Bjorn stormed through the hospital hallways, his eyes darting from room to room as he pushed past doctors, nurses, and patients. Panic clawed at his insides, and the usual smirk he wore was gone, replaced with a look of growing frustration and fear. “Alora!” he called out, his voice echoing off the sterile walls, but there was no response. No sign of her anywhere.He shoved open the door to another examination room, only to find it empty. A scowl formed on his face as he slammed it shut, his fists clenching at his sides. Where the hell is she? he thought, his heartbeat quickening. Alora had always had a talent for vanishing, but this time felt different—like something had gone wrong.He sped down another corridor, his eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. Nurses looked up, startled by the urgency in his movements, but he ignored them. He checked the stairwells, the waiting areas, even the storage rooms—still nothing. His breath was coming in quick, angry bursts now, his patience w
Maximilian had been making his rounds in the camp, his mind preoccupied with the day’s events when something caught his eye—a small movement in the shadows, barely noticeable. He paused, narrowing his eyes. The area was quiet, and few people should have been there.Stepping closer, his military instincts on high alert, he noticed a tiny figure huddled behind some crates. His brows furrowed as he moved silently, taking care not to startle whoever it was. As he approached, he saw a familiar golden curl catching the dim light.Alora.His heart tightened. What was she doing here, hiding again, alone and frightened? He could tell from the way she curled up, shaking slightly, that something was terribly wrong. He knew she was prone to disappearing when scared, but this time, it felt different—more urgent, more desperate.Maximilian crouched down slowly, making himself small so as not to frighten her. He softened his voice, keeping it low and gentle. “Alora?” he called softly, his tone fille
Ivan entered the grand foyer of the Lewis Mansion, his steps firm and confident as he cradled Sisi in his arms. The little girl clung to him, her small face peeking out with a curious expression as she held on tightly to his shirt. The grandeur of the mansion, with its high ceilings and intricate chandeliers, cast a warm glow over them, but the tension in the room was ice-cold.Alton Lewis, standing by the entrance, felt his breath catch in his throat as his eyes locked onto the child. His wife, Rena, stood beside him, her hand covering her mouth as she stared. The resemblance was undeniable—the child had Ivan’s piercing blue eyes and a look of curiosity that mirrored his own. The room felt like it had been dipped in silence, the air heavy as they took in the sight.Alton’s eyes widened, and he stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the baby girl. “Ivan...” he breathed, his voice low, but filled with the weight of the realization. “This... this is your daughter.”Ivan’s face was calm, but
Ivan’s gaze was steady as he handed down his decision. “That’s why I brought her here. You two will raise her for me.”Rena’s face softened, a warm smile spreading across her lips as she stepped forward, extending her arms toward Sisi. “Oh, sweetheart, come here,” she cooed, trying to gently coax the child from Ivan’s arms. She had always had a soft spot for children and was ready to embrace the little girl as her own.But Sisi’s reaction was instant and firm. She pulled back, her small face turning away, and she clung tightly to her father’s neck. Her grip tightened, her eyes wary as she buried her face into Ivan’s shoulder. It was clear she didn’t like Rena, or perhaps she was too scared to trust anyone else.Rena hesitated, her smile faltering as she stepped back, taken aback by the child’s rejection. “She’s... she’s scared, Ivan,” she said, her voice tinged with concern. “She’s not comfortable with me.”Alton watched the scene unfold, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Why doesn’t
The living room of the Rodriguez Manor was a scene of chaos. Broken furniture and shattered glass littered the floor as Bjorn’s rage tore through the room like a hurricane. His face was twisted in fury, his eyes wild as he grabbed Alora by the arm and yanked her forward. She was crying, her cheeks streaked with tears, as she tried to shield herself from his blows.Bjorn’s voice boomed, shaking the walls. “Because of you! Because of you, I couldn’t find Andrine!” he roared, each word cutting through the air like a knife.Alora sobbed, her voice a pitiful whimper as she cried out, “Help!” Her blue eyes were wide with terror, and she flinched with every movement Bjorn made.Maximilian, standing a few feet away, was frozen in shock. The Rodriguez bodyguards had him restrained, their grips tight as they held him back. His eyes darted frantically, filled with disbelief. “What are you doing, Bjorn? Stop!” he shouted, struggling against the hold of the guards. But they were under orders, and
Ivan’s eyes darted to the bodyguards holding Maximilian, their grips firm as they glanced anxiously at Bjorn. “Hey—leave him now!” Ivan barked, his voice a command that cut through the chaos of the room.The bodyguards hesitated, their eyes flicking between Bjorn, who was completely focused on Alora, and Ivan’s furious expression. The tension hung thick in the air. For a brief moment, everything seemed suspended in time.Ivan’s patience snapped, and his voice thundered through the room. “I said—leave him now!”The bodyguards exchanged one last look, uncertainty etched across their faces. But when they saw the fury in Ivan’s eyes, they released their hold on Maximilian.The moment his arms were free, Maximilian sprang forward like a bullet. His body launched through the air, and in a heartbeat, he crashed into Bjorn with all his strength. The impact was brutal, the two men colliding like a storm breaking over the room.Bjorn was caught completely off guard. His grip on Alora slipped, h
Seraphina Holland watched the chaos unfold from the shadows of the hallway, her arms crossed and a smug smile curling on her lips. She had positioned herself just out of sight, perfectly content to witness the mayhem she had orchestrated. The room was still buzzing with tension—Bjorn’s fury.No wonder Bjorn is so easy to manipulate, she thought, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. It hadn’t taken much—just a few carefully chosen words, subtle suggestions that Alora was hiding something important, something dangerous to his precious Andrine. And Bjorn, with his reckless temper, had taken the bait, just as she’d planned.Her eyes flicked to where Alora had been, now safely cradled in Maximilian’s arms as he prepared to leave with her. Good, Seraphina mused. The little headache is finally gone from the house. Alora, the one person who had seen Alysha and could have connected the dots, was now out of her way. For Seraphina, it was a perfect outcome—Alora had been a threat, one she couldn
As Bjorn stormed out, Seraphina watched his retreating figure, the satisfaction in her eyes deepening. She allowed herself a moment to revel in the control she had gained. Every move was playing out exactly as she had planned. Bjorn, so easy to provoke, was the perfect pawn to create chaos while she focused on securing her place by Armin’s side.She turned on her heel and made her way to her private office, the heels of her shoes echoing sharply against the marble floors of Rodriguez Manor. Once inside, she closed the door behind her and pulled out her phone, dialing a number from memory—Vincent Wolfe, her go-to contact for discreet operations. The man was a master at creating chaos without leaving a trace.The phone rang twice before a deep, calm voice answered. “Seraphina. To what do I owe the pleasure?”“Vincent,” she replied, her voice smooth as silk. “I have a job for you. It requires your usual finesse—discreet and efficient.”There was a pause, then the faint sound of a chuckle