로그인I frowned, my eyes narrowing as the weight of his words began to sink in. Before I could even spit out a response, the darkness along the perimeter of the room seemed to detach itself. Figures stepped out from the deep shadows behind the massive stone pillars, the metallic clank of weapons echoing through the hall. In an instant, dozens of Goma loyalists appeared, their rifles raised and aimed directly at me.I grit my teeth, the cold realization finally hitting me with the force of a physical blow. This was not a breach. It was a trap.Atticus watched the color drain from my face and let out a soft, dry sound that could have been a laugh. He moved with a slow, predatory grace as he stood from his throne, his silk robes whispering against the obsidian."Actually honey, I had no idea you were alive," he said, his voice reaching across the distance like a cold hand. "I truly thought you died with your parents that day. Who would have thought the little princess was still alive, hiding i
Videl..The crossing felt like driving into the mouth of a storm that refused to break. The amphibious Breakers—low-profile, heavy-armored vessels designed for stealth—cut through the black water of the channel with a predatory hum. Inside the lead vehicle, the air was pressurized and silent, save for the rhythmic clicking of Oliver’s keyboard. For thirteen years, this stretch of ocean had been a graveyard. The energy field used to scramble navigation systems and shut down engines, leaving anyone who tried to cross to drown in the dark.But tonight, the sensors remained steady. The "Void" was quiet."Approaching the perimeter," Oliver whispered, his face lit by the blue glow of his monitors. "Three minutes to the Goma shoreline. The alloy gates are... they really are wide open, Videl. It’s impossible, but there they are."I stood behind him, my hand gripping the back of his chair, my eyes fixed on the forward viewport. Outside, a thick, unnatural fog clung to the surface of the water,
Videl..Toward evening, the house began to fill again.The first to arrive was Oliver. He walked in with an easy stride, shoulders relaxed, a rare brightness in his expression that caught my attention immediately. He looked lighter than he had in months, almost carefree.“You’re home,” I said, rising slightly from where I sat.He grinned. “Good to be back.”I studied him for a moment. “You look… happy.”He shrugged, dropping onto the couch like the weight of the world had finally loosened its grip. “Nothing much. I’ve been watching comedy since yesterday. Thought I deserved a break.”I smiled faintly. “You hate comedies.”“Not lately,” he replied, then paused as if remembering something. “Oh. And I just secured a contract with Dixon Enterprises.”My head snapped up. “Dixon Enterprises?” I repeated, unable to hide my surprise. “That’s one of the biggest companies in Greeneland.”He nodded, casual but clearly pleased. “Took longer than expected, but it went through.”I stepped closer an
Morning came quietly, the sunlight spilling across the Greyson Hotel in a soft, golden haze. It brushed against the tall windows, pooling across the cream carpet, and for a moment, the world felt unusually still. I moved through my usual morning routine almost automatically, the rhythm of brushing my teeth, washing my face, and straightening my hair grounding me in something normal after the storm of the past few days. Yet, nothing felt entirely ordinary. The coffee on the table smelled faintly of warmth and comfort, but even that small pleasure seemed distant.A buzz interrupted the quiet. I reached for my phone. Jeff.“The plane is ready if you want to leave this morning,” his message read.I typed back immediately: Yes. Come pick me up in thirty minutes.The bath was ready when I entered, steam curling into the air. I sank into the warmth, letting it wash over me. It was more than relaxation—it was a balm, dissolving the tension in my muscles, the tight coil in my chest from the ev
Videl..The lights outside the Greyson Hotel glowed softly against the night, gold and warm, too gentle for the kind of day I had lived through. I had booked the room that morning because I didn’t want to return to Greeneland that night.As I stepped inside, a woman stationed near the entrance straightened. She greeted me with practiced ease and handed me a key card.“Thank you,” I said.“Have a pleasant stay, Ms. Fredericks.”The elevator ride to the VIP floor passed in quiet. When the doors opened, cool air brushed my skin, carrying a faint, clean scent. I unlocked the suite and walked in.For a moment, I stood there, unmoving.The room was large and tastefully lit, city lights stretching beyond the tall windows. I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off my boots, releasing a breath I had not realized I was holding. My body was tired. My mind refused to follow.I undressed and went into the bathroom. The tub filled slowly, steam rising as the water grew hot. When I lowered myself
The Walker Company boardroom was heavily air-conditioned.That was what they always said about it. Heavy AC. Perfectly regulated. Cold enough to make anyone comfortable.Yet sweat clung to my skin.It gathered at my temples, dampened my collar, slid slowly down my spine. My legs trembled beneath me, a faint, uncontrollable shake I couldn’t stop. I was afraid they might give way. Afraid I might collapse right there, in front of everyone.I had been voted out of my company.My company.The one I had spent years building, brick by brick, deal by deal.No.This couldn’t be real. It had to be a dream. Some cruel hallucination my mind would snap out of any second now.“Please tell me I’m just dreaming,” I muttered. My voice barely sounded like mine.A hand landed on my shoulder.George.One of the board members. A friend. Or at least, someone I had once believed was.“I’m sorry, man,” he said quietly. “But this is real. I don’t know what you did, or why the General no longer has confidence







