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
Brenda’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with disdain. “I’m not wrong. Even if Mr. Wilfred’s not angry anymore, you still caused us to lose that bid we almost secured with Darkclaw Corporation.”Tessa's jaw tightened, feeling a familiar weight settle in her chest.Brenda continued, “So not only did you fail to contribute to this family, but you actually harmed our interests. You need to find a way to fix this, Tessa.”Henry chimed in, eager to echo his mother. “Mom’s right. Darkclaw’s project is crucial to our company. You’re the one who messed it up, so you have to get it back.”Their parents, seated at the head of the table, nodded in agreement. Tessa’s heart sank, but she kept her voice steady. “I don’t have a plan.”Brenda scoffed, folding her arms. “Didn’t Mr. Wilfred seem fond of you? Sleep with him a few more times. Make him happy, and the project will be ours.”Tessa’s stomach churned as her uncle, David, leaned forward, nodding in approval. “She’s right. You’ve already cros
The room erupted as a figure stormed in, his voice cutting through the tension. "Let her go!"With a swift movement, he sent the two guards who had restrained Tessa sprawling across the floor. Gasps filled the room as the Armand family recognized him."It’s you!" Brenda's eyes widened, fury blazing. "Adam! How dare you come back here!"Tessa’s voice was filled with worry and disbelief. "Adam! Didn’t I tell you to stay far from Storm City? Why would you come back?"Adam’s eyes softened as he took in her bruised face. "If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have known they’d treated you like this."Richard stepped forward, his expression cold and calculating. "You injured Mr. Wilfred’s son, Adam. He’s got men scouring the city to find you. Do you realize the trouble you’ve brought us?"Brenda sneered, arms crossed over her chest. "Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. If we hand you over to Wilfred, he might just give us the project in return."Adam’s eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "So you’re willing