Calvin's heart raced as he rushed through the lobby of the hotel. The faint scent of cologne wafted around him, a reminder of his efforts to present himself impeccably for the evening ahead.Upon reaching his room, Calvin wasted no time in shedding his previous attire, the fabric pooling at his feet as he stepped into the spacious bathroom. The sound of cascading water filled the room as he adjusted the temperature to his liking, relishing the sensation of the refreshing shower washing away the remnants of the day.Emerging from the shower, Calvin's reflection in the mirror revealed a man transformed, his features sharp and defined, accentuated by the tailored lines of the suit that now adorned his frame. With a satisfied nod, he reached for his wristwatch, the sleek design gleaming under the soft glow of the bathroom lights. Time was of the essence, and Calvin knew he had to make haste.As Calvin stepped out of the hotel and into the waiting taxi, the city lights glittered like a sea
As Brian departed, Nancy glided over to Christina with all the subtlety of a crashing wave. Christina braced herself for Nancy's onslaught, her expression a mask of serenity despite the thinly veiled disdain in Nancy's words. "Well, well, look who's flying solo once again. Maybe a little less arrogance would do you good. You know, Brian's got himself some eye candy now," Nancy quipped, her tone dripping with condescension as she delivered her unsolicited advice.Christina met Nancy's gaze with unwavering composure, refusing to let the barbed remarks pierce her calm facade. "Thank you for your concern, Nancy, but rest assured, I do have a date who'll be arriving shortly," she replied coolly, her voice laced with quiet confidence.As Nancy's attention shifted to the more enticing company of Brian's new companion, Christina couldn't help but feel a flicker of amusement at the irony of the situation. With a barely perceptible nod in Nancy's direction, she couldn't resist a subtle jab."Pe
Right after that, a taxi screeched to a halt, its tired engine coughing out a cloud of exhaust fumes, the security guard, clad in his formal attire, moved swiftly to intercept it. His expression, a mix of confusion and disapproval, betrayed his instinct to redirect the vehicle away from the grandeur of the event. However, his hand hesitated mid-air as a passenger within the taxi produced an invitation card, silencing his objections with a simple yet authoritative gesture.In the midst of the crowd, curious whispers and pointed stares followed the taxi's unconventional arrival, casting a shadow of intrigue over the otherwise glamorous affair. Alana, her demeanor exuding an air of refined elegance, exchanged a disdainful glance with Kevin Lang, the esteemed doctor, as they both watched the scene unfold before them. Brian, his polished facade momentarily faltering, furrowed his brow in disbelief, while Nancy, her features twisted into a mask of haughty superiority, raised a disdainful ey
Brian, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, voiced his incredulity with a mixture of shock and disdain. "Who is that guy? Is he Christina's date? Has she gone mad?" he muttered, his words tinged with disbelief.Nancy, ever quick to seize an opportunity to disparage, scoffed at Christina's choice. "Christina is stupid. She chose that garbage over you," she sneered, her tone dripping with contempt as she shot Brian a smug glance.Meanwhile, Kevin, standing not far from Nancy and Brian, widening his eyes in disbelief, struggled to comprehend what he was witnessing. "Is it... Calvin?" he asked, his disbelief evident in his voice as he glanced back and forth between Christina and Calvin.Meanwhile, Alana, her jealousy rearing its ugly head, refused to accept the possibility of Calvin's genuine intentions. "He came here on purpose. I knew it! He wants to make me jealous," she muttered, her voice tinged with bitterness as she watched Calvin and Christina's interaction with a mix
As Kevin's words hung in the air, Alana wasted no time joining the conversation, eager to add her own barbs to the mix. "Frankly, I'm surprised to see you here, Calvin," she remarked, her tone dripping with thinly veiled contempt. Her gaze swept over Calvin, from his meticulously tailored suit to his polished shoes, with a disdainful flick of her eyes."That suit you're wearing," she continued, her voice laced with skepticism, "it's far too expensive for someone like you. Where did you get the money for it? Borrowing, perhaps?" Her words were like icy daggers, cutting through the already tense atmosphere, eliciting murmurs of agreement from the surrounding guests.Calvin, however, remained composed in the face of her accusations. He met Alana's gaze squarely, his expression unwavering. "Alana, that is none of your concern," he stated firmly, his voice tinged with defiance. "You claim to be from high society, but your attitude doesn't reflect it. It's true that money can't buy you clas
Christina's expression softened as she leaned in closer to Calvin, her voice barely above a whisper amidst the hum of the bustling ballroom. "I'm truly sorry about how they treated you," she murmured, her tone laced with regret. "They can be insufferable at times, but please don't let it ruin your evening."Calvin met her gaze with a grateful smile, his eyes reflecting warmth. "Thank you, Christina," he replied softly, his voice carrying a note of appreciation. "Honestly, I've dealt with worse. Their opinions don't matter to me."Christina breathed a sigh of relief, her features softening with genuine concern. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, her eyes conveying gratitude. "You deserve better than their judgmental attitudes."Their exchange was brief but meaningful, a silent understanding passing between them amidst the anticipation that filled the room. As the charity ball was on the brink of commencing, the master of ceremonies stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding the at
Calvin and Christina glanced in Nancy's direction, noticing her intense glare directed at them. Nancy's voice, edged with anger. Her voice was full of anger, “I will ask again. Are you talking about me?”Christina responded nonchalantly, "Well, if we were, would it be a problem?" Her casual demeanor seemed to irk Nancy even more, who let out an exasperated growl.Turning her attention back to the fashion show, Christina maintained her composed stance, refusing to be drawn into further confrontation with Nancy. Calvin just smiled, knowing that Christina and Nancy were like fire and ice. As the show progressed, showcasing one exquisite ensemble after another, the atmosphere in the room was electric with anticipation.As the MC's voice reverberated through the grand ballroom, guests turned their attention to the sleek tablets stationed at their tables. The devices glowed softly in the dim light, displaying a dazzling array of haute couture and ready-to-wear ensembles showcased in the fir
Calvin turned to face Louis squarely, his expression unwavering as he addressed the barb thrown his way. "I simply wasn't interested in the showcased collections," he stated calmly, refusing to let Louis's comment ruffle his feathers.Kevin Lang, seated not far from Louis, chuckled at Calvin's response, his amusement evident. "Oh, come on, Calvin," he interjected, his tone mocking. "Let's be honest here. We all know your financial situation. You just don't want to admit it." His words were punctuated by the laughter of those within earshot, the air thick with mockery.Alana joined in with a smirk, her amusement mirroring Kevin's. "Looks like you've been caught, Calvin," she teased, her tone dripping with condescension. The laughter around the table swelled, fueled by the derision directed at Calvin.Kevin, seizing the opportunity to further belittle Calvin, leaned forward with a smirk. "Christina only invited you for entertainment, Calvin," he declared, his words cutting. "While the r
Calvin stepped out of Miranda’s house, relieved that one heavy task was finally done. The cool evening air brushed against his face as he walked toward his car. Today had been exhausting, and his mind began to shift toward his clinic—a place that had always been his refuge from life’s chaos. However, his steps halted when he heard a woman’s voice calling his name.“Calvin!”He turned around, his eyes widening at the sight of the person standing there. Alana. His ex-wife, a figure from the past he had worked so hard to leave behind. Reality struck him like a blow—he had completely forgotten about the agreement he had signed to marry her again. That agreement had been in exchange for the immense help Alana provided during a tough time, but now it felt like a weight lurking in the back of his mind.Before Calvin could say anything, Alana ran toward him. In a flash, she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly, leaving Calvin frozen in place.“Calvin,” she said with relief, her voic
As Calvin navigated the quiet streets, the stillness of the city seemed to echo his own sense of exhaustion. His hands gripped the steering wheel loosely, his mind drifting between thoughts of Lizzie and the uncertain path ahead. Suddenly, the silence was interrupted by a soft chime.[Ding!]The familiar sound of the system’s notification brought him back to the present. A faint blue light flickered on the small device attached to his wrist.[New Notification,] the system intoned, its voice calm and measured, a stark contrast to Calvin’s restlessness.“What is it this time?” Calvin muttered under his breath, keeping one hand on the wheel while activating the holographic interface with a quick swipe.The system’s screen illuminated his face as it began its explanation.[Dr. Hudson,] it started, [your recent accomplishments have brought you closer to unlocking the final legacy of your family. Only a few more points are required to access it fully.]Calvin’s brows furrowed. “Inheritance?
When Calvin arrived home, the weight of the past days pressed heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t bother turning on the lights as he entered, letting the darkness wrap around him like a familiar cloak. The house was silent, almost eerily so, but it offered the solitude he craved.His feet carried him automatically to the backyard. The moon cast a soft glow over the small garden, illuminating the simple headstone that marked Lizzie’s resting place.Calvin approached the grave and knelt down, his fingers brushing against the cool stone. For a moment, he simply sat there, the night air still and heavy around him.“I did it, Liz,” he said softly, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. “It’s over. San Wang is defeated, and the war is finished. Barrion can finally rebuild.”He paused, staring at the ground as memories of Lizzie flooded his mind. Her laughter, her courage, the way she always seemed to know the right thing to say.“I hope you’re proud of me,” Calvin whispered, h
Calvin’s journey back to Nooria was uneventful, but his mind was anything but calm. The weight of his actions in Bacca lingered heavily in his chest. Despite his victory, he felt no triumph—only exhaustion and the nagging thought that the peace he had brokered might be temporary.When the plane touched down in Nooria, the first thing Calvin noticed was the unusual bustle of activity at the airport. As he descended from the aircraft, he was met with silence—a heavy, anticipatory silence that made him pause.A crowd had gathered, and Calvin froze as he realized their eyes were fixed on him. Faces reflected a range of emotions: awe, gratitude, and disbelief. Some whispered to one another, others simply stared. Then, slowly, one person began clapping.The solitary applause rippled through the crowd like a spark igniting dry kindling. Within moments, the entire gathering erupted into cheers and applause, the sound filling the air with a roar of gratitude and admiration.“Calvin Hudson!” so
Calvin’s chest heaved as he faced San Wang once more, their weapons gleaming in the fading sunlight. The battlefield was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of San Wang’s blade and the rasp of Calvin’s labored breathing. The earlier clash had pushed both warriors to their limits, and the tension between them crackled like a storm on the brink of eruption.San Wang’s smirk returned as he lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Calvin parried, but the force of the attack sent him stumbling back. San Wang pressed his advantage, raining down a series of blows that Calvin barely managed to block. Each strike forced Calvin closer to the edge of the helicopter platform, where the abyss below waited hungrily.“You’ve fought valiantly, Guardian,” San Wang sneered, his blade locking against Calvin’s air-forged sword. “But your strength wanes. This ends now!”With a sudden twist, San Wang disarmed Calvin, sending his shimmering blade shattering into the ether.
The moment San Wang’s mocking words faded into the air, Calvin’s fury exploded into action. With a burst of telekinetic energy, he propelled himself into the sky, soaring toward the massive helicopter where the self-proclaimed king of Han Xin stood. The wind howled around him as he ascended, his figure a blur of raw power and determination.“Stop him!” San Wang barked, his voice sharp as steel.Elite soldiers poured out of the helicopter, their movements precise and disciplined. Each was clad in advanced combat armor, bristling with cutting-edge weaponry designed to neutralize powerful foes. But Calvin was no ordinary foe.The first wave of soldiers descended on Calvin mid-air, unleashing energy blasts from their gauntlets. Calvin raised his hand, the air around him thickening into a shield that absorbed the attacks. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the shield outward, a concussive wave that knocked the soldiers off their trajectory, their bodies spiraling toward the ground.Another
The air in Bacca seemed to hold its breath as the operatives formed a semicircle around Calvin, their weapons gleaming under the pale morning light. Dust swirled in lazy spirals around their boots, stirred by the slowing rotors of the helicopter that had just landed. Every soldier’s gaze was fixed on Calvin, but there was an edge of hesitation—none of them had ever faced an enemy like him.From the helicopter emerged a man dressed in a dark, impeccably tailored uniform. His steps were measured, calculated, exuding an air of authority that made the surrounding soldiers snap to attention. The man—Commander Yuan—wore a faint smirk as if he believed the battle was already won.“Guardian Calvin Hudson,” Yuan announced, his voice echoing through the desolate streets. “It’s an honor to finally meet you. Though I must admit, I didn’t expect you to come here willingly.”Calvin said nothing, his dark eyes scanning the operatives with measured precision. He noticed how their fingers twitched on
The sun had yet to rise when Calvin Hudson stepped onto the cracked pavement of Bacca. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and charred remnants of what was once a bustling, prosperous city. His footsteps echoed in the desolate streets, the sound amplified by the eerie silence of the ruins. Bacca, a city once celebrated for its strength and innovation, now lay in ruins—a mere shadow of its former self. Skyscrapers stood like jagged tombstones, their glass facades shattered, and the streets were littered with debris, a haunting testament to the destruction wrought by time and war.Calvin's gaze swept over the devastation, his heart heavy. The memories of the city's past vibrancy were fresh in his mind, a stark contrast to its current state. He hadn't come to mourn, though. He was here for answers—answers that only Bacca might hold about the Fountain of Health and the mysterious blue gemstones tied to its power.As he moved deeper into the city, Calvin remained oblivious to the sil
Calvin turned back to the old man, intending to ask, "Who are you, really?" But the words caught in his throat when he realized the wheelchair was empty.His eyes widened, and he quickly scanned the area. “Where did he go?” Calvin muttered under his breath. The space around him was quiet, filled only with the murmurs of volunteers and the soft groans of patients in the makeshift medical camp.He stepped forward, his gaze darting between the rows of cots and supply tents. “Excuse me,” he called out to a nurse passing by, her arms full of medical supplies.The young woman turned, tilting her head in curiosity. “Yes, Doctor? How can I help?”Calvin pointed to where the old man had been sitting. “Did you see the man in the wheelchair? The older man—he was sitting right there with me a moment ago.”The nurse frowned, her brow knitting in confusion. She glanced at the spot Calvin indicated, then back at him. “I’m sorry, Doctor, but… I didn’t see anyone. You’ve been sitting alone since I pas