Michael and Barry recognized the man immediately. He was the same brute Michael had defeated months ago, the one whose reign over the underground pit had ended with blood on the floor and Michael standing victorious. Back then, the man had sworn through broken teeth that he would remember Michael’s face. Now he was here. Barry let out a short, incredulous laugh. “It’s you.” He said, rolling his shoulders as he raised his fists. “Back for more?” The man’s eyes burned with hatred. He didn’t answer. He charged. There was no warning or buildup, just raw momentum as the massive body surged forward like a freight train. Michael reacted instantly. “Move!” He shouted. Both of them split apart at the same time. The man thundered between them and slammed straight into a wine shelf. Glass exploded outward, bottles shattering as red liquid splashed across the marble floor like spilled blood. Adrian clapped his hands together, laughter echoing through the vast hall. “Woah! What a start!” H

Michael’s fingers dug into the fractured marble. The pain was everywhere, his ribs were screaming, his shoulder was burning, his lungs barely pulling in air, but beneath it, something else stirred. The memory of Celia’s voice didn’t fade, it anchored him. Mountain’s shadow loomed over him, massive a d final. The giant flexed his hand once, knuckles cracking, already certain this was over. But Michael laughed. It was low at first, rough, dragged out of his chest like broken glass. Then it steadied. That sound alone made Mountain pause. Adrian straightened on the balcony. “Oh?” Michael planted one knee, then the other. His movements were slow, deliberate, not rushed, not desperate. He wiped blood from his lip with the back of his hand and looked up at Mountain, eyes sharp now, burning with focus rather than rage. “I told you…” He said hoarsely, “Losing isn’t an option.” Mountain frowned. He charged. This time, Michael didn’t meet him head-on. Mountain’s fist tore through the

“Oh… so that’s what happened.” Celia said quietly. They were gathered in the living room, Michael and Barry had just finished recounting everything that had unfolded inside the Blackwood mansion. From the ambush to the threat to every calculated smile Adrian had worn while holding their lives in his hands. By the time Michael fell silent, the room felt heavier than before. Jace was the first to break it. “You know.” He said, leaning forward with a scoff, “You could’ve at least woken me up. I would’ve liked to join the fight.” Michael blinked. Barry slowly turned to look at him. “…Join?” He repeated, incredulous. Michael rubbed his temple. “Jace, we were dragged into a death match under sniper fire.” He said flatly. “Guards. Guns. Three men built like trucks.” Barry let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, sure. Next time we’ll politely ask them to pause the execution so we can come get you.” Jace opened his mouth, then shut it. “…Okay. Fair.” Celia exhaled shakily, folding her arms to grou

Celia’s scream cut through the house like a blade. Michael had been halfway down the hall when he heard it. For a split second, his mind refused to process the sound. Then instinct took over. He ran. He burst into the kitchen to a scene that made his blood run cold. The pot lay tipped over on the floor, its contents spread across the tiles in a steaming mess. The sharp smell of heat and spices burned the air. Celia was on the ground, clutching her arm, her body shaking violently as she cried out in pain. Her skin was already turning red, angry blisters beginning to rise where the hot liquid had splashed her. Barry and Jace stood frozen on either side of her, the spice jar shattered at their feet. For half a second, Michael didn’t move. Then rage unlike anything he had felt before surged through him. “What the hell did you do?” He roared. Both men flinched. Michael crossed the room in two strides and dropped to his knees beside Celia. “Hey, hey, look at me.” He said, his voice

As more information about Monica Rivera came in, Michael found himself leaning deeper into his chair, listening with an interest that surprised even him. “Favorite color is green.” Barry said, scrolling through notes on his phone. “Not the flashy kind. Forest green. Calm stuff.” “She loves cats.” Jace added. “Rescues them, actually. Funds shelters quietly. No press.” Michael hummed softly. “That already tells me more than most boardroom profiles ever could.” Barry nodded. “She’s… Normal. Easygoing. Polite to staff. Doesn’t look down on people.” “And here’s the big one.” Jace continued, lowering his voice. “The totem. She keeps it on her at all times.” Michael’s gaze sharpened. “On her?” “Yeah.” Barry said. “Wears it around her neck. Looks like a simple brooch, old design, family heirloom. Most people don’t even notice it.” Michael stood and walked slowly across the room. “That means no vault. No guards rotating shifts. No breaking and entering.” “But it also means we can’t t