Vanessa watched as Adrian reached the door.His shoulders were slightly lowered, and his face carried a lonely expression.He looked like someone who had just been reminded of his place.For a moment, Vanessa said nothing. Then guilt slowly spread through her heart.She remembered Adrian's condition and how he had just been discharged from the hospital.She remembered how he had nevertheless volunteered to help the company. And now she had made him feel as though she did not trust him.“Adrian.”He stopped.But he didn't immediately turn around.“Yes?”His voice was deliberately subdued.Vanessa hesitated.“Come back.”Adrian slowly turned.A faint trace of surprise appeared on his face.“Madam?”Vanessa sighed.“I've thought about it.”He waited.“You can try.”For a fraction of a second, an intense gleam of satisfaction flashed through Adrian's eyes.But it disappeared almost instantly.Instead, he looked almost overwhelmed.“Really?”“Yes.”Vanessa nodded.“I'll let you take over t

The following morning, Adrian arrived at the arms department before sunrise.He had barely slept, but unlike what Vanessa imagined, exhaustion was not the reason.He had spent most of the night studying the documents he had obtained from the company.The more he read, the more convinced he became that taking over Darren's responsibilities would be easier than he had initially expected.Darren had established an efficient system.Every inspection had a sequence.Every report had a format.Every production batch had records.The engineers already knew their roles.Darren had simply been the person coordinating everything.Adrian's lips curled into a faint smile.If he could maintain the existing structure while gradually placing his own people and methods into it, nobody would notice how much control he was acquiring.That was the advantage of appearing humble.People rarely became suspicious of someone who constantly reminded them that he was inexperienced.At eight o'clock, the depart

Adrian stared at the message for several seconds.His fingers tightened around the phone.The words were short, but they were enough to make the confidence he had built over the past few days disappear.“The man you are replacing is not as powerless as you think. Someone has started looking into the company records again. Be careful.”Adrian immediately deleted the message.He looked around the office.Nobody seemed to have noticed anything.The engineers were still discussing production figures. One of the assistants was arranging technical documents. Another employee was waiting for Adrian's approval on an inspection report.Everything looked normal.Yet Adrian no longer felt comfortable.He had spent weeks carefully positioning himself.He had entered Vanessa's life by appearing weak.He had gained her sympathy by making her believe he needed protection.He had allowed himself to look dependent while quietly studying everyone around her.Then Darren left.That had been the opportun

The room became completely silent. Chloe stared at Darren.She had seen that expression before.It was the expression of NIGHTREIGN.The man who had survived countless battles.The man whose name had become a warning whispered among powerful forces.Darren looked at the map again."How many facilities are affected?""Three confirmed. Two more are being investigated.""And the military movements?""Still increasing."Chloe handed him another file."There is something else."Darren opened it."Their communications are heavily encrypted. But one transmission was intercepted.""What did it say?"Chloe hesitated."They mentioned Sterling Group."Darren's eyes narrowed."What exactly?""They referred to it as a strategic weapons supplier."Darren's expression remained cold."Who authorized the operation?""We don't know.""Find out.""We're trying."Darren closed the file."No. Don't try."Chloe looked at him."Find out.""Understood."He turned toward the window.For years, he had kept his

Dorothy stared at Raphael for several seconds, trying to understand why he had asked such a ridiculous question.Of course she had brought her identification and the divorce documents. She had come to the courthouse to frighten him into submission, not because she genuinely intended to end their marriage.She had expected him to approach her with a guilty expression, perhaps even offer an expensive gift to prove his sincerity. Instead, he stood there as though they were strangers who had arranged to meet for an ordinary appointment.The realization irritated her."What kind of question is that?" Dorothy demanded, lifting her chin. "Of course I brought them."Raphael nodded. "Good. Then we can get started."He turned toward the courthouse entrance.Dorothy's expression stiffened.For a moment, she thought she had misunderstood him. Surely, after seeing that she had actually come, he would finally realize she was serious about teaching him a lesson. He would apologize, promise to change