Tristan sat still in the back booth, rubbing his thumb along the edge of an old silver tag.The metal had been worn smooth from years of rubbing against his chest. Engraved on its face was a single name: Douglas Ellis.To the world, Douglas had died in a small border war that history books never mentioned. But to Tristan, Douglas was the man who had dragged him out of a sea of blood years ago. Douglas had taken a piece of bomb shrapnel that was meant for Tristan's heart. Before he took his last breath in that muddy trench, he had grabbed Tristan's collar with trembling fingers."Promise me, Commander. Promise me you’ll watch over Chloe. Don't let her fall into the hands of the sharks in the city. Protect her, no matter what it takes."Tristan squeezed the tag tightly in his fist.He was the leader of the powerful Pyreking Dynasty, controlling huge armies, endless money, and global power that made world leaders bow to him. Yet, he was sitting in a cheap diner wearing a faded jacket an

The Royal Grand Hotel towered over the downtown district. Flashes from cameras flickered constantly near the entrance as luxury limousines, sports cars, and transport vehicles lined up along the red carpet. Politicians, Business tycoons and media moguls stepped out in tailored tuxedos and glittering diamond gowns, nodding graciously to the surrounding reporters.Tristan pulled the BMW 7 Series into the open VIP drop-off zone. He stepped out calmly, holding the door open for Chloe, who smiled at him, and ignored Vivian and Trevor, leaving them staring at him in contempt.Vivian smoothed down her evening dress, her face beaming with smug pride as she looked around at the gathered high society. She didn't offer Tristan a single glance as she strutted up the stairs alongside Trevor. Chloe paused at the bottom of the steps, her eyes lingering on the red mark near Tristan’s jaw. She opened her mouth to say something, but Vivian snapped her fingers impatiently, pulling her daughter into the

Lord Bruce stood near the desk, his hands resting behind his back. Dressed in a red suit with a subtle gold dragon pin on his lapel, his presence dominated the entire room. He was a man who controlled international shipping lanes, shadow banks, and corporate conglomerates worth hundreds of billions. Yet, beneath his calm facade, his pulse was racing.Only three hours ago, a message from the Pyreking Dynasty High Council had reached his secure tablet. The message contained a direct warning: The Supreme Commander has entered your jurisdiction. Find his trail and yield full authority, or your entire network will be liquidated by dawn.Lord Bruce swallowed hard, his eyes strained as he glanced at the communications device on his desk. He hadn't come to this city to inspect cheap historical trinkets; he was using the auction as a lure, hoping that an artifact connected to ancient heritage might draw the supreme commander into the open."My Lord," his chief security officer murmured from

The glass doors of the hotel lobby slammed shut behind Chloe as she stumbled out, Her gown brushed against the floor, but she didn't care. She sprinted down the driveway as her frantic gaze searched the parking lot.Her breath came in painful gasps. Her eyes welled with hot tears as she reached the isolated corner.Tristan was sitting calmly. He wasn't panicking, nor was he gloating.Chloe pulled the car door open, her hands trembling so violently she could barely grip the handle."Tristan!" she choked out, her voice breaking into a tearful sob.Tristan stopped his movement. Slowly, he lowered his hand and turned his head to look at her. Chloe collapsed against the side of the open door, l She buried her face in her trembling hands, weeping tears of shame, and guilt."It was a fake." Chloe sobbed uncontrollably. "The jade seal, it was fake, just like you said. Lord Bruce blacklisted us. He seized our company assets. The house, my father's insurance, everything is gone. We are bankru

The main lobby of the Hotel was filled with an oppressive tension. Dozens of guests and media executives stood frozen near the pillars, whispering in muted terror as fifty armed, dark-suited Pyreking guards swept through the grand hall, clearing a wide path toward the entrance. In the center of the floor, Vivian Ellis was on her knees. Her hair hung in messy tangles over her face, and her torn dress was stained with dirt. Tears smeared her makeup as she reached out, trying to grab the pant leg of any guard who walked past. "Please! Lord Bruce, please!" Vivian wailed, "Give my family a second chance! We were tricked, It was Trevor Rhodes who brought us the loan, we are innocent!" A few yards away, Trevor stood leaning against a column. His face was drenched of hot sweat as he held his dislocated right wrist against his chest. When he saw Lord Bruce march down the center carpet with his elite guards, Trevor tried to force a confident smile and stepped forward with a shaky limp.