LOGINIn the rumors spreading through Obsidian City, it was said that the underground emperor with the surname Kessler had been killed.Whispers of "Dominic Kessler is dying" and "the Kessler dynasty has fallen" spread like oil thrown into boiling water, exploding across both the financial world and the underworld with explosive force.Countless greedy eyes fixed hungrily on the massive, unclaimed prize that was Kessler's empire, circling like vultures eager to tear it apart and devour the scraps.But the tyrant at the very center of the storm sat quietly against his headboard, a faint ember glowing between his fingers, the corner of his mouth curving into a sudden, sharp smile."How far have the rumors spread?"Drake stood with his head bowed, his voice taut with tension."Boss, several of the subsidiary families have already begun making covert contact with Keller's former associates. Tonight, they're even planning to jointly pressure the board, demanding that you... appear in person imme
Sunset City Private Convalescent Hospital.Avery had changed into a crisp new white coat, her chest bearing the elegant nameplate engraved with "Doris Morris." The fabric of the coat still carried that fresh, just-issued scent, and the nameplate caught the light with every movement she made.The deputy director personally led the way, not only speaking with extreme courtesy but also assigning her the most sun-drenched independent senior consultation room in the psychology department. It had a massive floor-to-ceiling window that let the spring light pour in, warming the wooden desk until it was pleasant to the touch. The view overlooked the hospital's manicured gardens, a sea of green stretching toward the horizon.However, such an unprecedented "parachute" appointment—a stunningly beautiful newcomer landing directly in the department's most coveted position—landed like a massive bomb in the eyes of the other senior doctors.During the lunch break, the break room was thick with the ar
The entire conference room fell into a brief, suspended silence.The five senior experts exchanged glances, each seeing the same shock reflected in the others' eyes. Some shifted uncomfortably in their seats; others stared at Avery as if seeing her for the first time. But the deputy director seated at the center did not immediately relent.He removed his glasses and began wiping them slowly, deliberately, with a pristine white cloth. Behind the lenses, his eyes gleamed with sharp, calculating shrewdness."A brilliant theory, Dr. Morris."The deputy director replaced his glasses and leaned back in his chair, studying her with a hint of arrogance that was clearly meant to test her composure."But Sunset City Private Convalescent Hospital has never lacked talented young professionals since its founding. What we require is absolute reliability. You've just arrived in Sunset City. You have no local medical connections, not even a single influential reference to vouch for your background. H
April in Sunset City. The air carried the faint sweetness of returning spring, the scent of fresh grass and blooming flowers mingling in the gentle breeze that drifted through the open windows.In the high-rise apartment building, afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warming the wooden floorboards until they were almost hot to the touch. The light slanted across the room in long, golden rectangles, casting soft shadows against the pale walls.Outside the windows, clusters of lilacs swayed in the soft wind, their pale purple hue painting the entire street below in a wash of delicate color. The blossoms seemed to go on forever, a sea of purple stretching down the boulevard.This place was peaceful, warm, slow-paced. The rhythm of life here was unhurried, the streets quiet, the air clean.It was a world away from the cold, industrial gloom that had hung over Obsidian City and Diamond City like a permanent shadow—the constant hum of machinery, the grey skies,
The roar of the engine stretched long and thin through the pounding rain, a relentless howl that seemed to go on forever.The black SUV tore down the highway leading to the international port, tires slicing through standing water and sending up plumes of white spray half a meter high into the darkness.Outside the windows, rain hammered against the glass in a relentless, crackling assault, each drop striking like tiny bullets. Inside the cabin, however, the silence was absolute—as still and heavy as a moving grave, broken only by the low hum of the engine and the harsh rhythm of Dominic's breathing.Dominic leaned back against the rear seat, his head tilted slightly, his face pale beneath the dim interior light.His eyes had received emergency treatment and cold compresses. The doctors had assured him there was no permanent damage, that the blindness would pass with time and rest.But his vision remained nothing but void. No light. No shape. No shadow. Not even a flicker of grey at th
After the interrogation ended, Avery returned to the small courtyard.She kept watch by her mother's bedside for half the night. Sleep came in fragments, shallow and restless, never quite settling into true rest. Every rustle of the sheets, every shift of her mother's breathing pulled her back to the surface of consciousness. She dozed in the chair beside the bed, her hand still resting on her mother's wrist, checking the pulse out of habit even in her half-conscious state.At dawn, the nurse arrived to take over the shift. The sky hadn't fully brightened yet, a pale grey light barely seeping through the curtains, casting long shadows across the floor. Avery was already up, pulling on her coat and stepping back into the black sedan arranged by the Winster family.The car was cold, the leather seats stiff and unwarmed, the air carrying the faint scent of rain and rubber. She leaned back against the headrest, her gaze fixed on the streets scrolling past the window. Her mind was blank, h
When Avery returned from the headquarters, the staff members in the corridors immediately lowered their heads. They dispersed the moment they saw her. The news had clearly spread. Their public fallout at the tower was no longer a secret.Every glance directed her way was heavy. They looked at her a
A phone call from the sanatorium threw Avery's heart into turmoil.The approval for Julian's specialty medication had been stalled at the final step of the Kessler Trust. The other party claimed that a signature and re-verification were required. The voice on the line was formal, detached, as if di
Six in the morning. Dawn had not yet fully broken.Avery had changed into a thick coat suited for movement. She stood by the bed, organizing her medical kit. She clicked a few emergency vials into the inner compartment. The leather of the kit creaked under her fingers as she pressed the last vial i
Ten in the morning. East wing terrace.Jessica held a cup of coffee, her deep purple silk robe swaying slightly in the wind.She glanced at Avery, who had arrived uninvited and sat down directly across from her. Her gaze swept over Avery's slightly pale face, then lingered briefly on her deliberate







