Monday morning.Auremont University."Brother."Zevian didn't look up from his textbook."What?""I'm injured.""Congratulations."Miles Boone stared at him."CONGRATULATIONS?!"Several students turned.Zevian sighed."Lower your voice."Miles placed a hand against his stomach."Your brother was brutally attacked, and that's your response?""You volunteered.""Under emotional pressure!""From whom?"Miles paused.Then pointed dramatically toward the ceiling."My pride."Elara, sitting across from them, burst out laughing.Zevian nodded."Your pride made a terrible decision."Miles looked betrayed."Brother!""What?""Victor kicked me!""Yes.""In the stomach!""I was there.""And you didn't avenge me!"Zevian closed his textbook."Fatty.""What?""Victor apologized."Miles became quiet."And he wasn't even trying to hurt you.""Still hurt.""That's why we train."Miles considered it.Then sighed."Two weeks."Zevian raised an eyebrow."What?""Two weeks of training.""Yes.""Countless

"That's what you said last time."Elara Whitmore leaned back in her chair.On the other end of the phone, her mother laughed softly."Sweetheart, it's just lunch.""With a young man Grandpa wants me to meet.""He's a guest.""Mom.""What?""Grandpa doesn't invite random young men to family lunches."Her mother sighed."Your grandfather has known his family for years.""Exactly.""Elara.""Mom."A brief silence followed.Then Mrs. Whitmore laughed."You're becoming difficult.""Learned from the best.""Your father says the same thing."Elara smiled."Speaking of Dad, is he home?""Still in his study.""Working?""Unfortunately."Elara frowned."That project again?""Yes. He's been reviewing documents since dinner."Her mother sighed."I've told him to rest, but you know your father."Elara nodded.She did.When something bothered her father, he rarely stopped thinking about it until he found a solution."Is it serious?""Nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart. It's a Whitmore Hosp

"Under my conditions."Kevin looked at Coach Marcus."Protective equipment?""Obviously.""Light contact?""Yes.""And you'll supervise personally?"Marcus nodded."From beginning to end."Kevin smiled."Understood."Marcus placed the training schedule on his desk."One short round to start. If either participant loses control, I stop it immediately.""Of course.""And if Victor refuses any of those conditions?""No match."Kevin nodded.Then hesitated."Actually, Coach..."Marcus looked up."What?""There's something else.""About Victor?""Not exactly."Kevin scratched his head."Apparently, people are coming tomorrow."Marcus frowned."People?""Spectators.""For what?"Kevin smiled awkwardly."The sparring match."Silence.Marcus slowly lowered his pen."The match we haven't officially confirmed?""That one."Marcus stared."How?""Word spread around Auremont.""Who announced it?"Kevin tried not to laugh."Remember Miles Boone?"Marcus paused."The beginner who keeps asking about

"Begin."Victor Han moved first.Not with a kick.He circled toward Zevian's left, maintaining a comfortable distance.Zevian adjusted his stance.Hands raised.Chin lowered.Weight balanced.Across from him, Victor bounced lightly on his feet.His movements were smooth.Practiced.Almost effortless.Zevian watched carefully.Different.Derek Vaughn preferred closing the distance with punching combinations.Victor was doing the opposite.He wanted space.Enough room to use his legs.Victor stepped forward.A quick front kick.Zevian shifted backward.The kick stopped just short of his protective gear.Victor withdrew his leg.Then smiled."Good."Zevian nodded."Thanks."Victor moved again.This time, a roundhouse kick came toward his body.Zevian raised his guard.Tap!The controlled strike touched his protective vest.He stepped backward.Marcus watched."Point. Victor."Miles immediately leaned forward."Brother!"Kevin turned.Miles clamped his mouth shut.Right.No shouting.He s

Sunday morning.Havencrest Residences.Zevian Rook stood before his wardrobe.He stared at the clothes.Then at his phone.Then back at the clothes.'System.'[Yes, Host?]'What do people wear to a family lunch?'[Appropriate clothing.]Zevian paused.'Very helpful.'[You're welcome.]He pulled out a dark blue button-down shirt.Black trousers.Clean shoes.Good enough.He wasn't attending a business conference.Just lunch.With Elara's family.And apparently, a business consultation.His phone vibrated.Elara.[Don't leave yet.]Zevian raised an eyebrow.[Why?][I'm picking you up.][I have an e-bike.][I know.][Then?][Zev, the main house is forty minutes from Auremont.][My e-bike works.][And you don't even know where the house is.]Zevian paused.Fair.He'd known Elara for years.Yet he'd never visited either of her family's houses.Not the smaller one near Auremont.And certainly not the main residence.[Send the address?][I'm already on my way.]Zevian sighed.[Bossy.][You'r