CHAPTER TWENTY TwoThe news exploded overnight.By morning, every major outlet was running the story.“Governor Grayson Under Federal Investigation for Healthcare Fraud.”“Metropolitan Hospital Group Accused of Medicare Kickback Scheme Worth Millions.”“Grayson Family Empire Crumbling as Investigators Seize Records.”Declan sat in his office at Sterling Medical headquarters, watching the news coverage on multiple screens.Ms. Sonia stood beside his desk, tablet in hand.“The Grandmaster released fifteen years of evidence,” she said. “Financial records. Email chains. Recorded phone calls. Everything the federal prosecutors need to build a case.”“Why now?” Declan asked.“Because the Graysons tried to publicly destroy you at the gala. They staged that disruption. They tried to make you look like a fraud in front of the entire industry.”She smiled slightly.“The Grandmaster does not appreciate people attacking his grandson.”Declan’s phone had been ringing nonstop since six AM.News out

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE The courthouse was surrounded by media vans. Reporters lined the steps. Cameras everywhere. Protesters holding signs on both sides. Some signs read: “Justice for Stefan’s Victims.” Others read: “Free Stefan Grayson - Political Witch Hunt.” Declan sat in the back of an armored SUV, watching the chaos through tinted windows. Chen sat beside him. Two more guards in the front seats. “We are going to move fast,” Chen said. “Stay between us. Do not stop for anyone. Do not answer any questions. Eyes forward. Understood?” Declan nodded. The SUV pulled up to a side entrance. The doors opened. Chen exited first, scanning the area. Then he gestured. “Now.” Declan stepped out. Immediately, reporters surged forward. “Mr. Hawthorne! Are you here to testify?” “Did Stefan Grayson assault you?” “Is it true you are seeking revenge?” Chen and the other guards formed a wall around Declan. They moved as one unit, pushing through the crowd. Some

Chapter 26The hall was so bright and wide that Declan felt small just walking inside. A deep silence settled over the room as the elderly man with the golden embroidery lifted a hand, asking the guards to step aside. His voice had carried so firmly when he welcomed Declan that the words still echoed in Declan’s ears.Welcome the heir.Heir?He stood frozen, not sure whether to bow, kneel, or laugh out of confusion. His throat felt dry. His pulse raced. The man’s presence alone was enough to make his legs numb. A few of the guards wore swords…real swords with jeweled handles and all stared at him like he was something sacred.“Please,” the man said. “Come closer.”Declan forced his legs to move. He followed Ms. Sonia down the marble path until he stood just a few steps away from him. The old man studied his face slowly, almost tenderly, like he was trying to memorize him.“My name is His Royal Highness, Grandmaster Alexandra Knights” the man said. “And… I knew your grandmother well.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXDay seven of training.Declan stood in the center of the mat, facing three opponents.His body was covered in bruises. His knuckles were split and bleeding. One eye was swollen almost shut.General Li watched from the side.“Begin.”The three fighters attacked simultaneously.Declan blocked the first punch. Ducked under the second. But the third caught him in the ribs.He stumbled back.“Stop thinking!” General Li shouted. “Your mind is too slow! React!”They came at him again.This time, something clicked.Declan’s body moved before his brain caught up.He deflected one attacker. Swept the legs of another. Drove his elbow into the third’s solar plexus.All three hit the ground.For a moment, there was silence.Then General Li smiled.“Better. Again.”Day fourteen.Marcus Chen sat across from Declan in the computer room.Multiple screens showed financial markets from around the world.“The Council just moved fifty billion dollars through Deutsche Bank,” Chen said. “

CHAPTER THIRTYDeclan didn’t waste time.Within an hour, he had Marcus Chen pull up every piece of information they had on Asher and Ashton’s current locations, routines, and vulnerabilities.The twins had no idea they were targets.They were still living their normal lives—Asher working late shifts at a tech startup downtown, Ashton finishing his graduate program across the city.Neither of them knew the storm coming their way.“We need to pull them in,” Declan said, his voice tight. “Now.”Marcus looked up from his laptop. “If we move them suddenly, the Council will know we are reacting. They will see it as confirmation that you care.”“I do care,” Declan snapped. “And I am not letting them become collateral damage.”The Grandmaster, seated across the room, spoke quietly.“If you protect them openly, you expose yourself further. The Council will use that bond against you repeatedly.”Declan turned sharply.“So what? I let them get hurt to protect my cover?”“No,” the old man said. “