For a few long seconds after the shooting stopped, no one dared to move. Fine dust drifted down from the ceiling, coating tables. Slowly and carefully, people began to lift their heads. Some peeked from beneath overturned tables. Others raised shaking hands from where they had run to. Everyone scanned the room in fear, bracing themselves for the sight of a body torn apart. Meanwhile, Caleb was already smiling a crooked, satisfied grin. He exhaled through his nose, his shoulders loosening as if a heavy burden had just been lifted. “Finally,” he muttered under his breath. But as the dust finally thinned down, the smile on his face froze. Right where the bullets had been aimed, Elias was still standing upright. He stood exactly where he had been before the shots rang out, his posture relaxed and his expression calm. Bits of shattered glass lay scattered around his shoes. Bullet holes pockmarked the wall behind him but he was untouched, his torn jacket was the only proof that shots ha

Elias was sure Caleb knew what the card meant but was pretending. Or maybe he didn’t want to believe that was the ultimate card that only the 1% in the city owns. Like hell, his loser ex’s boyfriend would be able to get his hand on something as valuable as that. Displayed on the screen was a digital card. It was sleek, classic and understated. At its center, written in elegant gold lettering against a dark background, was the name: The Aurelius Grand Hotel. The design was refined, expensive, intentional. Even on the phone screen, it carried weight. Caleb glanced at it, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He knew that card. Everyone in certain circles did. It meant ownership. Just as quickly, his expression hardened. Then he let out a short, dismissive breath. “So?” he said, forcing indifference. Elias smiled faintly. “It means I am the owner of Aurelius Grand Hotel, Caleb.” Caleb scoffed, louder now, stepping forward half a pace.“Oh please, so now you’re trying to intimidate me

Elias watched quietly as how Adrian dealt with Caleb. After a while, “I don’t need apologies,” he said calmly. “I only need one thing.” Everyone leaned in without realizing it. He stepped forward until he was standing directly in front of Caleb, who was still on his knees. Elias looked down at him, “I’ll ask you once, and you'll tell me what I want to know.” he said. “Who placed the bounty on my head?” A murmur rippled through the room again. Caleb swallowed hard. His mouth opened, then closed, with sweat rolling down his temple. “I—I’ve heard about the bounty,” Caleb stammered. “People talk about it everywhere. I swear—” Before he could say another word, Adrian’s furious gaze snapped to him. He didn’t need to say anything. The message was clear: Say the wrong thing, and I’ll end you myself. Adrian turned back to Elias. “Mr Elias,” he said, “I won’t insult you by lying. Caleb is many things, but he’s not capable of pulling something like that off. He’s reckless, yes. Stupid, def

The man who had brought the tablet hesitated, then cleared his throat softly, “Sir… what about the person Elias demanded we find?” he asked carefully. “The one behind the bounty—” He didn’t finish the sentence. In one sharp move, Adrian grabbed him by the throat and slammed him back against the wall. The room went dead silent. The man’s feet barely touched the floor as he struggled for air. “Listen to me very well,” Adrian said calmly, his grip tightening. “I don’t answer to anyone. And I definitely don’t go chasing answers because some foolish nobody with a tattoo on his wrist demands it.” He shoved the man away hard and he collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. “Get the hell out,” he barked. The man scrambled away without looking back.A few minutes later, the intelligence team returned. The lights dimmed, and screens lit up one after another across the room. Then the head of the team stepped forward. As the images shifted across the screens, he began to explain, pointing

When they finally got back home, the silence didn’t last long. Vanessa dropped her bag and turned to Elias, folding her arms slowly.“So,” she said, watching him closely, “you’re really planning to attend that thing?”Elias tossed his jacket onto the couch and loosened his collar as if nothing unusual had happened. “Looks that way.”Vanessa blinked. “I didn’t even know you were into… whatever that was. Duchesses. Auditions. Men lining up to be picked like products.”Elias shook his head. “I’m not into it.”“Then why?” she asked, frustration creeping into her voice.Elias leaned against the counter. “Because he decided to be a douchebag instead of quietly looking into what he promised to.”Vanessa frowned. “You mean he’s going back on his word?” She chuckled softly. “I told you he was crazy. You had him followed?”“Not really. I looked into him after our last conversation,” Elias said. “And I realized he wouldn’t investigate Mr. Anonymous from the Vorn family. He also won’t come after