Elijah leaned back against the kitchen counter, his phone still buzzing in his pocket from the threats earlier that day. But tonight wasn’t about that. It was about Sophia. His thoughts shifted as he heard soft footsteps behind him.Turning, he found Sophia walking into the kitchen, her white nightgown flowing around her like a soft breeze. She looked both elegant and effortless, her hair tumbling over her shoulders. Despite the simple look, there was something ethereal about her tonight.“Hey,” she said, her voice soft, “I was thinking… since it’s such a beautiful night, what if we had dinner on the roof? Just the two of us, under the stars?”Elijah’s serious expression melted into a warm smile. He reached for her hand, pulling her closer. “You always have the best ideas.”Sophia beamed. “I’ve always dreamed of doing something like this, but I never thought I’d get the chance. My... appearance used to make me so anxious. I’d feel like I was hiding behind something, never comfortable
Morning came with the usual crispness in the air, but for Elijah, it felt heavy, like the weight of the world had been dropped onto his shoulders. He was growing tired of the constant threats aimed at Sophia.Last night’s message echoed in his mind, each word twisting his gut into knots. He stood by the window of Arthur Palace, watching as Sophia got into the car to head for work.She gave him a small, reassuring wave, and he forced a smile, waving back. “I’ll see you later, okay?” Sophia called out, her eyes searching his.Elijah nodded, hiding his concerns behind a calm facade. "Drive safe," he said, though his mind was elsewhere.Once she left, Elijah’s face darkened. The peace they had shared was crumbling. These threats were escalating, and it was only a matter of time before something serious happened.Just then, Doug entered the room, a folder in hand. His face was as grim as Elijah’s.“Marshal, I’ve got the info from those numbers,” Doug said, handing the folder over.Elijah
Elijah stepped into Arthur Palace, his mind heavy with the weight of what had just happened. The kiss with Olivia still lingered in his thoughts, but it wasn’t a memory he cherished.It was just another piece of the puzzle, another move in the game of revenge he was playing. The taste of her lips did nothing but fuel his resolve. He wasn’t doing this for pleasure—he was doing it for the mission. For his revenge.As he paced back and forth, the anger that had been simmering inside him came boiling up again. Now, it was time to face Mark Donald.Elijah couldn’t ignore the fact that the calls threatening Sophia had come from the Donald Mansion. And Mark… Mark was the only one who stood to gain from such betrayal. Elijah needed answers, and he needed them now.Without wasting any time, Elijah grabbed his phone and dialed Mark. The phone rang twice before a familiar, smug voice answered.“What do you want, Soldier?” Mark’s voice was laced with arrogance, as usual.Elijah’s grip tightened o
Elijah walked away from Mark, the cold night air doing little to cool the fire raging inside him. Every muscle in his body was tense, his mind spinning with the truth he had just uncovered.Mark was nothing more than a pawn, a pathetic excuse for a brother who had sold out his own sister. But who was the real puppet master?The docks were quiet except for the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. Elijah’s footsteps echoed as he made his way back to the car, but his mind wasn’t on the here and now.It was on the mystery still hanging over him like a thick, dark cloud. Someone was pulling the strings—someone powerful enough to manipulate Mark into threatening him through Sophia. But who? Elijah slid into the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Whoever was behind this had more plans. Much more.He took a deep breath, letting the cold air fill his lungs, then exhaled
Suddenly, Elijah’s phone buzzed again. He glanced down and saw a text message flash across the screen."Finally, Sophia is in our grip."Elijah’s blood ran cold. His eyes darted up to Doug, who had noticed the shift in his expression.“Doug,” Elijah’s voice was sharp, commanding. “Find out where Sophia is. Right now.”Doug didn’t waste a second, pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.Meanwhile, Elijah’s heart pounded in his chest. Whoever had sent that message knew something he didn’t—and that was unacceptable.Within moments, Doug’s phone buzzed. He answered, his expression turning grim.“She’s not at the office. She went out for dinner, but no one knows where she went after.”Elijah’s fists clenched at his sides. He was being played, and whoever was behind it was getting too close for comfort.“I’m going after her,” Elijah said, his voice laced with determination.Doug nodded, already moving to gather more information.As Elijah stormed out of the palace, his mind was ra
Elijah walked into Olivia’s lavish farmhouse, his eyes scanning the luxurious surroundings with a calm, calculating gaze. The sprawling estate was isolated, tucked away in the corner of Atherton, a perfect place for private dealings—exactly what he needed. Olivia was already waiting for him, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw him. Dressed in an elegant pearl-white suit that hugged her figure, she looked every bit the powerful woman she was. Yet beneath the confident exterior, there was something vulnerable about her—something Elijah planned to exploit."James," Olivia greeted him warmly, her smile wide. "I’m so glad you could make it."Elijah nodded, a cool smile touching his lips."Wouldn’t miss it for the world," he said smoothly, stepping forward to kiss her cheek.He noticed the faint flush on her cheeks and knew she was hooked. They sat down at a polished mahogany table in the middle of the room, a stack of papers resting between them.Elijah’s heart raced, but his face re
The afternoon sun was casting long shadows across Arthurton, a peaceful quiet settling over the streets. Elijah leaned back in his chair at Arthur Palace, his mind still on the events with Olivia. His plan was in motion, and everything was going smoothly. Yet, as much as he tried to focus, a strange sense of unease kept gnawing at him. Something didn’t feel right.His phone buzzed. It was a message from Sophia. “Heading back home early! Can’t wait to see you!”Elijah smiled softly, but that unsettling feeling didn’t fade. He replied quickly.“Drive safe. I’ll be waiting for you.”He pocketed the phone and stood up, stretching his muscles, the feeling of tension still lingering in the back of his mind. Suddenly, his phone rang again, this time an unfamiliar number flashing across the screen.Elijah answered. "Yes?"“Is this Elijah Norton?” The voice on the other end was calm, but Elijah sensed something was wrong.“Yes. Who’s asking?”“This is Officer Grant from Arthurton PD. There’s
The hours felt like days as Elijah sat in the sterile waiting room, the cold, hard chair doing nothing to distract him from the storm raging inside. His elbows rested on his knees, head in his hands, as he replayed every moment from that morning. Sophia had been fine—smiling, teasing him about his serious mood—and now she was lying in surgery, fighting for her life. His heart twisted painfully."Why her?" he muttered under his breath, the words almost a growl. His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles turning white."Whoever did this... they won't survive."The thought of someone deliberately harming Sophia only fueled the fire that was burning in his chest. He was known for being calm under pressure, but this—this had broken him in ways he hadn’t anticipated. His anger boiled, barely contained beneath the surface.Just then, the doctor walked through the double doors, her expression unreadable. Elijah’s heart jumped into his throat as he stood, his eyes locked on her face.“How is she
The early morning air was tense at Arthur Palace. Elijah stood in the strategy room, Doug by his side, their attention locked on a detailed map of Evendore. Red circles and lines crisscrossed the map, each marking a key point in the shadow organization’s network.“Marshal,” Doug began, his tone serious, “our intelligence confirms the syndicate is operating through multiple fronts. Their most critical assets are hidden in plain sight—financial hubs, trade routes, and even political offices.”Elijah’s jaw tightened as he studied the map. “If we take out these points, we’ll cut off their power at its roots. But they won’t go down without a fight.”Doug nodded. “I&rs
Elijah sat in the study at Arthur Palace, the room dimly lit as he sifted through the documents Doug had recovered. Each piece of evidence painted a picture of a meticulously orchestrated campaign against the Nortons, with threads reaching back generations. The identity of the shadow organization’s leader remained elusive, but their motivations were beginning to surface. Doug entered the room, his expression grave. “Marshal, I think we’ve got something. The leader’s been operating under the alias ‘The Arbiter,’ but there’s more. They’ve been manipulating Evendore’s key players for decades, and it all seems to trace back to a grudge against your family.” Elijah looked up, his jaw tightening. “A grudge? What kind of grudge, Doug?” Doug placed a folder on the table. “It seems their family fell from grace generations ago, and they blame the Nortons for it. Financial ruin, social exile—it’s all tied to decisions made by your ancestors.” Elijah leaned back, his mind racing. “And now
Elijah sat in his study at Arthur Palace, the atmosphere thick with tension. The assassin’s sigil was etched into his mind, a symbol that held too many unanswered questions. Doug entered quietly, carrying a folder of findings.“Marshal, we’ve recovered items from the assassin’s possession,” Doug said, placing the folder on the table. “There’s a map with marked locations and some coded notes. All of it points to connections with Evendore’s elite.”Elijah leaned forward, his piercing gaze fixed on the documents. “Elite? Are we talking about government officials or high-ranking businessmen?”“Both,” Doug replied. “It seems this shadow group has infiltrated eve
Elijah stood by the window, staring out at the city as the first rays of sunlight pierced the skyline. Doug entered quietly, his steps deliberate.“Marshal, we’ve confirmed movement from the assassin,” Doug said, holding a tablet displaying surveillance footage. “They’ve been seen near the eastern district. Likely scouting routes to get closer to Mrs. Norton.”Elijah turned, his expression grim. “Then we don’t have much time. Keep all units on standby, and double the security around Sophia.”Doug nodded. “Already done, sir.”Just then, Sophia entered the room, her presence immediately commanding at
Elijah stood in the dimly lit room, his arms crossed as he stared down the double agent. The man sat in a chair, bound but not entirely subdued. His eyes flickered nervously between Elijah and Doug, who stood a few steps behind, his usual stoic demeanor replaced with barely concealed disdain.“You’ve got one chance to explain yourself,” Elijah said, his voice low and sharp. “Start talking.”The man licked his lips, his hands trembling. “They came to me months ago. I didn’t know who they were at first, just that they had resources and reach. They knew everything about my family. They threatened to kill them if I didn’t cooperate.”Sophia, standing by the wall, narrowed her eyes. &l
Elijah stood by the window of his study, his gaze fixed on the city lights below. His phone buzzed on the desk, its insistent vibration breaking the heavy silence. He picked it up, glancing at the unknown number flashing across the screen. “Elijah Norton,” he answered coolly. A distorted voice crackled through the line. “Marshal, your meddling has gone too far. Stand down, or you’ll lose everything you hold dear.” Elijah’s grip on the phone tightened. “Who are you?” The voice chuckled, low and menacing. “A representative of balance. Walk away, and you might salvage what’s left. Continue, and Sophia Norton will pay the price.” Elijah’s jaw clenched. “If you touch her, I’ll burn your entire operation to the ground. You’ve made a mistake coming after my family.” The voice laughed again before the line went dead. Doug entered the study moments later, his expression tense. “Marshal, we’ve intercepted chatter about a potential breach at Mrs. Norton’s office. I’ve dispatched a
Elijah sat in his study, the mysterious crest resting on the desk before him. Its foreign symbol gleamed under the soft light, mocking him with its ambiguity. Doug stood nearby, his hands clasped behind his back, watching his Marshal’s every movement.“This symbol,” Elijah murmured, tracing it with his finger, “it doesn’t belong to any known family in Evendore. It’s deliberate—meant to confuse and provoke.”Doug cleared his throat. “Sir, I’ve been digging into the archives and surveillance logs. It’s tied to an organization that operates outside Evendore’s jurisdiction. They’re elusive—an umbrella for various power players.”Elijah’s eyes
Evendore was alive with celebration. The city’s streets were flooded with joy, music, and laughter, a stark contrast to the chaos of recent months. Nathaniel Thompson’s defeat had brought relief to the people, and for the first time in what felt like ages, there was hope in the air. But inside Arthur Palace, Elijah Norton felt anything but peace. In his study, Elijah stood by the window, gazing at the flickering city lights. His hand rested on the Norton crest engraved into his desk, his fingers tracing the design absentmindedly. The room was dimly lit, the only sounds the crackling of the fireplace and the faint hum of the celebration outside. “Marshal.” Doug’s voice broke the silence as he entered the study. In his hand was a dossier filled with intelligence reports. “The situation is more complicated than we hoped.” Elijah turned to face him, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp. “Let me guess—Nathaniel’s shadow still lingers?” Doug nodded grimly. “Yes, sir. We’ve i
The air around Nathaniel’s hideout was heavy with tension. Elijah, Sophia, and Doug stood at the entrance of the compound, their determination palpable. The Lava’s Heart was within reach, but so was Nathaniel’s final gambit."Marshal," Doug said, his voice low but firm, "our team is in position. We’ll cover you and Mrs. Norton from all sides."Elijah nodded, his eyes fixed on the sprawling structure ahead. "This ends today," he said, his voice steady but laced with resolve.Sophia stepped closer to him, her hand brushing his. "Whatever happens, I’m with you, Elijah," she said softly, her eyes filled with unwavering support.Elijah tu