The ornate, heavy gates swung open, and the luxury car drove slowly toward the medieval-style European castle.


    Once the car stopped, Hans and Alexia both got out and stood respectfully, waiting.


    Chad stepped out, his handsome face devoid of expression. His eyes were dark and intimidating, concealing a sharp edge. He walked with a steady, confident gait, looking no different from Thaddeus. Just before exiting the car, he''d had Alexia inject him with a new RC-developed adrenaline shot. He refused to appear as a sickly invalid in front of *that* man; he had to look his best.


    "This is a private residence. Please stop here."


    Heavily armed guards stood outside, dressed in sharp suits and white gloves, blocking their path.


    Chad''s eyes glinted with cold disdain. A smirk yed on his lips as he reached into his coat and produced a gold-trimmed card, holding it out for the guards to


    see.


    The two guards nced down at the card, and their expressions changed instantly. They bowed in unison at a perfect ny-degree angle. "Wee, honored guest! Please forgive us for the dy. This way, please!"


    Alexia watched as the once-stone-faced guards became utterly deferential. Following behind Chad, she felt a surge of pride. At the same time, her curiosity was piqued by the card he had shown them-it was a custom-made, golden ying card, exquisitely engraved and embedded with a precious ruby.


    The card was the King of Hearts.


    A server led the three of them into the castle. Hans remained impassive, but Alexia couldn''t help but steal nces around, marveling at the outrageouslyvish decor. She tried to keep her expression neutral, afraid of embarrassing Chad with herck of worldliness. She had, after all, frequented Windermere Estate with Elspeth as a girl and had seen Chad''s own magnificent, traditional estate in Country M.


    But this ce... it made her realize just how limited her horizons were.


    Everywhere she looked, there were original masterpieces, famous paintings, and priceless antiques, glimmering in the dim light. Any single item could fetch tens of millions at auction.


    "Sir, where... are we?" Alexia finally whispered, unable to contain her curiosity as she followed closely behind him.


    Chad stared straight ahead, his voice as cold as a winter wind. "The KING CLUB."


    At the name, even the nonchnt


    Hans paused, his expression shifting. In his years working for Chad, he had heard whispers of the KING CLUB from powerful figures in other countries. The rumors said that money alone couldn''t buy you a membership; you needed family background, power, and influence.


    So, this was the ce.


    "Here," Chad said, a strange, unsettling smile gracing his lips, "there is nothing you can''t buy, no desire that can''t be fulfilled. It


    does<fn865e> Follow current nov?ls on FindN0vel</fn865e>


    far beyond the limits of an ordinary


    person''s imagination."


    Alexia was stunned. "Then the ying card in your hand... is it an invitation?"


    "It''s a symbol of status."


    "And the King of Hearts means...?"


    Chad''s face was as dark as ink. "Jack, Queen, King, and Ace represent the tiers of membership here. Jack is the lowest, and Ace is the highest. Among the four suits, Spades is the most revered."


    Alexia smiled in adoration. "I knew it! No matter where we go, Sir''s status is always a cut above the rest, truly exceptional!"


    Hans, with his hands in his pockets,


    shot the suck-up a look as if she


    were an idiot. "Did you not hear a


    word he just said? He said there''s an Ace above in and the Ace of and


    Spades is the most po


    of all.


    That''s the most honored person here."


    Alexia shot him a hateful re.