The corridor leading to the main hall buzzed with thick anticipation as whispers trailed behind Stephanie, who strode forward alongside Dr. John and her security detail. Guests turned their heads in awe and reverence, yet nobody dared to lock eyes with her directly.Except Marcus.He caught sight of her approaching from down the hall, her figure striking and flanked by two muscular bodyguards. While those nearby stepped back or bowed their heads to yield the path, Marcus never broke his pace. He walked onward with a tranquil expression, as if simply navigating a routine hallway.Spotting him approaching from the opposite direction, Stephanie narrowed her sharp eyes, her brows rising at his absolute indifference. She knew very few men could preserve such calm in her presence, and she resented his casual air. After everything that had transpired, she found it astounding that he possessed the audacity to show his face again.Her lead bodyguard, a broad man with a scowl carved into his fe

Seeing what was happening, Stephanie watched the scene unfold from a distance, her sharp gaze fixed on Marcus. She crossed her arms, her posture exuding quiet confidence, but internally, her thoughts were anything but neutral."Here we go again," she mused, her lips pressing into a faint smirk. "Always in the middle of something, always scheming."She had seen enough of Marcus to form her own conclusions. To her, he was nothing more than a cunning opportunist, someone who knew how to manipulate people and situations to his advantage. The way he had navigated the Julius family and collected the exclusive card in the process only fueled her belief that he thrived on clever deceptions.And now, with Mr. Preston standing before him, Stephanie could not help but scoff inwardly. Without being told, she could tell he was up to something again, and from the look of things, Mr. Preston was falling into his tricks.At that moment, she observed Mr. Preston’s cautious demeanor, the way he seemed

The parlor descended into pandemonium as Erica’s grandfather turned pale as a ghost, his hand quivering atop his walking stick.“Collins!” the patriarch boomed, his breath raspy yet furious. “How dare you make a decision like that on behalf of this entire household!”Collins winced, yet he refused to back down. “Grandfather, I was only attempting to shield us—”“Shield us?” the elder spat back, his voice rising in volume. “You are tossing away every value this family stands for! Do you have any idea what you are risking? You are a complete disgrace to our name!”Without hesitation, he aimed a finger directly at his grandson. “I forbid you from uttering another word.”Observing the stern expression on his grandfather’s face, Collins understood the warning loud and clear. He knew better than to push the boundary any further.The harsh tone of the elder’s voice reverberated through the space, leaving his anger thick in the air. Suddenly, he folded over, clutching his chest tightly while

Mr. Preston stepped forward and rested a heavy hand on his wife's trembling shoulder, trying to steady her even as his own heart hammered against his ribs."Honey, I know you're terrified. I am too," he admitted, his voice thick with exhaustion. "We've brought in the best doctors we could find, specialists, professors, top medical authorities. Not a single one of them could tell us what was wrong with our son."He looked toward the bed, where the pale figure of his boy lay motionless under the sheets."Dr. Marcus is our last hope," Preston continued softly. "We've tried everything else. Let him try.""But..." Mrs. Preston began, her eyes wide with fear as she searched her husband's face."No." Preston gently cut her off. His voice remained quiet, but a sudden, unwavering determination settled over his features. "We have to trust him."He could not bring himself to say aloud the terrifying truth that had haunted him for months. Their son was already slipping away, and time was running

Marcus let his eyes drift across the intruder. The rare herb was nowhere in sight, meaning the secret compartment where he stored his medicinal supplies remained undiscovered.The fugitive maintained a grounded stance, his grip on the handle firm and practiced. He radiated the distinct menace of a seasoned killer, hardened by years of deadly encounters. This was the same target War Goddess Stephanie and her vanguard were currently surrounding outside, a man widely feared for his ruthlessness and martial skill.Marcus, however, did not show a trace of concern."You are trespassing on my personal property," Marcus stated, his voice quiet yet carrying an icy undertone. "Drop that blade, and I might consider letting you walk out of here alive."The criminal sneered, pulling the child closer against his chest. "You are hardly in a position to give orders," he barked, tightening his grip on the knife. "I have slaughtered men ten times stronger than you. Do not test my patience."Marcus narr