Across the city. Elena's apartment.She sat on her bed. Laptop open. Victor's latest message glowing on the screen.{Morrison is isolated. Afraid. Perfect time to increase pressure. Make your move. Get close to him. Whatever it takes. Use his fear. Use his vulnerability. Break him now while he's weak. -V}Elena stared at the message. At the command. At what Victor expected her to do.She should obey. Should push harder. Should exploit Jake's fear and loneliness.That was her job. Her mission. What she'd been paid to do.But she couldn't. Wouldn't.Something had changed inside her. Something fundamental. Something she couldn't ignore anymore.She wasn't sure when it happened. Maybe when Jake helped that elderly security guard carry boxes. Maybe when he stayed professional despite her aggressive flirting. Maybe when he showed kindness to people who didn't deserve it.But somewhere along the way, Elena stopped seeing Jake Morrison as a mark. As a target. As just another job.And started

Derek's apartment smelled like takeout containers and old ambitions.He sat at his laptop. Half past eleven at night. Energy drink on his left. Notepad on his right. Phone face-up between them. It had rung an hour ago—the number he'd stored under a single letter. M.Her voice had done the same thing to him it always did. Made it hard to think clearly. Made everything feel slightly too warm."Derek. It's time. I need a distraction. Nothing violent. Just chaos.""What kind?""Leak. Anonymous. The media." A pause. He heard something in the background—the rhythmic creak of bedsprings and a low, muffled groan that wasn't Marguerite's. "Morrison and Chen. Their relationship. The appearance of impropriety. Let the board do the rest.""I know people," Derek said. "A journalist at the business desk at—""I don't need to know the specifics. I need it done. Tomorrow morning. And Derek? Make it believable. Make it scandalous. Make the board question everything. If this goes well, you'll be receiv

Finally, the lead board member cleared his throat. "We'll table this discussion pending the legal investigation. If your team can provide evidence that these allegations are false and defamatory, we'll consider the matter resolved.""Good," Sora said. "Dismissed."Board members stood. Gathered their folders. Filed out slowly. Still whispering. Still suspicious.But leaving. Not pressing. Not demanding more.Jake stayed in his corner. Maintained the facade. Just an intern. Nothing special. Definitely not the reason for an emergency board meeting.As the last board member left, Harrison closed the door. Locked it.Sora let out a breath. First sign of tension releasing."That went better than expected," Harrison said."They're not convinced," Sora replied. "Just contained. For now."Jake stood. Set down his notepad. "I'm sorry. That you had to defend me. That my presence here is causing problems.""Stop apologizing." Sora turned to face him. "This isn't your fault. Victor is using whatev

Jake hit the lobby at full sprint.The scene that greeted him looked like a war zone.Twenty men in black tactical gear. Body armor. Assault rifles. Fighting Titan security in the marble-floored entrance. Gunfire echoing off glass walls. Civilians screaming. Running. Diving behind furniture.Blood on the floor. Security guards down. Some moving. Some not.Jake's ring flared white-hot. All three Hearts activating at once. Dragon's Heart. Midnight Tear. Crimson Heart. Combined energy flooding through him like lightning in his veins.The world slowed down. His perception sharpened. He could see individual bullets leaving barrels. See the fear in people's eyes. See exactly where to move. Where to strike. How to end this.He moved.First attacker was raising his rifle. Aiming at a security guard who'd run out of ammunition.Jake crossed fifteen feet in less than a second. The attacker's eyes widened. Couldn't track the movement. Couldn't react.Jake grabbed the rifle. Twisted. The weapon c

Jake stared at Elena. His mind was racing but his face stayed calm. Controlled. The way he'd learned to be when everything inside was screaming."Explain what?" His voice came out quieter than he expected. "Who were you talking to?"Elena opened her mouth. Closed it. Her hands were shaking. Actually trembling like she was freezing despite the warm building."I—" She stopped. Couldn't get the words out. Terror filled her eyes. Real terror. The kind you can't fake.Jake took a step closer. Not threatening. Just closer. "Elena. Who. Were. You. Talking. To?"He said each word separately. Carefully. Giving her space to answer between them.She looked at him like she was drowning. Like she wanted to tell him everything but something was stopping her. Fear. Loyalty. Maybe both.Before she could respond, Harrison's voice exploded in Jake's earpiece. Urgent. Panicked. Harrison never panicked."Sir! Emergency! Mr. Vale collapsed! Ambulance is taking him to the hospital! It's critical!"Jake's w