LOGINOn the runway of Obsidian City's private airport, a grand lineup of top-tier vehicles had already formed an impressive formation. The cars gleamed under the morning light, their polished surfaces reflecting the clear sky above. Security personnel stood at attention, their postures rigid and professional, a testament to the importance of the occasion. The atmosphere was one of solemn anticipation, as if the city itself was holding its breath.When the black convoy slowly rolled through the ornate iron gates of Kessler Estate, the entire estate had been transformed. The main building's most comfortable, sun-drenched master suite had been prepared. Top medical teams and the head housekeeper led dozens of servants in a welcoming formation. Their expressions were filled with genuine respect, a far cry from the cold formality of the past.Looking at the grand, sprawling architecture and the sea of flowers outside the window, Avery led her mother and brother by the hand into
Night deepened. The narrow alleys of the old district were damp and cold. A chill wind swirled fallen leaves across the weathered brick walls. The air carried the faint scent of wet stone and distant rain. The streetlights cast weak, yellow pools of light on the uneven pavement. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked once, then fell silent. The silence that followed felt heavier than any sound.Standing on the balcony, Avery wore Dominic's coat. It still carried the faint scent of sandalwood. The fabric was warm around her shoulders, a quiet comfort against the night chill. Her cool eyes looked down through the night, past the black armored vehicles parked below, to the desperate figures gathered in the alley. Her fingers rested lightly on the railing. The metal was cold beneath her touch. She remembered a time when she had stood in shadows like these, afraid and alone. Now she stood in the light, with the most powerful man in the city at her side.Kneeling on the dam
Outside the VIP express lane of Sunset City, the afternoon sun poured down without restraint, warm and golden.Leaning against Dominic's broad, steady arm, Avery looped her hand through his. Her cool eyes swept over the crowd gathered at the end of the lane. The old nobles of Sunset City had once kicked her when she was down. Now they were dressed in their finest formal wear, craning their necks with ingratiating, false smiles. They were desperate to catch a glimpse of her. Their faces were painted with forced warmth, their hands clasped in front of them as if greeting a long-lost friend rather than someone they had once scorned. The desperation in their eyes was almost palpable."Dr. Clair! Oh, it has been so long! We heard you were coming back..." One of the leading old nobles pushed forward, trying to use their "old acquaintance" status to get close. His voice was oily, dripping with practiced charm.Before he could take two steps, a dozen black-suited elite
The dark night lay heavy over the ancient, somber ancestral hall of the Devereux family.Leaning against the carved antique wooden chair, Avery stood in her crisp white suit, arms crossed. As a witness to this final purge, she could clearly feel the suffocating tension in the air. It was the absolute pressure that preceded the arrival of Obsidian City's ruler. It was like the stillness before a storm. The elders' faces were drawn tight. Their eyes darted nervously, each one trying to read the room and find an escape that no longer existed.In the center of the hall, several of the most senior branch elders of the Devereux family huddled together. Their faces were dark with defiance. Their voices rose in a chorus of protest, each one trying to sound bolder than the last."Dominic! Victor is gone, but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want! The family trust funds and core shares are still in our hands. Without our signatures, you have no legitimate claim!
The dark night lay heavy over Kessler Estate. The wind rustled through the bushes on the lawn. It carried a low, whispering sound through the still air.Leaning against the cool surface of the main control console, Avery watched the red dots moving across the surveillance screens. Her cool eyes gleamed with calm, calculated certainty. These were the last remnants of the overseas alliance's operatives.After tonight's complete PR collapse, after their carefully constructed lies had been torn apart before a global audience, they had finally lost their composure. Like cornered rats, they had crashed headlong into the carefully laid trap. Every move they made had already been anticipated. Every escape route had been sealed before they even set foot on the estate grounds. There was no way out for them now."They think they have found a security gap in the side entrance," Avery said. Her fingertip traced one of the infiltration routes on the screen. Her voice was low,
Before news of the overseas delegation's arrival could even stir Obsidian City, an overwhelming wave of public opinion had already begun fermenting across international networks. The headlines spread like wildfire. The story gained traction with every passing hour. By the time the delegation had cleared customs, the global chatter had reached a fever pitch.These so-called academic elites from the overseas alliance had, the moment they stepped off the plane, used multiple cross-border media outlets to publish an invitation for an academic symposium titled"Frontier Genetics and Mental Health."The announcement was carefully timed, designed to maximize impact before anyone in Obsidian City could mount a coordinated response.The invitation was draped in the banner of "human welfare," specifically requesting Avery's attendance as both a psychological expert and project inheritor. The entire event would be broadcast live to a global audience. They wanted witness
The heavy wooden door clicked shut, leaving behind a faint, chilly draft from the corridor.Only after Drake had exited and the surrounding air collapsed back into a dead silence did Avery finally venture to poke her head out from beneath the heavy duvet. The flush on her cheeks hadn’t fully faded,
Dorothea required two stitches on her forehead.Because she was so young, the local anesthetic had to be strictly limited. She trembled with pain throughout the procedure but never made a sound, her small hand simply crushing Avery's fingers in a desperate grip.Avery could feel every
The study was thick with the scent of fir and ink. Dominic stood against the light from the floor to ceiling window. As Avery entered, he turned toward her."Adrian invited me to the North Port," he said."To discuss what?""Logistics quotas. His docks, my cargo." He paused. "He asked for a private
5:45 AM. The sky was still dark, but Avery was already dressed.She wore a dark, slim-fit overcoat to blend into the twilight. She slipped the bronze key Wenger had given her and her burner phone into her pocket. Her heartbeat thundered against her eardrums.She cracked the bedroom door open with p







