Rebecca narrowed her eyes at Elena. Then she let out a scornful laugh."Oh, you must be new here," Rebecca said, her voice dripping with mockery. "You clearly have no idea how things work at this school."She gestured at herself and her group of followers."Even the teachers don't dare mess with us. So what makes you think you can?"Elena kept her expression calm and professional, though inside she felt her temper rising."What kind of background do you come from that gives you such an attitude?" she asked evenly.Rebecca's chin lifted with pride. "I'm from the Ryder Family. Surely you've heard of them?"She waited, clearly expecting Elena to show recognition or fear.The Ryder Family was well-known in Newton City. They owned several successful businesses and had connections throughout the city's social circles.Not one of the major families, but certainly influential enough to make most people think twice about crossing them.Elena looked at Rebecca for a long moment.Then she shrug

Rebecca watched through the window as Victor Chen entered the school building.Her mind was racing with possibilities.A man like that – powerful, wealthy, connected to one of the three great masters – he could change everything for her. If she could just get his attention and make an impression. Then her eyes fell on Elena, still holding her red cheek and on the jade token lying on the floor where Rebecca had dropped it.A brilliant idea struck her."Girls," Rebecca said to her followers. "This is our chance."They looked at her with confusion."What do you mean?" one asked.Rebecca picked up the token and held it carefully. "Obviously Victor Chen isn't here for us specifically. But we can make him notice us."She gestured at Elena. "We have someone right here who forged a Morrison Family token. Someone who's probably an illegitimate daughter of some disreputable man from the Morrison Family."Her eyes gleamed with excitement. "If we hand her over to Victor Chen, that would be a tre

Elena was about to speak and thank Victor and Lyanna for their support, when something changed.The air itself seemed to shift.A pressure descended on the empty classroom like a physical weight.Elena's breath caught in her throat. Her skin prickled with instinctive fear.Beside her, Victor's entire body went rigid. His hand moved toward his waist where a weapon would normally be.Lyanna grabbed Elena's arm, her eyes wide with sudden alarm.All three of them turned their heads at once, looking toward the door.A man stood in the doorway.He was tall and lean, with gray hair pulled back severely from his face. He wore traditional robes that marked him as someone of high status and martial skill.But it was the aura radiating from him that made Elena's blood run cold.This man was dangerous, infact more dangerous than anyone she'd encountered before.The man stepped into the classroom slowly with a cold smile playing on his lips. "Did you truly believe," he said, his voice smooth and

The Cross Family mansion was alive with celebration.Richard Cross, the seventh son of the Cross Family patriarch and heir to their vast business empire, sat in his luxurious living room surrounded by his closest friends and allies.Expensive champagne flowed freely, crystal glasses clinked together in toasts, laughter filled the air, and the atmosphere was one of triumph and anticipation.Richard lounged in his chair like a king on his throne, a satisfied smile on his handsome face, while around him sat five of his companions, all of them sons of wealthy and powerful families in Newton City.Standing near the doorway was Richard's butler, an elderly man who'd served the Cross Family for decades, his expression neutral and professional as always.And seated in the place of honor beside Richard was Harrison Cross, the elder who'd captured Elena and Lyanna just hours earlier, still looking pleased with himself for a job well done."Gentlemen," Richard said, raising his glass high, "toni

Richard Cross and his companions stared at David Patterson's unconscious body for a long moment, processing what they'd just witnessed.Then, slowly, smiles began to spread across their faces once more."Well now," Richard said, his tone shifting from shock to genuine interest, "this just became much more entertaining."His friends nodded in agreement, their earlier nervousness fading into excitement."Did you see how fast he moved?" one of them whispered."That wasn't just luck," another added, "that was real skill."Richard leaned forward in his chair, studying Navine with renewed curiosity and amusement."A capable fighter has shown up this time," he said, his voice carrying a note of approval, "this should be much more interesting than watching David embarrass himself."He gestured broadly at the room."So tell me, stranger, how exactly do you plan to save Elena Caldwell? Are you going to fight all of us? Challenge the entire Cross Family? Make some dramatic speech about justice a