"That's impossible," another council member protested. "The War God's identity is classified. We've tried for years to learn who he is, where he comes from—""Clearly we failed," Garrick cut him off coldly. "And now we're paying the price for that failure."He turned away from the stretcher, his mind already working through implications and responses. "First priority: damage control. This story is spreading too fast. We need to suppress it."He pulled out his phone and dialed a number from memory. It rang twice before being answered."Channel Seven News, William Harper speaking.""Harper, this is Garrick Wesley. I'm calling about the incident at the Grand Celestial Hotel.""Mr. Wesley! Yes, we've been trying to get statements—""You'll get nothing," Garrick interrupted. "In fact, you'll stop covering this story entirely. As will every other news outlet in the region.""Sir, with all due respect, this is major news. An attack on a Wesley family member—""Which is exactly why you'll bur

The eighth floor was quieter, more sedate than the bustling lobby.Private rooms lined wide corridors, each door marked with discreet plaques.Darius found Room 847 and knocked softly before entering.Bill Jackson lay in the hospital bed, propped up by pillows, his legs still heavily bandaged but looking far better than when Darius had last seen him.The color had returned to his face, and his eyes were clear and alert."Young Master!" Bill tried to sit up straighter, wincing with the movement. "I didn't expect you today!""I wanted to check on your progress," Darius said, pulling a chair beside the bed. "How are you feeling?""Better," Bill admitted. "The pain is manageable now. The doctors say the surgery went better than expected. They're talking about rehabilitation, about possibly walking again with assistance." His voice cracked with emotion. "I never thought... I'd given up hope...""Never give up hope," Darius said firmly. "You're getting the best care available. You'll walk a

Darius turned back to Dr. Morrison. "What was his procedure?"Dr. Morrison swallowed hard. "A... a routine colonoscopy. Yesterday. Minor procedure. No complications.""A colonoscopy," Darius repeated flatly. "And you left a patient with shattered legs to attend to someone recovering from a routine colonoscopy.""Mr. Gonzalez required—" Dr. Morrison started."Mr. Gonzalez required NOTHING," Darius cut him off. "He demanded luxury service because he could. And you provided it at the expense of a patient who actually needed medical attention.""Now you listen here!" Magnus's voice rose to a near-shriek. "I am Magnus Gonzalez! Patriarch of the Gonzalez family! A C-ranked noble! When I require medical attention, I GET medical attention! I don't care about some worthless charity patient who probably doesn't even deserve to be in this hospital!""Bill Jackson," Darius said quietly, "sacrificed his legs protecting my family's honor. He's worth more than you'll ever be.""WORTH?" Magnus's laug

Before Darius could respond, the sound of high heels clicking on the corridor's tiled floor announced another arrival. The security guards parted, and a woman swept into the room with the confidence of someone who knew she belonged in luxury settings.She was perhaps thirty-five, dressed in designer clothes that emphasized her figure, wearing jewelry that probably cost more than most cars. Her makeup was immaculate, her hair styled to perfection. Everything about her screamed expensive mistress rather than devoted wife."Magnus, darling!" she called out in a voice pitched to be simultaneously sweet and sultry. "I came as soon as I heard you were unwell! Are you suffering? Do you need anything?"She rushed to the bedside, completely ignoring Darius, the broken door, the terrified staff, and the general atmosphere of violence barely restrained. Her entire focus was on Magnus, who preened under her attention."Veronica, my dear!" Magnus's entire demeanor changed, the rage melting into af

The silence from the service area was absolute. No shouting. No sounds of fighting. No screams of pain."This is odd," Dr. Morrison said quietly. "Shouldn't we hear something?""They're probably just—" Magnus started, but his voice held uncertainty now.Veronica's curiosity overcame her caution. "I'll go look," she said, standing and smoothing her designer dress. "Maybe they're waiting for permission to really hurt him? Some men need explicit orders before they—"She walked to the doorway and peered down the corridor toward where the group had disappeared. For a moment, she stood perfectly still.Then she screamed.The sound was raw, primal, utterly terrified—the kind of scream that bypasses conscious thought and comes straight from the most primitive parts of the brain.Veronica stumbled backward, her high heels catching on the carpet. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed in a heap, fainting dead away."VERONICA!" Magnus struggled to get out of bed, his silk pajamas tan