Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 181 - Chapitre 190

One Month Later. The Royal Palace Gardens.It was a day that the world would watch on every screen, from Times Square to Tokyo.The gardens of the Montbert Palace had been transformed into a dreamscape. White silk canopies floated in the breeze, held up by drones (Alex's design) that released a gentle mist of rose-scented perfume.Three distinct altars were set up beneath the ancient archways.One was sleek and modern, glowing with soft blue fiber-optics. (For Alex)One was rustic and surrounded by weapons displays and red banners. (For Mia)One was ethereal, floating slightly above the ground on a gravity platform. (For Aurora)The guest list was a mix of royalty, tech billionaires, reformed mercenaries, and the family. Even Prince Frederick of Arden was there in the front row, sobbing loudly into a silk handkerchief. "They grow up so fast!" he wailed, blowing his nose.Jackson Sterling stood at the entrance. He wore a tuxedo that was sharper than any blade. His hair was silver at th

The Morning After the Wedding.The sun shone brightly on the Sterling Manor. The birds were chirping. The air was fresh.Inside the massive kitchen, Jackson Sterling sat at the head of the long marble table.He stared at his coffee cup. Then he stared at the empty chairs around him.Alex’s chair (usually covered in tablets and wires): Empty.Mia’s chair (usually with a gym bag or a weapon on it): Empty.Aurora’s chair (usually floating a few inches off the ground): Empty.Even Cassandra, Kian, and Kael were gone.It was quiet. Unnaturally quiet."I don't like it," Jackson declared, putting down his mug with a thud.Serenity walked in, looking relaxed in a silk robe. She kissed his cheek and sat down."Don't like what? The coffee blend? I can ask Alfred to change it.""The silence," Jackson gestured to the vast, empty house. "It’s deafening. Where is the chaos? Where are the explosions? Why isn't Alex trying to hack the toaster to make it sentient?""They are on their honeymoons, Jacks

The Royal Palace of Montbert. Three weeks later.The honeymoon was over. The paperwork had begun.Aurora sat at her massive oak desk, signing decrees. Infrastructure budget. Trade agreements. Flower show invitations.She looked up. By the window, Kael stood at attention.He was wearing the official sash of a Duke, with gold epaulettes and a stiff collar. He looked incredibly handsome, but miserable. He kept tapping his fingers against his side, where his gun used to be. (Weapons were not allowed in diplomatic meetings)."You know you don't have to stand there," Aurora sighed, putting down her pen. "You can sit. Read a book.""I am on guard duty," Kael replied automatically."Kael, we are married. You are not my bodyguard anymore. You are my husband.""Old habits," Kael relaxed his posture slightly, but his eyes were still scanning the garden for threats that weren't there.Just then, Count Hemlock (who was still annoying, but now very polite) walked in."Your Highness! We have a crisi

New York. Mount Sinai Hospital. VIP Wing."Alex, if you check my blood pressure on that tablet one more time, I will divorce you."Cassandra lay in the hospital bed, sweating and gripping the sheets.Alex stood next to her, wearing his smart glasses and typing on a holographic keyboard hovering in the air."I'm just optimizing the contraction intervals," Alex said rapidly. "Based on the frequency, if you push at a 45-degree angle with 30% more torque, we can reduce labor time by 12 minutes.""I will torque your neck!" Cassandra yelled as another contraction hit."Get out," the Obstetrician pointed at Alex. "You are stressing the patient.""I am the father! I am critical infrastructure!" Alex protested."Alex," a deep voice came from the doorway. Jackson Sterling leaned there, arms crossed, looking amused. "Sit down. Shut up. Hold her hand. That’s your only job."Alex swallowed hard. He tapped his glasses. [ SYSTEM SHUTDOWN ]He sat down and grabbed Cassandra’s hand. "Sorry. I love you

The Port Authority Bus Terminal. New York City.It was loud. It smelled of exhaust fumes and stale coffee.Nova Sterling (13) stood in the middle of the crowded terminal, clutching her backpack straps. She wore a hoodie pulled low over her face and sunglasses, trying to hide.She tracked the faint energy trail of her grandfather, Liam. The trail ended here. He must have taken a bus North."Ticket to Canada, please," Nova walked up to the counter.The tired ticket agent chewed gum. "Which city?""Wherever the coldest mountains are," Nova replied seriously.The agent blinked. "Uh... okay. That’s Montreal. One way is $85.""Okay," Nova reached into her pocket. She pulled out a sleek, solid platinum credit card. The Sterling Black Infinity Card. Limit: Unlimited.The agent stared at the card. Then at the teenager."Kid, I can't take this. The machine won't even read it. Do you have cash?""Cash?" Nova frowned. She searched her pockets. She had gold coins (souvenirs), a diamond hairpin, an