Kade and Reign arrived at the Brightstar Hotel shortly after the attack. It was one of the most luxurious establishments in South City, a five-star hotel owned by Victor Crane. The hotel was his most legitimate investment, a shining front that masked the vast network of businesses operating beneath the surface of his influence.The moment Kade called, Victor had not hesitated. A man who understood power knew when to show respect. Within minutes, the best suite in the building had been prepared for them.Inside the premium room, everything spoke of wealth and status. Polished marble floors reflected the soft glow of the chandelier above. Thick curtains framed the tall windows, shutting out the noise of the city below. The air carried a faint scent of expensive incense.Kade sat on the edge of the bed, his posture relaxed but his body still recovering from the strain of the battle. His injuries had mostly healed, yet the exhaustion lingered deep in his bones.Reign sat on a chair near t

Kade’s grip tightened slightly against the wall beside Zia’s shoulder.His voice dropped, low and controlled—but burning beneath the surface.“Those people killed my parents in front of me,” he said.Each word landed with weight.“I watched my sister burn alive.”The memory flashed behind his eyes—fire, screams, the smell of smoke and blood, the helplessness of a child forced to witness the destruction of everything he loved.His jaw clenched.“And after that,” he continued, his voice growing colder, “I was framed for their crime.”Silence filled the room.“I spent ten years of my life in the cruelest place on earth.”His gaze locked onto hers, sharp and unforgiving.“And you dare tell me to let it go?”Zia closed her eyes.She had known his past was tragic. She had known he carried pain. But hearing it spoken aloud—hearing the raw truth in his voice—made the weight of it undeniable.“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.The apology was sincere.For a brief moment, nothing moved.Then Kade e

The hall grew silent as Simon Knight stepped forward.Every eye followed him.Without another word, the elderly council member approached the center of the ceremonial platform where a pedestal stood beside the altar. Resting atop it was a perfectly polished sphere—smooth, translucent, and faintly luminous even in its dormant state.The Sacred Orb.It was older than the organization itself, a relic passed down through generations. Legends claimed it had been forged from condensed Aether during the founding era of an organization older than the Azure Empire. Its purpose was simple, yet absolute.To reveal truth.Simon placed one hand gently on the surface of the orb.For a brief moment, nothing happened.Then the sphere responded.A soft hum vibrated through the air, low and steady, like the awakening of something ancient. Light began to gather inside the orb, swirling slowly before stabilizing into a clear glow.Blue.The color filled the sphere completely, casting a cool reflection ac

Chad’s jaw tightened.The muscles along his face twitched as he gritted his teeth, his hands trembling slightly at his sides. The entire hall watched him in silence, every pair of eyes fixed on the one man still standing.The tension was suffocating.Kade’s gaze remained steady.“I’m waiting,” he said.His voice was not loud, yet it carried across the hall with unmistakable authority.A ripple of unease spread through the gathered officials. The command had been given in public. Refusal was not an option—not without consequences.Chad felt the weight of every stare pressing down on him. His pride screamed in protest. His anger burned hot in his chest, threatening to spill over. But above all, he understood one thing clearly.The ring on Kade’s finger had changed everything.He was no longer a rival.He was king.Slowly, stiffly, Chad bent his knees.The movement felt heavier than iron.He lowered himself to the ground and bowed his head, the gesture mechanical, forced, humiliating. In

Late at night, at the Aldric Group headquarters.Most of the building had already gone quiet. The once-busy office floors were now dimly lit, with only a few scattered lights still glowing in the distance. Outside the large glass windows, the city skyline shimmered under the dark sky, traffic thinning as the hour grew late.Inside the executive office on the top floor, Elara sat behind her desk, her phone pressed tightly against her ear.Her expression was tense.“Mom, I’ve already told you,” she said, her voice firm but tired. “I’m not going to marry Daniel.”On the other end of the line, her mother’s voice trembled with desperation.“Elara, please listen to me,” she pleaded. “Your grandmother is not asking for much. Daniel is a good man, and this partnership will save the company. The collaboration between the Aldric Group and the Knox family is worth five hundred million dollars. Think about what that means for us.”Elara closed her eyes briefly, frustration rising in her chest.“T