Sure enough, the matter did not keep Nick Crane waiting long.Three days later, he received word from Serena, Helena, and their people. Following up on every family surnamed Gold, they had investigated extensively and finally narrowed their target to one clan in the Northern Reaches: the Goldwyn family.The Goldwyn family was a formidable name across the entire Northern Reaches. They were descendants of the old Manorian line, self-styled as the local kingpin of the region. Their influence was enormous. Across the Northern Reaches, few families dared refuse them a measure of respect. The resources and connections passed down through generations of their bloodline were beyond counting. When the Northern Reaches first opened up for development, the Goldwyns had been the first to seize the opportunity, rapidly accumulating vast wealth and territory. Plenty of smaller families had attached themselves as vassals over the years, and the Goldwyns were generous enough to prop them

"Hahaha!" Hearing their claim, Nick Crane burst into laughter through the frozen forest.Perfect, so it really is the Goldwyn family. You're exactly who I've been looking for.He shoved the black cab driver aside, sending the man stumbling. His boot swung up, kicking a spray of snow into the man opposite him.Felix's heart lurched in alarm. He hadn't expected Nick to attack without warning. Before he could dodge, snow splattered across his face."You've got some nerve, laying hands on me!" Felix's fury erupted. His hand shot forward in a vicious eagle claw strike toward Nick's throat."Overestimating yourself," Nick said with a cold smile.The next instant, Felix closed the distance, but before his strike could land, a thunderous bang reverberated through the clearing.Felix's entire body was hurled backward by an invisible surge of inner force, flying several meters before crashing into the SUV. The windshield exploded, glass raining onto the snow

Nick Crane was unfamiliar with the area, so he followed her lead."Just take me to the Ashbourne family estate. You saved me today, and the Ashbourne family doesn't forget its debts." She lifted her chin slightly, a trace of pride returning to her features. "I'm Iris Ashbourne, the eldest daughter of the Ashbourne family."Iris Ashbourne expected Nick to be impressed by her identity.Instead, Nick simply shook his head with mild indifference. "Never heard of you."The response left Iris momentarily speechless and irritated."You must be from out of town if you don't even know who the Ashbourne family is," she finally said, disbelief coloring her tone.Nick nodded readily enough. "That's right. Just arrived, and what do you know? First thing that happens, I run into a kidnapping."He briefly explained how he'd entered an unlicensed cab, met the Goldwyn family's men, and ended up here.The story made Iris laugh despite herself, genuine amusement

Gordon Ashbourne watched Nick Crane sit there with such unassuming composure, and his favorable impression of the young man doubled. Young people with this kind of steady temperament were far too rare these days.He warmly guided Nick to the seat of honor. Nick declined several times, protesting the arrangement, but eventually settled into the chair. He'd initially suspected the Ashbourne family harbored some ulterior motive, some test they wanted to spring on him. Now, thinking it over, he realized he'd probably been overthinking things.Iris Ashbourne had changed into casual clothes before coming downstairs. Her outfit was remarkably simple, almost understated. By the time she arrived, Nick had already taken his seat. She bounced over with obvious delight and plopped down right beside him.Gordon had invited quite a few Ashbourne relatives over for this welcoming banquet in Iris's honor. She seized the opportunity to recount to everyone how Nick had rescued her, tho

Nick Crane had rescued her from the Goldwyn family, but she still had no real sense of just how capable he truly was.Now, watching Roderick Lawson strike with lethal intent, Iris Ashbourne's heart seized with a mixture of guilt and panic. She shouldn't have let this happen. She shouldn't have pushed him into this.Roderick's eyes gleamed with vicious intent.Then the black stallion reared back with a piercing whinny.Nick gripped the reins with one hand, his body perfectly synchronized with the horse's movement. Standing on one leg atop the surging animal, he leaned down and lashed out with his other foot. The strike connected squarely with Roderick's wrist, sending the reins flying from his grasp. The palm strike that had been aimed at Nick's chest went wide, hitting nothing but empty air."Beautiful!" Iris shouted, unable to contain her excitement.Nick cracked the riding crop, its sharp pop sending the black stallion forward like lightning.Nic