The two assistants shook on the floor, staring at the dead doctor with wide, terrified eyes. Hearing the heavy boots step closer, both men scrambled backward in sheer panic. They reached under their green coats, pulling two small black handguns from their belts.Their trembling hands pointed the gun barrels straight at the tall man in the doorway. "Stay back! Do not take another step!" the first assistant screamed in a shrill voice. Gideon did not slow down, moving through the gray smoke with cold, silent speed.Before either man could pull a trigger, Gideon’s hands shot forward like two iron clamps. He grabbed both of their wrists, twisting the bones with a sharp, sickening snap. The handguns dropped from their broken fingers, clattering uselessly against the wet concrete floor.Both assistants screamed in agony, clutching their crushed wrists as tears ran down their faces. Gideon did not look at them, striking their chests with an open palm to pin them down. The two men fell flat on

Silas Caldwell desperately pulled the control stick of his wheelchair, trying to roll backward away from the shadow. The rubber wheels hit the heavy wooden desk behind him with a dull thud, trapping him in the corner. His breath came in ragged, wheezing gasps as he looked up into Gideon's dark, merciless eyes.The old man slumped forward, reaching out with both of his liver-spotted hands toward the floor. His trembling fingers clamped tightly around the wet cuff of Gideon’s combat trousers, clutching the cloth like a drowning rat. Thick tears of pure terror ran down his wrinkled cheeks, mixing with the dark, foul fluid dripping from his lips."Spare my life, Commander Knox!" Silas wailed, his voice cracking into a high, pitiful shriek. "I am an old, sick man! I made a terrible mistake ten years ago, but we can fix this right now! Please do not kill me!"Gideon looked down at the decrepit monster clutching his leg, his face as still and cold as carved granite. Not a single trace of pit

Gideon stood completely still in the quiet hospital hallway, his cold eyes staring down at the medical chart. Dr. Elena Ramos held the papers against her chest, her hands trembling with deep worry. The faint sound of machines beeping inside the intensive care room made the silence feel heavy."Tell me about this miracle, Elena," Gideon said in a low, steady voice that did not waver. "There is no poison on this earth that cannot be washed away with the right cure. What does my medical division need to heal my sisters?"Elena took a deep breath, looking up into her commander's calm face with wet eyes. "Modern pills and blood machines cannot pull the dark poison from their tiny bones without stopping their hearts. The only medicine known to cleanse Black Mercury without harming a child's body is an ancient herb called the Nine-Leaf Frost Ginseng.""The Frost Ginseng grows only on the highest frozen peaks in the far northern mountains," Elena explained softly. "It absorbs pure cold energy

Cassandra stepped out of her red sports car, lifting the hem of her emerald dress so it would not touch the pavement. The night air was cool, carrying the salty smell of the ocean mixed with the rich scent of expensive perfumes. All around the wide plaza, hundreds of wealthy tycoons from three different provinces stood in small groups, chatting about tonight's treasures.A long black limousine screeched to a halt beside the red carpet, drawing the attention of the surrounding crowd. Four large bodyguards in dark suits stepped out, quickly opening the back door to unload a shiny steel wheelchair. Sitting in the chair was Dominic Caldwell, his face as white as chalk and his chest wrapped tightly in white bandages.Dominic groaned in agony every time the wheels rolled over a bump, clutching his cracked ribs with shaking hands. His lips were chapped, and his eyes were bloodshot from a whole day of screaming in terror. "Be careful, you clumsy dogs," Dominic wheezed through his teeth. "Get

Gideon did not look back at the screaming man or the trembling woman. He gently took Serena’s hand, leading her past the velvet ropes and through the tall wooden doors. Cassandra was left alone in the cold lobby, trembling as security guards pushed Dominic’s wheelchair right past her.Dominic spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the floor, his face twisted in pure hatred as he glared at Cassandra. "Get out of my sight, you greedy bitch," Dominic hissed through his teeth. "Once I buy my father's medicine tonight, I will deal with you and that beggar Knox together."The heavy double doors swung open, revealing the grand auction hall of the Grand Pearl Tower. Massive golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting warm light over rows of plush red velvet seats. Hundreds of wealthy business owners, bank directors, and clan elders from three provinces filled the room with excited chatter.Gideon and Serena walked up the private carpeted stairs, stepping into the central VIP box on