2024-09-10 01:13:50
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The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 11. The Power Play
Elijah leaned back in his seat, a sly smile on his face, calculating the answer for Sophia.She looked at him, her eyes searching."Elijah," she began, "you must be someone important to get that kind of respect from Lando Yale. Are you a big deal?"Elijah shook his head, his expression turning serious."No, Sophia," he said softly."I’m just an orphan. The Emperor's residence isn't mine. It belongs to a friend. I’m only staying there for a while."Sophia reached over and took his hand, squeezing it gently."You don’t need to explain, Elijah," she said, her voice kind."I’m your family now. We’re in this together. I’ll earn enough to take care of both of us."Elijah chuckled, his eyes softening."You’re something else, Sophia," he said."But trust me, I’m not a man who needs taking care of."Sophia smiled, her eyes warm."I don’t care," she replied."You took care of me when I had nothing. Now, it’s my turn."Then she grinned by elbowing Elijah softly."C'mon, now you are my man. So, le
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 12. The Call That Changed Everything
Lily rushed into the room, her eyes wide with excitement."Grandfather, you need to see this," she said, shoving her phone in front of Ethan.The news blared on the screen: "Emperor Group Signs a One Billion Dollar Deal with Sophia Donald!"Ethan’s eyes widened, his hand trembling as he took the phone."One billion dollars?" he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.His expression quickly shifted from shock to a broad grin."Sophia, you’ve done it! You’ve made our family proud!"Sophia smiled politely."Thank you, Grandfather," she replied, glancing at Elijah.She took a deep breath, preparing to tell them that the bet was made between them so she could be Elijah's wife forever.Just as she opened her mouth, the door burst open."Sophia!"May, her mother, stormed in, her eyes darting to Alan."Alan, what do you think of my daughter?" she asked.Her voice was sugary sweet as if she were showing off a prized possession."Isn’t she perfect for you?"Sophia's face turned red with embar
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 13. The Rise and Fall
Alan stood in the driveway, his face ashen.He was still reeling from Lando Yale’s words when his phone buzzed again.His father, Kelvin Shaw, was shouting, his voice filled with panic and fury."Alan! The Fire Dragon Group is collapsing!" Kelvin barked."Our stock is plummeting. The Emperor Group has cut all ties, and our partners are withdrawing left and right. If this continues, we’ll be bankrupt by the end of the day!"Alan’s knees buckled."What?" he gasped."No, this can’t be happening! Father, there must be something we can do!""Fix this mess, Alan!" Kelvin shouted."Beg if you have to! Just don’t come back until it’s done!"The call disconnected, leaving Alan in stunned silence.His face turned pale as he realized the severity of the situation.The mighty Shaw family was on the brink of collapse, and it was all because of him.He stumbled forward, his legs weak."Sophia, please," he cried, dropping to his knees."I beg you! Ask Mr. Yale to spare the Shaw family. We’ll do anyth
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 14. The Key
“Marshal, everything’s set for tonight,” Doug said, a determined glint in his eyes.“The Shaw family estate is buzzing with activity. Looks like they’re gearing up for a big show.”Elijah nodded, his face cold and serious.“Good. Tonight, we reclaim what’s ours,” he said firmly.“Lava Heart belongs to the Norton family. It’s time to take it back.”Doug grinned.“Understood, Marshal. I’ll get the car ready. Are you planning to make a grand entrance or sneak in quietly?”Elijah smirked.“We’ll see how it plays out. Either way, the Shaws won’t know what hit them.”...After a long day at work, Sophia returned home, a mix of excitement and nerves swirling in her chest.She rifled through her closet, pulling out dress after dress, trying to find the perfect one for tonight’s auction.She knew the event would be tense, especially given the Shaw family’s recent downfall.As she slipped into an elegant, deep blue evening gown, she noticed Elijah leaning against the doorway, his intense gaze on
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 15. The Auction's Trap
The grand hall of the Atlanta Auction House was buzzing with murmurs and laughter as Arthurton's elites gathered for the evening’s event.The Shaw family, despite their recent downfall, still commanded a certain level of respect because of Zack Shaw. His reputation as a general of the Western Legion preceded him, and many in the room came out of both curiosity and fear. Among the crowd, masked figures moved with purpose.Elijah and Doug, disguised under sleek black masks, entered quietly.Elijah’s gaze was cold and indifferent as he surveyed the room. Doug followed closely behind, his eyes sharp as they scanned the crowd."Zack Shaw may have power," Doug muttered under his breath, "but he's nothing compared to you, Marshal."Elijah gave a slight nod, his attention focused elsewhere."Let them play their games," he replied quietly."We’re here for one thing, and nothing will stop us from getting it."As they made their way through the auction house, there was a sudden shift in the atmo
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 16. Broken by Fear
Ethan walked out of the underground base, his footsteps echoing in the silence.He glanced back once, his face cold and expressionless. Zack Shaw’s threats still lingered in the air, but Ethan knew he had to do something.His mind was already working on which asset can be valuable, it’s not that he was poor but arranging such a huge amount was not a piece of apple for him.However, there was no option as saving his family was required and that stupid Sophia caused this.Back inside the base, Zack Shaw stood over Sophia’s unconscious body, his eyes filled with malice.“Take her to the other room,” Zack ordered his men, pointing to a small, dimly lit chamber down the hall.Two soldiers lifted Sophia and carried her into the room, laying her on a cold, metal chair.Zack followed closely behind, grabbing a bucket of ice water from the corner.He dumped the freezing water onto her face.Sophia jolted awake with a gasp, shivering uncontrollably.Her eyes were wide with panic, and she struggl
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 17. The Public Spectacle
"Bring her out," Zack ordered, his voice sharp as he waved his hand.His men nodded and immediately went to drag Sophia from the room, her body limp and weakened from the pain.She tried to resist, her legs barely working, but they yanked her forward without care.The cold cement scraped against her feet as they pulled her through the narrow halls, leaving a small trail of blood behind.Sophia's mind was a whirlwind of fear and exhaustion.Her face throbbed from where Zack had cut her, and each step sent waves of pain shooting up her legs.She couldn’t think clearly. Everything hurt.Outside, the auction hall was alive with activity. Arthurton's elites mingled and laughed, pretending to enjoy the lavish event, but everyone knew why they were really there—to gain Zack Shaw's favor.The fake "Lava Heart" painting, damaged as it was, had just been brought out for bidding.Despite its obvious flaws, the elites were eagerly placing bids, each one higher than the last.“Forty million!” someo
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 18. Unmasking the Dragon
"Help me!" Sophia's voice cracked as she collapsed onto the stage, her frail body shaking with sobs.Her cries echoed through the room, but no one moved.The crowd of elites, once so eager to please Zack Shaw, now watched in horror, their faces pale.The brutal display of power from the Shaw family had left everyone frozen in place.One of Zack's men approached Sophia, a knife gleaming in his hand.He smiled coldly as he crouched down, pressing the blade to her throat."This is what happens to those who cross the Shaw family," he growled, tightening his grip on the handle.Sophia’s tears streamed down her face, her eyes wide with terror as the knife dug into her skin."Please, no!" she whimpered, her voice barely audible.The crowd gasped, some turning their heads, unable to watch.The tension in the air was suffocating, and no one dared move.Zack Shaw stood nearby, arms crossed, watching with a smug expression. This was exactly the message he wanted to send—total fear and submission.
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324. Unlikely Allies
“Elijah Norton.” Elijah barely looked up as Lando strode into the dimly lit war room. His hands tightened into fists at the sound of the man’s voice, but he remained still, his expression unreadable. The tension in the air was suffocating. Doug stepped forward, his voice rigid with contempt. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face here, Yale.” Lando smirked, completely unfazed. He moved with an air of confidence, like he belonged—like he hadn’t been one of the reasons Sophia had been taken in the first place. “I could say the same to you, Commander,” Lando replied smoothly, then turned his gaze back to Elijah. “I assume you know why I’m here.” Elijah’s eyes darkened. “That depends. Are you here to waste my time, or do you actually have something useful to say?” Lando chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “Straight to the point, as always.” He folded his arms, leaning slightly against the table. “Sophia has escaped.” Silence. Elijah’s fingers twitched, but his expres
323. The Chase Begins
“She’s gone.” The soldier stood stiffly, his breath shallow, waiting for The Warden’s reaction. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. But instead of rage, The Warden merely smiled. His eyes, sharp and knowing, gleamed under the dim light. “Let her run,” he said, his voice smooth, almost amused. The soldier hesitated. “Sir, should we—” The Warden’s gaze flicked to him, freezing him in place. “She thinks she’s free,” he murmured, turning toward the massive map stretched across the wall. “But freedom is an illusion. She will learn that soon enough.” ...Sophia ran. Branches slashed at her arms, her legs ached, and every breath was a fight. But she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. The cold night air burned her lungs, but it was nothing compared to the fear clawing at her chest. She had heard them. The hunters. They were coming. The eerie silence of the forest was the worst part. No birds. No rustling leaves. Just the whisper of the wind and her own rag
322. Breaking Point
“Do you see it now, Sophia?” The Warden’s voice was calm, almost soothing. “This is who you are meant to be.” Sophia gasped, her body trembling. The air around her pulsed with raw energy, crackling like a storm barely contained. The sterile white chamber seemed to shift, bending under the sheer force radiating from her. “No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “This… isn’t me.” The Warden watched her with a knowing smile. “But it is.” Sophia’s breaths came shallow and fast. Moments ago, she had been strapped to a machine, her mind forced into visions—visions of fire, destruction, and a power beyond her control. She had seen herself standing atop a ruined city, people kneeling before her in fear. Her hands curled into fists. “You forced this,” she spat. “You’re making me see what you want.” The Warden folded his hands behind his back. “I only unlocked what was already inside you.” Sophia wanted to deny it. To scream that he was wrong. But the lingering heat in her veins, th
321. The Ruins of Truth
“There it is,” Cassian muttered, lowering his scope. “Or at least, what’s left of it.” Elijah stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing down at the ruins below. The lost research facility lay in shambles, half-buried under rubble, its structure barely holding together. Wind howled through the broken metal beams, carrying the scent of dust and decay. Doug stepped forward, his expression tense. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s been here for years, Sir.” “That’s what worries me,” Elijah said, his eyes narrowing. “If The Warden didn’t bother to salvage this place, then either it’s worthless… or it’s too dangerous.” Cassian adjusted his gloves. “Either way, we need to get inside.” The descent was rough, loose debris making every step a potential hazard. When they reached the entrance, they found their first obstacle—massive steel doors, rusted but still intact. A faint red light flickered on the control panel beside them. “Security’s still active,” Doug noted. Elijah glanced at Cassi
320. Sophia’s Chains
“You’re wasting your time,” Sophia said, her voice steady despite the cold metal restraints biting into her wrists. The Warden sat across from her, calm, composed, his piercing eyes studying her like a specimen in a lab. “Am I?” he mused, tilting his head. “I think, in time, you’ll see things differently.” Sophia forced a smirk. “I wouldn’t count on it.” The room around her was stark white, devoid of warmth, devoid of life. A single monitor flickered to the side, filled with images—visions of destruction, cities in flames, people bowing before a figure she barely recognized—herself. The Warden leaned forward. “Look at them, Sophia. This is your destiny. A world free of weak rulers. A world that kneels only to true power.” She turned away. “You call that a future? Looks more like a nightmare.” He sighed, as if disappointed. “You resist because you’re afraid. Afraid of what you could be.” Sophia glared at him. “No, I resist because I have a choice.” The Warden’s lips twi
319. Shadows of the Past
“Keep moving,” Elijah ordered, his voice firm. The wind howled through the wasteland, carrying the scent of ash and decay. The land before them stretched endlessly, a graveyard of forgotten battles. Crumbling watchtowers, rusted weapons, and scorched earth told the tale of past wars—wars that had shaped the world they now struggled to survive in. Doug tightened his grip on his weapon as he scanned the ruins. “Sir, this place… it feels wrong.” Cassian nodded. “Too quiet. Someone’s watching.” Elijah didn’t need to be told. He felt it too—the weight of unseen eyes, the tension of an ambush waiting to happen. He glanced at his men, weary but determined. They couldn’t afford to turn back. Night fell fast in the wasteland, wrapping them in thick darkness. They set up camp within the broken remains of a collapsed building, the crumbling walls offering minimal protection from the cold. “Elijah,” Cassian muttered, crouching beside him. “We should set extra watches. If I were The Wa
318. The Hunt for Answers
“Elijah, you need to see this,” Cassian said, his voice tense. Elijah turned from the dim lantern casting shadows on the stone walls. Cassian held the decrypted data chip, his expression grim. Doug stood nearby, waiting. The flickering light barely reached the edges of the battered war table between them, but the weight of what they had just uncovered made the space feel suffocating. “What did you find?” Elijah asked, stepping closer. Cassian inserted the chip into the old projector, and a series of documents flashed onto the cracked surface of the wall. The text, though worn with age, was clear enough to read. ~Sophia Donald. Subject 09. Genetic Anomaly Detected. Experimentation Status: Approved.Elijah’s jaw tightened. He had expected something like this, but seeing her name in black and white made his stomach churn. “They’ve been monitoring her for years,” Cassian muttered. “Maybe since birth.”Doug exhaled sharply. “Sir, this isn’t just about Sophia. Look here.” He point
317. Fire in the Dark
“Move! We don’t have much time,” Elijah ordered, his voice sharp over the crackling of distant flames. Cassian was right beside him, gripping his weapon. “No resistance so far. That’s not a good sign.” Elijah nodded grimly. The underground facility stretched before them, dimly lit corridors twisting into darkness. They had expected guards, alarms, a fight—but instead, the silence was unnerving. The rebels, moving in disciplined formation, exchanged uneasy glances. Doug tightened his grip on his sword. “Marshal, this feels like a trap.” “I know,” Elijah muttered. “Stay sharp.” They advanced deeper into the facility, their boots echoing off the metal floors. Then, without warning, the lights flickered. A deep, guttural growl echoed through the corridor. Cassian tensed. “What the hell was that?” The answer came in the form of a shadow lunging from the darkness. It wasn’t a man—it was something else. Twisted. Unnatural. The creature’s body was humanoid but grotesquely alte
316. A Prisoner’s Defiance
“You look tired, Sophia.” Lando’s voice echoed in the dimly lit chamber where Sophia sat, her hands resting on her lap, her expression blank. She didn’t acknowledge him. She had stopped dignifying his words with a response days ago. Lando sighed and leaned against the cold metal table. “I know you hate me. But you need to understand—I’m the only one keeping you from complete ruin.” Sophia finally turned her gaze to him, her eyes sharp. “I don’t need saving, least of all from you.” Lando let out a dry chuckle. “You’re stubborn. I’ll give you that.” She was more than stubborn. She was determined. Every moment in this facility, she studied her surroundings—the routines of the guards, the placement of surveillance devices, the way The Warden operated. She wasn’t waiting for rescue. She was planning her own escape. The door hissed open, and The Warden entered. His presence was suffocating, commanding, as if the air bent to his will. “Sophia,” he greeted smoothly. “How are you
