The unexpected turn of events left Zale in a state of disbelief. He couldn't fathom why Maya would want to give him ownership of such a luxurious villa just because he saved her the previous night."You're giving me this villa?" Zale asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of astonishment and suspicion. He couldn't help but wonder what might be the true motive behind this unexpected generosity.Maya leaned back in her chair, her gaze steady as she regarded Zale. "Yes, I am," she affirmed with a calm and composed demeanor.Zale's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. He had many questions, but one stood out in his mind. "Why are you really doing this, Maya? This is too much for a reward."Maya's mysterious smile returned as she traced the rim of her wine glass with her finger. "Zale, I have no ulterior motive for doing this."Zale leaned forward, his curiosity intensifying. "And why should I believe you?""Because that's the truth," Maya responded as she filled her glass and

Despite the eventful day, Zale had been filled with anticipation, and he was grateful to finally be home. The soothing warmth of a fresh bath eased the fatigue that had settled into his bones. He lay down to rest, closing his eyes, hoping to recharge before the evening's event.Time slipped away as he drifted into a deep sleep, the comfort of his bed cocooning him. It felt like mere moments before his consciousness returned, but the room was bathed in the soft, golden hues of evening sunlight, and his phone buzzed insistently on the bedside table.Blinking away the remnants of sleep, Zale reached for his phone, noticing a series of missed calls from Amelia. His heart sank as he realized he had been asleep when she tried to contact him. He quickly called her back, the anxiety building in his chest."Hey," Amelia's voice, filled with relief, greeted him from the other end of the line. "You finally responded.""Hello, Amelia. I was sleeping the whole time, I'm sorry," Zale apologized,

Jinwo's brows furrowed deeply upon hearing the daring bid. The auction room, previously abuzz with anticipation, fell into an expectant hush as every eye in the venue pivoted toward the audacious challenger.The mysterious bidder was none other than Zale, whose presence had thus far been unnoticed and elusive. His entry into the high-stakes bidding for the resplendent pendant marked an unexpected twist in the evening's narrative.Amelia, who had been sitting gracefully beside Zale, felt an involuntary shiver of nerves surge through her. The abrupt change in circumstances had caught her entirely off guard. She had not expected Zale, of all people, to suddenly take an interest in the very artifact that had drawn the illustrious Jinwo.For Amelia, this unfolding situation was nothing short of a formidable problem, akin to navigating treacherous waters in the dead of night. Jinwo, with his charisma and influence in the metaphysical world, was a formidable presence. A clash with him at th

In the black van parked outside, a little distance away from the opulent auction venue, tension coiled like a tightly wound spring. The air was thick with anticipation as the call with the scout guard inside the auction venue came to an end.The shadow guard seated beside Jolene couldn't contain his concern any longer. "Ma'am," he began, addressing Jolene, his voice laced with worry, "are you absolutely certain he'll be alright? He's not a field agent like the rest of us. While he might possess some strength and the ability to handle minor threats, he lacks the training and experience needed for more dangerous situations. He's more of a strategist than a field agent. Please, reconsider sending someone with him who's better equipped for this."Jolene briefly diverted her attention from the laptop screen in front of her to meet Duke's anxious gaze. Her tone remained firm, and her words carried the weight of authority. "He's the ideal candidate for this assignment, Duke. He blends in perf

Zale turned around to face the owner of the voice, his expression a mix of curiosity and calm. Before him stood a woman, tall and elegant, with an air of menace. She exuded a certain aura of power that made it clear she wasn't someone to be underestimated.She was impeccably dressed in a black short gown, and her piercing eyes seemed to bore into Zale's soul. Her lips curled into a faint, devilish smile as she regarded him.Zale remained composed, his gaze steady as he addressed her. "And who might you be?"The woman's smile broadened slightly as she walked toward Zale. "My name is Three. I have a habit of always introducing myself before I send people to hell," she introduced herself, her tone containing a hint of amusement. Speculations were already forming in Zale's mind that he didn't want to believe. To make sure he didn't get it all wrong, he decided to ask, "You're kidding, right?" Three chuckled at those words. She stopped in front of Zale, leaned closer, and whispered, "You