Tessa’s frustration was evident as she glanced back at the fallen bodyguards lining the hallway. "You’re the one who injured them, so they won’t be too much trouble for me. But you—if you don’t leave now, they’ll find you before you can even get out of the city."Adam nodded, his face serious. "Alright. Take care of yourself, Tessa.""Just go," she insisted, her voice softer, almost reluctant. "Before it's too late."Adam cast one last look at her, his gaze lingering. "I will. But… don’t let anyone push you around. You deserve better than all this."He wasn't scared of Wilfred or the Darkclaw, they were only a small fries. Stacey had recently informed him that many powerful underground organizations had arrived in Storm City, after the news of the amulet in his custody was revealed. Some may be even after his life.Tessa swallowed, unsure of how to respond. Before she could find the words, Adam turned and left, disappearing into the corridor. She exhaled a heavy sigh, a mixture of rel
"Tessa, what happened, exactly? Why did Kelvin suddenly get injured? Which bastard did it?" Eleanor asked, genuinely intrigued."Actually…" Tessa hesitated, but she still told them the truth."What?" Eleanor was appalled. The others were equally shell-shocked."That asshole has really got some nerve! It was bad enough to offend the Blackwoods family last time, but how dare he cripple Mr. Wilfred's son?"He shouldn't drag us down with him even if he has a death wish!" Eleanor shrieked in terror."Seriously, Tessa? I don't mean to criticize you, but look at what you've done! You chose this worthless bastard over Mr. Blackwood."Not only is he worthless, he's an incorrigible troublemaker. Well, look at him now! Our entire family will suffer because he offended Mr. Wilfred!" Henry her cousin hollered.Her aunty, Brenda was fuming. "Grandpa entrusted the company to you. But what did you do? Never mind not contributing to the family, you caused such a huge problem."I think your position
Tessa’s gaze hardened as she looked at Henry. “So, what do you want me to do, Henry? Just hand Adam over like a bargaining chip?”“Exactly.” Henry crossed his arms, leaning back with a smug expression. “Or, at the very least, make it clear we’re not responsible for his actions. He’s your mess, after all—you’re the one who brought him into this family.”Richard’s jaw clenched as he cut in, his voice sharp. “If you’d just handled things properly with Kelvin, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Honestly, Tessa, I don’t know what you were thinking.”Tessa felt anger rising, her throat tightening. “You’re all… spineless.” Her voice cracked, tears pooling in her eyes as frustration and helplessness crashed over her.Just then, a maid burst into the room, her face pale with fear. “The Darkclaw clan—they’re here!”A cold dread swept over everyone in the room, silencing the family’s squabbles in an instant.“What?” Henry whispered, his face going ashen.Before anyone could react, the door flew open,
“You’re not coming with me this time, Stacey,” Adam said firmly. "Last time, you almost got yourself killed. You have no idea what we’re up against.”Stacey shook her head. “I know the risks. But I can handle myself, Adam. You don’t have to do this alone.”“I appreciate it, but I need you safe. Stay here.”Before another word could be exchanged, an arrow tore through the air, embedding itself in Adam's chest. The impact drove him back a step, and he grimaced as he felt the venomous burn begin to spread from the wound."Adam!" Stacey's eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively raised her guard, scanning the area.From the thick shadows, Viper emerged, flanked by a group of twenty men, all armed and eager for blood. A smug grin curled on his lips as he looked at Adam, the arrow wound in his chest."You’ll be dead in five minutes," Viper sneered. "That poison is designed to kill, even someone like you, warlord."Adam met his gaze, his expression dark and defiant. "Five minutes, huh?"
Adam stood over Viper’s battered form, his chest heaving. Memories of their last encounter flooded his mind—how he had once shown mercy, allowing Viper to walk away with his life. That mercy, he realized now, had been a mistake.“This ends here,” Adam growled, his voice like steel.Viper’s eyes widened as Adam’s hand closed around his throat. In one swift, decisive motion, Adam twisted, snapping Viper’s neck. The body fell limp to the ground, and the fight was over.Around him, the forest was eerily silent. Every one of Viper’s men lay defeated, sprawled across the ground. Adam surveyed the carnage, feeling a strange mixture of relief and frustration. He had come with hopes of finally retrieving the amulet, the artifact he believed held the power to shift the tides in his favor.But now, with Viper’s ambush behind him, he realized this had all been a trap—another elaborate ploy to lure him out and weaken him. His fists clenched. He had been so close, only to come up empty-handed once
Wilfred’s eyes gleamed with twisted anticipation as he edged closer to Tessa, a menacing smile playing on his lips. Though he had countless women at his disposal, none compared to her. And now, with an excuse that would shield him from any fallout, he felt invincible—even if the Supreme General found out.“Mr. Wilfred, please… let me go!” Tessa’s voice quivered, panic filling her wide eyes.“Let you go?” he mocked, voice dripping with malice. “I’m offering you a rare honor, Tessa. Bear me a child, and you’ll reap the benefits.” He stepped forward, his hands outstretched.Tessa screamed, scrambling back, her voice filled with terror. “Please, Mr. Wilfred! Find someone else. I’m already married!”“Married?” He scoffed, a sneer curling his lips. “To that pathetic excuse of a man? He’ll be dead soon. Besides, ordinary women don’t deserve to bear my child. You should feel honored I’m even considering you.”She backed up, desperate, her eyes darting around the small, claustrophobic room. Sp
The pendant around Tessa's neck—the Cursed-idol amulet—was no ordinary trinket. It was the supreme token, the symbol of the Supreme General himself, an item that no one else dared to carry. For her to be wearing it could mean only one thing: she was under the Supreme General’s protection.Wilfred’s face drained of all color. His confidence, his bravado—all of it melted away, leaving only raw, unfiltered terror. The Darkclaw clan, formidable as they were, held only a fraction of power compared to the full might of the Redblood organization. In that world, Wilfred’s position was insignificant, like a pawn easily discarded, and the Redblood organization was owned by one of the Supreme General's subordinates, and now he had committed a crime beyond redemption. To lay a hand on the Supreme General’s woman? It was an offense punishable by death.Tessa stared at him, caught off-guard by his sudden shift. She had prepared herself for the worst, bracing against the fear gnawing at her, only to
"Thank you so much, madam!" Wilfred's voice dripped with relief as he bowed his head low.Tessa didn’t waste a moment. “Can I leave now?” she asked, her voice tense, watching him carefully for any signs of hesitation."Certainly, this way, please." Wilfred gestured respectfully, stepping aside.Tessa didn’t trust his sudden change in demeanor, but with the Cursed-idol amulet in her possession, she knew he wouldn’t dare try anything else. She moved swiftly toward the door, but just as she reached it, a rough voice rang out."Why are you coming out? Get back in!" Albert snapped, blocking her path and shoving her backward, assuming she was trying to escape."Stop!" Wilfred's bellow filled the room. “How dare you disrespect the Supreme General’s Lady! Apologize now!”Albert blinked, startled. “Mr. Wilfred, your… your hand! What happened to it?”“I told you to kneel and apologize!” Wilfred barked, ignoring his own bleeding wound as he stared daggers at Albert.Albert’s face twisted in conf