Se connecter"It worked!"Zeke's whole body shook with excitement when the phone rang. He felt around his back and found his shirt soaked through with sweat.One overseas call was enough to make him act like this.No one knew just how much that call meant. It carried every last shred of Zeke's hope.Since he was an unaffiliated outsider, he had to jump through countless hoops to contact the organization. He had to crack layers of firewalls while dodging Draganland's network surveillance just to get in touch with them.That alone was enough to scare most people off.One wrong move, and Draganland's most advanced tech would trace him in seconds.And even if he somehow made it through and sent a signal, the Black Sun wasn't obligated to respond.They wouldn't grant every request—and they definitely wouldn't waste time on someone of no interest or value to them.Zeke had been gambling. He was betting that he still held value in their eyes. He was betting they would notice his signal and choose
Estelle snapped back immediately. She knew Sylvie far too well."That scheming woman… She's seriously ticking me off…"Furious, Estelle dialed Evan's number without hesitation."Evan, what's going on? Are you really seeing that old hag? 'One home, two people, three meals, four seasons'—seriously?" Even though she was upset, there was a trace of nervousness in her voice when she questioned him, afraid it might actually be true."What are you talking about?" Evan sounded completely confused.Before he could say more, Sylvie cut in. "Evan said he's going to protect me. Am I not allowed to show it off a little?""Oh, that?" He thought they were referring to that matter and smiled. "Yeah, it's going to get a little dangerous in Silverton lately. Estelle, you should be careful, too.""So, that's what it is." Estelle let out a breath, her tone shifting instantly. "I knew it—you were just stirring things up again, you old hag. And now Evan's even telling me to be careful, you—"Estelle
Sylvie didn't even ask what had happened or why she suddenly needed protection—she agreed immediately. Her mind was filled with what Evan said about needing to protect her. As for the "closely" part, she had conveniently filled that part in herself.Sylvie's eyes lit up as she squealed in excitement. 'This is so sudden! Am I dreaming right now?'Evan had no idea that to Sylvie, his words sounded like something far more than just protection—it practically felt like a step forward in their relationship, even a roundabout confession.'This is happening too suddenly. I'm not ready!'Evan's divorce had only meant that she—and plenty of other women—finally had a chance to pursue him. Actually winning his heart was still supposed to be a long battle. She had already prepared herself for that. And yet, the moment he came home today, he said something like this.Looking at Evan standing right in front of her, Sylvie suddenly felt like crying. She had waited so long to hear those words.
"The Black Sun?" Evan asked, a hint of surprise in his voice."Yeah. It's an overseas organization that combines martial artists, arcane practitioners, and genetic modification. They've got all kinds of unusual talents… They were likely the ones who placed the Death Writ on me." Ivana explained just how terrifying the Black Sun was."I see…" Evan fell into thought, then suddenly smiled. "So I've already crossed paths with them before?"His words immediately drew everyone's attention. The Cortex Team quickly recalled the last incident—when Evan had saved Ivana.Several men in black had tried to make a move on him after that, only to be effortlessly wiped out in seconds. Those men had most likely been from the Black Sun."It's possible they were also the ones who went after the Iron Dragon…" Evan added with a faint smile.The team members nodded. "That's very likely. But someone must have hired them to target Ms. Stanton's father. Before, we didn't know who the enemy was—we were ex
Zeke decided to take matters into his own hands.If he continued relying on the three heiresses, he was as good as dead."The priority is to find out where Thaddeus hid the life-saving drug. After that, I'll force Hazel's parents to reveal the source of the energy drug…"His thoughts were clear, but his brows remained tightly furrowed. Neither task would be easy. The most effective approach would be force—but who could he rely on?The last time, he had spent a fortune hiring Mylo, only for the attempt on Evan to turn into a complete fiasco. Now, he no longer trusted any of Silverton's local forces. They were unreliable."No choice… I'll have to contact the organization."A sharp glint flashed through his eyes in the darkness.He was not like the other failed test subjects.Strictly speaking, he had been a success—the only issue was that the radiation from the experiment had severely damaged his body. As long as he could recover, he would immediately be able to return to the org
He collapsed to the ground in a miserable heap. After forcing himself back to his feet, he wiped the rain from his face and stared up at the pitch-black sky.'Why am I in such a pathetic state? Why am I kneeling like a dog at someone's doorstep for hours, only to be ignored?'The thought made him laugh—first in anger, then in something colder. By this point, there was no anger left in him. Only something bitterly absurd.That night, he didn't even know how he had managed to carry the unconscious Hazel, Roxanne, and Anya back to Nine Courts. He only knew that just getting them into the car had taken everything out of him—he had stumbled and fallen dozens of times along the way.Before, the only person he had wanted dead was Evan. Now, everyone in the Leighton family—even Stefan and Cynthia—had joined that list.Rain hammered relentlessly against the villa's windows, dull thuds echoing through the room. The sky seemed torn open, unleashing torrents that poured down as if to wash awa
As Graham offered the drakeblood root, he subtly angled his body toward the doorway, clearly hoping to be invited inside."I'll accept the gift, but you won't be coming inside." Ivana took the drakeblood root without hesitation."But Ms. Stanton…" Graham froze when she accepted the treasure yet st
"W-What is that?" Ivana lay trembling on the bed, her face drained of color. It was the first time she had ever seen something like that, and terror rippled through her whole body."That's the Death Writ."Truthfully, Ivana wasn't the only one scared. Evan's heart was pounding too. Before inheri
Evan slid the first silver needle into the Iron Dragon's body and asked calmly, "Do you feel anything?"The elder shook his head with a bitter smile. "All my meridians were severed. How could I feel anything?"William frowned, shaking his head. "Other doctors need precision instruments, and you're
"How can you say that, Mr. Norwood?" Ivana said firmly. "You saved my life. Saving a life outweighs any favor, so please—don't turn me down."As she said it, she grabbed Evan's arm."I…" Evan frowned. It was clear she had no intention of letting him leave. With no other choice, he gave a small nod







