Garret Round's sly smile held a mix of amusement and curiosity. Edward's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing to comprehend how this man knew his identity.Edward's voice was steady, masking his surprise. "You seem to know more than you should."Garret chuckled, the sound low and throaty. "I know things, Mr. Windsor. Especially when they're important."Edward's mind was working overtime, trying to figure out how much Garret truly knew about him. But, he decided to steer the conversation back to his purpose. "I need your help. My companion and I are in danger, and I believe you might have information that could assist us."Garret leaned back, his fingers tapping thoughtfully against the armrest of the chair. "Ah, danger, you say? The brave hero finds himself in a bit of a pickle?"Edward's jaw clenched slightly. He wasn't a fan of being mocked, especially in such a precarious situation. "I'm serious. We need a safe place to hide for a while, somewhere off the grid. Somewhere they woul
The helicopter's descent was controlled and smooth as they approached a remote location in the Sane Desert. The landscape stretched out before them, a barren expanse of sand and rock under the moonlit sky. Garret's voice crackled over the intercom once again."Prepare for landing."The helicopter touched down with a gentle thud, its rotors gradually slowing to a halt. Edward and Yvonne unbuckled their seatbelts and stepped out onto the desert floor.Garret joined them, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of familiarity and satisfaction. He walked a few paces away and pulled a small device from his pocket. With a press of a button, a low hum filled the air as the ground in front of them seemed to ripple.A vertical gateway began to materialize, its shimmering edges casting an otherworldly glow. Edward and Yvonne exchanged incredulous glances as the gateway fully formed, revealing a dark passageway leading into the earth below.Garret turned to them with a self-assured smi
The members of the training group responded with a resounding chorus of agreement, their voices echoing throughout the training area. They had followed Garret's lead for a reason, and now, as he passed the torch to Edward, they seemed willing to place their trust in the new leader.Edward, though taken aback by the unexpected development, found himself facing the expectant gazes of the group members. He nodded, acknowledging their acceptance. This was not a role he had sought, but he recognized the weight of the responsibility that came with it.Garret turned to Edward. "Well, Mr. Windsor, are you satisfied with what you've seen so far?"Edward met Garret's gaze directly and nodded in agreement, indicating his approval without the need for further words.Garret's lips curled into a thoughtful smile. "Very well then. Now, to matters at hand. What shall be our first mission under your leadership?"Edward's expression shifted, indicating his readiness to step into his new role. He raised
A collective gasp swept through the group as their eyes widened in disbelief. The sheer magnitude of the amount left them speechless, their minds struggling to comprehend the scale of their new boss's financial resources.Garret's smile was triumphant as he reveled in their astonishment. "That's right. Two trillion dollars. Our boss is not lacking in resources, that's for sure."Meanwhile, seated in the dimly lit confines of his private quarters, Edward's attention was drawn by the insistent ringing of his phone. His hand hesitated for a moment before he answered, an undercurrent of caution in his voice. "Who is this?"The voice on the other end exuded an air of controlled confidence, its timbre measured and deliberate. "Mr. Windsor, I trust you're adapting to your new role with ease."Edward's brows knit together in confusion. The voice was unfamiliar, and he responded with a note of caution. "And who might you be?"The response was swift, yet unhurried, as if the speaker had anticip
Edward's mind raced as he processed the name "No.8." A knot of suspicion formed in his gut. Could it be possible that this enigmatic figure was somehow connected to his mother?Suppressing his instincts, Edward maintained his composure. He wouldn't let his emotions get the better of him without concrete evidence. "Who's your boss?"No.8's response was measured. "In our line of work, anonymity is a valuable asset, Mr. Windsor."Edward's skepticism remained palpable. "You didn't answer my question."No.8's voice remained steady. "I understand your concerns, but for now, focus on the matter at hand."Edward's jaw clenched as he attempted to glean more information. "Fine. Let's get to the point. Why did you take Brenda, Adele, and their families? Where are they?"No.8's lips curved into a faint smile. "Your concern for their safety is admirable, Mr. Windsor. Rest assured, they are safe and will be returned to you unharmed once our business is concluded."Edward's patience was wearing thin
In the midst of the chaotic scene, Adele's keen eyes locked onto the figure moving with incredible speed. It was a distant silhouette, a blur against the backdrop of chaos.However, the situation around her was far too chaotic for anyone else to notice. The hail of bullets, the deafening sounds of the helicopter, and the fear that gripped everyone's hearts left little room for observation. Adele was the only one who saw the approaching figure.Meanwhile, Edward's body streaked through the air with all the power he could muster. He was closing in on the convoy, his every thought focused on protecting Brenda, Adele, and their families. But as he pushed himself to the limits, he began to feel the toll on his body. The strain of using 90% of his power was becoming evident.Edward's vision began to blur, his movements becoming slightly unsteady. Every burst of speed required more effort than the last, and he could feel his energy depleting rapidly. Just as Edward was approaching the convo
Adele's hands were shaking as she reached out to touch Brenda's face. Her hands trembled as she brushed a strand of hair away from Brenda's face. The wound where Brenda's arm used to be was a stark reminder of the violence they had endured. Blood seeped from the wound, staining her jacket and the ground beneath her.Tears streamed down Adele's cheeks, her voice choked with sorrow. "We have to do something, James. We can't lose her."James' voice quivered as he spoke, his words heavy with sadness. "I know, but considering her condition... It might be best if I go look for Dad, and Hank and Sophie. Who knows if they're still alive."Adele's sobs echoed in the air as she cradled Brenda's head against her chest, and on the other hand, Edward's heart ached as he watched the scene unfold before him. He had used his powers to protect them, to fight against the danger that had threatened their lives, but now he was faced with the bitter truth that he didn't have the strength to save Brenda."
Meanwhile, Brenda's consciousness slowly began to stir. Images flashed before her eye, moments of chaos, danger, and pain. She could feel the weight of exhaustion in every fiber of her being, her body aching as if it had been through a battle. Confusion clouded her mind as she tried to make sense of what had happened.Then, a rush of memories flooded back—the explosion, the chaos, the pain. She remembered the helicopter crash, the debris, the sensation of being thrown around. But she couldn't remember what had happened next, how she had ended up here.As Brenda's consciousness sharpened, she became more aware of her body. She tried to move her fingers, to adjust her position, but something was off. A sense of confusion gnawed at her as her left hand felt strangely absent. Panic surged through her, and her gaze darted down to where her hand should have been.Shock rippled through Brenda as her eyes settled on the empty space where her left hand used to be. The realization struck her li