The footage was grainy, clearly captured by a hidden camera rather than deliberately filmed, but the image was unmistakable. Gabrielle, younger by perhaps three years, standing in a modest kitchen that Xavier didn't recognize, a pistol in his hand, two bodies already crumpled on the floor before him — a man who bore an unmistakable resemblance to Leonardo, and beside him, a young woman who could only have been his daughter. The audio, though muffled, carried clearly enough across the compound. *"This is what happens when you skim from the wrong people,"* Gabrielle's recorded voice said, cold and satisfied, as he crouched beside the fallen man. *"Alessandro should have known better than to think I wouldn't find out."* The recording continued for nearly a full minute — Gabrielle methodically searching the bodies for anything of value, speaking with chilling casualness about disposal, about how thoroughly he intended to erase any trace that either victim had ever existed. There was no

News of Gabrielle's death spread through the organization with a speed and thoroughness that surprised even Xavier. Within days, the fractured alliances Alyssia's manufactured terror campaign had shattered began quietly, cautiously reassembling themselves, the various lords who had pulled away from previous agreements now scrambling to reestablish loyalty to a man who had just demonstrated, in the most absolute terms imaginable, exactly what happened to those who dared to move against him. Leonardo, for his part, returned to Sicily with the grim remains delivered to his estate, along with a private letter from Xavier acknowledging the tragedy of what had happened to Alessandro and Alessia, and offering, in the language both men understood, a permanent truce between their two organizations. Leonardo accepted it. Whatever fury had driven him across an ocean to destroy a man he believed guilty had been replaced by something quieter, more complicated — a grim, exhausted gratitude toward t

All eyes in the Company's lobby were fixed on Ruby immediately they got out of the elevator as Damian escorted her out of the company, her feigned distress seemingly convincing. However, her intention was merely to prompt Nathan to leave,but before she could clarify the situation to Damian, he was already ushering her out with a flurry of concerned questions, taking on the role of a Doctor. It wasn't until they both settled into the waiting car at the entrance that Ruby finally exhaled a sigh of relief. "Take us to the nearest hospital, now!" Damian urged Ben, his voice laced with urgency. But Ruby quickly intervened, "No, don't bother." Damian's confusion was palpable as he turned to her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What do you mean? You're in pain, and you don't want to go to the hospital?" Ruby's embarrassment was evident as she avoided eye contact. "I'm not in pain, actually." Damian's expression changed from concern to confusion. "Wait, what? Then what was all that

Ruby had been searching for Damian everywhere in the house after she had left her room, only to catch a glimpse of him outside the compound. Unaware of the fact that he was with Veronica she decided to go check on him,feeling a sense of duty. It was until she got outside that she saw Veronica and as their heads turned simultaneously, she felt awkward and embarrassed for showing that way.. Veronica's eyes flashed with anger,and Ruby was sure if she had a chance, Veronica would be putting a knife on her throat. “I just came to check if you are fine. Sorry for interrupting”She quickly apologised. Veronica's gaze lingered on the spot where Ruby had disappeared, her expression a mix of disbelief and outrage. "She's the one, isn't she? Your important visitor." she asked, her voice laced with venom. Damian nodded, his expression unyielding. "Yes, Ruby will be living here with me due to some personal issues." Veronica's arms crossed her chest, her eyes blazing with fury "You can't be s

The van roared to life, its engine a rough symphony that was both a promise of escape and a reminder of the night's horrors. Jeremiah's hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. The old life he knew was gone. All of it was now a distant echo. His new reality was this van, the duffel bags full of cash in the back, and the persistent, synthetic voice of the System in his head. "Where do I go?" he asked, driving out of the abandoned construction site and onto the main road. The streets were mostly empty, and the sky was inky blue. "Your first objective is anonymity," the System replied. "The van is compromised. You need new clothes, new transport, and most importantly, a new location. I suggest you drive south, away from this city. The more distance you put between yourself and this event, the better your chances of survival." Jeremiah drove for hours, the adrenaline keeping him awake. He watched the sunrise while still driving towards the south. "How does this... spen