On the other side of the city, Francine Hale sat in her office, listening to William Cross's desperate plea.She felt a headache coming on.This was getting complicated in ways she hadn't anticipated.Francine had guessed that Navine Garrett was behind all of this. The timing made sense. The targets made sense.But she hadn't expected him to continue helping Elena Morrison even after completing his deal with her.Most men would take their payment and disappear. Move on to the next job. Focus on their own interests.But Navine seemed personally invested in Elena's protection.That was inconvenient.Francine rubbed her temples, thinking through her options.The B-rank warrior she had arranged hadn't shown up yet. He was still traveling from the capital, delayed by some logistics issue.She needed something in the short term. Someone to buy time until her main weapon arrived."I'll send one of my personal guards to protect you," Francine said into the phone.William's relief was audible.

William Cross arrived back at his residence, his earlier confidence still intact.The butler met him at the door, his expression curious."Master William, what happened? You seem in better spirits than when you left."William gestured for the butler to follow him inside.Once they were in the study with the door closed, William recounted the phone conversation with Navine."He called me directly," William said, a smug smile on his face. "Tried to intimidate me with threats."The butler's eyes widened. "And what did you say?""I told him about Derek Stone and about the protection Francine Hale is providing."William poured himself a drink."I invited him to my birthday banquet. I told him if he came and knelt before me publicly, apologized for everything he'd done, I might consider letting him live."The butler's expression shifted to admiration."And he agreed?""He said he'd be there," William confirmed, taking a sip of his drink.The butler clasped his hands together."Master Willia

Derek Stone arrived in Newton City before dawn.He was a lean, unhurried man. Everything about his movement suggested control, like someone who never acted without purpose.He checked into a private residence arranged by Francine Hale's network, a nondescript building in a quiet part of the city where no one would notice comings and goings.The apartment was clean and functional. Nothing more.Derek set down his single bag and sat alone at a small table.In front of him were papers his contacts had pieced together over the past week.Reports about the auction incident. Witness statements from the wedding disaster. Details about the Morrison Family upheaval. Thomas Caldwell's capitulation. Richard Cross in ruins.Derek read through it all without expression.His eyes moved methodically across each page, absorbing information, cataloging patterns, building a mental picture of the situation.When he finished, he set the papers down in a neat stack.Then he sat very still for a long mome

At the Morrison Family residence, the dinner Elena's parents had prepared was quieter than expected.The dining room was well-lit, the table set with care, but the atmosphere carried an undercurrent of tension that no amount of hospitality could completely mask.Navine sat at the table with Lyanna beside him.Aunt Miriam was still recovering upstairs, her injuries healing but not yet strong enough for her to join them.Elena's family watched Navine across the table with expressions that mixed barely concealed gratitude and barely concealed anxiety.They were grateful he'd saved Elena, protected them and was still willing to help.But they were also anxious about what came next.About what Francine Hale would do. About what dangers still loomed ahead.The meal progressed through its first courses with polite conversation.Comments about the food. Questions about Lyanna's schooling. Small talk that filled the silence without addressing what everyone was actually thinking about.Finally,

Across the city, Marcus relayed the information to Navine."William Cross successfully placed someone inside the Morrison residence. Elena's father identified her within the hour and reported back as instructed."Navine stood at the window of his temporary headquarters, looking out at Newton City's lights."Has she made contact with William yet?""No. She's settling in and establishing credibility. My guess is she won't report anything significant until after she's been there a few days.""Good. Monitor her continuously but leave her in place.""Yes, Commander."Navine turned away from the window."Has the B-rank fighter arrived yet?"Marcus checked his tablet."Not yet. All indicators suggest arrival within forty-eight hours."Navine's jaw tightened slightly."That puts him here the day of the banquet.""Yes, Commander."Navine was quiet for a moment, his mind working through the implications."The timing isn't a coincidence."Marcus nodded. "Francine orchestrated this deliberately."