Chapter 22: “K10…” Sophia repeated, her voice barely a breath. She stared at the man before her, her eyes scanning his face for any sign of a ruse, but finding only a terrifying, hollow calm. The cashier, sensing the shift in the room, laughed with a shrill, forced confidence. “Yes! K10! I knew it was nonsense the moment he said it.” She turned to the security guards with a triumphant sneer. “What kind of name is that for an account? I’ve been working at this bank for four years. Four years! I’ve processed thousands of transactions, and I’ve never heard a single soul mention anything called K10.” She shot a smug look at Marcus. “I knew immediately he was a fraud.” Internally, she was already drafting the story she would tell her friends later that evening. She had just exposed a delusional con artist in front of Sophia—the youngest director at Sky High. Surely, such vigilance would be rewarded. Perhaps a promotion to supervisor, or a corner office. The cashier could practically see

CHAPTER 24Marcus did not hesitate. As soon as Erica held out the device, he lifted his hand and bit down on his finger.Blood appeared almost immediately.Erica watched closely. She had expected him to question her or hesitate, but he simply did what was required. There was no fear on his face, only a calm certainty.Marcus positioned his bleeding finger above the metallic seal.A drop of blood fell onto it.Erica waited.One second passed.Then another.Nothing happened.The device remained still, and the huge vault door showed no sign of movement.Erica's confidence began to fade. She lowered her shoulders as doubt returned.Maybe he had been lying.It made no sense that a man who had arrived covered in dirt and blood, without even proper identification, could truly be connected to a secret that had been protected for generations.“Well,” Erica murmured, disappointment creeping into her voice. “Perhaps you were mistaken. Or maybe you were simply taking a chance.”Before she could sa

CHAPTER 26Erica quickly gathered herself. She was afraid of saying the wrong thing or doing anything that might offend Marcus. She now understood what her family had known for generations. They might have been entrusted with the keys, but the wealth and authority had always belonged to the Hale bloodline.“Master, every account and asset will be placed under your control whenever you give the order,” Erica assured him, her voice filled with respect.Marcus looked around the enormous vault before shaking his head.“Everything stays where it is.”Erica stared at him for a moment.“Yes, Master,” she answered quickly, nodding several times. Relief spread across her face. Her family's position and influence could remain unchanged as long as they continued to serve as his stewards.“My grandfather would be honored to meet you personally,” she added cautiously. “Sadly, he is currently bedridden because of his illness. Once he recovers, we would be honored to have you visit our estate.”Marcu

CHAPTER 27The door opened slowly, and a man walked into the room.Marcus immediately looked in his direction.The stranger appeared to be in his late fifties. He wore a perfectly fitted black suit, polished shoes, and an expensive watch. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and everything about his appearance spoke of wealth and influence.Marcus's mother smiled when she saw him.“Oh, you came back?”The man gave her a polite nod.She then looked toward Marcus.“Your friend is already here.”Marcus turned toward the man again.He searched his memory but could not remember meeting him. The stranger, however, looked at him as though he knew exactly who he was.He walked closer and stopped before Marcus.Then, to Marcus's surprise, he bowed deeply.“Hello, sir,” the man greeted respectfully.Marcus stared at him.He had no idea who this man was, but he didn't want his mother to notice his confusion.He simply nodded.“I'll be back shortly, Mom,” Marcus promised.“Okay, no problem,” sh

CHAPTER 28Marcus frowned at her accusations.“Can I see your grandfather?”Stephanie's eyes became colder. For a brief moment, her composure slipped as she studied him closely, looking for any indication that he was lying.Her hand tightened around the golden pistol at her waist.“You think I'm joking?” she asked with a cold laugh. “Fine. Follow me if you're so determined to see him.”She turned and walked across the marble floor, the sound of her military boots echoing through the villa.“Perhaps seeing him yourself will finally put an end to this ridiculous pursuit of something you'll never have,” she remarked.Marcus said nothing.He followed her.They reached the top floor, where Stephanie pushed open a heavy door.A private medical suite appeared beyond it.Advanced medical equipment surrounded a large bed. Machines hummed quietly, their screens filling the room with a pale light.Marcus walked toward the bed.His breathing paused for a moment.An elderly man lay motionless benea