Declan couldn't tear his eyes away from the ring. The phoenix design seemed to shimmer in the vault's carefully controlled lighting, the ruby eyes glinting as if alive."What is this ring?" Declan asked, pointing to it through the glass case.Richard stepped closer, looking at the piece Declan had indicated. A slight frown crossed his face, as if trying to recall details about something he'd long since dismissed as unimportant."Ah, that one," Richard said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I picked it up while treasure hunting several years ago. I was at an estate sale in Europe - one of those old manor houses being liquidated after the family line ended."He opened the case and carefully removed the ring, holding it up to the light. "The craftsmanship looked quite good, very detailed work on the phoenix design. The metal composition was unusual too, so I bought it."Richard turned the ring over in his fingers. "The seller told me a story about it. He claimed that supposedly this ring

Mrs. Harper was refilling Nathan's glass when suddenly the front door exploded inward with tremendous force, wood splintering and the doorframe cracking as the entire door was torn from its hinges. It slammed against the wall with a deafening bang that echoed through the house. Everyone at the table froze, their heads whipping toward the entrance in shock. Declan stood in the doorway, breathing hard, his hand still extended from where he'd pushed the door. His eyes were wild with urgency and concern as they scanned the room. He stared at his hand in confusion. He hadn't meant to smash the door open like that but he still wasn't fully accustomed to his body's new strength. He kept forgetting just how much power he now possessed, how carefully he needed to control his movements to avoid exactly this kind of accident. The silence in the dining room was absolute. Everyone stared at Declan with wide eyes, mouths hanging open in shock. Then Mr. Harper shot to his feet, his face t

Sophie shook her head firmly, her expression growing more serious. "No. That's impossible." Declan looked at her. "You don't understand Nathan well enough," Sophie continued. "Based on my understanding of Nathan, he would never treat Georgina well. Not even for just a few days. Not even for a few hours." "Nathan doesn't do anything without serving his own interests," Sophie said. "He's with Georgina purely to hurt you. To take something you care about and destroy it. That's all this is to him." Her voice dropped lower, more urgent. "Georgina is probably already in danger right now.” Declan's expression changed completely. The dejection vanished, replaced by alarm and renewed urgency. "You're right. I need to find her. But I don't know where she is now. Nathan could have taken her anywhere." Sophie thought for a moment, her brow furrowing in concentration. Then understanding flickered across her face. "Come with me," Sophie said, already moving toward her car. "I know a bar that

Georgina slowly regained her consciousness.Her eyes fluttered open, her vision gradually focusing on her surroundings. She was still tied to the chair, rough rope cutting into her skin and her head pounded with a vicious headache.She looked around the room, trying to make sense of what she was seeing.All the gang members who'd surrounded her were on the floor, some knocked unconscious, others groaning in pain and standing in the middle of it all was Declan and Sophie Sterling.Georgina, still clouded from the alcohol and fear, made an immediate assumption. She looked at the ropes binding her, at Declan standing there, at the defeated gang members surrounding them."You!" Georgina spat, "You did this! You tied me up!"Her eyes blazed with renewed betrayal and rage. "It wasn't enough that you cheated on me with her? Now you're – what? Kidnapping me? Having your people attack me?"She thrashed against the ropes. "How could you? How could you do this? I trusted you! I defended you! An

Nathan set down his empty whiskey glass with satisfaction, savoring the successful evening and his manipulation of Carlos. Footsteps descended the grand staircase behind him. Nathan turned to see the head butler of the Pierce family – an elderly man named Edmund who had served the family for over forty years. "Young Master Nathan," Edmund said, his voice carrying approval. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Were you eavesdropping, Edmund?" "Merely passing by," Edmund replied with the slightest hint of a smile. "But I must say, you are truly becoming more and more mature." He moved closer, his hands clasped behind his back in his characteristic stance. "Using your subordinate, Carlos Reyes, to test the reaction of Apex Financial Group's new owner. That shows real strategic thinking." Nathan leaned back in his chair, pleased by the recognition. "You approve?" "Indeed," Edmund confirmed. "That kind of calculated maneuvering is the mark of