The masked men moved immediately. One advanced towards Riven while another one restrained his hands behind him, forcing him to kneel violently onto the bloodstained marble floor. The one in front of him, grabbed his neck and slammed his face on the floor, hard enough to split the skin near his eyebrows. Blood seeped out of the wound and onto the floor. “Riven!” Asia’s cries become louder, tears streaming down her face as she stretches out her hands towards him. “Asia!” Riven yells back, struggling. He kicks and tries hard to claw his way out of the man’s grip. “Let me go!” All the children’s cries are ignored as the leader leads four of the other men away with him. “Hurry up men!” He ordered. Asia’s screams are heard from the courtyard as they depart. “ASIA!!!!” Riven screamed his sister’s name helplessly as he looks on. He takes a glance at the bodies of his parents lying in their pool of their cold blood, a few feet away from him and for the first time since

The atmosphere tenses as Riven’s eyes dart around with unspoken questions. He had never heard about the Ryugan before or dynasties but Damon had never lied to him before, only kept secrets away from him. “I know you have questions to ask. But know this, certain bloodlines throughout history possess instincts and perception that exceeds humans. Abilities tied to ancient conflicts hidden from the modern world.” He pauses, letting his words sink into Riven before continuing with a warning edge to his voice. “Awakening this abilities comes with problems, Riven. It’s both dangerous and irreversible because once these signs become visible, others connected to different bloodlines will eventually notice you. You must keep this hidden, only show it when it’s necessary. Control, my child, control.” Riven inhaled sharply, understanding the deep implications of Damon’s words. He could be hunted and… killed. “Is this why my parents were murdered?” Damon goes silent for a long time before h

In the Zhao’s ancestral grounds, incense smoke rises slowly in the air. The Zhao servants slowly lowered Damon’s coffin into the ground. It hits with a soft thud. Orion stands in front of the grave, inhaling a sharp breath. His face, cold and pale as he looks on. Riven stands close to him, his expression unreadable. Although he appeared calm, he felt a strange emptiness within him. Damon had been the one who understood the truth behind his family’s death as well as the Ryugan bloodline but he had left it up to him to find the truth out, and now the answers seems buried with him. Soon, the burial ends with the servants dispersing slowly. Orion and Riven are the only ones left standing in front of the freshly covered grave. “Father would have wanted us to be strong and that we will do,” he says after a long moment of silence, speaking rather to himself. Orion glances at Riven with a small smile. Riven could see through his mask. The Zhao's heir was breaking despite the strong res

Valentin’s throat tightened as the courtroom fell into uncomfortable silence. Sweat broke out on his skin under the weight of the crowd’s stares. “Everyone, it’s true!” A voice rang out. “Check the news.”Pings of notifications and gasps ran through the air as everyone checked the news, Odessa included. Her eyes widened slightly with surprise, shock etched on her face.News about Valentin Gao’s secret affair with a secret of the rival company had surfaced online alongside the story about his gambling addiction which had plunged the Gao family into numerous debts. Valentin’s face went pale, blood draining from his face as his eyes moved on the content of the news. The crowd soon glanced over at Riven who looked calm despite the situation around him. “How did he know?”That was the question on everybody’s lips but no one could try to question him now. What if he reveals their own secrets in the process?Elias’s expression darkened as he noticed that the situation was beginning to t

Heavy silence followed after Old Lady Chen’s words. Odessa remained standing stiffly at the center, her eyes darting around too hurt to speak. She had studied day and night just to make the family proud of her. Graduated with honors, she worked at the family’s company as the receptionist. Endured all the insults and humiliation coupled with Elias and his father stealing her ideas and claiming it as theirs and now that she was finally going to get what she deserved. It was gone before she could even blink. “What do we do about this now, mother?” Aurelius asked, breaking the silence. “The position of the manager is still vacant. I would suggest that my son, Elias take over the role of the manager after all, he has all the right qualities to lead the company.” His eyes swept over the other members of the family, looking for anyone who would challenge his son but none could speak and he smiled victoriously. Old Lady Chen leaned forward, coughing slightly, her gaze turning towards Eli