The Sovereign's Fury

Chapter 6

Leo’s world shifted as he stood before the gates of his Master’s secluded estate. He had rushed there expecting a reunion, but the air was thick with the scent of incense and old parchment. His Master was gone.

His emotions were a chaotic storm, but in his hands, he clutched a final directive—a scroll sealed with the ‘Six-Path Emblem’.

Leo Vane. I barred you from the needles to protect you from the darkness of the world. You will understand soon. But now, as my breath fades, I return your title to you. Take my place. Rise again.

Your first trial: The Shadow-Crawl is back. Find the source. Kill the parasite.

“I won’t fail you this time, Master,” Leo swore under his breath, his voice like grinding stone.

 “I’ll find the truth, and I’ll restore our lineage.”

A massive convoy of armored black SUVs accompanied him back to the city. Sitting in the back of a custom-built limo, Leo’s heart raced. It was his first day as the ‘Sovereign Manager’ of the Vane Group’s local division. He was heading to the Grand Azure Hotel for a high-stakes meeting with the department heads.

On the sidewalk, Nicolas, Madam Vane, and Elena were walking toward a luxury mall. Now that their sect had been shortlisted, they were desperate to upgrade their wardrobe for the Imperial Gala.

As they stepped off the curb, the Vane convoy thundered past, tires screaming. Onlookers pulled out their phones, desperate to catch a glimpse of the powerful figure inside. For a split second, the tinted window of the lead car rolled down.

“Is... is that Leo?” Nicolas stammered, his face turning pale.

The three of them stood frozen, tongues tied by shock. But Madam Vane was the first to break the silence with a shrill, mocking laugh.

“Leo? In a Sovereign convoy?” She clutched her stomach, laughing until it ached. “You guys must be hallucinating from the sun. That broken-ass loser is probably sleeping in a gutter right now.”

“I agree with Mom,” Elena added, though her eyes lingered on the vanishing tail lights. “It’s just a lookalike. There is no way the man I divorced yesterday is the most powerful manager in the city.”

Leo arrived at the hotel and dismissed his guards. If he was going to dominate this division, he wanted to see its true face without his father’s shadow looming over him.

As he walked toward the entrance, he saw a digital screen flashing his image.

WANTED: FOR QUESTIONING REGARDING THE GOVERNOR.

He crumpled a flyer he found on a bench and tossed it. “Sophia and Monica... is this how you repay a life-debt?” he muttered. “Trivial. I have more pressing empires to build.”

Leo stepped into the lobby of the Grand Azure. The building was a masterpiece of glass and gold, humming with the energy of high-level business. He checked his watch; he was ten minutes early. His father had mentioned an assistant would be waiting, but the lobby was a sea of busy workers, and no one approached him.

He walked toward a man in a sharp suit who looked like a floor supervisor.

“Good day, sir,” Leo greeted with a calm smile.

The man, Mr. Japheth, turned around with a deep scowl. “You fool! I’ve been looking for the new temp. You’ve been idling while we’re short-staffed? Do you realize who is coming today? The Sovereign Manager! One mistake and I’ll make sure you never work in this city again!”

Leo blinked, confusion flooding his face. “What are you talking about?”

Japheth stepped forward, poking Leo’s shoulder. “Slaves. Give them a uniform and they think they’re guests.” He hissed, his lip curling in disgust. “Move your ass.”

“I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else,” Leo said, his voice dropping an octave. “I don’t work for you.”

Japheth laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “Oh, I see. A freeloader. I should have known. Look at those clothes—you aren't even worthy of being a dishwasher here.”

Leo felt his blood begin to boil. He had spent years keeping his cool as a "mortal" husband, but the Vane blood in his veins was starting to roar. His knuckles made a sharp cracking sound.

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t give me that look. You’re here to beg, aren't you? Looking for a handout from the rich?”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Leo replied coldly, “but I’m here by invitation for the board meeting. Now, point me to the penthouse suite.”

Japheth doubled over in laughter. “A guest? In the penthouse?” He wiped a tear from his eye. “You’re not just a beggar; you’re a delusional swindler. Even the janitors here wear better shoes than you.”

Just then, another supervisor rushed up, sweating through his shirt. “Manager Japheth! Master Edward Vane will be here any minute! We’re three cleaners short in the ballroom! The floors are a mess!”

Japheth’s eyes darted to Leo, and a wicked smile spread across his face.

“I have a solution,” Japheth sneered. “Hey, swindler. Since you want to be a ‘guest’ so bad, why don’t you earn it? An actual job instead of a scam.”

“What?” Leo stared at him, stunned by the man’s sheer stupidity.

“You heard me. Get this boy a mop and a bucket,” Japheth commanded the supervisor.

“I never agreed to—”

“As if you have a choice!” Japheth thundered, stepping into Leo’s space with a deadly glare. “Do the job, or I’ll have the guards beat you into the pavement. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be, trash.”

Leo’s eyes turned a flaming, dangerous red. His knuckles popped again as he stared at the man who was currently ordering the owner of the building to mop the floors.