A small twin-engine jet landed on a private runway owned by the Golden Circle, hidden in a remote field thirty minutes from Valemoor.Thom stepped down from the jet with Red Dragon and Garrin behind him, supporting Voss, who had received emergency treatment throughout the flight from the medical team Iris had sent.“An ambulance is waiting on the other side of the hangar,” Iris said, greeting them as soon as the jet door opened. “Voss will be taken directly to the nearest Golden Circle medical facility.”Thom nodded, watching as his team carried Voss on a stretcher toward the waiting ambulance.“King, you need to rest,” Red Dragon said, studying Thom’s pale, exhausted face.“I’ll rest after I make sure everything in Valemoor is safe,” Thom replied curtly as he walked toward the waiting car.The journey back to Valemoor was quiet. Thom sat in the back seat, staring out the window as the scenery changed from the small town to stretches of fields and vineyards that were beginning to feel

Before Rachel could answer, the front door opened, and Shenina came running outside with an innocent, curious expression after hearing unfamiliar voices on the porch."Dad? Who is she?" she asked, looking at Rachel with the pure curiosity of a little girl. There wasn't the slightest hint of recognition—no flash of memory, no bond that should have existed between a mother and her child.Rachel stared at Shenina for a long moment. Her chest tightened as she looked at the little girl's face—so close, so real...yet Shenina's eyes showed absolutely no sign that she recognized the woman standing before her."I..." Rachel parted her lips, but the words caught in her throat. "I'm your mo—""Shenina," Thom interrupted quickly, his voice turning gentle yet firm as he addressed his daughter. "Go inside with Mom. Daddy will be there in a minute."Shenina frowned in confusion but obediently took Jasmine's hand as she led her back inside. She glanced over her shoulder once or twice, still looking a

Three days later, news of Dresden's death landed on Thom's desk, delivered by Iris with a tense expression and a stack of reports thicker than usual."King, this is a major development," she said, placing the heavy folder on his desk. "Dresden, one of Obsidian Circle's regional leaders, was found dead at an inn in Rosemead. The official report ruled it an accident that he supposedly slipped and struck his head on a desk.""But our network there uncovered something far more interesting."Thom looked up from the document he had been reading."What is it?""Rachel Had disappeared the very same night," Iris replied. "We believe she was directly involved in Dresden's death, whether intentionally or not."Thom leaned back in his chair, calmly processing the information."So Rachel killed the man who freed her... and then disappeared.""That's not the only significant development," Iris continued, opening the folder in her hands. "With Dresden dead, Obsidian Circle's regional command structu

That morning, three days after Thom's return, Iris entered the study carrying a tablet in her hands, her face reflecting a mixture of surprise and caution."King, we have new information," she said, placing the tablet on the desk. "Rachel Had. We've managed to track down her whereabouts."Thom looked up from the documents he had been reviewing. "Where is she now?""She's back at her parents' house in Eunosia," Iris replied. "It seems that after Dresden's death and the collapse of Obsidian Circle's regional network, she chose to disappear to the safest place she could think of—returning to her family's home.""The interesting part is that no authority is pursuing her. Since the entire Obsidian Circle structure has been dismantled, no one has any interest or sufficient evidence to bring her to trial over Dresden's death. The case has officially been closed as a pure accident."Red Dragon, who had been standing in the corner of the room sorting through another stack of reports, looked up

Twelve years had passed since Valemoor was known as nothing more than a small wine-producing village.Twelve years ago, after its economy and population had grown beyond what could reasonably be called a mere village, Valemoor was officially declared a sovereign kingdom. It was recognized by every nation and international institution, thanks to the years of stability and prosperity Thom had painstakingly built.The monarchy was chosen by the Founding Council as a tribute to the leader who had saved them time and time again. Thom Haye was crowned the first King of Valemoor, a name now inscribed on every official document of the kingdom.Today, magnificent modern buildings line the capital's main streets. The royal palace stands proudly at the heart of the city, blending timeless classical architecture with elegant modern design, surrounded by the vineyards that have been carefully preserved as the nation's original identity.Golden Circle has become both the kingdom's official economic