ROWLAND (From Ruin to Rule)

Chapter 16: Continuous quest for vengeance

The following morning, Rowland sat with a sketchpad on his lap by his father's study's large bay window. While his eyes scanned over a few jewelry designs scattered across the desk in front of him, he twirled a pencil absentmindedly in his fingers.

The elegant pieces were all expertly made with the attention to detail and care for which the Fence Emerald Company was renowned. None of them, however, really impressed him. Despite their beauty, these designs lacked the soul and originality he longed to see in jewelry.

He let out a sigh and tapped his pencil on the page before lowering it to the blank. His fingers moved almost without conscious thought, and in a matter of minutes, shapes started to take shape. Sharp lines gave way to softer curves, and soon a ring started to take shape. Rowland was sketching a plan that had been circling around in his head for several days.

As he worked, the door creaked softly, echoing throughout the room. Mr. Fence, his father, walked in wearing a puzz