The inauguration proceeded smoothly. One by one, the ministers and high-ranking state officials were called onto the stage. Thom stood beside the President, reciting the oath of office in a calm yet authoritative voice. There was no nervousness. No hesitation. Every word came out with certainty, as if he had done this thousands of times. The newly appointed ministers raised their hands, pledging loyalty to the nation and the people. Their faces were serious, full of hope, although some of them still could not hide their unease after witnessing what had happened to Frank earlier. Applause thundered each time a minister finished being sworn in. The grand hall was filled with the sound of roaring claps, interspersed with whispers of admiration from the guests.From a distance, at the family table now occupied by Jasmine alone, she watched Thom with sparkling eyes. Not because she was amazed by the grandeur of the event. Not because she envied the power. But because she was proud. Pro

Twelve noon. The sun stands at its peak, beating down on the city with scorching heat. But inside Theon’s luxurious bedroom, thick curtains are tightly drawn, leaving only the dim glow of a crystal chandelier on the ceiling.Theon sits on his large bed, leaning against soft pillows. His silk pajamas are dark blue, loose, revealing a white bandage wrapped around his right arm from wrist to elbow. The bandage is a bitter reminder of his encounter with Thom.Two maids stand beside the bed. One holds a bowl of warm porridge, the other holds a spoon and a napkin. They try to feed Theon carefully, afraid of making a mistake.“Hot!” Theon snaps, spitting out the porridge that just entered his mouth. “Do you have no brain? Can’t you cool it down first?!”The maid holding the bowl trembles. “Sorry, Sir. I—”“Quiet! Don’t speak! I didn’t ask for your opinion!”The second maid quickly takes the napkin, wiping the porridge off Theon’s chin. Her hands tremble badly.Theon snorts, turning his face

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding. Jasmine stepped out, followed by the two men in black suits.The second-floor corridor was long and silent. The thick gray carpet covered the floor, absorbing footsteps until they were almost inaudible. The ceiling lights glowed dimly, casting long shadows along the cream-colored walls.But the strangest thing was the silence. There were no voices. No music. No sound whatsoever that suggested a charity event was taking place. Not a single guest in sight. No staff to welcome them. No registration desk. Nothing at all.Jasmine stopped. The suspicion that had only been faint before now became real."Excuse me," she said, her voice firm, trying not to reveal the unease creeping into her chest. "Why is it so quiet here? What time is the event actually? A charity event should be full of guests, staff, decorations. This is empty."The two men did not answer.Instead, they quickened their pace. One of them grabbed Jasmine’s wrist, pulling her

Meanwhile, somewhere else, Thom walked along the line of soldiers at the regional military shooting range. His black boots stepped onto the sandy ground mixed with small gravel, creating a steady crunching sound. In front of him, two companies of troops were conducting long-range target practice with SS-2 assault rifles. Gunfire thundered, breaking the calm of the late afternoon as an orange hue slowly spread across the western horizon. Red Dragon walked beside him, slightly behind—a position that showed hierarchy even though no one stated it openly. Behind them, four Delta Force soldiers followed at a safe distance, their eyes alert in all directions. A habit ingrained from years on the battlefield. A battalion commander approached, intending to report on the training progress. But Thom raised his hand slightly—a signal to wait. The commander stopped, not daring to interrupt. Thom kept walking. His eyes observed the troop formations, the shooters’ positions, the ammunition di

An hour earlier…. Since the meeting with Theon at the inauguration event, Thom had read the man like an open book. Not only from the way Theon looked at Jasmine. Not only from the crooked smile that never reached his eyes. But from something deeper—an arrogance of a man used to getting whatever he wanted, and a restrained hatred from being rejected in public. Thom did not believe in coincidences. He also did not believe in apologies from someone like Theon. So quietly, without anyone knowing, Thom prepared something. Yesterday, after Jasmine finished work, Thom gave her a small black velvet box. Inside it was a pair of teardrop-shaped earrings, made of white silver with sparkling zircon stones. Beautiful. Elegant. Suitable for the CEO of Lanster Company. "For you," Thom said briefly. "Wear them when you go to formal events," Thom cut in. "They make you look more confident." Jasmine smiled, unsuspecting. She hugged Thom, thanked him, then stored the earrings in her jewelry box.