Lucian's POV-
I ran towards the man, but my body collapsed...
It felt like I lost again. I was not able to save another person near to me.
I heard the ambulance voice...
The man holding Aria immediately placed her on the stretcher.
Stephen helped me to get up... and we drove towards the hospital and the man also accompanied us.
As soon as the doctor's saw Aria's condition, they immediately took her in the ICU.
The alarm of danger beeped continuously making it heavy to breathe.
After 30 minutes the doctor stepped out...
"How's she?", I requested the doctor to answer me.
"She is fine, she just lost too much blood and looking at her condition, I think she met with a road accident.", The doctor patted me on my back and moved away.
I had no idea what to do. What if something happens to her? How will I answer her family? She came here, I should have been the one to take responsibility. Why? Why am I useless?
Tears streamed down my eyes, WHOEVER DID THIS HAS TO PAY THE PRICE WITH HIS LIFE.
I turned towards that man and held his collars.
"What did you do to her! Are you blind? Don't you know how to drive?", I shouted and almost choked him.
"Hey! Calm down, at least let him speak.", Stephen pulled me away.
"SPEAK! ANSWER ME!", I threatened him.
But... He laughed.
What a audacity.
Before I could charge his words hit me through the air deep inside the heart.
"So... What type of man are you. Firstly, you abandoned a girl in Greece, thank god, she just met with an accident and nothing more happened. Secondly, you didn't even bothered to find her. You made a judgement because her phone was switched off, right? So, listen mister, her phone was dead already.
I was driving along the riverside, near a abandoned building because I was fed up with my life. I just wanted to take some fresh air.
Suddenly, a car overtook me with a very-very-very high speed. I thought the brakes might have failed so I should help, but when I followed them.
I only saw a girl lying on the floor and the men's in the car came out and gathered around her.
The girl was bleeding, crying, asking for help and saying something like Lucian...
Probably, not sure at all but yep I heard it...
I ran out to save her and to my surprise those men gave me a card and said... Take her to THE VALLE ESTATE and rest they residents will handle.
So, without questioning I rushed there, and you know what happened after that.", The man stopped and stared at the celling.
"So, any evidence or any activity or symbol or signature line you noticed them to speak or do?", I asked him.
"Yeah, indeed there was a sign... A circle of orange color and 3 lines of blue inside that circle...it was in their car.", the man showed me the picture.
"Fine thanks for saving her.", I bowed.
The man left away silently.
I turned towards Stephen.
"Do you know anything about the symbol he mentioned?", I shook him.
"Never seen it before… probably just some street gang." Stephen answered and quickly turned away.
He spoke too quickly. I've lied enough times in life to recognize when someone else does.
He's definitely hiding something, he knows about the symbol but refuses to talk.
Anyways, I contacted the security team, and Theo.
He said he will investigate about the symbol.
2 DAYS LATER...
It's been too long, Aria is still on the bed, slight movements are monitored but she still needs a proper rest.
Suddenly... Nikos messaged me.
I read the message, my fists clenched, jaw tightened.
Stephen, Stella- just wait for me.
I rushed downstairs and Stella and Stephen both were sitting there on the sofa.
I went towards Stephen. "Tell me who does this symbol belongs too.", I asked calmly.
"I- I don't -kn-know!", Stephen murmured.
"CUT THE CRAP! ANSWER ME! WHAT IS IT'S SIGNIFICANCE IN THE GAIL CLAN!!!!", I shouted, my voice echoed. Every word straight through the air.
"F-fine, don't shout," Stephen whispered, his gaze flickering toward Stella.But she avoided his eyes — her hands were trembling.
"Start talking," I said coldly. "You've known something since that night, haven't you?"
Stephen swallowed hard. "Lucian… that symbol — the orange circle with the three blue lines — it's not random. It's the Gail clan mark."
My blood ran cold.No. It couldn't be.
"The Gails?" I repeated slowly, my tone sharp. "You mean… my uncle's family?"
He nodded reluctantly. "Yes. They're resurfacing, Lucian. And they're not just after control — they're after you, and for your money."
I clenched my jaw so tight I could hear the bones strain. "Why is he still alive? He is the reason for aunt's condition."
Stephen's silence was the answer I dreaded.
I turned away, trying to contain the storm brewing inside me. "He destroyed everything once. I should've ended this long ago."
Stella finally spoke, her voice soft but shaking. "Lucian… it's not just about you anymore. The Gails have started moving pieces. Your ex-fiancée probably they used me and— she wasn't just there for a deal. She was sent to watch you."
My fists tightened."So she was part of it, and you supported her?" I muttered bitterly. "I should've known that engagement was a setup." I shot her a death glare.
"She played both sides," Stephen said quietly. "And Aria… she just happened to cross paths at the worst possible time."
I turned sharply. "What do you mean?"
"She's not one of them, but she was… seen with you. The moment the group realized that, she became a tool. A message."
For a moment, everything blurred.The walls, even the pulse in my head — all vanished under one thought.
They wanted me to watch someone near me, bleed again.
I took a deep breath, voice steady but cold as steel."Then it's time they realize who they picked a fight with."
I pulled out my phone. "Theo, get the intel on every Gail movement in Greece - 'Santorini' , Scotland - 'Fort Williams' and London - 'Kensington' .
And I want every symbol traced back within twenty-four hours."
Because this time, I wasn't running from ghosts.I was going to hunt them myself.
I stood by the window, watching the city drown in its own silence.Every thought, every breath felt heavier — like the world itself was holding its breath before the storm.
My phone buzzed. Theo.
I opened the message.Just a single image.
A dim warehouse, the Gail insignia painted across the wall — and on the dusty table, beside a half-burned candle…
was Aria's watch.
The same black-beaded one she wore every day.
My vision blurred, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.
A single line of text followed beneath the photo:
"They never wanted to kill her, Lucian. They wanted you to come find her."
I tightened my grip on the phone until my knuckles turned white.
Fine. They wanted me? They just declared war.