Clinton and Bryan arrived at Bernard's place. It was a mansion. The decor was exquisite. You'll think this was the palace of the queen of England.“Like what you see?” Bernard asked, coming down the stairs. Cherry stood behind him as they both descended.Before they could reply, he cut them off. “Where is your brother?” He asked, looking at Cherry before entering the visitors lounge.“I'm not sure but he'll come when he's done with whatever he's doing.” She replied.Bernard just hummed, sitting down with his leg crossed.“So, these are the young men you told me about?”“Yes sir.” Cherry said, standing straight.Clinton and Bryan exchanged looks, wondering what was going on but shrugged it off.“Good day sir. I'm Clinton…”“Did I ask you to speak?” Bernard said, cutting him off with the deadliest of glares. Clinton and Bryan stood there shocked as the hairs at the back of their neck stood.“What a scary man.” Bryan thought as he looked at Cherry whose head was bowed, facing the ground.

Kendrick clenched his fists. “I didn’t ask for any of these and neither did I ask for this war. I just wanted to live a peaceful and fulfilled life”Adrian met his eyes. “But you won’t run from this war, no?”“No. If fighting this war will give me the peace that I crave so badly, then I'll fight.”Adrian nodded. “Then you won't be alone. You will always have me.”“That I will never forget.”That evening, Jayson and Zara took a walk together in the courtyard, holding hands.“Have you ever thought about leaving? Staying away from all these?” Jayson asked, staring into space.Zara scoffed, also lost in her thoughts. “And miss this?”He smiled. “You’ve become a different person ever since the mission.”“So have you.” she said, smiling at him. “We've all changed somehow. I don't know when but I can sense it.”They paused, suddenly breathing hard.“Whatever comes,” Jayson said softly, “we stand with him.”Zara nodded. “Always.”“And whatever happens, I'll always protect you. I won't let any

Within hours, headlines followed.HALE EMPIRE UNDER SCRUTINYQUESTIONS RISE OVER HEALER CEOZara slammed her tablet down. “They’re saying his powers aren’t real and that he's a fake.” “They’re trying to make people doubt him,” Jayson said. “but they are not paying attention to his company.”“For now,” Lizzy added.Kendrick stood at the window, calm. “Let them talk.”Zara turned. “You’re too calm. How can you be so calm?”“I’m listening,” Kendrick said. “There’s a difference. My being calm doesn't mean I don't have something up my sleeves. Timing is everything.”That afternoon, the first direct move came.A summons.“They’re starting an investigation,” Adrian said. “They claim that you found an ancient scroll which possesses powers and that he abused the power of the scroll.”“Paul stiffened. “That’s really a dangerous move.”Kendrick nodded. “True. That’s desperation.”“I didn't know they were really this desperate. Didn't they want the scroll to?” Zara huffed.In a private club, Cl

Preparations moved quickly. Public announcements were made. The paparazzi were everywhere flashing their cameras. Carefully scripted smiles. Bernard didn't waste any time. He couldn't afford to waste time.At the signing ceremony, Kendrick stood beside Bernard for the first time since their confrontation.“Good to see you uncle.”Kendrick said, doing a one over. “You do look good.”Bernard smiled then leaned in. “I really try my best. You also look well for a man under siege.”Kendrick replied evenly, “Only weak structures fail under pressure. I don't think I'm that weak.”Bernard chuckled. “Still sharp I see.”Kendrick chuckled too. “Since you aren't doing your best yet. With the way you talked, I thought something big was going to happen. Still saving the best for the last?”Bernard's face twitched. He clenched his fists, trying to keep his anger at bay.Kendrick just laughed. “I'm sorry, did I lose a nerve? Apologies uncle, I think I should learn to respect my elders more.” Then he

Instead of fighting revoked permits, Kendrick funded temporary mobile clinics under emergency health provisions. He made it legally, and outside Bernard’s influence. This way, Bernard couldn't do anything even if he wanted.Paul coordinated engineers to convert unused warehouses into treatment centers.Lizzy contacted international medical groups immune to local pressure. She had connections around that area and with the help she had rendered to them, it was not hard to convince them to help her.Adrian quietly released evidence showing Bernard-linked firms interfering with humanitarian aid without naming Kendrick directly. He was going to make sure Bernard fell into the pit he dug for them.By nightfall, aid trucks rolled again, this time escorted by public demand. Protesters turned into volunteers and the headlines changed.Lizzy stared at the screen, stunned. She was pleased with what she saw. “They can’t block this. There's no way Bernard can do anything now.”Paul exhaled. “We di