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Blood dripped from Draven's leg as he lay low, heart pounding, eyes fixed on the approaching mercenary. The B-rank operative moved with deliberate precision, unaware that the boy before him was far more capable than he expected. Draven's foot accidentally kicked a stone, giving away a small noise. The mercenary lunged with his dagger. In a swift motion, Draven kicked up dust, blinded his opponent, and with precise strikes, ended the threat.
A cold sweat ran down his back as Draven awoke, chest heaving. He wiped his forehead and swung his legs out of bed, feeling the weight of both memory and the morning pressing on him.
Downstairs, the manor was alive with quiet activity. Lady Seraphine arranged the table for breakfast while Gideon, the ever-loyal butler, moved efficiently among the servants. His sister brushed her hair, a soft light glinting off the strands as she prepared for the day.
"Have you heard the news?" Lady Seraphine asked, increasing the volume of the smart TV. The headline on the screen described a gang arrest downtown, unaware of the unseen hand that had stopped them. Draven turned off the TV with a calm gesture, dismissing the tension for breakfast.
His sister smiled, attempting light conversation. "There's a house party on Saturday. You should try to clear your schedule and come with me."
Draven simply nodded. "I'll try." Lady Seraphine also mentioned she had plans to meet some friends, leaving only Draven and Gideon at the manor.
Once the house quieted, Draven instructed Gideon to prepare the car. He received a call shortly after from the person he had tasked with tracking a suspicious number. "We traced the call," the voice said. "The phone was deactivated, but I located the last signal and identified the company that sold it."
Draven filed the information mentally as he sent another message, requesting help to reorganize his study room and the company's surveillance systems, including house security. Simultaneously, he arranged for some customized goods to be delivered. He instructed Gideon, "Send all the staff home for the day. Only you and I will remain to oversee the reorganization."
Slipping out for a brief walk, Draven let the morning air clear his mind, knowing the day was unfolding exactly as planned.
Meanwhile, across town, his sister was seated in a bright salon, getting her hair styled in soft waves. Ella, Erita, and Sonia—her friends from school—gathered around her, laughing and chatting.
"So, have you heard anything about Draven lately?" Ella asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
"He's back, and he's… different," his sister replied thoughtfully. "The person we knew before isn't exactly who he is now. He's been handling work, very focused, and I think he's changed in ways we're only starting to notice."
Erita leaned in. "Wow… so you're telling me the Ashbourne heir is different than we expected?"
Sonia added softly, "He's still the same Draven at heart, just… people are seeing a new side of him."
Her sister nodded. "Yes… and although I'm still a bit annoyed with him sometimes, I know he cares. I've seen it."
Ella smirked playfully. "So, you're saying he's got a soft side?"
"Don't tell him I said that," her sister laughed.
Their conversation drifted to the upcoming house party. "Will you go?" Erita asked.
"I think I will," she replied, smiling. "It's been a while since I had some fun… and maybe it'll be nice to spend time with him."
The friends continued chatting and laughing, sharing stories and teasing each other, occasionally mentioning Draven in quiet admiration. None of them realized the depth of the plans he had set in motion, but they sensed the quiet strength of the man returning to their lives.
Later, after his sister left for the party and Lady Seraphine departed, Draven entered the office. There, he bumped into Benjamin, his high school friend who had played basketball with him.
"Draven! It's been a while," Benjamin greeted warmly. "Some of our old friends are setting up a small get-together. Thought you might want to join."
"Thanks, Benji. I'll see if I can make it," Draven replied.
After this brief reunion, Gideon called to inform him that representatives of the smaller major families were in the boardroom. Draven drove to the office and entered with quiet authority.
One representative attempted leverage. "We could renegotiate the contracts. Otherwise…"
Draven interrupted sharply. "Terminate the contract. Effective immediately."
The man froze, then left. Draven's eyes scanned the room, noting hesitancy and compliance among the remaining representatives.
After the meeting, he spoke briefly with his secretary. "Cancel any remaining engagements for today. I have something else to handle."
He left the building and drove for a moment before pausing. He called the associate handling the study room and home surveillance. "I need help setting up the study and checking all surveillance systems," he instructed.
He also contacted a supplier for customized goods to be delivered to the mansion. Once home, he instructed Gideon to give the associate access to the study and have all servants leave for the day.
Draven stepped outside for a walk, leaving Gideon to drive home, using the quiet to reflect and plan.
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