Elijah stood by the window of his study, his gaze fixed on the city lights below. His phone buzzed on the desk, its insistent vibration breaking the heavy silence. He picked it up, glancing at the unknown number flashing across the screen. “Elijah Norton,” he answered coolly. A distorted voice crackled through the line. “Marshal, your meddling has gone too far. Stand down, or you’ll lose everything you hold dear.” Elijah’s grip on the phone tightened. “Who are you?” The voice chuckled, low and menacing. “A representative of balance. Walk away, and you might salvage what’s left. Continue, and Sophia Norton will pay the price.” Elijah’s jaw clenched. “If you touch her, I’ll burn your entire operation to the ground. You’ve made a mistake coming after my family.” The voice laughed again before the line went dead. Doug entered the study moments later, his expression tense. “Marshal, we’ve intercepted chatter about a potential breach at Mrs. Norton’s office. I’ve dispatched a

Elijah stood by the window, staring out at the city as the first rays of sunlight pierced the skyline. Doug entered quietly, his steps deliberate.   “Marshal, we’ve confirmed movement from the assassin,” Doug said, holding a tablet displaying surveillance footage. “They’ve been seen near the eastern district. Likely scouting routes to get closer to Mrs. Norton.”   Elijah turned, his expression grim. “Then we don’t have much time. Keep all units on standby, and double the security around Sophia.”   Doug nodded. “Already done, sir.”  Just then, Sophia entered the room, her presence immediately commanding at

Elijah sat in the study at Arthur Palace, the room dimly lit as he sifted through the documents Doug had recovered. Each piece of evidence painted a picture of a meticulously orchestrated campaign against the Nortons, with threads reaching back generations. The identity of the shadow organization’s leader remained elusive, but their motivations were beginning to surface. Doug entered the room, his expression grave. “Marshal, I think we’ve got something. The leader’s been operating under the alias ‘The Arbiter,’ but there’s more. They’ve been manipulating Evendore’s key players for decades, and it all seems to trace back to a grudge against your family.” Elijah looked up, his jaw tightening. “A grudge? What kind of grudge, Doug?” Doug placed a folder on the table. “It seems their family fell from grace generations ago, and they blame the Nortons for it. Financial ruin, social exile—it’s all tied to decisions made by your ancestors.” Elijah leaned back, his mind racing. “And now

Elijah stood in the hidden chamber, his fingers brushing against the worn edges of the records scattered across the desk. Dust motes danced in the dim light filtering through the cracks in the stone walls, but his attention was locked on the words before him. “Marshal,” Doug’s voice crackled over the radio, “security reports the attack teams have fully retreated. We’ve secured the perimeter.” “Good,” Elijah replied, his voice low. “I need you down here. There’s something I want you to see.” Minutes later, Doug joined him, his boots echoing against the stone floor as he entered the room. “This place…” Doug trailed off, scanning the shelves of ancient artifacts. “I didn’t even know this chamber existed.” “Neither did I,” Elijah admitted, holding up a faded letter. “But these records... They tell a story we’ve only scratched the surface of.” Doug leaned in, reading over Elijah’s shoulder. The letter detailed an alliance formed generations ago between the Norton family and a cla

The artifact sat on the table between them, glowing faintly as its presence seemed to command attention from everyone in the room. Elijah, Sophia, Doug, and their closest allies gathered in the war room at Arthur Palace. Maps, documents, and intelligence reports covered the table, the final pieces of a plan to dismantle the shadow organization once and for all.   Elijah leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. “This is where we make our stand. The artifact’s message is clear—it’s not just about power. It’s about unity and the future of Evendore. That future doesn’t include the remnants of this organization.”  Doug nodded, his respect for Elijah evident in his tone. “Marshal, the team is ready. The leader’s forces are scattered, but they’re planning