628 Margaret’s glare sharpened, her voice slicing through the heavy tension in the room. “Who is the Broker you’re working with? Tell me now.” Zayne smirked, lounging back against the edge of the ornate table as though her words amused him more than anything. “As if we’d tell you that. Do you take
629 The air was thick—heavy with hostility. Margaret’s fingers clenched at her sides as Zayne’s smirk started to falter. The amusement that once danced in his eyes darkened to something far more menacing. His patience was unraveling, thread by thread, and it showed in the way his movements grew sha
630 The two of them attacked in brutal sync—one aiming low, the other high. James fought back fiercely, his movements sharp and practiced, but Margaret could see it: exhaustion was starting to take its toll. His breathing grew heavier, his movements just a fraction slower. A hard blow from Felix’s
631 Zayne stood over them, dark eyes flicking between James and Margaret. James was on his knees, breathing heavily, blood streaking his sleeve. Margaret sat next to him, her fury burning bright despite the bonds digging into her skin. “Well,” Zayne drawled, “what should we do with them now? Killi
632 The room hung in a charged silence, tension crackling in the air like a brewing storm. Zayne Oakbar stumbled back, his usual bravado faltering under the sheer, commanding presence of the masked man. The sight of Felix and Micah sprawled on the marble floor, groaning and nursing their wounds, on
Felix’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his glare seething with hatred. “Let me tell you something.” The masked man leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “The Broker doesn’t scare me. He’s just another man hiding behind a network of pawns like you. And you? You’re not even w
633 The cold wind cut through the narrow alleyway, its bite harsh against the bruised bodies of the Oakbar brothers. Micah groaned in pain, his head lolling to the side as his eyes struggled to stay open. His limbs felt like lead, every movement an effort. He barely registered the presence of the s
The brothers fell silent. The air between them became thick with dread, the coldness of the alley now nothing compared to the palpable fear that had settled in their bones. Felix opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Micah glanced at his brothers, his eyes narrowing in contempt, but the fear in t
653 Darwin turned at the sound of approaching footsteps to see his mother descending the grand staircase. Lady Margaret Wettin’s regal figure exuded an air of authority, her long, emerald-green gown trailing behind her. Her dark hair was swept into an elegant bun, and the glimmer of diamonds at her
652 He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “There’s more going on than I realized. My family… they’re involved in ways I didn’t see coming.” Mia frowned. “Your family? What does that have to do with this?” Dencia stared at him, her heart sinking. “Darwin, what aren’t you telling us?”
651 Dencia paced the small room, her arms folded tightly across her chest. "I’m sure he’s just busy," she said, more to convince herself than Mia. “You know how he gets when he’s focused. Darwin’s always like that.” Mia, sitting cross-legged on the edge of the couch, twisted her hands nervously. “
Meanwhile, Dencia sat on the bed, her phone still clutched in her hand. She had just finished talking to Darwin, and her mind was reeling with emotions. She couldn't believe he was alive. She had thought she would never see him again, and yet, here he was, offering to help her. Mia, who had been wa
650 As soon as Darwin hung up the phone, his mother, Margaret, turned to him with a look of concern. "You can't be serious about going to her," she said, her voice firm but laced with worry. "I have to, Mother. Dencia needs me," Darwin replied, his eyes steady. "What if it's a trap, Darwin?" she
Darwin’s voice was calm, but there was a quiet intensity beneath his measured tone. “I can imagine,” he said. “But I need to know exactly what happened, Dencia. I need to know everything.” Dencia hesitated, the weight of his request pressing down on her. She glanced at Mia, who nodded, her hand re
649 Tears sprang to her eyes, spilling over before she could stop them. Her voice trembled as she gripped the blanket tightly, grounding herself against the storm of emotions surging through her. “Darwin,” she choked out. “You’re alive. I—oh my God, you’re alive.” The words were foreign on her to
648 “The Blackwoods?” he repeated, his voice hoarse. Margaret nodded grimly. “They were dangerous even back then. Ruthless. Powerful. William thought he could use their influence to protect us, to stand up to my father. But he was in over his head. The Blackwoods don’t do favors without a price.”
647 Lady Margaret turned to leave, her elegant figure moving with purpose toward the door. Her silk gown whispered against the floor with each step, the regal image of control and authority she so carefully cultivated. But before she could reach it, Darwin’s voice cut through the tense silence. “