The group of bodyguards moved in at the same time, their footsteps heavy as they surrounded Callen from three directions. Their expressions were cold and professional, yet Callen's posture remained relaxed, one hand still resting protectively near Ivy and Lily as if he were about to take a casual stroll rather than face trained fighters.One of the bodyguards barked, "Don't blame us for being rough!" as he lunged forward with a sharp punch aimed at Callen's chest.The attack cut through the air with force, but it met nothing. Callen had already stepped aside effortlessly, his movement so smooth it looked almost lazy.Ivy's heart tightened at the sight, her fingers trembling as she reached out and gently covered Lily's eyes. "Lily, don't look," she whispered anxiously. "Please, close your eyes."Lily immediately shook her head and pulled Ivy's hand away, her eyes sparkling with stubborn excitement. "No, Mommy. I want to see Daddy. Dad is amazing!"A faint smile flickered across Callen'

The Rolls-Royce had moved a few dozen meters deeper into Silverwood Crest when a group of uniformed guards stepped forward and blocked the road. Their gazes were sharp, clearly different from the regular security at the gate, and the faint pressure in the air made Ivy instinctively tighten her grip on Lily.One of the guards raised his hand and spoke coldly, "Please stop the vehicle. There has been a report that you insulted the name of Iron Lotus and injured its affiliated personnel."Callen calmly pressed the brake and stepped out without any sign of agitation, closing the door gently behind him. "If you're here to talk, then talk. If you're here to intimidate my family, then you've chosen the wrong person."Ivy felt her heart pound as she leaned out of the car slightly. "Callen," she whispered anxiously. "What is Iron Lotus?"Before he could answer, another man in dark robes stepped forward, his aura sharper than the others. "You openly humiliated Iron Lotus disciples earlier," the

Callen leaned back, resting one arm on the chair, his posture relaxed but authoritative. "I think you deserve to know who your daughter truly is outside this house.""What do you mean by that?" Sophia snapped, her voice sharp with panic. "Father, don't listen to him! He's twisting things."Marc raised a hand, silencing her without even looking. "Let him speak. You will have your chance."A faint smile crossed Callen's lips, not mocking but resigned. "Earlier today," he continued, "Sophia was drinking heavily at the gate of this estate. She was smoking openly, surrounded by friends who were just as intoxicated. They nearly rammed their car into my wife and daughter."The words landed like thunder. Marc's face drained of color as he turned sharply toward Sophia. "Is that true? You drink and smoke behind my back."Sophia's lips trembled, her confident mask finally cracking. "I only drank a little. It wasn't my fault. Ron and the others insisted. I just went along with them."Marc's hand

Marc and Harold stayed where they were long after Callen stopped speaking. Harold broke the silence first. "If what you're saying is true, then Iron Lotus has been standing on borrowed ground from the very start."Callen turned back to them. "Not borrowed. Leashed."Marc exhaled slowly. "The empire's cultivation framework has been in place for centuries. Every major sect relies on it in one way or another. Even the techniques we think we created ourselves still follow the same basic rules.""And those rules answer to someone," Callen said.Harold's grip tightened around his teacup. "You're saying the emperor controls the laws themselves.""Not completely," Callen replied. "But enough to tip the scales. Enough to decide who advances and who stays stuck."Marc frowned. "Then how did Iron Lotus become this strong in the first place?""Because you were useful," Callen said without sugarcoating it. "A strong but obedient sect is an asset. A strong and independent one is a problem."Harold'

The glass doors of Lumira Enterprise slid open, and Ivy walked in. Her heels tapped against the polished floor. The usual scent of cosmetics and cleanser hung in the air, but today it felt thick and hard to ignore.As she passed by, whispers followed her. Some employees lowered their heads and stared at their screens, while others watched her without even trying to hide it.She could already feel it. Something was wrong. Before she even reached her office, her assistant hurried toward her."Miss Ivy, the executive team is waiting in the conference room. Mr. Noah and Mr. Steve are already there."Ivy nodded once. "I'll be there."The moment she entered the room, the tension hit her head on. Noah was pacing near the window, his expression dark, while Steve sat with his arms crossed. Tommy stood near the table, flipping through documents with a tired look.Noah turned the moment he saw Ivy. "You finally decided to show up!""I just got here," Ivy replied calmly. "What happened?"Steve pu