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Seraphina listened intently, her brow furrowed as Allvar explained his family's involvement in "private security work." A small, disbelieving laugh escaped her lips."Private security work, huh?" she echoed, her tone layered with a hint of amused skepticism. "I have to say, Allvar, that's a far cry from the 'investments' you first mentioned."She stepped closer, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and playfulness. "So, are we talking about some high-tech, James Bond-esque operation here? Or is it more of a glorified bodyguard situation?"Allvar chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Well, I suppose you could say it's a bit of both," he admitted, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "My family has certainly had its fair share of, shall we say, 'exciting' adventures over the years."Seraphina couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation slowly sinking in. "I have to hand it to you, Al158When he finally arrived at his family’s mansion, the sky was a deep indigo, speckled with the first stars of the evening. He parked in the circular driveway and stepped out, the grand facade of the house looming before him. The cool night air whispered past him, carrying with it the faint scent of jasmine from the gardens.The mansion was silent, save for the quiet rustle of leaves in the breeze. As he stepped inside, Mr. Lorentz, the family’s ever-attentive butler, was already waiting in the foyer, hands clasped behind his back.“Welcome back, sir,” Mr. Lorentz said with a polite smile that hinted at genuine concern. “Long day, I assume?”Allvar managed a tired nod. “You could say that, Mr. Lorentz. Anything noteworthy while I was away?”“Not particularly, sir, except for a message from your father. He mentioned he would like to speak with you in the morning.”Allvar’s brow furrowed. “Did he say why?”Mr. Lorentz shook his head. “Only that it was of importance, sir. Would you lik
159“It’s at the Hawthorne mansion,” he said, trying to keep his voice neutral. He could feel his father’s sharp eyes on him, reading every flicker of emotion that crossed his face.“Something wrong, Allvar?” his father asked, his voice low and probing. “You look... unsettled.”Allvar straightened and forced a casual shrug, schooling his features into calmness. “Not at all,” he said smoothly. “Just surprised.”His father’s eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned forward, fingers steepled together. “Surprised? The Hawthornes have hosted plenty of gatherings before. This one shouldn’t be any different.”“It’s just been a while since I’ve attended one of their events, that’s all,” Allvar replied, maintaining an even tone. “I’m sure it’ll be as extravagant as ever.”His father raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching in a smirk. “Extravagant? Is that what concerns you, son? The glittering chandeliers and their over-the-top wine collection?”“Hardly, Father.” Allvar’s lips curled s
160The night of the party had arrived, and Derek stood in front of his ornate, full-length mirror, fingers fastening the last button of his tailored, jet-black suit jacket. The fabric was impeccable, crafted from the finest silk with subtle gold-thread embroidery at the cuffs and collar.Despite the meticulous attire, a faint bruise still shadowed his cheek, a stubborn remnant of the confrontation that lingered as a dull throb with each movement of his arm. Below, the deep bass of music pulsed through the walls, signaling that guests were already mingling in the grand ballroom, glasses clinking and laughter echoing like a challenge.Derek took a deep breath, trying to steady the fury simmering in his chest. The humiliation of that day still stung, and his hatred for Allvar, the man who had sparked it all, burned brighter than ever.Suddenly, the door burst open without warning. Victor strode in, his imposing presence filling the room in an instant. His cold eyes swept over Derek, not
161The night had finally arrived, and Leonard Falck paced in the study, the tension lining his features as he turned to Mr. Lorentz, the ever-dutiful butler. “Lorentz,” Leonard said with a weary sigh, “fetch one of my finest suits for Allvar. Tonight, he must look impeccable.”“Yes, sir.” Mr. Lorentz inclined his head and disappeared down the hall. When he returned, he was holding an exquisite midnight-blue suit with subtle silver-thread embroidery along the lapels—a garment that spoke of prestige and silent power. He stepped into Allvar’s room, where the young man sat on the edge of his bed, gaze distant.“Allvar,” Mr. Lorentz said, laying the suit carefully on the velvet armchair. “Here is what your father requested you to wear.”Allvar’s eyes flicked to the suit, then to Mr. Lorentz. “Thank you,” he muttered, reaching out to touch the fine fabric, but his hand froze midway when the butler’s expression softened with concern.“It’s not my place, Master Allvar,” Mr. Lorentz began, fo
162 The laughter echoed like a cacophony of mocking crows as Allvar stepped out of the sedan. The moment he emerged, dressed in the midnight-blue suit with subtle silver embroidery, heads turned, and eyes widened with barely concealed amusement. The brilliance of their own shimmering, gem-encrusted ensembles outshone his understated attire, or so they thought. “Look at that,” a young man whispered to his companion, struggling to suppress a grin. “Did he get lost on his way to a funeral?” “Must be a new servant trying to make a statement,” another voice chimed in, followed by a snicker. The crowd erupted in low chuckles, a symphony of arrogance that twisted through the cool night air. Allvar’s jaw clenched, but his expression remained neutral. He took a deep breath, allowing the whispers to slide off him like rain on a stone. This was exactly what he expected. He tightened his grip on the keys in his hand, tossing them back into the car before striding forward, his shoulders squa
163The crowd surged forward, the air thick with derisive laughter that bit at Allvar like a swarm of stinging insects. The taller guard, his eyes cold as polished stone, stepped even closer until he loomed over Allvar, blocking the light from the chandelier above. “Look, boy,” he spat, his voice lowering to a dangerous rumble, “you need to walk away before this becomes a problem you don’t want to have.”Allvar’s throat tightened, but he lifted his chin, holding the guard’s gaze. “I’m telling you the truth. Leonard Falck sent me. I’m his—”The young woman in silver, her sequin-studded dress catching the light like shards of ice, let out a scoff so sharp it might as well have been a blade. “Oh, spare us the theatrics. Do you expect us to believe that Leonard Falck, who could hire any polished envoy in the city, sent you here?” Her dark eyes swept over his simple sedan parked at the edge of the lot. “In that tin can?”The crowd erupted in renewed laughter, faces flushed with mirth and
164The guards moved, reaching for Allvar with practiced precision. Allvar’s heart thudded, the heat of humiliation and fury coursing through him like fire. He took a step back, raising his hands defensively. “Don’t touch me.”The taller guard’s expression darkened, and he lunged. “Enough of this—”Before he could finish, the guards’ hands closed in around Allvar, their expressions a mix of irritation and relish. Allvar's breath quickened, his heart thundering beneath his ribs as he forced himself to stand tall. He met the taller guard's glare with a defiance he barely felt."Touch me again, and you’ll regret it," Allvar warned, his voice low and tight.The guard sneered, throwing back his head with a bark of laughter. The sound was quickly picked up by the onlookers, who jeered and clapped as if this were some grand show meant for their amusement."Regret it, will we?" the second guard, the one with a scar cutting across his cheek, mocked. He pushed Allvar back, the movement rough en
165“Are you Allvar Falck?” he called out, his tone brisk, leaving no room for hesitation.Allvar’s eyes widened slightly, but he nodded, straightening his posture. “Yes, that’s me.”The two guards exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier bravado slipping away like sand through fingers. Anders’ eyes narrowed as they flickered to the guards, their smug expressions replaced with sudden apprehension.“Follow me, Mr. Falck,” Anders said, his tone softening slightly as he gestured for Allvar to approach. Without a moment’s pause, Allvar stepped forward, ignoring the guards’ shifting feet and shallow breaths. They were watching, but Anders was too, and his gaze was sharp and unyielding.As they walked back toward the building, Anders kept his stride purposeful but slowed enough to glance at Allvar. “My sincerest apologies, Mr. Falck. This oversight is unacceptable. I assure you it will be rectified.”Allvar’s jaw unclenched for the first time since the ordeal began. “Thank you. It’s… appreci