The luxury hotel’s ballroom shimmered like a field of stars. Crystal chandeliers spilled gold light across marble floors polished to a mirror sheen. The air was thick with perfume, laughter, and the muted clinking of glasses. Waiters in white gloves glided through the crowd, balancing trays of champagne as conversations rippled from one cluster of elites to another.Catherine entered beside Adrian, her posture elegant but her eyes quietly scanning the hall. She had attended countless events like this, yet tonight felt heavier, more dangerous. The smiles looked sharper; the compliments sounded like veiled threats.Adrian walked beside her in a simple black suit, no tie, his calm presence somehow drawing eyes without effort. Though he said little, people’s gazes followed him — not because they recognized him, but because of the quiet power in his bearing. There was an ease in the way he moved, like someone who knew the world could never shake him.“Everyone here,” Catherine murmured sof

Chapter 43The hall was frozen in stunned silence.Moments ago, Liam Wharton had strutted across the room, basking in admiration and privilege. Now, he stood pale and trembling — his grand announcement shattered in front of hundreds of witnesses.Whispers broke the silence, soft at first, then spreading like a tide.“Did you see that? He just made one call and the Coles canceled everything.”“Wait— wasn’t there a rumor that Miss Reyes had a mysterious partner she's seen?”“You think it’s him?”“It must be. No one else could have that authority.”Suddenly, the same people who had laughed at Adrian minutes ago now looked at him with quiet reverence, their faces shifting from mockery to awe.Some even offered tentative smiles, the kind reserved for those who suddenly realized they had insulted the wrong man.Catherine could feel the change in the air — fear and fascination mingled like perfume and smoke. For a brief moment, she almost pitied Liam. Almost.Liam stumbled forward, his voice

CHAPTER 45 President Renford’s expression hardened, but he maintained the calm dignity expected of the head of an entire state’s Medical Association. Even so, Catherine could see the tension in his jaw—a tight clench he only displayed when something was truly unacceptable. He stepped forward, keeping his voice even. “Vice President Arvan, would you care to explain why you summoned every senior elder and every visiting president from the neighboring states without prior notice? This… arrangement is far from ordinary.” The room quieted instantly. Every elder, every medical director, every visiting president turned their attention toward Dr. Aldric Arvan—who lounged casually in the main seat he had taken without permission, as though the entire hall were built for him alone. Arvan lifted a wine glass, swirling it lazily. “There is no need for such formality, President Renford,” he said, voice dripping with arrogance. “You’ll understand my intentions soon enough.” Renford’s brows

CHAPTER 47A hush fell over the banquet hall as all eyes shifted toward Adrian, whose calm expression stood in stark contrast to the crackling hostility radiating from Vice President Aldric Arvan.Arvan’s gaze swept over him with open disdain.“Who,” he demanded coldly, “are you supposed to be?”His tone made it clear:In this hall of presidents, elders, and renowned physicians, Adrian was the one person Arvan saw as unworthy of standing here.Adrian didn’t blink.His answer was so simple, so light, it cut sharper than any shout.“Someone you can’t afford to offend.”Gasps rippled through the crowd.Several younger doctors stiffened. Even Catherine froze, pulse racing. Only Arvan’s expression shifted—from irritation… to dangerous amusement.“Oh?” Arvan tilted his head. “Is that so?”Before he could mock further, a voice spoke up from the crowd.“That’s Adrian,” one of the association’s doctors said loudly. “He’s the one who saved Mr. Morrittis a few weeks ago.”The hall stirred again.

CHAPTER 49The hall hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of seeing two Level-2 Presidents—renowned, respected, practically legendary—crushed like pests under Dr. Aldric Arvan’s casual flick of the wrist.Whispers still rippled in trembling waves:“Impossible…”“That pressure… that wasn’t human…”“How can someone suppress two Level-2s like that…?” President Dr. Alistair Renford moved forward, his expression dark and unwavering. Every muscle in his body radiated restrained fury.“Dr. Arvan!” Renford’s voice cut through the murmuring crowd like steel. “Since you speak so arrogantly, it seems I have no choice but to test your claims myself!”A stunned silence fell over the hall. Even seasoned elders instinctively stepped back, sensing that Renford’s aura—the peak of Level-2 mental force—was about to be revealed.Slowly, deliberately, he lifted his hands. Around him, faint golden threads of energy shimmered in the air. They began as wisps, almost imperceptible, but in an instant, the threa