The prison gates groaned open. Adrian Kane stepped into the blinding sunlight, squinting against the brightness he hadn't seen in years. Five years. Five years of cold cells, of being treated like garbage, of watching the world move on without him. They thought they'd broken him. They were wrong. He walked forward slowly, feeling the unfamiliar weight of freedom. His movements were controlled, precise. Prison had taught him discipline. But more than that—it had given him something. Something far more valuable. "Kane! Adrian Kane!" A guard shouted from behind. "Don't forget your belongings!" Adrian turned back, his face blank. He took the small plastic bag. Everything he owned fit in one bag. Pathetic. The guard smirked. "Good luck out there, convict. You'll need it." Adrian said nothing. He simply walked away, his expression cold and indifferent. Five years ago, his foster brother Derek had framed him for theft. The Stone family—the people who took him in as a ch

The Grand Meridian Hotel stood like a monument to wealth. Its golden facade gleamed under bright lights, and luxury cars lined the entrance—Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Maybachs. Adrian and Elena stepped out of a taxi. The contrast was immediate. Brutal. Elena smoothed down her dress nervously. It was her best—a simple navy blue dress she'd bought years ago. But compared to the designer gowns sweeping past them, it looked cheap. Outdated. "Adrian, maybe we should—" "We're going in," Adrian said calmly. He took her hand. His grip was firm, steady. Elena felt some of her anxiety fade. They walked toward the entrance. A doorman eyed them suspiciously but checked their invitation and let them through. The ballroom was massive. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Everyone wore expensive clothes. Waiters moved through the crowd with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Elena felt completely out of place. Whispers started immediately. "Isn't that Elena Bennett?" "The one

The auctioneer took his position on stage, his voice smooth and professional. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's charity auction. All proceeds will benefit the Children's Medical Foundation." Polite applause rippled through the crowd. The stage was perfectly lit, highlighting each display case. Wealthy guests held numbered paddles, ready to bid. This wasn't their first auction. For most of them, spending hundreds of thousands was routine. For Adrian and Elena, standing at the edge of the crowd, it was surreal. Elena pulled Adrian aside, her voice urgent and low. "We don't have to do this. Let's just leave. Please." "We're staying," Adrian said calmly. "Adrian, these people—they're bidding tens of thousands like it's nothing! We can't—" "Trust me," Adrian interrupted gently. His eyes met hers. Steady. Calm. Certain. Elena wanted to argue, but something in his expression stopped her. He wasn't worried. Wasn't nervous. He looked... composed. Like he knew somethin

The auctioneer stared at the black card in Adrian's hand. His face had gone pale. "Is that... a Centurion Card?" he whispered. Adrian handed it to him without a word. The auctioneer took it with trembling hands, like he was holding something sacred. He inserted it into the payment terminal carefully. Everyone watched in absolute silence. The terminal beeped softly as it processed. Then a single word appeared on the screen. APPROVED The auctioneer's hands shook as he removed the card. He looked at Adrian with completely different eyes now. The skepticism was gone. Replaced by deep respect. "Thank you, sir." His voice was different. Reverent. "It's been a pleasure serving you." He handed the card back with both hands, bowing slightly. The shift in his demeanor was striking. A minute ago, he'd been uncertain, almost dismissive. Now he treated Adrian like royalty. Adrian took the card and slipped it back into his pocket. His expression remained neutral. The cro

Marcus stared at Adrian, his face torn between rage and desperation. His grandfather was dying. The doctors had given up. And this convict—this nobody—claimed he could help. Finally, Marcus stepped aside. Just barely. Adrian moved to the bed immediately. He leaned over the old man, his movements calm and deliberate. He pressed two fingers against the old man's wrist. Checking his pulse. His eyes were focused, calculating. Then he gently pulled back the old man's eyelids, examining his eyes closely. Finally, he opened the old man's mouth and looked at his tongue. The doctors watched skeptically. "What is he doing?" one whispered. "Some kind of traditional nonsense," another muttered. Adrian straightened. "Celestial Needle technique. I need silver needles. Acupuncture needles. Do you have any?" One of the doctors scoffed. "Acupuncture? That won't save him. This is a medical emergency, not some—" The old man suddenly convulsed. His body jerked violently. The machines erupted in