In a fraction of a second, he breached the distance, launching himself across the remaining lane.Just as the speeding coupe came within inches of fatal contact, Zarek slammed his hand into her shoulder, wrapping his powerful arm tightly around her waist and hauling her backward onto the safety of the raised median. The car roared past them in a deafening blur of wind and steel, missing them by a mere fraction of an inch before fishtailing down the street.The momentum carried them both onto the concrete island. Zarek stood tall, anchoring his weight to hold her securely against his chest. His heart hammered against his ribs while his eyes fiercely scanned the dark street to ensure the danger had passed.Vivienne gasped for breath, her hands clutching frantically at the lapels of Zarek's dark overcoat as her chest heaved in sheer panic. Adrenaline pulsed through her veins, leaving her knees trembling so badly she could barely stand."Thank you... " Oh my god, thank you," she stamm

Zarek went right, stepping into the private lounge to check his terminal. Instead of heading to the dining room immediately, he waited exactly five minutes, letting the tension build for her. Only then did he walk down the corridor toward the specific VIP veranda table that Vance had booked for them.From a distance, he saw her. Vivienne sat alone at an elegant table set for two, staring dismally at her data pad, dreading the arrival of her date.Zarek walked up, his polished dress shoes clicking softly against the marble floor. Without a word, he pulled out the empty chair directly opposite her and calmly sat down.Vivienne snapped her head up, her amber eyes widening in shock as she saw her street savior sitting in the seat meant for her date. She immediately glanced around nervously, lowering her voice to a frantic whisper. "Zarek! What are you doing? You can't sit here!"Zarek simply leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, an unreadable expression on his face. "And wh

While Zarek and Vivienne lost track of time in the quiet rows of the archival theater, Director Vance was pulling up to his gates.The grand entrance doors to the Vance mansion hissed open, revealing an atmosphere thick with panic. In the vast living room, several maids moved quietly, clearing the debris of a chaotic afternoon, polishing marble fixtures, and carefully avoiding direct eye contact.Valerius was already there. He paced a frantic, jagged line across the reflective floor, his clothes rumpled, his hair disheveled, and a palpable wave of terror radiating off him.The moment the heavy front doors sealed shut behind the Director, Valerius snapped his head around. Last Updated : 2026-05-28

“The moment you try to step into her orbit, three different tech-monopolist wives intercept you to talk about winter fashion or high-district real estate."Zarek leaned back against the counter, a faint, calculating smile touching his lips. The image of his brilliant, data-driven sister being aggressively blocked by a wall of high-society socialites was mildly entertaining, even given the stakes."A social blockade," Zarek murmured, his dark eyes flashing with amusement. "A very traditional, effective defense strategy.""It's infuriating," Elara countered, frowning at his silent amusement. "I had a perfectly calibrated data-phishing routine ready for her personal network, but I can't deploy it if I can't get within five feet of her terminal. If Vivienne is as blind to her family’s moves as she seems, her mother is definitely holding the keys to the Vance domestic ledger. But until she steps away from her court of elite hens, my hands are tied."Zarek gave a slow, decisive nod, his m

The next morning, the grand dining hall was washed in the sharp, clinical light of dawn. Beyond the massive glass panels, the city grid stretched out in perfect clarity, but inside the manor, the atmosphere was wound tight.Zarek sat at the head of the long obsidian table, a single dark espresso resting beside his untouched data terminal. Fully dressed in a crisp, dark gray designer suit, his posture was as flawless and unyielding as it had been the night before.The heavy automated doors glided open, and Tinny walked in. He wore his standard academy uniform, his heavy leather gear bag slung carelessly over one shoulder. His eyes remained fixed on the straps of his bag as he approached the table, avoiding his brother's gaze.The air between them instantly turned rigid, heavy with the lingering echo of yesterday’s confrontation. Tinny hadn't forgotten the raw, lethal fury that had flashed across Zarek’s face when Director Vance breached the estate. Nor had he forgotten the humili