Elijah stood in his study, poring over Duke West’s records that Doug had retrieved.
The name of the elusive third player remained hidden, but every detail he uncovered pointed to a force even more cunning than Duke West had ever been.
Doug entered the room, carrying a set of files.
“Marshal, I dug deeper, but this person—whoever they are—knew how to cover their tracks. The few names we found are aliases, but one of them connects to multiple arms deals and covert missions in Evendore.”
Elijah’s eyes narrowed.
“So, this isn’t just another power-hungry figurehead. They know the game well enough to sta
Elijah paced in his study, the weight of the latest findings pressing heavily on him. Doug stood beside him, a file open in his hands.“Here’s what we’ve uncovered so far,” Doug said, tapping the coded messages. “Someone close to Sophia is sending intel to Duke West’s partner. Reno confessed, but this… this runs deeper.”Elijah nodded, his jaw clenched. “If Reno’s involved, he’s not alone. The family has become a conduit of information to my enemies, and it’s putting Sophia at risk.”Doug sighed, glancing up at Elijah. “What’s your next move, Marshal?”Elijah’s gaze sharpened. “We need to keep watching. Until we have proof, we can’t make a move, or they’ll just retreat further into the shadows. Right now, Sophia’s family is gathering. I’m attending that meeting with her to get a clearer view of where they all stand.”...At the Donald estate, Sophia entered the meeting room beside Elijah, her expression a mix of determination and apprehension. The room was filled with her family membe
Elijah found Reno in the dimly lit library of the Donald estate, sifting through documents.Reno’s casual expression shifted when he noticed Elijah approaching, a glimmer of suspicion in his eyes.“Elijah,” Reno greeted with a forced smile.“Didn’t expect to see you here. What brings you to my corner?”Elijah didn’t waste a second. “Reno, I know you’ve been sharing information with Duke West. Your so-called ‘confession’ about feeding him Sophia’s business details wasn’t the whole story.”Reno leaned back, feigning innocence. “I already admitted my part, Elijah. Just business… nothing more. It’s hardly a crime.”Elijah’s gaze sharpened. “You’re still holding back. You implied you knew something about this shadow figure—the one who’s been connected to Duke West. Who is he?”Reno smirked, tapping his fingers thoughtfully against the arm of his chair. “And why would I give you that, Elijah? It seems like you’re more invested in protecting your own secrets than anyone else’s.”Elijah took
Elijah sat in his study, pouring over documents from his family’s past.Each faded paper held fragments of history, hints of alliances, betrayals, and—on the edge of one of the oldest pages—a name barely legible in the aged ink: The Architect.The name had surfaced time and time again, a figure that seemed to pull strings from the shadows, orchestrating events that led to his family’s downfall.Elijah’s jaw tightened as he traced the name with his finger, a renewed determination in his eyes.“Doug,” Elijah called, not looking up. Doug stepped forward, waiting patiently.“I need you to go deeper into this. Find out everything you can about ‘The Architect.’ I don’t care how obscure the details are. This person has woven themselves into every part of our history.”Doug nodded, his gaze steady. “Understood, Marshal. If this Architect is still active, they’ll be watching every move we make.”Elijah leaned back, the weight of his family’s past heavy on his shoulders. “They’ve watched long e
Arthur Palace was now under heightened security, each corridor lined with vigilant guards and every entrance fortified. Elijah’s gaze swept over the estate, his thoughts fixed on the growing threat of the Architect, the shadowy figure manipulating forces from behind the scenes. He had stationed guards specifically around Sophia’s quarters, restricting her movements for her safety.Doug approached him, his face set in a grim expression. “The last sweep shows nothing unusual. But Marshal, the Architect… their influence seems to be woven deep. We need to stay sharp.”Elijah nodded. “There’s no room for error, Doug. Whoever this Architect is, they’re counting on catching us off guard.” He looked toward Sophia’s quarters, his thoughts clouded with worry. “She’s the priority.”Doug gave a nod and retreated, leaving Elijah alone in his thoughts. He turned to head toward Sophia’s wing, but the sound of muffled voices caught his attention....Inside one of the drawing rooms, Sophia paused out
Arthur Palace was glowing in soft, warm lights, casting a comforting glow over the grand halls and gardens as the charity event began. Guests filled the rooms, their laughter mingling with the soft notes of the orchestra. Elijah moved through the crowd, his gaze constantly shifting as he kept a vigilant eye on every corner of the event.Doug appeared beside him, nodding in greeting. "Marshal," he whispered, his tone serious. "Reno and the rest of Sophia's family arrived just moments ago. Something feels… off."Elijah’s expression hardened. "I know. Keep watch on them, especially Reno. He’s been nervous, and I don’t trust him. If they try anything, we move."Doug nodded, slipping quietly back into the crowd, leaving Elijah to his tho
The noise of battle echoed through Arthur Palace as Elijah directed his men, his voice calm but firm amid the chaos. Explosions rumbled outside, and shouts filled the halls as The Architect’s forces began their assault. Doug was close by, his gaze sharp as he awaited instructions."Doug, take Sophia to the safe room," Elijah ordered, his eyes scanning the scene. “Her safety is our priority.”Doug nodded swiftly. "Understood, Marshal. I’ll get her there safely."As Doug turned to find Sophia, Elijah called out, "And stay alert. This attack feels too calculated—there’s more here than we see."Doug nodded once more and disappeared into the thick of the battle.
Elijah arrived at the exclusive restaurant where Olivia had invited him for a private meeting.He wore the familiar guise of James, maintaining the composed, enigmatic presence that had kept her interested—and off guard. Olivia was waiting, her posture poised yet her eyes restless.“James,” she greeted, her voice warm but strained. “Thank you for coming. I needed to see you, especially after… everything that’s been happening.”Elijah offered a slight nod, keeping his expression neutral. “It seems there’s much going on lately, Olivia. I was beginning to wonder where your true loyalties lie.”She arched an eyebrow, a glint of suspicion and curiosity flashing in her eyes. “What are you suggesting?”Elijah leaned in, his voice low. “I’ve heard whispers, Olivia. Whispers of connections to… The Architect. A figure deeply entangled with recent events. Is there something you haven’t told me?”Olivia’s gaze sharpened, a hint of defiance creeping into her tone. “James, there’s no need to questi
Elijah remained calm, keeping his expression neutral. “You’re right, Olivia. I’m not who you thought I was,” he admitted, his voice low. “But maybe that’s because there’s more to me than you’d care to see.”Her eyes narrowed, a mixture of intrigue and skepticism crossing her face. “Then enlighten me, James. Why did you come into my life in the first place? You didn't tell me the truth earlier, I know that.”“Because I’ve been tracking the power games in Evendore for some time,” he replied smoothly. “And it didn’t take long to notice Duke West and his allies posing a threat to certain…interests.”She arched a brow. “And that’s why you’re h