The heavy, armored doors of the SUV locked shut, sealing us in a bubble of complete silence.
The storm outside turned into a faint sound that barely reached the bulletproof glass.
I gradually moved my damaged phone downwards while the Vanguard Commander's voice continued to play back violently inside my head.
The Thorne Medical Group created the poison as its exclusive product.
The temperature inside the luxury vehicle dropped to a freezing point. Frost began to rapidly develop on the shaded windows. My sudden desire to kill made the leather seats scream under their heavy burden. The two elite Vanguard drivers in the front seats suddenly became rigid as they clutched the steering wheel like they were preparing for an explosion.
I maintained my gaze without blinking. My golden eyes remained fixed on Seraphina Thorne.
She sat across from me while she wrapped her arms around herself to protect against the sudden, unnatural coldness. She had just survived a life-threatening situation to protect my sister. She had stood her ground against twenty armed men in order to defend me. Her last name gave her identity as Thorne.
Seraphina whispered, "Kaelen?" while her emerald eyes widened because she sensed the overwhelming weight of my body. Seraphina asked, "What is it? What is wrong with you?"
The bio-toxin, which has been destroying my sister's organs during the past three years, has been affecting her body. My intelligence network just identified the manufacturer. The proprietary synthetic poison was developed by the Thorne Medical Group.
Seraphina gasped for breath while her complexion turned completely white.
I leaned forward to shorten the space between us. The air became so thick that breathing became extremely difficult. Liam Thorne ordered his men to dispose of Lily in the morgue through the night. Your family business created the specific weapon that delivered her to the hospital bed. Tell me, Nurse Thorne. How much do your blood ties control your actions?
The SUV maintained complete silence for one entire second.
Seraphina remained in place while she stood her ground against him. She didn't shed tears. The beautiful woman displayed a moment of intense hatred that resembled my own feelings for her.
She spat, "Loyalty?" and the word tasted like venom on her tongue. She leaned forward to meet my terrifying gaze while maintaining complete fearlessness. My mother was the brilliant lead researcher for the Thorne Medical Group.
Five years ago, she discovered that Liam's father, the CEO, was conducting illegal, lethal drug trials on homeless people in the city slums. They cut the brake lines on her car after she tried to whistle-blow.
The frost on the windows stopped spreading while I narrowed my eyes slightly.
Seraphina continued her explanation about the highway death of her family member while her voice showed signs of shaking with deep anger. The police chief who investigated Liam's father ruled her murder an accidental death. They branded me an illegitimate mistake, froze my bank accounts, and threw me onto the street. I scrubbed floors, Kaelen. I worked three jobs just to get through nursing school so I could save the people they toss away. I don't share their loyalty. I share their last name like a curse.
She looked down at Lily, who was breathing softly on the leather seat next to her, the silver needles gleaming in the dim light. Seraphina reached out, her hand shaking slightly as she gently brushed a strand of hair from my sister's forehead.
Seraphina whispered, "If Liam's family built the poison that is hurting her," a tear finally escaped her eye and rolled down her bruised cheek. " Then I will help you destroy their entire empire. I swear it on my mother's grave."
The SUV lost its suffocating pressure after the doors opened. The frost that covered the windows began to melt away.
I leaned back in my seat while I released a gradual, controlled breath. She spoke with absolute, powerful sincerity, which made her voice impossible to imitate. My Dragon Qi, which could detect every heartbeat change active in a person, held that she told the complete truth.
She was not my enemy. She had suffered at the hands of the corrupt elites whom I planned to eliminate.
I believe you, I said.
Seraphina let out a shaky breath of relief, wiping her cheek. "Where should we take her? The hospital is completely compromised. She needs sterile equipment, IV fluids, and continuous monitoring.
I replied that she would receive the best medical facility on the planet.
Ten minutes later, the convoy reached the underground garage of the Zenith Skyscraper, which stands as the most fortified building within the city center. We took a private, high-speed elevator, which brought us directly to the top floor of the Dragon's Peak Penthouse.
The elevator doors opened to show a huge stronghold that featured extreme luxury. The penthouse now had a complete medical facility, which provided all the equipment that the Thorne Medical Group could not afford to own.
My elite Vanguard medics had already assembled in sterile medical attire. The medical team performed a deep bowing gesture while I entered the room carrying Lily to place her on the pristine bed.
I told the lead medic to keep the silver needles in their current locations. The intravenous nutrient flush should start now. You must stay with her at all times.
"I will follow your command, my King the medic declared with a firm voice.
I exited the medical bay to enter the spacious living room, which featured glass walls. The storm continued to rage outside while lightning illuminated all the city areas that lay beneath my feet. I had viewed the city from its lowest point for three years. I now regarded the city from the throne.
The Vanguard Commander emerged from the shadows when he spoke, "My King. The army division has gained access to the Sterling Manor security system. Show this to me.
I accepted the tablet. The screen displayed a crisp, live security feed of Richard Sterling's private study.
Richard Sterling, who is Chloe's billionaire father, is currently sweating through his expensive silk shirt. He yelled into the desk phone while throwing papers all over the room.
Chloe opened the study's heavy oak doors, and she lost her balance while entering the room.
Pathetic was the way she looked. The expensive white dress she wore was completely destroyed after she encountered mud and rainwater. Her cheeks showed black streaks of terrified makeup, which melted away from her perfect makeup. She experienced intense shivering.
Chloe sobbed hysterically on the screen while calling out to her father. Chloe insisted that her father must contact both the military and the governor to handle the situation with Kaelen, whom she described as a monstrous character who led a private army and killed twelve Syndicate killers using his own strength.
Richard stayed in his seat when his daughter needed comfort. He slammed the phone down and walked across the room instead of rushing to assist his daughter.
SMACK!
The tablet speakers produced a loud slap sound when Richard hit Chloe in the face. Chloe fell down onto the expensive Persian rug, where she remained in complete surprise while holding her cheek.
Richard roared at her, calling her a stupid and arrogant girl. Richard showed his disgust for his ex-wife while asking Chloe what she knew about their family's current situation.
Chloe stammered, looking up at him in terror. "W-What?"
Richard yelled at his office to show his panic about the world. "Ten minutes ago, an unknown financial entity launched a coordinated, global strike against our assets. Richard screamed while he pointed at the red lights on his desktop computer. "Our shipping containers have been seized at the ports. Three of our major banks just called in their billion-dollar loans. Our stock is in freefall. We are losing millions of dollars every second that passes.
Chloe's eyes widened in horror. "No... that's impossible...
Richard shouted at Chloe, declaring that they were completely ruined. "Unless we merge with the Thorne Medical Group tomorrow night, the Sterling family will be bankrupt and sleeping on the streets by Monday morning. The engagement party with Liam must go perfectly. Do you hear me? Perfectly!
I tapped the screen to stop the live feed. Then I handed the tablet back to the Commander with a cold smile that showed no mercy.
Their belief that an engagement party would save their business proved false. The man who destroyed their business empire happened to be the same "monster" Chloe had just divorced.
I turned my attention to the stormy city outside the large glass windows to speak with my commander.
"Yes, my King? The King's response
"Tomorrow night, Chloe Sterling and Liam Thorne are hosting the largest, most extravagant engagement party this city has ever seen," I said, my voice dripping with dark anticipation. "All the corrupt elites, the fake aristocrats, and the wealthy scum will be gathered in one room.
"Shall we authorize a tactical strike, sir? The officer responsible for commanding control operations requested permission to start a practical military attack.
"I will not do that," I said. We will handle this matter through direct contact. I want you to prepare a very special, custom-made gift for the happy couple.
The Commander grinned beneath his mask. "What kind of gift, sir? The Commander requested information about the present they should give.
"I ordered the creation of a coffin that should include black mahogany and silver trimming. The delivery should be made to the ballroom center at eight o'clock tomorrow.
"It will be done. The worker confirmed that he would complete his task.
Seraphina stood in the doorway of the medical bay when I turned to look behind me. She had cleaned the blood from her bruised cheek and changed out of her damp scrubs into a simple, elegant black dress provided by my staff. She looked absolutely breathtaking with her emerald eyes shining fiercely while she showed determination.
I walked toward her while saying, "Seraphina. "Tomorrow night, Liam Thorne and Chloe Sterling will celebrate their wealth and power while showing off the pain they caused us.
I extended my hand to her as an invitation.
"Would you do me the honor of being my plus-one?" I asked softly. "It is time we take back exactly what belongs to us."
Seraphina looked at my outstretched hand. A slow, dangerous, and incredibly beautiful smile spread across her lips. She didn't hesitate for a single second. She reached out and placed her hand firmly in mine.
"I would love nothing more," she whispered.