However, Cade was extremely busy. The call lasted for all but two seconds."He told you to stay put at the Everglade Manor."How could Calista possibly stay put in a situation like this? Even if she wanted to stay, she had to know that Lucian was safe. The news was flooded with reports of his disappearance. She felt ill at ease without first learning if this was his or Kyros' plan.Calista got dressed. The moment she set foot outside, she ran into Paul. He let out a sigh of relief to see her well.After he learned of the goings-on with the Lancaster Group, he rushed to her apartment. However, after knocking on the door for a long time and receiving no response, he considered calling her. Yet, he was afraid she hadn't seen the news yet. Since she wasn't at her apartment, he thought of trying his luck at the Everglade Manor. Unexpectedly, he encountered Calista just as she was about to leave. He couldn't help but feel relieved. If he arrived a minute later …"I'm going to see
Lucian's answer tormented him. The masterpiece Kyros had been so proud of had been a lie from the start. He had been played for a fool."Given your state, why did you refuse to compromise?"Lucian had been on the verge of dying and was struggling to speak. Coupled with prolonged sleep deprivation, his mental state had teetered on the edge of collapse.Brice had mentioned that Lucian's mental state at the time was ideal for hypnosis. Resisting would mean enduring pain multiplied by a thousandfold. An average person wouldn't be able to withstand that. It would be akin to someone taking a chisel to their brain.So, when Brice told Kyros that Lucian had become an entirely different person, he readily believed the doctor. Even if he were to show cracks, he could rely on himself to patch him back up."I didn't want her to cry," Lucian said.He wasn't certain whether or not Calista would cry upon discovering that he didn't remember her. But, the mere possibility prevented him from for
Calista was on her way to Timothy's law firm when she received the message. Upon seeing the photos, she immediately called the number. Unfortunately, their phone had been switched off.Paul was sitting next to her and also saw the photos."Lucian isn't that weak, Calista. He may have his plans."He feared Calista's impulsiveness would lead her to fall into a trap. Kyros likely had something up his sleeve if he sent the photos. He wasn't telling her anything to make her panic and leave her feeling helpless. With her beloved's life hanging in the balance, even the most resilient person would come apart at the seams over time. Once she was broken in, her focus would shift solely to the immediate problem, making her an easy target to manipulate."I know." Calista forced herself to look away from the photos. She turned off the phone screen to ignore the problem."I'm not going to act impulsively, nor am I going to hand myself over on a silver platter. Kyros is holding back becaus
Lucian calmly leaned against the headrest instead of responding to Kyros' words. His composed demeanor showed no signs of anxiety. He hardly seemed like a man under someone's thumb.His reaction was entirely different from what Kyros was expecting to see. He expected Lucian to be fearful, frantic, and begging for mercy. Instead, he was as calm as a millpond. It was as if he were sitting in his own home.Kyros grabbed him by his face and spoke through gritted teeth, "Your reaction leaves me feeling useless, Lucian. Aren't you scared?"Lucian wasn't angered by Kyros' actions. He showed no inclination to engage. The calmer he remained, the more hysterical Kyros became. He forcefully tore Lucian's clothes, exposing the scars on his chest. "Have you forgotten the pain after your scars healed?"His fingers danced across a scar and forcefully dug his nails in. Blood dripped down between the cracks of his fingers and onto the sheets."Shall I help jog your memory? Back in that basemen
The words finally caused a change in Lucian's facial expression. He watched as Kyros left the room. "Where do you plan on taking me?""You're my brother. You'll be going wherever I go. But for now, just enjoy yourself. Don't waste the gift I prepared for you."Someone delivered a punch to Lucian's stomach as soon as he finished speaking. He was already severely weakened due to the drug. The blow left him even more powerless. He let out a grunt.Lucian doubled over. He was drenched in cold sweat as an intense ache blossomed from his abdomen. He endured the pain. "Are you planning to abandon those who follow you and escape like a drowned rat, Kyros? Or have you fallen to the point where these are the only people you can use?"Kyros brightened."Are you worried about me, Lucian?"Lucian was at a loss for words. He was truly a delusional man."The illegal fundraising case has been filed. The police have probably already issued a citywide warrant for me. I don't think your connec
Kyros' men had already left from the moment he brandished the remote. The crowded room had emptied, leaving only a few people within. Cade shot Lucian a look to signal for him to draw Kyros' attention so he could take the remote from him.Firearms and ammunition were contraband domestically. The control of raw materials was extremely stringent and required multiple formalities. Even if Kyros could manage it, the quantity made would likely be limited. But, no one would risk their life to gamble on the authenticity of such a claim.Kyros flashed a smile at Cade when he noticed the latter's intention. However, the smile was a grim warning. "I know what you're up to, Mr. Carter. But, you'd better keep it to yourself. I'm very skittish. What if you scare me into accidentally pressing the button? The consequences would be disastrous. You wanted Lucian to call Calista just to witness their heartbreaking separation, didn't you? Wouldn't it be boring if it's just the two of them? Why do
Calista's thoughts were entirely consumed by Lucian's situation. It wasn't until Hector stood before her that she registered what he was saying."He's not a weakling."Hector was at a loss for words. Surely, that was not the point. It didn't matter to him if Lucian was a weakling or not. He was worried about Calista, not Lucian."What are you doing here?" Calista asked.This was surely not a coincidence.Yara shifted close and said carefully, "I told him you were here. He sent me a text asking about Lucian and asked how you were doing. It was a casual mention. I didn't think he'd come."She could hazard a guess on what he'd do. Knowing what he was like, he'd come if he knew Calista was here. She didn't know if she'd be able to hold Calista back if she were to take an impulsive action. Having more people around meant additional safeguards. She didn't hold out hope for Timothy to help bolster their numbers. Calista nodded."I'm heading home then."She already asked Timothy ev
Back at the dilapidated residential building, there was a stalemate due to Kyros' explosives. There was uncertainty regarding their existence.The police had arrived but they were unable to enter. With no other buildings around and Kyros far from the windows, snipers couldn't be deployed. The negotiator had spoken. But, they didn't receive a single response. It felt as if they were talking to a brick wall. Kyros still had hostages which prevented them from launching an assault.The man who everyone was anxiously watching, seemed the most at ease."Do you think Calista is going to make it, Lucian?"Lucian was back on the bed and leaning against the headboard. Kyros had been quite heavy-handed with the drug he administered. Despite having been awake for a while, Lucian remained feeble. "Instead of worrying if she's going to make it, you should be concerned about your backer. News has likely gotten out by now. Want to see?"Kyros shot him a knowing smile."I'll pass."He toyed