Elijah leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the wooden desk. The tension in the air was palpable, as Doug stood nearby, his usual calm demeanor masking concern. “This meeting could be a trap,” Doug stated matter-of-factly. “Nathaniel isn’t the type to play fair, Marshal. If you go, you’ll be walking into his arena on his terms.” Elijah nodded, his gaze fixed on the glowing phone screen where Nathaniel’s message remained open. “It’s a risk I have to take, Doug. If I don’t, we lose any chance of getting ahead of him.” Doug sighed, stepping closer. “Then let me prepare the team. We’ll secure the perimeter and provide backup.” “No,” Elijah replied firmly, his voice steady. “This has to be face-to-face. No distractions. He needs to believe I’m alone.” A soft knock interrupted their conversation. Sophia entered, her determined expression leaving no room for debate. “You’re not going alone,” she said, her tone resolute. Elijah rose, shaking his head. “

The journey to the old Norton property was tense. The road, winding through overgrown trees and crumbling stone walls, seemed to mirror Elijah’s unease. Sitting beside him, Sophia watched his face, his usual stoic demeanor now shadowed by something deeper. “This place,” she began softly, “you haven’t spoken much about it.” Elijah kept his eyes on the road ahead. “There’s not much to say. It was a sanctuary once. Now, it’s just another scar.” Sophia reached over, placing a hand on his arm. “We’ll face it together. No matter what we find.” The sight of the estate took them both by surprise. Once a grand property, it now stood as a hollow shell, its majestic stone walls marred by signs of wear and its gardens overtaken by weeds. But as they approached, it became clear that the estate wasn’t abandoned. Vehicles were parked discreetly along the edges, and faint lights flickered through boarded windows. “Doug was right,” Elijah muttered, pulling the car to a stop at a safe distanc

Elijah stood in the boardroom of Sophia’s company headquarters, the city skyline a stark backdrop behind him. He surveyed the plans laid out on the table, his mind racing as he considered every possible angle the syndicate might take. “Marshal,” Doug said, stepping forward, his tone respectful but urgent. “Our men have secured all entry points. The syndicate won’t breach this place easily.” “Good,” Elijah replied, his voice low and steady. “But we can’t underestimate Nathaniel. He’s not just coming with brute force—he’ll have something planned, something precise.” Sophia entered the room, her demeanor calm but commanding. “I’ve informed my team about the situation,” she said, addressing both men. “They’re prepared to follow instructions, but most of them are scared. This isn’t exactly a normal day at the office.” Elijah met her gaze, admiration flickering in his eyes. “Fear is natural. But you’re leading them, and that will keep them grounded. Just make sure they listen to Dou

Elijah spread the ledger across the large wooden table in the Arthur Palace study, his eyes scanning each entry with laser focus. He marked locations on a map, connecting dots that had eluded him for years. “Marshal, this is starting to look like a web,” Doug remarked, standing nearby with arms crossed. “Nathaniel’s been moving pieces into place for decades. He’s methodical.” Elijah nodded. “Every move he’s made has led to this central point.” His finger landed on a location circled repeatedly in the ledger—an isolated compound in the mountains. Sophia, seated across from him, leaned forward. “That’s where he’s consolidating his power,” she said, her tone resolute. “Elijah, you have to stop him before he solidifies control.” “Not me, Sophia,” Elijah said firmly, meeting her gaze. “We will stop him.” ...Lando Yale arrived later that day, a file in hand and his demeanor as sharp as ever. “Elijah, I’ve managed to pull some strings,” he said, sliding the file across the table.

The quiet hum of the car filled the space as Elijah stared out the window, his mind far from the winding road. Nathaniel’s words played over and over in his head, each syllable a dagger twisting in his chest. Beside him, Sophia watched him closely, her expression a mix of concern and determination.   “Elijah,” she said softly, placing her hand on his. “Talk to me.”   He didn’t turn. “He said things about my parents, Sophia. Things I… I can’t ignore.”  She squeezed his hand. “And what if it’s just another manipulation? He knows how to twist the truth to hurt you. Don’t let him win.”   El