?Chapter 1530:


    The study slipped back into silence, the air still faintly sharp with the metallic scent of blood from William’s wound.


    William sat alone behind the desk, his eyes fixed on the bandage at his side. Jewell’s words kept circling in his head. He remembered the open worry in Ste’s eyes earlier, the way her gaze had lingered. His lips pressed together as his expression hardened.


    He shut his eyes and brought his palm down hard on the rosewood desk.


    Could he still love her?


    How could he ever love a woman who had betrayed him and walked away? Ste had deceived him again and again, using what little trust he had left to pass information to Marc. Was he really supposed to believe her again — simply because she had shown concern and panic today?


    A rush of bitterness surged through him, washing away the brief hesitation from moments before. What he felt for her was not love. It was hatred. Hatred, and nothing else. He kept her close only for revenge, and for no other reason.


    Everything Jewell said had to be wrong.


    He repeated this to himself, his breathing turning uneven as anger burned behind his eyes.


    At that moment, a soft knock came from the study door — so light it could have been missed without listening closely. William pulled himself from his thoughts, his stare locking onto the door as though sheer will could pierce through it. After a few seconds passed without an answer, the person outside knocked again, just as softly.


    Ste stood in the corridor, her heart pounding hard against her ribs. She had heard Jewell leave, and she hade to check. She did not step inside. Instead, she leaned close to the door and spoke quietly. “William, are you okay?”


    His breath stuttered. Emotions swirled behind his bloodshot eyes — anger tangling with confusion and disbelief, twisting together until they blurred into something he could not name. He did not answer, remaining seated in heavy silence.


    Outside, she waited. The room stayed painfully quiet, as though it were empty. She bit her lip, lowered her hand, and turned away. In the corridor, moonlight stretched her shadow long and thin, making her figure look fragile against the dark.


    Inside the study, William remained where he was, still as stone.


    I?????????e ??о??????с?? ???? ???????o??е????.????m


    Choriay wrapped in night, the city swallowed by deep silence. But somewhere far away, the afternoon sun zed brightly.


    Inside a mercenary base hidden deep in the jungle, a massive electronic screen disyed countless surveince feeds. Arlo stood before it with his hands sped behind his back, his sharp eyes glinting with cold intent.


    One of the men smuggled into Choria had just called, reporting that their negotiation with William had copsed. “General, we met with William, but he refused to let the cargo stay at the port — and he attacked us,” the man said, his voice tight with suppressed pain. “We are injured.” He carefully omitted the fact that he had stabbed William first, sharing only what cast William in the worst possible light.


    Arlo gave a low chuckle, his expression empty of warmth. “He rejected you outright?”


    “Yes. We told him it would only be temporary, but he still refused,” the man replied quickly. “General, it feels as though he does not take you seriously — as though he believes that since you are not in Choria, you cannot reach him.”


    The chill in Arlo’s eyes deepened. That lion was proving far harder to control than expected. First, the altered memories had produced no effect, and now his demand had been rejected outright. It seemed the hardships William had endured at the base had done nothing to wear down his natural strength or pride.


    Arlo’s voice remained calm, without a trace of anger. “I sent you to convince William. Since you failed, there is no reason for you to remain there.”


    The man on the other end froze, panic flooding his voice. “General, this was not our fault — it is William, he cannot be controlled!”


    “You failed because you are useless.”


    Arlo ended the call without pause and quietly instructed the others to deal with the aftermath. He stood in silence for a long moment, then turned his gaze toward the dense green canopy beyond the window. “Young people only learn who holds real power after they have suffered enough,” he murmured. Since William believed he could break free from his control and ignore his warnings, he had no one to me if things turned ugly.


    Arlo turned to the subordinate standing quietly behind him. “Tell Viper to send William a gift — one that reminds him who truly holds the power.”


    The subordinate bowed slightly. “Understood, General.”


    .


    .


    .