The peaceful silence within the subterranean base was palpable, a rare gift that Rayden was savoring quietly. He was just about to turn from the doorway, leaving the women inside to their discussion, when the air around him suddenly grew cold. It wasn't the cold of stone, but a cold that pierced the soul.Lyra, who had been leaning in the shadows, instantly straightened. Her hand moved like a flash to the hilt of her knife, her sharp silver eyes narrowing toward the dark main entrance.Rayden didn't need to ask. He felt it too. Someone had passed through all their layers of protective formations without triggering a single one.In the midst of the suffocating silence, Lyra's voice was a deadly whisper right beside Rayden."He's here."Mireya's and Alesia's breath caught in their throats."Not an envoy," Lyra continued, her eyes fixed on the darkness at the end of the corridor. "The old serpent himself."And from that darkness, a figure stepped into the dim light of the base. The Grand
Holding onto the arm of her chair to support her still-trembling body, Kara managed to stand tall for ten full seconds—an achievement that felt like a miracle. She looked out the window at the streets of Malora City, which now seemed orderly and calm under the evening sky."Look, Rayden," she said, a sincere smile reaching her eyes for the first time. "This city is beginning to find its peace under your control."Rayden, who was standing nearby watching over her, simply gave a slow nod. He carefully helped Kara sit back down. The woman's progress was incredible. Every day, her strength returned bit by bit, and the light of the genius that had been extinguished for so long was beginning to shine once more.After making sure Kara was resting, Rayden walked out of her room. He strode down the corridors of the subterranean base, which had once felt so cold and empty. But now, the place had changed.He passed a room that had been converted into a modern office. Inside, Mireya was in the mi
Rayden remained in the doorway, observing the interaction between the three women who had now become the pillars of his power. The moment of realization that he was building a dynasty felt warm and real. However, that warmth vanished instantly as a shadow detached itself from a corner of the room.Lyra appeared, her presence as usual was unexpected and carried an air of urgency. She wasted no time."A message from the provincial capital," she said curtly, her flat voice cutting through Alesia's laughter. "The Council has made its decision."Instantly, the atmosphere in the room changed. The laughter and strategic chatter ceased. Alesia, Mireya, and Kara turned in unison, their faces tense.Their fragile moment of celebration was now replaced by a suffocating anticipation. This decision would determine whether their risky strategy would result in a resounding victory or backfire catastrophically."Display it," Rayden commanded calmly.Lyra nodded, then tapped her communication device.
Alesia burst into Kara's room, her movements full of an energy and cheerfulness that contrasted with the quiet atmosphere within. In her hands was a tray bearing a bowl of warm herbal soup, its aroma instantly filling the space. Her smile bloomed brightly as she saw Kara practicing standing while holding onto the side of the bed."Look who's already on her feet! Well, well, this calls for a celebration!" she exclaimed. She placed the tray on a nearby table and clapped her hands enthusiastically. "But don't overdo it, your face is still pale, darling! Here, sit down and eat first."Shortly after, Mireya followed her in with calmer steps. She was carrying a thick, warm wool blanket. "Ale is right, this is an incredible achievement, Kara," she said with a gentle smile. "But don't push yourself. Your body is still in the recovery phase."For the first time, the three of them were gathered in one room not as patient and caretakers, or as a host and a protected guest. They were gathered as
Far from the chaos of the outside world, which was still ablaze with the Andreas family scandal, the atmosphere inside Kara's quiet room was tense in a different way. There was no anger or intrigue, only a thick anticipation and a fragile hope.Rayden sat cross-legged before Kara, who was also seated on a mat. Her eyes were closed, her face serene."Don't think about it," Rayden said softly, his voice the only marker of time in the silent room. "Forget about how to do it. Empty your mind and just feel the flow. Don't force it."For weeks, they had gone through the painful process of 'stitching' her meridians. Now, Rayden's work as a healer is done. All the major ruined pathways in Kara's body had been reconnected, reinforced by the finest spiritual herbs. But those pathways were still empty and silent, like the streets of a dead city.Now the hardest task fell on Kara's shoulders alone. For the first time in ten years, she had to try to reawaken the spiritual energy from her long-dorm
Inside the communications room that had been specially prepared for her, Alesia Hayes no longer looked like a frightened victim. She sat before a bank of monitors, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a cold, calculating light. She was a general in her war room, and her weapons were connections and words.She pressed a button on her communicator, and a video call connected. The face of a middle-aged woman with heavy makeup, the most influential gossip blogger in the provincial capital, appeared on the screen."Darling, I have an exclusive story for you, guaranteed to be explosive. But of course, this stays between us, yes?" Alesia's voice was sweet as honey, but every word had been weighed with the precision of a master poisoner.The blogger was instantly animated. "Of course, Ale! Tell Auntie everything!""It's just a rumor, of course," Alesia continued with an innocent tone. "I heard there's a super-rich heir in Zoho City who recently accused his celebrity wife of being kidnapped. But,