Ethan slowly locked his phone.His expression didn’t change.But his mind was racing.Someone had watched the entire operation.Not through the news.Not through rumors.They had known immediately after it ended.That meant the Crown Society had eyes everywhere.Director Stanton smiled.“Mr. Cole, we’d like to hold a press conference.”“The media deserves to know what happened today.”Several reporters had already gathered outside the emergency department.Camera flashes lit up the hallway.Microphones were being prepared.Ethan shook his head.“No.”Director Stanton looked surprised.“You don’t want the recognition?”Ethan smiled.“I didn’t save Professor Hayes to become famous.”“I did it because he needed help.”The doctors exchanged glances.Their respect for Ethan grew even stronger.Professor Hayes was wheeled out of the operating room.Although still weak…He was awake.He looked at Director Stanton.“Cancel every interview.”Director Stanton nodded immediately.“Yes, Professor

Ryan walked into the hall with a confident smile.His expensive suit was perfectly tailored.His hair was neatly styled.He looked as arrogant as ever.The twelve masked members watched him silently.Ryan stopped beside Ethan.“So…”“You got invited too.”Ethan looked at him calmly.“I did.”Ryan smirked.“Don’t get too excited.”“People like you don’t belong here.”Before Ethan could reply…The chairman raised his hand.“Enough.”The room immediately fell silent.He looked at Ryan.“Mr. Crawford.”Ryan straightened his posture.“You requested the Crown Society’s help.”“I did.”“And after a thorough investigation…”“We rejected your request.”Ryan’s smile faded.“But…”The chairman continued,“Every applicant deserves one opportunity.”“So tonight…”“You and Mr. Cole will face the same test.”Ryan nodded confidently.“I won’t disappoint you.”The chairman smiled faintly.“We’ll decide that.”He snapped his fingers.The doors opened.Two assistants entered.Each carried a black briefc

The warehouse fell silent.The only sounds were the waves crashing against the pier and the faint buzz of the overhead lights.The tall man stepped out of the shadows.He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.A silver dragon pin rested on his collar.His hands were tucked casually into his pockets.He looked no older than thirty-five.Yet the confidence in his eyes made him seem far more dangerous.Sophia struggled against the ropes.Her eyes begged Ethan to leave.The man smiled.“You came alone.”Ethan calmly looked around the warehouse.“I did.”The man laughed.“I expected you to.”He slowly walked closer.“My name is Damian Voss.”“I’m one of the regional commanders of the Black Dragon Syndicate.”Ethan remained expressionless.“You kidnapped an innocent woman.”Damian shrugged.“I needed your attention.”“You could’ve simply called.”Damian smiled wider.“Where’s the fun in that?”Several men walked out from behind stacks of shipping containers.One.Three.Five.Ten.

Ethan and Sophia left the warehouse without saying a word.The cold sea breeze hit their faces.A black SUV was already waiting near the entrance.Four members of the Crown Guard stepped out.One of them opened the rear door.“Mr. Cole.”“The Chairman is waiting.”Ethan nodded.He turned to Sophia.“I’ll take you home first.”She shook her head.“I don’t want to go home.”Ethan looked at her.She forced a weak smile.“Not yet.”“I’m still scared.”Ethan understood.He looked at one of the guards.“Take Miss Bennett to the Imperial Sky Hotel.”“The presidential suite.”“Make sure she’s protected.”The guard bowed.“Yes, Mr. Cole.”Sophia looked at Ethan.“What about you?”“I have to meet Alexander.”She hesitated before nodding.“Be careful.”“I will.”The SUV drove away.Ethan entered another vehicle with the Crown Guard.No one spoke during the journey.Thirty minutes later…They arrived at the Crown Society headquarters.Alexander Kingsley was already waiting in his office.The mome

Rain poured heavily over the abandoned institute.Thunder rumbled across the dark sky.Ethan never took his eyes off the top-floor window.He had seen it clearly.The glowing blue screen.It was exactly like his own system.Alexander stood beside him.“You saw it too.”Ethan nodded.“I did.”Alexander looked toward the building.“So we’re not too late.”He turned to the Crown Guards.“Seal every exit.”“No one gets in.”“No one gets out.”“Yes, Chairman!”Within seconds…More than twenty guards surrounded the institute.Some moved toward the rear entrance.Others climbed onto nearby rooftops.The entire building was surrounded.Alexander looked at Ethan.“Ready?”Ethan nodded.The two of them entered through the rusted front doors.…The lobby was frozen in time.Broken furniture lay scattered across the floor.Dust covered every surface.Old research papers littered the hallway.The air smelled damp.As if no one had entered the building for decades.Yet…Fresh muddy footprints stret