CHAPTER 31
Author: LADY E
last update2025-05-08 23:57:21
Back in the Quarry

As they emerged into the grey dawn, silence passed between father and son for a long time.

Then Dorian broke it.

“You made the right choice.”

Luca nodded. “But we’ve made an enemy down there.”

“He was already your enemy the moment you touched that flame,” Dorian replied. “But now he knows you’re not his pawn.”

Luca clenched his jaw. “Let him come, and whenever he decides to fight me one on one, I’ll be ready.”

Dorian smiled and said; “You will be, come on let's go shower and get some rest.”

But deep in the ruin below, the forbidden flame danced with rage.

*****

And far away, in the Ashford stronghold, Marcellus, Dorian’s brother, stood alone in his chamber, he began to recall the past, how his older brother and him went to fight wars and he always surpassed him in everything.

That made him jealous, what even added more jealousy was that the heiress Elsa fell for Dorian not him.

So when the issue arose that he gave birth to a child out of wedlo
Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Latest Chapter

  • CHAPTER 68

    Killian arrived at the interrogation room. The man who had tried to kill Janelle was handcuffed to the chair, his expression twisted in a sick grin, wild eyes, he was not bothered, like someone who had nothing left to lose. He hadn't said a single word since being brought in. Not during booking, not during the ride over not to any of the officers. Killian entered the room, shutting the door behind him. He pulled out the chair and sat across from the man, locking eyes with him. "So." Killian started calmly, "who sent you?" The man tilted his head and scoffed. "You have no idea what you're in the middle of." Killian didn't blink. "You're the detective, aren't you?" The man continued, grinning wider. "The one protecting her?"Killian's expression didn't shift. "Who sent you, and what does he want?" "If you want to keep your little girlfriend safe," the man drawled, "you'll stay far away from the investigation into her mother's death. That's the thread that'll get both o

  • CHAPTER 67

    Owen decided to head home that night. "You sure you'll be okay? You can spend the night if you want." Killian offered, leaning against the doorway. "I don’t know… I think I'd rather go." Owen replied with a faint shrug. "She might be upset if she finds me here in the morning." He added. There was a pause. "Did someone really try to kill her?" Owen asked quietly. "Yes." Killian said, voice low but firm. Owen looked down. "I'm sorry." "What for?" Killian asked, brow furrowing.But Owen didn't answer. "I have to go." With that, he turned and left. ***The next morning*** Janelle stirred awake, blinking against the morning light. Of course, Owen was gone. Good, she pulled herself out of bed and began packing her things. She couldn't stay, not when she knew Owen might be a regular visitor here. That was a boundary she wasn't willing to cross. She zipped her bag shut just as a voice startled her from behind. "Planning on sneaking out?" Killian asked, leaning against the d

  • CHAPTER 66

    "Why shouldn't he?" Janelle snapped. "Why shouldn't anyone?" "That's what everyone always did, isn't it? Took your side. Mom. Dad. Everyone except Grandpa. And he's gone too." Owen said with a scoff. "And when I reached out to you..." Her voice was low now, but it carried a rawness that made Killian go still. "Wasn't that enough? I loved you. I thought I had a special bond with my older brother. But all I got was rejection." She scoffed and looked away. Owen looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself. "What?" Janelle snapped, her glare sharp. "Cat got your tongue?" "Watch it, Janelle." Owen bit back. "You're still just as selfish, aren't you?" "Me?" She scoffed, her voice rising. "I'm the selfish one?" But before she could say more, Janelle suddenly clutched her chest. Her breathing quickened. "Janelle?" Killian rushed to her side. "Hey, hey, breathe. Look at me. Just breathe, okay?" "She's having an asthma attack." He said, his voice low but urge

  • CHAPTER 65

    Janelle couldn't believe her eyes. Standing right in front of her, as smug as ever, was Owen. "Janelle?" Owen blinked, equally surprised. "Wait! You two know each other?" Killian asked, looking between them. "Yes." Janelle said flatly, crossing her arms with a scoff. "Killian, meet my estranged older brother." She added, giving Owen a look that screamed annoyance. "Brother?" Killian repeated, clearly taken aback. Now that he thought about it, he didn't actually know that much about Owen's family background. He'd always assumed Owen had no close ties, after all, the guy had left home at eighteen… or was it that he'd been kicked out? But a sister? "Is that how you introduce me?" Owen asked, putting a hand to his chest dramatically. "What? Should I have rolled out a red carpet for you?" Janelle shot back. "Hold on a second..." Killian cut in, still processing. "You both have the same parents?" "Yes." They both answered, in perfect sync, as if it were the most unfortunate

  • CHAPTER 64

    After dinner, Janelle leaned back in her seat and casually asked. "So… won't your girlfriend be upset I'm staying at your house?" Killian looked up, expression unreadable. "I don't have one." "Oh, that's right. You're gay." She muttered under her breath, but not quiet enough. Killian raised a brow. "What did you say?" "Nothing..." "Why would you assume I'm gay?" "I… no reason." She replied, looking away. "That's a lie." Killian stood, walking toward her. His slow, deliberate steps made her instinctively back up. She kept moving until her back hit the wall. "Why did you say that?" He asked again, voice low. "Fine." She said with a sigh. "I heard it at your office, okay?" "What?" Killian's brows furrowed in disbelief, his expression a mix of irritation and surprise. Killian stared at her, clearly trying to process what she had just said. That was what people at his own firm were whispering behind his back? "You heard this when?" He asked, voice tight with disb

  • CHAPTER 63

    Janelle saw her father seated comfortably in her chair, flipping through a few papers like he owned the place. "Mr. Ian Thorn." She said with a raised brow." "Don't be silly, Ellie." Ian teased. "Hi, Dad." She murmured, stepping inside. "Sweetie." Ian stood up and immediately pulled her into a warm hug. "What are you doing here?" She asked, trying to keep her tone light. "I went by your apartment earlier, but you weren't home." "Yeah… I… spent the night at a friend's." she said, hoping her voice didn't sound too off. "A friend? Kiara's back?" "No, just… another friend." She offered a tight smile. "Oh, okay. I got a bit worried." He said, his tone soft. "Why'd you come to my apartment so early in the morning anyway?" Janelle asked trying to change the subject. "I just wanted to give you something. And… I missed you." He said honestly. "I missed you too." She replied, quieter this time. Ian looked at her with quiet affection, no matter how much had changed,

  • CHAPTER 62

    Neither of them spoke during the drive, when they pulled into his driveway, Killian noted with quiet relief that Owen was gone. He didn't need distractions tonight, he unlocked the door and stepped aside. "Make yourself at home." Janelle hesitated at the threshold, then stepped inside. "I didn't want your pity." she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. Killian turned to look at her. "What?" "That's why I didn't tell you I was asthmatic." She explained, eyes downcast. "I didn't want you to see me as weak or… fragile." Killian exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. "You're not weak." he said simply. She gave a small nod, her eyes glistening but refusing to shed any more tears. "You can take the guest room. Would you be okay on your own?" "I'll be fine." She replied, her voice steadier than before. As she turned to head down the hallway, she paused and looked back at him. "Thank you. For saving me." Killian gave a small nod,

  • CHAPTER 61

    Earlier, Killian had spent the better part of the afternoon digging into the list of suspects Janelle had given him. But a throbbing headache made it hard to focus. He finally gave in, returned home, took a shower, swallowed some painkillers, and laid down for a short nap. When he woke up a few hour later, he felt clearer, rested and ready to dive back into the case. He had just settled into his study, flipping through one of the more promising files, when the doorbell rang. Killian frowned at the thought of it, this was a disturbance, there were very few people who ever came to his home uninvited. When he opened the door, he immediately regretted it. A young man with dyed gray hair stood at the entrance, grinning ear to ear. Before Killian could say a word, the man threw his arms around him in a dramatic hug. Killian resisted the urge to knee him in the gut and peel him off. But instead, he stood stiffly and endured it. "Why are you here?" Killian asked flatl

  • CHAPTER 60

    The next day, Janelle was jolted awake by the sharp buzz of her phone vibrating on the nightstand. Groaning, she reached over and answered groggily, "Hello..." "Good morning to you too." Killian's voice teased. "You sound half-dead. Still in bed?"She blinked hard. "Killian? Do you know what time it is?" "Don't be such a crybaby. It's already seven." he said casually. "Also… I forgot to bring your mother's gift yesterday. Sorry about that." "Yeah," she muttered, sitting up. "I was going to bring that up today." "Well." He said, "I opened it last night." "You did?" "There was a necklace inside." "Okay..." She said slowly, unsure why he was calling just for that. "And also..." He paused. "What?" She asked. "I found a key." Janelle blinked. "A key?" "Yeah. Hidden under the box lining." Her heart skipped. "I'll come take a look." "Alright, it's the weekend you busy this morning?" "No." Janelle replied. "Okay, I'll pick a different location.

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App