The Obsidian Circle hugged Lilith.
"Ram!!!!!!!!!!!" she exclaimed as he hugged her tightly.
He was an extraordinarily tall and overwhelmingly muscular man standing at an astonishing height of 8 feet 7 inches with an exceptionally powerful physique and an imposing masculine presence. His warm tan skin complemented his short neatly trimmed black hair and sharp clean hairline. His enormous frame was built with incredibly broad shoulders, a massive muscular chest, thick sculpted arms, powerful forearms, and a heavily defined abdomen that created an imposing V-shaped silhouette. His muscles were exceptionally developed, with prominent biceps, broad deltoids, thick trapezius muscles, and powerful hands that emphasized his immense physical strength.
Despite his extraordinary size, his proportions were remarkably balanced, giving him the appearance of a towering warrior whose mere presence could command silence. His handsome face featured a strong angular jawline, prominent cheekbones, a straight nose, and firm lips that often settled into a subtle intimidating smirk. His dark observant eyes sat behind elegant rectangular black-framed glasses, giving him an unexpectedly intellectual appearance that contrasted with his formidable physique.
His gaze was intense, calculating, and unwavering, conveying discipline, authority, and a quiet dangerous confidence. His short black hair was styled neatly with a precise hairline, enhancing his sharp masculine features. He was dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit specially fitted to accommodate his extraordinary height and enormous muscular build.
The expensive black suit jacket stretched perfectly across his broad shoulders while maintaining a clean elegant silhouette through his massive chest and narrow waist. Beneath it, he wore a fitted black dress shirt that complemented his powerful frame and added to his mysterious sophisticated appearance. His black tailored trousers followed the proportions of his exceptionally long muscular legs, while his polished black leather shoes completed his commanding formal attire.
Every detail of his outfit reflected luxury, precision, and understated wealth. His large hands rested naturally beside his thighs, with his thick fingers slightly curled while his arms hung heavily at his sides. His posture was perfectly upright, with his shoulders squared, his chest held high, and his head elevated above everyone around him.
His extraordinary height made him tower over ordinary men, creating an almost unbelievable difference in stature whenever he entered a room. His expression remained controlled and unreadable, revealing little of his thoughts while his sharp eyes quietly assessed everyone in his surroundings.
He carried himself with the confidence of a man accustomed to absolute authority and possessed the intimidating presence of an elite military commander, an exceptionally powerful underground fighter, or a feared mafia leader. His immense physical strength, combined with his refined appearance, intelligence, and disciplined demeanor, created a striking contrast between brute power and sophisticated elegance.
He looked like a man who never needed to threaten anyone because his towering stature, commanding presence, and silent confidence communicated everything for him the moment he walked through a door.
"Oh my Lord! You're bigger now!" Lilith exclaimed.
Aram smiled at her.
"Where are they?" Alara asked.
Lilith took them to the girls' room.
"Shhh! I just put them to sleep, Lily," she whispered as they reached the door.
She opened it slowly.
"Awww!" the girls whispered.
All seven girls were covered with a cotton-white blanket, matching milk-colored jumpsuits, white beanies, milk-colored gloves on their hands, and socks.
"So cute!" Ramona said.
"This is Hareena, a Bengali name; Giselle, an American name; Lunessa, a Russian name; Azenari, a Mexican name; Rhea, an Indian name. I named her after my late Nani. Nyxara, a dark powerful name Nikki named her, and lastly, Tasnim, a Bengali name," Lilith explained.
They stared at the little babies while they slept.
A few moments later, Nikolai came home.
"Bambi!" he called.
Mila woke up.
"Hi, Papa!" she said.
He picked her up and hugged her.
"Boss!" the Obsidian Circle greeted him.
"Oh, hey, guys!" Nikolai replied.
They shook his hand.
"Where is he?" he asked.
"Right here, Boss," the Venomous Beast replied.
Valen smirked at him.
They shook hands.
Mila frowned.
"Wait a minute!" she exclaimed as she rubbed her eyes.
"Hi, Mimi!" they greeted her.
She gasped.
"HI, EVERYONE! I MISS YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!!!" Mila exclaimed, hugging Valen.
"Aww, we missed you too!" they replied.
"Where were you?" Mila asked.
"We've got work to do," Baran answered.
Mila hugged him.
"Bambi!" Nikolai called.
"Shhhhh! You donkey! Keep quiet! The girls are still asleep!" Lilith scolded him.
"Nope, nope, nope! I'm going to wake them up because it's time for our little surprise!" he announced.
"Nikolai, don't wake them!" she warned as he ran upstairs.
"Oh, gosh! This man is such a daddy's girl enthusiast!" she remarked.
They laughed.
Outside, Valen stepped out of the mansion. He inhaled his cigarette and blew the smoke out into the air.
Gloria watched him from her bedroom window while cleaning her hair. She gathered her hair and secured it with a rubber band. Her eyes left him at the same moment his eyes found her through the window.
He watched her cleaning her hair, and a small smile found his lips.
"Just three days," he whispered as he blew his cigarette smoke into the air.
THE SHADOW BEHIND HER
Meanwhile, in the bigger mansion, Zorina gave Emilia the plates as the group entered.
Emilia was writing on a piece of paper before walking toward the kitchen. A shadow followed her.
"Yes, Daddy, I'm alright. Have you been taking your meds?" she asked while speaking to her father over the phone.
The shadow stood behind her.
"But, Dad, I told you to take them! I got them for you. Why are you so stubborn?" she asked.
She sighed.
"Hmmm. Fine! I will not come for the festivals if you don't take them," she warned.
Suddenly, she felt someone breathing behind her.
Without hesitation, she grabbed his jaw and slammed his body against the counter.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed.
"Daddy, I'll call you later. Love you!" she said before ending the call.
She turned toward the intruder.
"Who are you?"
"What a sweet grip you've got, Big Mama," he remarked.
She frowned.
"No! Don't call me Big Mama since—"
Zorina stopped speaking as she finally looked at him properly.
"Ram?" she whispered.
He chuckled.
"Good to see you too," he replied.
"Oh, I… Uhm… I'm sorry for this," she stammered.
He dusted his clothes and eyed her from head to toe.
He leaned forward.
His expression changed.
"I have a lot to do to you," Aram said.
He straightened up and looked down at her.
"I got tall and stronger now, Mama."
He moved closer to her ear.
"Get ready for the pain you caused me," he whispered before kissing her ear.
She gasped.
"Get… off!" she demanded.
He pulled her closer, keeping his eyes fixed on hers.
"Be a good Mama and take your punishment well," he ordered in a dark voice.
She whimpered at the sound of his voice.
THE LITTLE PRINCESSES' SURPRISE
"Alright, ready!" Nikolai announced.
He had woken the girls up at approximately 3:45 p.m.
Each of them was crawling around.
"Awww! Hello, pretty girls!" Cassia exclaimed.
Hereena smiled while giggling.
"Ohhhhh! Lilith, can I keep her?" Cassia asked.
Lily chuckled.
Rhea was standing.
"Oh! Rhea is standing now?" Kazim asked.
"Yeah! She's even walking now too!" Lilith replied.
Nikolai came downstairs.
"Let's go to the garden," he announced.
They took the girls outside.
Nikolai held Rhea's hand, guiding her as they made their way to the garden.
There, Nistarini wore a silver saree.
"Beneva, it's the night of the Red Moon. Today, you will choose a weapon, or whatever chooses you," she announced.
Aram frowned.
"Weapon?" he questioned.
"It turns out I'm the queen of an ancient cult through Mumma," Lilith explained.
They looked at one another.
"I'll tell you all later," she promised.
They sat down.
It was a garden birthday celebration, with a beautiful banner that read 21.
The family members were on a video call.
"Hi, KK! Congratulations on the baby!" someone greeted her.
Nihal smiled at his little sister and gave his mute wife a sign in sign language.
They sat down.
"Here you go, baby," Nikolai said.
Rhea approached Lilith with wobbling steps, carrying her gift.
"Mama!" Rhea said as she handed her the present.
"Are the babies walking now?" Riyana asked.
"Yes, Mumma! Rhea is the first to walk!" Lily replied as she accepted the gift.
"Thank you, Nani!" Rhea said.
She giggled.
Lilith opened the present and discovered a rare emerald and black diamond bracelet.
"Mama's favorite color!" she exclaimed.
"Aww, thank you, sweetie!" Lilith said.
Rhea grabbed her mama's face and kissed her nose.
"Awwww!" everyone exclaimed.
"Where is the box? FIND IT!!!!!!" Nistarini demanded.
"Calm down. It will be found," Nikolai assured her.
The girls began crawling toward Lilith, their gifts tied to their hands.
"Thank you, sweethearts!" Lilith said.
Hereena's box contained a rare natural oud fragrance collection.
Lilith opened it and smelled the fragrances.
"Wowwwwww!" she exclaimed.
Hereena smiled.
Nikolai sat behind Lilith.
Then Tasnim, who had been crawling, placed both her hands on the floor and stood up.
"Oh my!" Sohan exclaimed.
With that, Tasnim took her first steps and hugged her mama.
"Bababababababa!" she babbled.
"For me?" Lilith asked.
Tasnim nodded.
Lilith opened the box.
Inside was a Crimson Ruby Mangalsutra necklace.
Tasnim continued babbling and pointed at Nikolai.
"From Dada?" Lily asked.
Tasnim nodded.
Lunessa tapped her box.
Lilith opened it.
It contained a collection of twenty-one embroidered silk dupattas.
Azenari was sucking her pacifier.
"Your turn, darling," Nikolai encouraged her.
She crawled toward her mama.
"This is cute! I can't wait for matching clothes!" Moiri exclaimed.
"Me too! Especially makeovers!" Yamini added.
Gloria recorded them on her phone.
Meanwhile, Valen was on a business call.
"Yes, arrange all the meetings for Monday with them. Also, send my assistant a message to meet me as early as possible, by 8:00 a.m.," he instructed.
He ended the call.
Nyxara's box contained handmade anklets.
"I called them the Queen of Nocturne Anklets," Nikolai explained.
"Ba!" Nyxara babbled.
"Oh, sorry! We made them together. She chose the gems, and I made them," he clarified.
Nyxara nodded.
Lilith kissed her forehead.
"Mama loves them. We'll dance with them tomorrow, right?" she asked.
Surprisingly, Nyxara nodded.
Giselle clapped her hands.
Lilith opened Giselle's box and discovered a collection of 108 gold bangles and purple rose diamond nose rings.
"Wanna put them on?" Lily asked.
The baby girl began putting on the bangles with her mama's help, and Lilith carefully helped her with the nose rings.
"Need help, princess?" Nikolai asked.
"N… Nu," Giselle replied.
"No?" Abellona asked.
Giselle nodded.
Lilith kissed her baby.
"Mama loves them so much," she said.
Giselle nodded.
The dinner was going well.
THE WEAPON OF THE RED MOON
"Beneva, we found the box!" Nistarini announced.
Nikolai took Giselle away from her mama while feeding her.
Lilith turned toward the box as Ritwik and Shounak carried it over.
Inside were weapons passed down through generations, forged with fire and the burning lava of volcanoes. Ninety leaders had fought with these weapons throughout history.
"These are ancient legends," Nistarini explained. "The most powerful weapons of the greatest warriors, treasured through generations. Here, Beneva."
Lilith scanned each weapon.
One of them caught her eye.
She took it and looked at Nikolai.
He smirked at her.
The weapon was a long ancient black curved blade with a broad sweeping edge and a sharply angled tip that curved upward slightly. Its smooth dark metallic surface carried a subtle silver outline along the cutting edge. The weapon featured a long black textured handle wrapped in an intricate braided pattern, with a circular metal ring at the end and a small black crossguard with rounded extensions near the base of the blade. Its distinctive traditional design gave it a dark intimidating appearance and an elegant elongated silhouette.
Everyone looked at one another.
"Mihu?" Ethan asked.
She looked at him, her eyes glowing.
Mila was eating cake.
Hereena crawled toward her mama.
Lilith slowly rose to her feet, holding the ancient blade.
Her expression changed.
"I am Lilith Mhaira Beneva Nikolai Devereaux. I am the Supreme Matriarch of the Nocturne Matriarch Group. I am the Queen of KAALANDHAKSHINI, the Eternal Sovereign of the Primordial Abyss Clan, and the Leader of the Varyagin territories.
"My word is law.
"Anyone who dares double-cross me, anyone who betrays me, will face death, unbearable punishment, and an unthinkable fate. Anyone who dares disobey my orders WILL ALL FACE MY WRATH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Lilith's voice thundered across the garden.
Everyone moved backward and bowed their heads.
For a moment, the garden was completely silent.
Then Lilith began laughing as tears followed.
Nikolai immediately took Lilith's hand and led her to their room.
TWENTY-ONE GIFTS AND ONE ETERNAL PROMISE
When Lilith entered the room, she saw boxes containing the latest designs arranged beautifully.
"Nikolai?" she asked.
"Hmm?" he replied, hugging her from behind.
"What is all this? You already gave me gifts. Why all this?" she asked.
"Remember on my birthday when you got me over 120 gifts? So I made these for you according to your age, with everything in one collection," he explained.
He guided her to sit down.
"Baby, look at me," he said.
She did.
"Tell me, what are you thinking about?"
"I am scared of losing my family because of what I'm turning into. My daughters, my family, and most importantly, you," she confessed.
"Bambi, I am more scared than ever of losing you. I was extremely scared when you began laughing like that. Your father and I wanted a beautiful and better life for you, not this twisted future, baby," he said.
He cupped her face and wiped away her tears.
"I love you so much that I could never bear to lose you. Even if I lost my memory, I would find my way back to you because this belongs to you, and this belongs to me," Nikolai said.
He placed her hand on his chest and his own hand on hers.
She sniffled.
"I don't want this, Nikki," she whispered, crying.
"Oh, darling, I know you don't want it, baby," he said, hugging her.
"Come, come, come. Enough crying. It's still your birthday, and I made these twenty-one gifts since you're now twenty-one. So open them," he said.
He wiped her face, kissed her lips, and placed her on the bed with the gifts.
She giggled.
He smiled.
"There is my Bambi," he said.
She began opening the gifts.
1. The Eternal Love Heart Locket
The locket was made of platinum, rose gold, and tiny diamonds, with their wedding date engraved on the outside. Two miniature portraits of Nikolai and Lilith were positioned to face each other whenever the locket opened.
An inscription read:
Wherever life takes us, my heart will always recognise yours.
2. The Forever Yours Diamond Ring
The ring featured an elegant heart-shaped diamond surrounded by delicate pink diamonds. The words I choose you again and always were engraved inside the band.
3. The One Thousand Reasons I Love You Book
The book contained one thousand handwritten reasons Nikolai loved Lilith, including romantic memories, adorable habits, little things that made him smile, and promises for their future.
The final page read:
I have written one thousand reasons, my love, but I could spend ten thousand lifetimes discovering more.
4. The Two Hearts One Soul Bracelet
The set featured two delicate bracelets crafted from white gold and diamonds. One bore Lilith's initials, while the other bore Nikolai's initials. When placed beside each other, they formed an infinity symbol.
Their inscriptions read:
My heart belongs to him.
My heart lives with her.
5. The Our Little Forever Music Box
The music box was crafted from mother-of-pearl, rose gold, and delicate crystal. It featured two tiny figurines of Nikolai and Lilith dancing beneath a miniature canopy of stars while a melody Nikolai had composed especially for her played.
Its message read:
When our hair turns silver and our hands grow old, I will still ask you to dance with me.
6. The Seven Little Stars Necklace
The necklace featured seven tiny diamonds surrounding a central heart-shaped emerald, representing their seven daughters and Lilith as the heart of their family.
Its inscription read:
You gave my heart a home and my life a thousand reasons to smile.
7. The Our Forever Begins Again Love Journal
The journal had Lilith's name embossed in gold. Inside were their favourite memories, their promises, their dreams, and Nikolai's heartfelt words.
The remaining pages were left blank for them to complete together over the years.
8. The Kiss of Forever Diamond Anklet
The anklet was crafted from rose gold and tiny diamonds. It featured two interlocking heart charms engraved with N and L.
Its inscription read:
Every step you take, my love, I hope life gives you a thousand reasons to smile.
9. The Our Love Story Illustrated Book
The book featured adorable illustrations of their first encounters, romantic moments, wedding laughter, playful disagreements, and beautiful days as parents.
One illustration showed Nikolai carrying a sleeping Lilith in his arms, accompanied by the caption:
She could conquer the world, but sometimes all she wanted was to fall asleep in his arms.
The final illustration showed them as an elderly couple holding hands.
Its words read:
And after all those years, he was still her favourite person.
10. The My Favourite Person Personalised Teddy Bear
The teddy bear wore a miniature black suit inspired by Nikolai's favourite outfits, with a crimson heart embroidered over its chest.
It contained a recording of Nikolai whispering:
Hello, my beautiful girl. If you are holding this because you miss me, close your eyes and imagine my arms around you. I love you, Lilith, more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
11. The Forever and Always Promise Pendant
The pendant was shaped like two hands holding a tiny heart. It was crafted from white gold and adorned with pink diamonds.
Its engraving read:
I will always be gentle with your heart.
12. The Our First and Last Dance Keepsake
The keepsake featured two miniature crystal figures of Nikolai and Lilith dancing beneath a canopy of flowers.
Its inscription read:
Our first dance was the beginning of a thousand dances yet to come.
The gift was accompanied by a recording of their wedding song.
13. The Hundred Little Love Notes Box
The box was shaped like a beautiful heart and filled with one hundred handwritten notes containing reasons Nikolai adored Lilith, memories, compliments, promises, jokes, reminders of her beauty, messages for difficult days, wishes for their future, and memories of their daughters.
The box carried the words:
Open One Whenever You Need a Little Piece of My Heart.
14. The Eternal Embrace Diamond Brooch
The brooch featured two intertwined roses. One was made from crimson gemstones, while the other was made from pink diamonds. Their stems formed a heart.
Its inscription read:
May we always grow together without ever losing the beautiful people we were when we first fell in love.
15. The Our Happiness Crystal Heart
The crystal heart was handcrafted with their names and wedding date etched inside, surrounded by tiny rose gold stars.
It was illuminated by a warm light.
Its inscription read:
May our home always be filled with laughter, our hearts with peace, and our love with reasons to grow.
16. The Forever Young Together Matching Rings
The rings were crafted from platinum, with a delicate rose gold heart engraved inside each one.
One ring bore the words Your boy forever, while the other bore the words Your girl forever.
They represented their promise to remain playful, affectionate, and deeply in love throughout their marriage.
17. The My Favourite Smile Diamond Pendant
The pendant featured a tiny diamond sun surrounded by delicate rose gold rays.
Its inscription read:
My favourite sight in this world is your smile.
It reminded Lilith that she never had to pretend to be happy around him and that he would love her through every mood.
18. The Seven Wishes for Our Forever Bracelet
The bracelet featured seven beautiful charms representing a heart for everlasting love, a dove for peace, a star for shared dreams, an infinity symbol for eternal devotion, a flower for a love that continued to bloom, two hands for mutual support, and a tiny house for a home filled with warmth, laughter, and happiness.
Its message read:
I cannot promise that every day will be perfect, my love, but I promise to keep choosing the things that make our life together beautiful.
19. The Our Beautiful Years Memory Locket Collection
The collection contained seven tiny lockets with photographs representing precious chapters of their relationship, including their early days, their wedding, and their life as parents.
Each locket was engraved with a meaningful phrase.
The accompanying message read:
Every year with you is a year I would choose again.
20. The I Would Find You Again Love Letter
The letter was handwritten by Nikolai and presented in an exquisite ivory envelope sealed with a crimson wax heart.
Lilith carefully opened it and began reading.
My sweetest Lilith,
If the world erased every memory we had ever made together, I would still hope to find you again.
I would want to learn your laugh again and discover the little things that make you happy. I would want to hear your opinions, watch your eyes light up when you talk about something you love, and find out which little habits make you impossible to resist.
I would fall in love with the woman you are even if I could no longer remember the man who first loved you.
I would choose the ordinary days with you, the sleepy mornings, the ridiculous jokes, the quiet evenings, the celebrations, the difficult conversations, and the moments when we cannot stop laughing.
I want to watch our daughters grow and grow old beside you. I want to hold your hand when we have forgotten what we were arguing about and kiss your forehead when words are no longer necessary.
I want to keep discovering you long after the world believes there is nothing left to discover.
If life gave me the choice again tomorrow, I would choose you. If it gave me the choice a thousand times, I would choose you a thousand times.
You are my favourite person, my greatest love, and the woman I want beside me for every ordinary and extraordinary day I have left.
Always yours,
Nikolai.
21. The Eternal Love Promise Ring — Forever My Girl
The final gift was crafted from platinum and rose gold. It featured an extraordinary pink diamond surrounded by delicate white diamonds, with the initials N and L, their wedding date, and the words In every season, in every lifetime, forever my girl engraved inside the band.
It was accompanied by a velvet-bound booklet containing Nikolai's promises to keep learning how to love Lilith better, to listen when she spoke, to apologise when he was wrong, to celebrate her achievements, to protect her right to be herself, and to make room for joy even during difficult seasons.
The final message read:
My beautiful wife,
I do not want you to look at this ring and believe that it is proof of my love. I want you to look at it and remember the love I will continue to show you long after today has passed.
I want you to feel loved on your birthday, on our anniversaries, on the days when you achieve something extraordinary, and on the days when you accomplish nothing at all because you need to rest.
I want you to know that you never have to earn my tenderness by being perfect.
I want to grow with you, laugh with you, learn with you, and create a life in which we both feel safe enough to be completely ourselves.
And when we are old, when we have more memories than we can count and more stories than we can tell, I want to look into your eyes and know that we never stopped choosing each other.
You were never simply the woman I wanted to marry. You are the woman I want to keep loving.
Today, tomorrow, on every ordinary day between our greatest celebrations, and for every day that life gives us.
Forever is not a promise I intend to make only once, Lilith. It is a promise I intend to live with you every single day.
Your Nikolai, forever and always.
Lilith read each handwritten letter.
"You wrote them all?" she whispered.
"Yeah. While I was at the office. It took me one month to make these gifts for you," he replied.
He smiled before continuing.
"Oh, I also made bracelets for the girls with their names on them because Nyxara keeps getting mad when I mistake her for Giselle."
Lily giggled.
"Yeah, baby. The worst part is that she yells at me in her baby voice. 'Dada, I am Nyx!'" he imitated.
Lilith burst into laughter and lay against his chest.
He kissed her forehead.
THE MORNING AT TENEBRIS IMPERIUM
Gloria received a message from the company.
8:00 a.m. Boss wants to see his assistant, and we have a meeting by 10:00 a.m.
She read it and fell asleep while organising her bag for the next day.
Morning arrived.
Both Nikolai and Lilith were still sleeping while the girls were having breakfast.
"Open up, Angel," Owen said as he fed Tasnim.
"Hi, baby!" Ramona greeted Giselle.
Giselle giggled.
Aram held Azenari on his neck while working.
Meanwhile, Rhea was standing and taking one step at a time.
At Tenebris Imperium, Gloria arrived early.
"Boss came very early today," the manager remarked.
"Damn!" someone muttered.
"Go," he ordered.
Gloria walked toward the office and knocked.
"Come in," a husky, dark voice answered.
She entered.
"G… Good morning, sir," Gloria greeted him.
The man turned around.
It was Valen.
He was a tall and extraordinarily muscular olive-skinned man with a powerful athletic physique and broad imposing shoulders. His body was heavily built, with thick muscular arms, a massive chest, well-defined abdominal muscles, and a narrow waist that emphasised his formidable V-shaped frame.
His warm olive skin contrasted beautifully with the subtle highlights tracing the contours of his muscles. His short black hair was neatly trimmed with a clean sharp hairline, and he wore rectangular black-framed glasses that rested perfectly on his face.
His dark eyes were sharp, observant, and intimidating, carrying a quiet confidence that made him appear naturally authoritative. His strong jawline, high cheekbones, straight nose, and firm lips gave him a handsome, mature, and masculine appearance, with a faint controlled smirk suggesting a man who rarely needed to raise his voice to command attention.
He was dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit that accentuated his enormous shoulders, broad chest, and muscular physique. The fitted black suit jacket sat perfectly across his frame, giving him a sophisticated, powerful, and commanding appearance.
Beneath it, he wore a crisp black dress shirt that complemented his dark formal attire and enhanced his mysterious aura. His black trousers were tailored to perfection, creating a sleek seamless silhouette, while his polished black leather shoes completed his elegant appearance.
His suit was expensive, understated, and impeccably fitted, reflecting wealth, authority, and refined masculine elegance.
His large powerful hands rested naturally at his sides while his fingers remained slightly curled, giving him an effortlessly intimidating presence. His posture was upright and unwavering, with his chest held high and his shoulders squared.
His expression remained composed and unreadable while his sharp eyes observed everything around him with quiet calculation.
He possessed the physical presence of a formidable bodyguard, military operative, underground fighter, or influential mafia enforcer who commanded respect without needing to speak.
His handsome features, combined with his immense strength, refined appearance, and controlled aggression, made him appear like a dangerous man who understood the power of silence and knew exactly how to use it.
His overall presence conveyed strength, discipline, intelligence, wealth, and restrained menace, making him look like a man who could walk into any room and command everyone's attention without saying a single word.
Gloria's eyes widened.
"You?" she exclaimed.
"Me?" he replied.
"What are you doing in the boss's office?" Gloria asked.
He chuckled.
"Check the name of the CEO of this company first. That will answer your question," he said.
She opened her tablet and scrolled to the bottom.
The CEO's name was Mr Valen Drakov.
She looked at him.
He smirked.
"Well, let's hope your brother's company makes it well with mine, Kiwi," he remarked.
"Don't call me that again!" Gloria snapped.
"I am your boss. You are my assistant. Don't ever speak to me in that tone if you want to pass, darling," Valen said, stepping closer.
She looked away from him.
"You have a meeting in ten minutes," she informed him.
He bent forward slightly.
"That's a good assistant. Now get me black coffee. No milk, no sugar, just plain," he ordered.
"Ew! Who drinks that?" she whispered.
He smiled as he watched her leave.
THE CEO AND HIS BUSINESS PARTNER
It was 10:00 a.m.
Gloria handed Valen the company file.
"Sir, they're waiting for you in the meeting room," she said.
He stood up and walked past her into the meeting room.
"Panda baby?" Zale called.
"Valen, stop, brother!" Gloria interrupted.
They hugged her.
"Mr Zale," Valen greeted him.
They shook hands.
"Shall we begin?" Zale asked.
They entered the room and began discussing business.
A FAMILY MORNING
Meanwhile, Lilith and Nikolai were awake.
Nikolai left for the office while Lily worked on her group project.
Rhea clung to her mama's leg.
INIYA'S WARNING
Damian and Iniya were on their way to his family house.
"Nervous about your brother?" Damian asked.
"I don't care about him, sir. I just want to give him a warning, a good one at that," she replied angrily.
Damian sped up.
When they arrived at the mansion, Iniya immediately got out of the car.
"Wait for me!" Damian called, following her.
Nitian was standing nearby while talking on the phone.
"OI!!!!!" Iniya shouted.
She attacked him, kicking him in the face.
Then she grabbed a broom and began hitting him.
"How dare you, huh?" Iniya shouted.
"Hey!" Gray exclaimed.
The whole family came downstairs.
Mrs Lata and Mr Rathore came out of their room.
"What the hell?" he exclaimed.
"You shameless, mannerless dog!" Iniya shouted, continuing to beat him.
"Calm down, dear. What happened?" Mrs Lata asked.
"Ask this animal what he did! He keeps sending threats, saying he will destroy my marriage with sir, every single day! I can't sleep, eat, or even stay in peace!" Iniya exclaimed as she continued hitting him.
"Alright, alright! That's enough, Madam Ji!" Damian said, pulling his angry wife away from his stepbrother.
Nirma's forehead was bleeding.
"Learn to respect your sister-in-law, brother. She's my wife, so please have respect for her, hmm?" Damian said mockingly.
Iniya sat down.
Susan gave her water to calm her down.
THE SIGNATURE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Meanwhile, at Tenebris Imperium, Valen read through the papers.
Zale sat nearby while Gloria read the partnership documents.
"Sir," she said, handing him the papers.
He took them.
"Let me make one thing clear to you, Mr Zale. Any form of double-crossing or backstabbing will cost you everything you have, and perhaps your life," Valen warned.
Gloria looked at him.
Zale swallowed hard.
"Of course, Mr Valen," he replied in a trembling voice.
"Good," Valen said.
He finally signed the papers.
"Congratulations," he said as they shook hands.
"We have a room ready for you," Zale informed him.
"I know Mrs Lilith's estate. We are all family friends, right, Kiwi?" Valen asked, looking at Gloria.
Her cheeks burned.
"Hmhmhm," she murmured.
"Really? Wait, what did you just call my sister?" Zale asked.
"Kiwi. I mean, Gloria. Well then, I'll see you all soon," Valen replied before walking out.
Zale turned toward his sister.
"You know him?" he asked.
"I don't want to talk about it, please," she replied, walking away.
"Something is wrong, especially between them," he whispered.
Valen stood in his office, smoking as he stared out at the city.
And somewhere between the secrets of the past, the threats of the present, and the dangerous promises of the future, another story was beginning to unfold.