past, his voice dropping an octave lower, almost as if the walls themselves shouldn’t hear what he was about to say.“Years ago,” he began, “before the world ever heard the name A.M.E.N., before Robbins became the Robbins, and before Don Powers turned his network into a global parasite… there was something else. Something older. We called ourselves the Unbroken Circle.”Ethan frowned. “The Unbroken Circle?”Matthew nodded slowly. “An underground syndicate… formed for one purpose — to locate, study, and protect artifacts of power. We were scholars at first — not criminals, not arms dealers. The Crescent was our insignia. Our creed was balance. But greed—” he sighed, "—greed always finds a way to rot even the purest intentions.”Ahmad looked confused. “And you, Robbins, and Powers… you were all part of it?”“Yes,” Matthew replied, his voice thick with memory. “We were brothers in cause. Robbins wanted knowledge, Don wanted domination, and I… I want

Ethan nodded once. “I'll love to see what you've got in your collection,” he said, his tone calm and deliberate. “And also, bring me something rare. A diamond ring. The most exquisite one you have.” The salesperson’s face brightened as she hurried to comply, clearly thrilled to serve a man of such reputation. Within moments, a velvet tray was brought forward, displaying an array of glittering rings under soft, focused lights. Each gem caught the brilliance of the chandeliers above, scattering tiny sparks across Ethan’s reflection in the glass. He picked one — a rare diamond ring framed in platinum, its center stone cut into a perfect heart. As he held it between his fingers, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. He hadn’t really planned to take things this far. Part of the entire act of Wirtkov King was meant to keep Chloe distracted, to teach her humility and remind her not to trample others — especially Emma. But now, as the diamond caught the light, gleaming with every mo

The champagne glasses clinked, the quartet played one last gentle tune, and the restaurant shimmered with joy and envy.But by the time Ethan and Chloe stepped outside — hand in hand, camera flashes chasing them into the night — the news had already broken.Within twenty minutes, every gossip page, media outlet, and influencer account had the same blinding headline:“Wirtkov King Engaged to Chloe Robbins!”“The Billionaire Heir Finds His Match in the Robbins Empire Heiress.”“The Proposal That Stunned the City!”Photos of Chloe’s teary face, the glimmering ring, and Ethan on one knee flooded every feed.It was everywhere.***Emma sat by the window in her room, her blanket draped over her lap, a cup of tea growing cold in her trembling hands. Her recovery had been slow, both physically and emotionally. Ever since she received the news that she was pregnant, she had been having mixed feelings. A part of her was happy that she'd be having a baby soon while the other part was still tryi