The rifles remained locked on Connor’s chest. The underground chamber felt colder now, heavier, as if death itself had entered the room and decided to wait. Blood dripped slowly from Connor’s split lips onto the concrete floor while his breathing turned weaker with every second. His vision kept fading in and out, but even then, he refused to lower his dignity before them. Conrad stared at him with burning rage. “I’m speaking to you!” he shouted. “Answer me properly before I lose my patience completely!” Connor barely heard him. The chains hanging from his wrists rattled softly as his body swayed weakly. His mind was slipping deeper into darkness. Suddenly, a phone rang sharply inside the chamber. RING! RING! The sound interrupted everything. Conrad frowned immediately and pulled out his phone. “Who is this?” he muttered before answering. The moment he placed the phone near his ear, a deep threatening voice spoke from the other side. “Are you guys still inside the undergroun

Lucien Varros remained kneeling before Connor like a sinner waiting for judgment. The terrifying underground lord slowly raised both palms, his scarred face filled with guilt while the black crow rested quietly beside him. Even the seven masked men standing behind him lowered their heads respectfully, not daring to interrupt the silence hanging heavily inside the chamber. “Master… please, I’m really sorry for what happened,” Lucien said in a low voice. “For what my men did to you… please forgive and pardon me.” Connor’s blurry eyes rested on him quietly. “I didn’t know this would be the outcome. They refused to say your full name, and that caused this entire mistake.” His voice turned colder. “Though now, I understand that Conrad and Gavin were playing games.” He lowered his head further. “Please accept my apologies, Master.” Connor breathed slowly through the pain tearing through his body. Blood still dripped from his wounds onto the cold ground beneath him. Yet despite his

Minutes later, the Rolls-Royce Spectre finally entered Glenwood Villa. The moment the luxury vehicle stopped beneath the bright golden lights of the mansion entrance, the guards standing outside immediately stiffened in shock. Connor slowly stepped out of the car. His injuries were no longer hidden. The fresh scars across his upper body remained visible beneath the bloodstained white singlet clinging loosely against his wounded body. Even his movements carried obvious pain. Several guards lowered their heads instantly. None of them dared ask questions. But the disbelief inside their eyes was impossible to hide. “What happened to Master?” “Who could actually injure him like this?” The thoughts echoed silently among them, but nobody dared speak carelessly. If they spoke out of line, they would face punishment. Connor ignored every stare and slowly walked toward the mansion entrance while two guards followed closely behind him. The large doors opened immediatel

Connor’s gaze remained fixed on Mr. Hutchinson’s trembling face. The older man swallowed hard. Sweat gathered around his forehead despite the cold air flowing through the Executive Waiting Area. His lips moved twice before any sound came out. “I… I can explain, Master Wood.” Connor’s expression darkened. “I asked you a simple question.” Mr. Hutchinson lowered his eyes. “It was Mrs. Margaret.” The atmosphere instantly changed. Connor’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Mrs. Margaret… my late father’s wife?” “Yes,” Hutchinson answered weakly. “She was the one behind it.” Connor stared at him silently for a few seconds. The silence alone was enough to crush pressure onto the older man’s shoulders. “So she told you to do all those things,” Connor finally said, his voice calm but icy. “And you agreed.” Hutchinson’s breathing became uneven. “Master Wood, I—” “That was extremely disrespectful,” Connor interrupted sharply. “You stood beside my father for years. You attended his

Connor’s calm voice echoed across the massive grounds of Glenwood Villa through the dragon-emblazoned microphone. The entire city seemed frozen for one brief second before the crowd exploded into thunderous excitement. “MASTER WOOD!” “HAIL THE SUPREME KING!” “LONG LIVE THE KING!” Thousands of voices shook the surroundings violently. Drones hovered above the estate while cameras flashed nonstop from every direction. Reporters pushed through the crowded sections trying to capture the perfect angle. Even the dignitaries sitting inside the exclusive reserved area exchanged impressed glances while clapping calmly among themselves. Connor remained still beneath the morning sunlight. His cold eyes swept across the sea of faces below him. Then he slowly raised one hand. “It’s okay,” he said calmly. “Let there be quietness.” Immediately, heavily armed security officers moved across the area controlling the noise. Orders were shouted through communication devices while guard