Edward's gaze shifted from Eloise to Xavier, seeking guidance from his wise and stern grandfather. But as he looked into Xavier's eyes, all he saw was a weak shake of the head, a silent agreement with Eloise's concerns. It was as if Xavier's aged and weary expression conveyed that the Windsor family's secrets and burdens were not meant to be shared with outsiders, no matter how much they might be trusted.Edward sighed, realizing the depth of the challenge before him. He knew he had to navigate the delicate balance between his love for Brenda and his loyalty to his family. With a heavy heart, he turned to Brenda and spoke softly, "I understand the importance of your presence and your support, but for now, I believe it's best if you wait outside. I promise I won't be long."Brenda nodded, a bittersweet smile on her lips. She could see the conflict in Edward's eyes, the weight of his responsibilities pulling him in different directions. Deep down, she knew that his decision was not an
Edward's mind was swirling with a mix of shock and realization. The world he thought he knew had suddenly transformed into a web of secrecy and betrayal. The revelation of the Zodiac Files and the hidden conflicts among the Zodiac Families shed a new light on the challenges he faced. "So, our alliance and even Ivy's marriage is not only based on love and friendship between families, but also serves as a tool for surveillance and espionage?" Eloise nodded, her expression grave. "It is an unfortunate reality, Edward. We must be cautious even with our own allies, as trust is a precious commodity in our world. The delicate balance of power among the Zodiac Families requires constant vigilance and strategic maneuvering."Edward's mind was racing, trying to grasp the complexity of the situation. He couldn't help but question Eloise's intentions. "But Eloise, if you plan to kill anyone from the Petrovich family who is coming soon, wouldn't that also escalate the conflict into a full-blown w
Edward's pulse quickened as he grasped the enormity of the situation. The Petrovich family's arrival would mark a significant turning point, one that could potentially escalate the conflicts between the Zodiac Families. But despite the looming uncertainties, Edward remained undeterred. He had confidence in his Domination System, believing it to be a formidable force that could conquer anything and anyone in the world. However, a lingering question persisted in his mind—could the Zodiac Files be a creation similar to his powerful system?As Edward exited the room, he was greeted by Brenda and Ivy, both wearing concerned expressions. They had been waiting anxiously for him. However, Edward quickly reassured them that everything was alright. He didn't want to burden them with his own worries and uncertainties.Curiosity lingered in Edward's mind, but he pushed it aside for now, focusing on the task at hand. He took Brenda's hand and led her towards the runway, where the arrival of the Pe
Regaining his composure, Ivan reluctantly released his grip, his ego wounded by Edward's unexpected resilience. However, he quickly masked his embarrassment with a boisterous laugh, attempting to downplay the significance of their previous confrontation. "Well, Edward, you certainly surprised me there."Edward's smile widened, understanding Ivan's attempt to salvage his pride. "Appearances can indeed be deceiving."Sensing the need to shift the conversation away from their earlier confrontation, Ivan gestured toward two individuals standing nearby."Allow me to introduce my brothers," he said, his voice regaining some of its former confidence. "This is Alexei and Mikhail."Alexei, the eldest of the Petrovich brothers, was a man of refined elegance and calculated charm. With his sharply chiseled features and piercing gaze, he exuded an air of quiet authority. Mikhail, on the other hand, possessed an intensity that bordered on restlessness. His rugged appearance, combined with a perpet
The announcement of the first test took the Petrovich brothers by surprise. They had anticipated a rivalry amongst themselves, not a direct confrontation with Edward, at all.Ivan's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and he exchanged puzzled glances with Alexei and Mikhail. The sudden shift in the assessment caught them off guard, questioning Ivy's intentions and the reasoning behind this unexpected turn of events.Mikhail mustered the courage to voice his confusion. "Wait, we thought we would be competing against each other, not... not against someone from your family."Alexei and Ivan nodded in agreement, their curiosity and concern evident in their expressions.Ivy met their gazes with understanding, her warm smile remaining intact. She then clarified, "I understand your surprise, but this assessment serves a purpose. By testing your skills against Edward, you will have the opportunity to gauge your strengths and weaknesses in a real-life scenario."Ivy's explanation resonated with th
Ivan burst into boisterous laughter, his initial surprise quickly giving way to genuine amusement. He hadn't expected Edward to be a man who held love and devotion in such high regard, and it brought a strange sense of joy to Ivan's heart. Without hesitation, he agreed to Edward's proposition. "You've surprised me, Edward. Alright then, I accept your offer. A fight to the death it shall be. But before we proceed, I want everyone here to bear witness: this is Edward's initiative, and my Petrovich family will not be held responsible for whatever happens to him in this fight."With the terms set and the agreement witnessed by all, the room settled into a heavy silence. The other Petrovich brothers nodded solemnly, acknowledging the weight of Ivan's statement. They were convinced that Ivan, in terms of physical strength and close-quarters combat, was unbeatable among his peers.At the same time, Brenda's anxiety deepened as she listened to the escalating stakes of the fight. She knew that
A hushed stillness settled upon the room, enveloping the atmosphere like a thick fog, as the weight of Edward's words reverberated through the air. The Petrovich brothers, known for their unshakeable confidence, shared a fleeting yet telling glance, their eyebrows slightly raised and their mouths slightly agape. They had expected Edward to taunt them further or ridicule their abilities, but his proposition caught them off guard.However, Mikhail smirked, his eyes glinting with determination. "You think we would team up against you? We may be brothers, but we fight our own battles. We don't need anyone's help, especially not yours."Alexei, the tactical expert, nodded in agreement. "Mikhail is right. We'll compete against you individually. I don't need my brothers to fight my battles."Edward grinned, seemingly unaffected by their refusal to team up. "Very well, if that's your choice. But remember, you'll have to land a hit on me to earn those 100 points. And believe me, it won't be ea
Alexei's face twisted in a mask of unbearable anguish as he sank to his knees beside Ivan's lifeless form. With trembling hands, he clutched desperately at Ivan's cold body, his fingertips searching in vain for any lingering signs of life. A desperate prayer echoed silently within him, yearning for a flicker of movement or the faintest whisper of a heartbeat."No..." Alexei's voice quivered, choked with sorrow. "It can't be true. It just can't..."But the undeniable truth loomed over him like a shadow. Ivan, once full of vitality and strength, had met a tragic end. He had become a casualty of the overwhelming power that Edward possessed.Brenda stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. She could hardly comprehend the sight before her—the lifeless body of Ivan Petrovich, a man whose physical prowess had seemed impenetrable. Her hand instinctively flew to her mouth, her fingers pressing firmly against her lips as if to suppress the gasp that threatened to escape.Next to her, Ivy stoo