Sara looked at Alistair through the mirrored interior—he looked as if he had just finished a casual lunch, not just dismantled a man’s life."Nothing important?" Sara repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. "Alistair, that man was a loan shark with a banking license. He has guards, connections, and enough spite to bury most people in this city. You just dragged him into his own office like a misbehaving child and he didn't even come out to protest. What did you say to him?""I gave him a reality check," Alistair replied, checking his watch. "People like Titus only understand two things: a bigger fist or a bigger bank account. I showed him both.""With what money?" Sara turned to face him fully, her eyes searching his. "You've been acting... different. Since the divorce papers were served, it's like you're a different person. Who are you really, Alistair?""I'm the same man you married, Sara. I’m just finished playing the part your family expected of me," Alistair said softly as the

Sara couldn't help but remark after they met up “Alistair, this is the Sunflower.”“So?,“It's a pretty expensive place,” Sara said. “I don't have money right now to pay for a place like this.”“Who said you'll be paying?” Alistair asked. “You are saying you can afford a place like this?” Sara could hardly believe it. Alistair calmly replied. “Stop this drama and let's go.”Then, he began to make his way to the restaurant entrance with Sara forced to follow though she was still skeptical that Alistair could afford a place like the Sunflower.The Sunflower glowed like a fallen star against the black expanse of the lake. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls revealed an interior of white linen, crystal chandeliers, and a climate-controlled wine cellar that cost more than most suburban homes.As they approached the mahogany podium, the maître d’—a man whose posture was as stiff as his tuxedo—looked up.His eyes briefly scanned Alistair’s tailored suit and then lingered on Sara, recognizing her

“There's still a few minutes left before we are done with dinner. Let's just focus on finishing up and leaving.” Alistair said as he returned to focusing on his dinner. The shift in Alistair’s energy was palpable—a cold, dense wall of indifference that seemed to drop between them, thicker than any argument they’d ever had.For three years, his silence had been a soft, accommodating space where Sara could vent her frustrations.Now, his silence was a heavy, clinical observation.Sara stared at him, her chest tight with a mixture of indignation and an unsettling, growing fear."That’s it? 'You'll know soon enough'?" she whispered, her voice trembling with the effort to keep it low. "You ignite a war with one of the most litigious bankers in the city, mock my concerns, and then go back to your sea bass?"Alistair didn't look up as he cut a piece of fish. "The war is over, Sara. Now, eat your dinner. It’s a waste of a good view.""I can't eat, don't you understand that!” Sara bellowed, s

After he was done making some preparations, Alistair placed a call through to Richard. “Young master.”“Any updates on the sudden influx of demonic cultivators into Haven?” Alistair asked. “We were able to capture a few cultivators but their responses were vague. Before they could give us anything tangible, they were struck dead by a curse.” Richard said. “I see.” Alistair furrowed his brows. Clearly, the person, or rather people behind what was happening in Haven were very cautious about information about them getting out. To think they would apply such powerful curses on their subordinates just to ensure no one got a whiff of the conspiracy they were cooking.“What were the responses you got before their deaths?” Alistair calmly asked. “They mentioned that they were after a certain ancient treasure in Haven. However, they didn't specify what this treasure was. It may be a weapon, an armor, a martial skill… whatever it is, it seems to be important to these demonic cultivators t

Feeling a bit better considering the respect Sara and Tristan showed him, especially after the humiliation he suffered in Alistair's hands, Dustin remarked in a self-important tone. “And you are?” “Sara Connor and this is my friend, Tristan Cole,” Sara replied. Dustin nodded before then pointing at Alistair. “Do you know this man?”He'd seen the two arguing with Alistair, so he wanted to be certain if they knew him.Sara hesitated but ultimately replied. “Yes sir.”“And who is he to you?” Dustin asked. “... My husband,” Sara muttered. Before Dustin could say anything, Tristan immediately spoke up. “But they are on their way to getting a divorce! I can assure you, Mister Cage, this man has very little to do with us. In fact, he shouldn't even be here, after all, there's no way he can afford an invitation!” Inwardly, he was grinning from ear to ear.He thought that Dustin wanted to punish Alistair and so he didn't hesitate to immediately distance himself and Sara from him.That way