"Ophiucus?" Edward repeated, the name foreign and mysterious to him. "What is that? And what does it have to do with all of this?"Andrei struggled to catch his breath before continuing, "Ophiucus is a Zodiac File, like mine and your grandfather's, but it has unique abilities. It has the power to amplify and multiply the Zodiac File's abilities. With Ophiucus, Xavier can become almost invincible. He could easily ask us to hand over our Zodiac Files, or hypnotize anyone just by looking at them through cameras or with a phone call. Simply put, he could own all the Zodiac Files by getting Ophiucus File."Edward's mind whirled with the implications of this revelation. The thought of Xavier obtaining such godlike power sent chills down his spine. "How does he plan to find this Ophiucus File?"Andrei's voice quivered with dread as he divulged the ominous secret. "Elias is the user of the Ophiucus File, and only Marcus, your grandfather, and I are aware of this fact. However, here's the cruc
Meanwhile, in the opulent study of Windsor Manor, Xavier paced back and forth, his mind abuzz with thoughts and plans. Eloise and Victoria stood nearby, their faces etched with worry as they observed their father lost in contemplation.As Xavier halted his pacing, he turned to Victoria. "Tell me, Victoria, why did you allow Edward to go to Petra Island alone? This is ridiculous. Edward is the head of our family, and he should not be wandering off on his own."Victoria swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of her father's scrutiny. "He insisted, Father. Edward was determined to handle this matter on his own. He believes that he can confront Andrei without any help."Xavier's eyes narrowed, and his expression turned darker. "Does he not realize the danger he's putting himself in? Petra Island is a treacherous place, filled with skilled enemies and traps. He is not ready to face the likes of Andrei Petrovich alone."Eloise stepped forward, her voice gentle yet firm. "Xavier, perhaps it
As Edward whispered his inquiry to the Domination System, it responded with an unusually serious tone. [Ding! To counteract hypnosis effectively, a comprehensive analysis of your subconscious mind is required. Hypnotic suggestions often create complex connections within the neural pathways, requiring a thorough examination to identify and neutralize them.]Edward nodded, recognizing the significance of such an analysis. "I understand."The holographic interface displayed a confirmation message, seeking Edward's consent to access his deepest thoughts and memories. [To perform the analysis, we require your permission to access your subconscious mind. This process will be intimate and may reveal deeply personal memories. Do you grant us permission to proceed?]Edward hesitated for a moment. "How much time will it take?"[Twenty to forty seconds.]"Okay, I give you permission."[Ding! Initiating data retrieval and analysis process. Estimated completion time: 40 seconds.]With Edward's co
With that, Andrei bid farewell and disappeared from the room, leaving Edward to ponder the upcoming challenges. Edward knew that the missions he chose from the Domination System might be quirky and amusing, but they would be a means to an end, gathering the Domination Points he needed to unlock Mentality Level 2. By the time that happened, he would be ready to go home, and meet his grandfather.As Andrei's absence lingered, the Petrovich residence descended into a state of disarray. News of his disappearance had spread like wildfire among their scattered relatives, prompting many of them to flee by aircrafts. The once bustling halls and opulent rooms of the Petrovich mansion were now eerily silent, with only two members of the Petrovich family remaining, Tatiana, Andrei's first wife, and Yvonne.Meanwhile, in the heart of the Petrovich mansion, Edward called upon Gillan to summon Tatiana and Yvonne to the grand living room. Gillan, who had just become a rich man after receiving $500 m
After Yvonne had calmed down, Tatiana gently released herself from the embrace and turned to face Edward. "I need you to promise me something. You must ensure Yvonne's safety no matter what happens. She is carrying Andrei's child, and I trust you to protect her."Edward nodded solemnly, "I promise. You have my word."Tatiana smiled, seeming satisfied with his response. She then took a deep breath and continued, "Every hundred miles along the escape route, there are hidden supply stations. You'll find fuel and other essential provisions there."Edward listened intently, mentally noting the details of the escape route Tatiana provided. The importance of staying alert was not lost on him, knowing that Xavier's agents might be lurking everywhere, seeking any opportunity to sabotage their escape.Once the preparations were complete, Edward, Yvonne, and Gillan boarded the modified sports car that was waiting in the underground cavern. Tatiana stood by the entrance, her eyes brimming with em
Brenda and Adele exchanged a puzzled look before unfolding the piece of paper left by the housekeeper. As they read the message, their expressions turned from confusion to surprise.The note contained a simple yet cryptic message, written in elegant handwriting: "Your safety is paramount. Follow the instructions and stay hidden until further notice. - A Friend"Their curiosity peaked, Brenda and Adele wondered who this mysterious friend could be and what instructions they were referring to. The situation was becoming increasingly unclear, and they knew they had to be careful.Feeling a sense of urgency, Brenda grabbed her phone and dialed Edward's number, but he didn't pick up, and this happened four times in a row.The tension in the room escalated as Brenda tried calling Edward, but each attempt went unanswered. Adele's eyes widened with concern, and she clutched Brenda's arm tightly. "This is not like Edward at all. Something must be wrong."Brenda nodded, her worry mirroring Adel
In the midst of the frigid waters, Yvonne clung to Edward as tightly as her trembling arms would allow, then buried her face into his chest in an attempt to find some warmth.Turning his gaze to Gillan, Edward's voice was both urgent and resolute as he directed, "Gillan, make your way to Fin City. I'll meet you there."Gillan opened her mouth to reply, but before she could say a word, Edward asked Yvonne, "Do you trust me?"Seeing Yvonne nod with trembling lips, Edward summoned an impressive 80% of his strength, his muscles tensing in response to his inner power. With Yvonne resting securely on his body, he ran, his feet gliding on the surface of the water as if it were solid ground.She clung to him tighter, heart racing not only from the intense cold but also from the sheer marvel of their journey. "Edward, are we... actually running on water?" she managed to gasp, her words punctuated by quick breaths.Edward's lips curved into a half-smile, his focus remaining on their path ahead
Yvonne's soft chuckle barely escaped her lips before she noticed the change in Edward's expression. His jaw clenched, and his gaze turned icy as he stared at the taxi driver through the rearview mirror. The driver's words, though seemingly innocuous, had struck a nerve within Edward. He saw them not as a casual suggestion, but as a disrespectful insinuation about Yvonne.In a voice that carried an unmistakable edge, Edward retorted, "Watch your mouth."Yvonne shot a quick glance at Edward, her brows furrowed in confusion at the sudden shift in the atmosphere. She could sense that Edward was deeply protective of her, but the strength of his reaction surprised her.The driver, taken aback by the intensity of Edward's response, stammered, "I-I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean any disrespect."But Edward's gaze didn't waver. "Apologies are meaningless. Just focus on driving."The rest of the ride was completed in a heavy silence. As the taxi came to a stop in front of Hotel Grandia, Edward pai