While everything appeared calm on the surface, unrest was quietly awakening in the Underground world.With Leonard weakened and William increasingly absent from FAMILY affairs, one man on the board decided it was time for the Hales to relinquish their seat—to someone whose heart and mind, he claimed, were fully devoted to the business.“He’s demanding two things,” Alex said, seated beside Leonard’s hospital bed. William and Levi sat across from them on the couch, the tension in the room sharp enough to burn.“First, he wants us to hand over the seat. Second—” Alex paused briefly, then continued, “—he says that while we’re old and influential, he knows William understands the value his connections. To solidify both families’ influence, he wants a blood tie.”Levi lifted his head slowly.“He wants Levi to marry his daughter.”“Is this a joke?” Leonard muttered, weak but unmistakably furious.“Grandpa,” Levi said, frowning, “does he really have that much influence?”William leaned forwar

HALE HOSPITALA full month had passed since William Hale had been admitted, and the change was undeniable.Strength had returned gradually—first in his eyes, then in the steadiness of his hands, and finally in the way his voice no longer sounded like it was constantly fighting exhaustion. The exclusive ward of Hale Hospital had become a controlled cocoon of care, discipline, and quiet hope. And at the center of that progress stood Doctor Elsa Snow.Patrick Doyle finally decided it was time to see the results for himself.“He’s looking far better than I expected,” Patrick said honestly, his tone edged with impressed surprise as he studied the man on the bed.Elsa stood beside him, clipboard tucked against her chest, her expression calm but proud. Kaitlin was there too, hovering near the monitors, while William sat upright on the sofa aside. Two nurses moved quietly around the room, adjusting equipment and double-checking vitals.Patrick flipped through the reports, nodding as he read.

Two or three days later, things had finally begun to settle—at least on the surface. The tension hadn’t disappeared, but it had dulled, like a wound that refused to heal yet no longer bled openly. The rebellion within the FAMILY was still very much alive, and that alone kept everyone on edge.That afternoon, William, Leonard, and Levi sat outside, enjoying the rare calm that came with cool weather and iced tea. The breeze was gentle, almost mocking, considering the storm building quietly around them.The silence broke when Levi spoke.“O’Connell has joined Rhys.”William paused mid-sip. “O’Connell?” he asked slowly, disbelief threading his voice.Leonard scoffed immediately. “That’s impossible. Issac O’Connell would never do that.”Levi shook his head. “Not Issac. His son—Troy. Issac had a heart attack. He’s in a coma so Troy has taken over his seat.”The atmosphere shifted instantly. Even the breeze seemed to retreat.“That’s… not good,” William muttered, setting his glass down. “If

Surprisingly, after that day, Elsa didn’t see Levi again—not at the hospital, not at the estate, not even in passing. For an entire week, there was nothing.At first, she moved with caution.She arrived at work earlier than usual, left with alert eyes scanning the parking lot, half-expecting him to appear out of nowhere—calm, composed, and asking for an answer she wasn’t ready to give. She rehearsed responses in her head, imagined different scenarios, prepared herself mentally for confrontation.But Levi never came.Days passed. Then more days. And slowly, without realizing it, the tension she had been carrying began to loosen. The unease faded. The constant readiness dissolved into routine. And eventually, she forgot—at least enough to breathe again.Life settled.She had a car now—her own. No more rushing for rides, no more checking over her shoulder while waiting by the roadside. She drove herself to work in quiet comfort, music low, thoughts calmer than they had been in weeks. At

A new week arrived quietly for the rest of the world—fresh routines, repeated habits, ordinary beginnings—but for Levi Hale, it marked the official start of something far more unsettling: Elsa’s courtship.This was not a hostile negotiation or a business deal he could strong-arm into submission. This was unfamiliar territory. Delicate. Human. Emotional. And for the first time in a long while, Levi found himself walking without armor.By the end of the month, he hoped she would say yes. Only then could he redirect his focus back to the far more dangerous problem looming in the shadows—Rhys. But first, Elsa.Determined not to ruin his chances, especially with his family’s expectations breathing down his neck, Levi recruited help. Luke, who treated the entire situation like premium entertainment, volunteered himself without hesitation, while Teyana—unavailable to be physically present—offered advice through long calls and endless voice notes.His first move had to be memorable.So Levi d