The European Front

Uncle Elias paced across the command room, his deep voice breaking the heavy silence. He spoke of the complete, irreversible collapse of the Mendez family: Chloe’s permanent, non-bailable prison sentence, and David and Valerie paying the ultimate price for their sins.

Finally, I had reclaimed complete operational control over the domestic Mercer empire. There would be no more of David’s fake fatherly affection, no more of Valerie’s pretentious motherly concern, and above all, no more venomous snakes like Chloe and Jacob ruining my life.

My mind drifted as I processed the victory, but Uncle Elias’s tone suddenly shifted, dropping into a deadly register.

"I just received an encrypted priority transmission from your grandfather Thomas in Europe," Uncle Elias said, his aura flaring with the terrifying, suffocating pressure of a veteran who had survived decades of war. "The Valdez faction has fully mobilized after receiving news of David's death. They realize the golden command talisman is back in play, and we can now officially confirm that Sebastian Valdez was the mastermind backing David from the shadows all along."

My chest tightened as his words sank in. I could feel the sheer, blood-soaked reality of the mercenary world settling onto my shoulders. But I was no longer the fragile, naive heiress of my past life. I was the designated heir to the Mercer legacy, and I refused to let my grandfather's lifelong blood and sweat be squandered in my hands.

Taking a slow, deep breath, I adjusted my posture and lifted my head.

The gentle girl they knew vanished. In her place stood a sovereign. The temperature in the room plummeted as my aura flared—cold, regal, and absolute. I looked at them not just as their niece or lover, but as a true ruler holding the power of life and death over my enemies.

"Then let's go," I whispered, my voice sounding like a soft promise of death. "Let's give them a one-way ride to hell."

A dark, lethal smirk touched my lips. "Consider it a warm-up exercise. I won't let a good life-or-death battle pass me by, Uncle."

Both Elias and Drake froze, visibly startled by the sudden shift in my presence. A flicker of shock crossed their eyes at the sheer intensity of my aura, quickly replaced by raw, unadulterated pride.

Drake cleared his throat, a dangerous, thrilling excitement lighting up his dark eyes. His blood was clearly boiling for the fight ahead. "Well said, kitten. Let's give them a war to remember... their very last one."

"I am glad you are prepared, Aurelia," Uncle Elias said, a rare, proud smile softening his harsh features. "Your grandfather will be immensely proud when he sees you in Europe."

An hour later, we boarded our private long-range jet bound for Europe.

I sat by the oval window, dazed as I watched the endless blue sky and peaceful white clouds drift past. It was a serene beauty—It was a quiet peace that people born into our bloody world could only dream of.

A soft tap on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Uncle Elias standing over me. "You should get some rest in the private suite, Aurelia. It will be a long flight before we land."

Before I could reply that I was fine, Drake smoothly stepped between us.

"Thanks, Teacher," Drake said with a straight, serious face. "Aurelia will rest now. You should take a nap as well and clear your mind. I'm going to turn in for a bit, too."

I raised an eyebrow at Drake, silently asking what mischievous game he was playing, but he merely offered a subtle, wicked curve of his lips.

Uncle Elias didn't even get a chance to object before Drake ushered me into the private state room and shut the door behind us.

From the corridor outside, Uncle Elias's annoyed, warning voice echoed through the paneling: "You scheming bastard! You better exercise self-control, Monteverde! Aurelia is still young, or else—"

The moment the door locked, Drake grabbed my waist, pulling me into a fierce, deep, and breathless kiss. His large hands slid possessively down my back, warm and demanding, as he lifted me effortlessly toward the plush bed.

All thoughts of argument melted away under his overwhelming warmth and intense focus. The soundproof suite isolated us completely from the outside world as clothes hit the floor and restraint was abandoned.

By the time the storm finally settled nearly two hours later, Drake lay beside me, his breathing heavy, a triumphant, possessive smirk resting on his lips.

"Damn, kitten... you are amazingly delicious," Drake purred, resting his chin on my bare shoulder while his dark eyes still burned with residual passion. "Thanks for the special snack."

I swatted his chest weakly, my face flushing bright red as my body ached with sweet exhaustion. This pervert! My back is still sore, and Uncle Elias’s warning outside was so embarrassing! I'm definitely locking him out of my room next time!

Drake’s expression softened, growing serious as he brushed a stray lock of hair from my forehead. "In all seriousness, kitten... the battlefield in Europe is going to be far more dangerous than what we faced at home. But remember—Europe is our turf, too. Even with Valdez’s influence, he will never break us while I'm by your side."

Hours later, the jet touched down on the private runway in Western Europe.

Stepping out onto the mobile stairs, the crisp, cool air hit my face. The sweeping architecture and historic mountain ranges in the distance were breathtakingly grand. Europe was the ancestral heartland of the Mercer clan—the bedrock of our global empire.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Uncle Elias asked softly, looking out over the private airfield like a commander returning home.

"It really is," I replied sincerely, a wave of anticipation washing over me. "I can't wait to see Grandfather again."

"Don't worry, kitten," Drake murmured, stepping up beside me with a smirk. "The old man is going to be thrilled to see his fierce granddaughter."

I shot Drake a glare, silently cursing my aching back while resolving once more to keep my door locked.

We descended the stairs and slid into a convoy of reinforced, bulletproof executive vans. But as our vehicle merged onto the private highway heading toward the Mercer estate, pure chaos erupted without warning.

RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A fleet of unmarked black SUVs suddenly swerved onto the highway, cutting off traffic and opening fire with high-caliber automatic weapons. Heavy rounds slammed into our armored chassis, shattering nearby commercial shopfronts and sending civilians screaming for cover.

"Damn it! These Valdez dogs don't care about collateral damage at all!" Drake spat angrily, ducking as bullet sparks flew off our reinforced glass.

"Stay low, Aurelia!" Drake barked, his eyes scanning the side mirrors for a tactical gap. "Wait for the right moment!"

I crouched low, my hands immediately searching the under-seat tactical drawer. I pulled out a sleek, compact high-penetration sidearm, chambering a round with a practiced clack.

I looked at Drake and Uncle Elias, who already had their heavy weapons drawn and primed.

"On three," I signaled, watching the lead enemy SUV pull parallel to our vehicle. "One... two... THREE! NOW!"

We popped up simultaneously, pouring precise, lethal fire into the enemy vehicles.

Uncle Elias moved like a true executioner—his reflexes were terrifyingly fast, dropping two enemy shooters before they could even level their sights. Drake was equally ruthless, firing with cold, lethal precision that forced the enemy chase-cars to veer off the road in flames.

"Damn, my uncle is a total badass," I muttered under my breath, thoroughly impressed by their high-tier combat reflexes.

However, a sudden jolt shook our van as a heavy sniper round penetrated the front windshield, killing our driver instantly. The vehicle swerved wildly before Drake slammed his hand onto the emergency brake, bringing us to a skidding halt behind a concrete barrier.

"Uncle, we can't stay trapped in this kill box!" I said urgently, my gaze sharp. "We need to push out before their heavy reinforcements arrive!"

"You're right," Elias agreed, his face cold as ice. "Aurelia, take the wheel. Drake and I will provide cover!"

Drake swiftly pulled the fallen driver into the rear passenger row, his tone filled with genuine remorse. "Sorry, brother... We'll get you home."

"We will give him a proper burial with full honors," Uncle Elias said, his voice dropping into a solemn, heavy tone. "He was family to this organization."

I slid into the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel firmly as my eyes burned with cold, murderous rage.

"And as for the Valdez dogs who did this..." I growled, stepping heavily on the accelerator as the engine roared to life, "...I will make them bathe in their own blood!"