With that, Andrei bid farewell and disappeared from the room, leaving Edward to ponder the upcoming challenges. Edward knew that the missions he chose from the Domination System might be quirky and amusing, but they would be a means to an end, gathering the Domination Points he needed to unlock Mentality Level 2. By the time that happened, he would be ready to go home, and meet his grandfather.As Andrei's absence lingered, the Petrovich residence descended into a state of disarray. News of his disappearance had spread like wildfire among their scattered relatives, prompting many of them to flee by aircrafts. The once bustling halls and opulent rooms of the Petrovich mansion were now eerily silent, with only two members of the Petrovich family remaining, Tatiana, Andrei's first wife, and Yvonne.Meanwhile, in the heart of the Petrovich mansion, Edward called upon Gillan to summon Tatiana and Yvonne to the grand living room. Gillan, who had just become a rich man after receiving $500 m

Brenda and Adele exchanged a puzzled look before unfolding the piece of paper left by the housekeeper. As they read the message, their expressions turned from confusion to surprise.The note contained a simple yet cryptic message, written in elegant handwriting: "Your safety is paramount. Follow the instructions and stay hidden until further notice. - A Friend"Their curiosity peaked, Brenda and Adele wondered who this mysterious friend could be and what instructions they were referring to. The situation was becoming increasingly unclear, and they knew they had to be careful.Feeling a sense of urgency, Brenda grabbed her phone and dialed Edward's number, but he didn't pick up, and this happened four times in a row.The tension in the room escalated as Brenda tried calling Edward, but each attempt went unanswered. Adele's eyes widened with concern, and she clutched Brenda's arm tightly. "This is not like Edward at all. Something must be wrong."Brenda nodded, her worry mirroring Adel

Yvonne's soft chuckle barely escaped her lips before she noticed the change in Edward's expression. His jaw clenched, and his gaze turned icy as he stared at the taxi driver through the rearview mirror. The driver's words, though seemingly innocuous, had struck a nerve within Edward. He saw them not as a casual suggestion, but as a disrespectful insinuation about Yvonne.In a voice that carried an unmistakable edge, Edward retorted, "Watch your mouth."Yvonne shot a quick glance at Edward, her brows furrowed in confusion at the sudden shift in the atmosphere. She could sense that Edward was deeply protective of her, but the strength of his reaction surprised her.The driver, taken aback by the intensity of Edward's response, stammered, "I-I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean any disrespect."But Edward's gaze didn't waver. "Apologies are meaningless. Just focus on driving."The rest of the ride was completed in a heavy silence. As the taxi came to a stop in front of Hotel Grandia, Edward pai

Edward's breath caught in his throat as Yvonne's words hung in the air, her proximity and the suggestive tone of her voice causing his pulse to race. He knew he should pull away, regain his focus, and adhere to the seriousness of their situation. But the magnetic pull between them was undeniable, and a part of him yearned to succumb to the desire that had been building.Meanwhile, her fingers trailed lightly along the collar of his shirt, sending a jolt of electricity through his body. "I trust you, Edward, and I know you trust me too. So why not let go, just for a moment? Embrace the here and now."Her lips were dangerously close to his ear, her breath warm against his skin. Every rational thought was overridden by the throbbing pulse of his heart and the magnetic pull that drew him closer to her.With a shuddering breath, Edward tried to rein in his desire. "Yvonne, please don't do---"But without warning, Yvonne closed the remaining distance between them. Her fingers wound around t

No.9's lips pressed into a thin line, a mix of emotions crossing her features. She knew the voice that had come through the speaker, but revealing it might complicate matters further. "No.9, who was it?" Brenda pressed, her voice more insistent this time.No.9's gaze flickered between the road and the rearview mirror, her mind racing. She couldn't deny them answers, but revealing the identity of the voice might put them all in greater danger. Finally, she spoke, "It's someone we can trust. Let's leave it at that for now. We need to focus on reaching the second checkpoint and regrouping."Brenda and Adele exchanged puzzled glances. The voice that had crackled through the speaker was familiar, but distorted by the background noise. It sounded like a man's voice, but it was difficult to discern. As the van continued to speed through the night, their thoughts turned to who it might be.Brenda's voice was uncertain. "Could it be... Jake?"Adelle nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "It m