The sleek Mercedes-Benz pulled up to the modest Lantern Row apartment building.The driver didn’t say much as he pulled up in front of the apartment building.He didn’t need to.Before Levi or Luke could even unbuckle their seatbelts, the driver was already out of the car, opening the trunk.“Sir—” Luke began.“I’ve got it,” the driver said calmly.He carried every single package himself. Box after box. Branded bags. Carefully wrapped parcels. He didn’t allow either of them to touch a thing.Levi watched silently.When everything was finally arranged neatly on the kitchen table, the driver straightened his suit and smiled faintly and walked away. Luke’s eyes, bright with pure, unadulterated excitement, scanned the display. "Your grandmother is already too fond of you, Levi. Look at this spread!""Yeah, she seems nice," Levi replied quietly, his hands resting on the back of the couch, watching the driver retreat.Luke finally turned, his expression serious. "Hold up. Finding out the

The year slipped by almost unnoticed, and so did the Hales.By the time winter returned to England, Levi was no longer the boy who had been brought into their care. He had grown stronger—physically and mentally. His reflexes were sharper, his thoughts quicker, his presence heavier. Every movement carried intention. Every silence carried authority. Training had carved discipline into his bones.Leo, on the other hand, had begun his treatment. William made sure to send word that his son was progressing well, and in return, Leo held up his end of the bargain. Kaitlin traveled back and forth between England and home, never staying too long, never staying away for too long either. She watched Levi carefully, making sure that while they molded him into something powerful—something feared—they didn’t strip away his humanity. She refused to let them raise a monster.One morning, during one of her visits, she set off a ticking bomb.“William, you have to come with me to see the Prime Minister,

Meanwhile, all the way in San Francisco, early summer had wrapped the city in quiet elegance.The fog that usually lingered over the hills had thinned, drifting lazily across the bay like a reluctant ghost. The air was warm but crisp, carrying the scent of saltwater and fresh pavement. Sunlight reflected off glass towers and steel bridges, while palm-lined streets hummed with soft traffic and distant laughter. The city felt alive—measured, powerful, and endlessly moving forward.A black Panther Rolls-Royce Phantom Series glided effortlessly through the streets, commanding attention without asking for it. Its polished body reflected the skyline as it passed. A driver sat in front. One man occupied the back seat.He leaned comfortably against cream leather, posture relaxed yet controlled, scrolling through updates on his tablet with deliberate focus.“Tell me, Joe,” he said calmly, without lifting his gaze, “what’s trending in town?”The driver smiled through the rearview mirror.“You,

Luke lived on Cedar Grove Lane, a quiet street just a few minutes away from his old home on Lantern Row. The house was a beautiful, polished bungalow that the Hales had bought for him. It wasn't too big, but it wasn't small either. It had two guest rooms and a large master bedroom. There was a modern kitchen, a cozy living room, a dining area, and even a small room for exercise. In the back, there was a green lawn and a sparkling swimming pool. It was a comfortable, rich life.Luke was now 29. He was single and lived well because he was roommates with Levi, years ago. Teyana was 27 now. She had grown even prettier and spent a lot of time at Luke’s house, sometimes staying over in the guest room.So, you blew your chances again?" Teyana asked. She was sitting on the living room couch, looking a bit bored."I didn't blow my chances," Luke complained. "She was only interested in my money.""How do you know that?" Teyana asked."Because the next time we met, all she did was ask what I cou

Five days slipped by in a blur of preparation. Luke and Teyana formally accepted their job offers, and Luke spent every waking hour studying for his new role as COO, learning the ins and outs of the business. The atmosphere within the Hale household shifted noticeably—focused, tense, and expectant—because tomorrow was the day everyone had been waiting for.The succession ceremony.The Hale family was busier than ever. Every staff member was on duty, every schedule packed to the brim. The event was going to be held at a massive field owned by the Lincoln Group, a location chosen not just for its grandeur but for the statement it made.This was exactly the kind of chaos Kaitlin Hale thrived in.She loved being in charge of these things, so she was everywhere at once, barkng orders at the mansion and at the event center.“Hurry up and wash the fruits! I want everything fresh—handmade fruit juice only,” she ordered briskly. “And someone tell me—what’s the update on the drinks?”Staff rus