The transition from the courtyard into the interior of the estate was seamless, almost unnerving in its quiet precision.After the incident involving Reed Peters kneeling in front of the mysterious man. Servants who had been standing at a discreet distance straightened and resumed their duties as if nothing extraordinary had happened, though their eyes occasionally flickered toward Benjamin with barely concealed reverence. Iris remained close, her thoughts still tangled from the revelation she had just witnessed, while Benjamin followed calmly, his expression unchanged.The main residence of the safe house was far more restrained than Iris remembered from her childhood visits. There were no ostentatious displays of wealth in the open halls. The marble floors were polished but modest, the walls adorned with minimalist artwork instead of priceless masterpieces. Everything here spoke of intent rather than indulgence.“This place isn’t meant to impress,” Reed Peters said as they walked, hi

“I will explain,” Reed Peters said.His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind the words, as though he were opening the door to a history most people were never meant to hear.“The Northern Border Battlefield,” Reed Peters continued, “is not just a battlefield in name. It is the most brutal war zone our nation has faced in decades.”Benjamin did not interrupt. He could sense that this was not the kind of subject one spoke about casually.Reed Peters turned back toward him. “It lies along the northern frontier, where the climate alone is enough to kill an unprepared man. Subzero temperatures for most of the year with blizzards that can bury armored vehicles. Vast stretches of land where supplies cannot reach on time.” He paused briefly. “And on the other side of that border are the Russians.”“For years,” Reed Peters went on, “the two sides have clashed over resources, territory, and strategic positions. Officially, it is referred to as a prolonged military standoff. In reality,

“This…” Benjamin muttered faintly.“What? That ring?” Reed Peters asked.Benjamin’s gaze remained fixed on the display shelf, his eyes narrowing slightly as if the rest of the vault had faded away. The surrounding treasures, which moments ago had commanded his attention, now seemed dull and distant. Gold bars stacked with obsessive precision, ancient-looking jade carvings sealed behind tempered glass, and velvet-lined trays of rare elixirs all blurred into the background.Only the ring remained clear.It rested inside a small, transparent case, separated from the other artifacts as though by accident rather than intention. The metal was dark, neither gold nor silver, and carried a faint luster that did not reflect light so much as absorb it. The phoenix engraved on its surface was intricate, each feather carved with meticulous care, its wings spread as if caught mid-ascent.Benjamin did not reach for it. He simply stared.Reed Peters noticed the change immediately.Throughout the tour

Elise barely made it through the front door before her composure collapsed.The moment the door shut behind her, the weight she had been holding in all evening finally crushed down. Her shoulders shook as she kicked off her shoes, her bag slipping from her hand and landing uselessly by the wall. She took two unsteady steps forward before sinking onto the couch, burying her face in her palms as sobs tore free from her chest.Everything hurt.Her eyes burned. Her head throbbed. Her heart felt as though it had been wrung dry and left behind without mercy.She had been right to trust her parents. That was the bitter conclusion clawing its way through her mind, no matter how much she resisted it.“Mom… Dad…”Her voice cracked as she called out, barely louder than a whisper.Footsteps rushed toward the living room. Her mother appeared first, still wearing her apron, confusion flashing across her face before it hardened into concern. Her father followed closely behind, his brows knitting tog

“Is that really true?” she asked quietly. “Do you really think that?”Terence looked at her for a long moment before answering.“Yes,” he said. “I do.”The words landed softly, without emphasis, but they carried a weight Elise was unprepared for.She stood there, hands clasped loosely in front of her, still feeling emotionally raw from everything that had happened earlier that night. Her eyes searched his face, trying to find mockery, provocation, or even the faintest trace of manipulation. But Terence Lin’s expression was calm, almost candid. There was no obvious malice in his gaze, only a measured confidence that unsettled her in a different way.“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it,” Terence continued, his tone even. “I have no reason to lie to you.”Elise swallowed. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, though uncertainty still lingered in her chest. “I just… didn’t expect to hear that,” she admitted.“That’s understandable,” Terence replied. “Given the circumstances.”Behind them, Eli