Kuro’s mind went entirely blank for a fraction of a second.The absolute absurdity of the report felt like a physical blow to his chest.Shattered an ancient demonic array... by simply walking?"And the master cultivator?" Kuro demanded, his teeth grinding together so hard that a faint metallic taste filled his mouth. "The soul wager? It should have ripped his essence out the moment the cards were dealt!""The wager... the wager recognized the Master Cultivator as the loser," the subordinate wept, his entire body trembling like a leaf in a gale. "Alistair Reid drew a Royal Flush. The heavenly law turned backward. The Master's soul was torn from his flesh and scattered into the void before our very eyes! Alistair Reid... Alistair Reid walked out of the building completely unharmed, carrying the jade box with the Seven Sorrow Asphodel!"Kuro released his grip, letting the subordinate collapse back onto the floor in a pathetic heap.The Elder stumbled backward a half-step, his eye starin

"You thought I came to be your savior," Alistair finished for her, his tone completely devoid of malice, carrying only the absolute, freezing weight of indifference. "I came because a life was in jeopardy, and as a matter of principle, I do not allow low-level filth like Tristan Cole to dictate the terms of existence in my presence. Do not mistake a supreme law for lingering affection."A sharp intake of breath sounded from Sara’s end, followed by the quiet sniffle of a fresh tear falling.His words didn't just sting; they completely dismantled her pride, leaving her bare in the middle of a dingy bar, holding a phone with a hand that still smelled faintly of the warehouse dust."Ten o'clock," Alistair repeated, his thumb hovering over the end-call button. "Counsellor Denise expects us both. Do not be late."Without waiting for her reply, Alistair ended the call.He set the phone down on the sleek granite countertop of his kitchen, the silence of the beach villa returning like a famili

Sara’s breath caught in her throat, her tears freezing on her face as she stared at the figure standing in the ruins of the doorway. "A... Alistair?" Sean scrambled to his feet, his face rapidly draining of color as he looked at the utter devastation of his security system, then at the single, unbothered man who had just caused it. "What the... Who the hell are you?! How did you get past the lobby?!" Alistair didn't look at Sean. His placid, freezing gaze drifted downward, landing on the red mark on Sara’s wrist where Sean had been holding her. "I am the man who was on the other end of the line," Alistair said softly, his voice carrying an ethereal, terrifying weight that made the wine glasses on the counter begin to vibrate and crack. "And you have overstepped the laws of mortality.” Sean stumbled back, his expensive leather shoes squeaking against the polished marble floor. The luxury penthouse, usually a testament to his untouchable status, suddenly felt like a closed ca

"Sara! What did you do?! What in the world did you do?!" Jocelyn shrieked, grabbing her daughter by the shoulders and shaking her.Sara stumbled back, completely perplexed by her mother's frantic state. "Mom! Stop it! What's wrong with you? Get off me!""Don't you dare use that tone with me!" Jocelyn's voice pitched to a hysterical scream. "I am asking you, what did you do to offend the Holden family?!"Sara's expression hardened as the memory of Sean's disgusting grin flashed in her mind. "I didn't do anything to offend them! In fact, the Holden family owes me a massive explanation for the horrible, illegal actions of their disgusting son last night! He kidnapped me, Mom! He—""Shut up! Just shut your mouth!" Jocelyn rebuked her fiercely, her hand trembling as she pointed toward the floor. "You have made a horrible, fatal mistake, Sara! You've ruined us!""Why are you saying that?!" Sara questioned, her own anger flaring up as she threw her sheets aside. "I am the victim here!""Beca

David’s face contorted into something demonic.He released her hair, throwing her back onto the stone floor, and wiped his hand on his trousers as if she were filth. "You think you're a martyr? You think your little husband can protect you from the Holden family?"He turned to the guards standing at the perimeter, his voice dropping into a terrifyingly calm, venomous register. "Bring the whips. Strip her jacket off and whip her until she remembers his address."“Yes, Patriarch."Two burly guards stepped forward, hauling Sara to her feet and tearing her damp coat and outer shirt away, leaving her in a thin tank top.They chained her wrists to an iron hitching post in the center of the pavilion.CRACK.The first strike of the heavy leather whip tore through the air and cut across Sara's back.A sharp, blinding pain exploded through her nervous system, causing her to let out a piercing scream that echoed off the stone walls of the estate."Where is Alistair Reid?!" David demanded, leanin