The room hung in eerie suspense as Sam's machete descended toward Edward's exposed neck. It was a moment of impending tragedy, where emotions clashed with reason and vengeance seemed inevitable.But just as the blade was inches away from its deadly destination, a phenomenon both breathtaking and bewildering unfolded before everyone's eyes. Edward's body emitted a thin golden light, as if a protective aura had enveloped him. This ethereal glow seemed to defy the laws of nature, creating an invisible barrier that prevented the machete from making contact with his skin.Sam's violent swing met an invisible resistance, and he was abruptly repelled backward with tremendous force, hurtling through the air for a distance of five meters. He crashed into a pile of ornate furniture, scattering it in all directions. The machete slipped from his grasp and clattered to the floor.The scene was nothing short of miraculous and left those in attendance gasping in astonishment. Eva, Sam, and even Gove
Amidst the intensity of the moment, instead of responding verbally, Edward surveyed the aftermath. The burly men who had previously assaulted him lay strewn across the floor, their powerful physiques no match for him. Their bodies bearing the marks of their brutal encounter.However, it was the lifeless form of the Petrocorp CEO, whom Edward had killed during the grip of Temptation, that left an indelible mark of remorse on him. He shook his head in disbelief at the consequences of his actions during that dark influence.With a sense of solemnity, Edward sent a telepathic message to The System, expressing his gratitude for its intervention. He acknowledged that without The System's protection, he might have become Temptation's puppet.The System replied promptly, its telepathic presence clear and comforting. [Ding! You're welcome. It's my duty to ensure your safety. Please let us know if you need any assistance.]'Sure.'Edward held Eva gently, understanding the tumult of emotions th
Edward sighed and took Eva’s hand in his. He looked into her eyes and said, "Eva, I appreciate what you’ve done for me. You saved my life, and you’ve shown me kindness and compassion. You’re a remarkable woman, and I’m grateful to have met you."Eva felt a surge of warmth and emotion in her chest. She felt a connection with Edward that she couldn’t explain. She wanted to know more about him, to understand him better. She squeezed his hand and said, "Thank you, but you don’t have to thank me. I did what anyone would do in that situation. I’m just glad you’re okay."Edward smiled. "You’re too modest. You’re brave and smart, and you have a good heart. You deserve to know the truth about me. But it’s not something I can tell you here and now. It’s too complicated and risky."Eva felt a twinge of frustration and curiosity. She wondered what Edward was hiding from her, and why it was so dangerous. "But Edward, why can’t you tell me? What are you afraid of? Who are you running from?"Edward
Eva and Simon were left speechless, stunned by Edward’s words. They felt as if time had momentarily stopped, and the room was filled with a suffocating silence. Both of them knew that their decision would determine not only their fate but potentially the fate of Chia as well.Edward, noticing the confusion and fear on their faces, stood up and walked towards the window. He looked out, which was calm and peaceful. He knew that this tranquility wouldn’t last long."This country," he said in a low voice, "is about to change. And we have the opportunity to shape that change."He turned around and looked at Eva and Simon. "I know this is difficult,"he continued. "But I believe both of you will make the right decision."His words, though meant to be reassuring, did little to ease their anxiety. The weight of the decision they had to make was immense.Eva, gathering her courage, rose from her seat and approached Edward. She asked the question that had been haunting her, "But first, how are
Eva and Edward left Simon’s house without uttering a word, feeling the weight of the events that had transpired. They walked towards the sleek black car that was parked outside, ready to take them away from the scene of chaos and bloodshed. Their eyes met briefly, but they quickly looked away, unable to read each other’s thoughts and emotions..They climbed into the back seat of the car, and the driver started the engine and drove off towards Grey city. The silence between them was deafening, only broken by the occasional sound of the car’s radio or the traffic outside. Eva turned her head to the window, gazing at the passing buildings and lights, hoping to find some distraction from the man sitting next to her. She still couldn’t understand what happened today. She felt like she was in a nightmare, or maybe a strange dream.Edward, meanwhile, was watching Eva intently, his eyes filled with admiration and desire. He was captivated by her beauty, her intelligence, and her courage. He w
Edward leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on the darkened cityscape outside the car window. "All I can say for now is that there are powerful forces at play. Yes, the Windsor family's interests are intertwined with mine, but my priority is to ensure that Chia doesn't suffer irreparable damage. All I ask is for your patience and trust."Eva's skepticism remained, but she slowly nodded. "I'll consider what you've said. But I won't blindly follow anyone's lead, including the Windsor family's. I need to be sure that the path we're taking is the right one for Chia."Edward nodded in understanding, he knew that earning Eva's trust would be a gradual process. With a nod, he said, "Take the time you need to think it over. When you're ready, we'll discuss our next steps."Upon their arrival at Robert's residence in Grey City, Edward wasted no time. He immediately instructed Robert to arrange for Eva's return to the capital. Robert, though surprised by the sudden request, quickly set about
Two hours later, the atmosphere in Robert's residence grew increasingly tense. Edward swiftly made his way to the opulent living room, where two guests were waiting. One of them was Ryan, a familiar face to Edward, while the other was a man he had never met before.Edward approached them with a courteous nod. "Ryan, good to see you again," he greeted warmly, extending his hand. Ryan reciprocated with a firm handshake, then turned to the other guest."This is our leader, Roddick," Ryan introduced his superior. Roddick was a tall, imposing figure with an air of authority about him. He nodded politely in Edward's direction, acknowledging the introduction.Edward gestured for Ryan and Roddick to take a seat in the plush, leather-upholstered chairs arranged around a low, mahogany coffee table. As they settled in, Roddick wasted no time and delved straight into the heart of the matter."Mr. Edward, we've heard about your offer. Can you truly guarantee the well-being of our group if we alig
Meanwhile, a butler half-ran through the long corridor of the Drake Manor, clutching a newspaper in his hand. He reached the door of his master’s office and knocked urgently. "Sir, may I come in?" he asked in a trembling voice."Come in," a deep voice answered from inside. The butler opened the door and entered the spacious room, where a large desk was covered with papers and books. Behind the desk, a man in his forties was sitting on a leather chair, looking at his laptop. He had dark hair, sharp features, and piercing blue eyes. He was Cassius Drake, the owner of the manor and one of the richest and most influential businessmen in the country.The butler approached the desk and bowed slightly. "Sir, I have something very important to tell you," he said nervously.Cassius looked up from his laptop and saw his butler’s pale face and sweaty forehead. He frowned and closed his laptop. "What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."The butler swallowed hard and handed him the newspa