The early morning air in the private maple forest carried a quiet stillness, broken only by the rhythmic sound of breath and movent. Sunlight filtered softly through the tall trees, scattering golden light across the damp ground. The scent of earth and leaves lingered in the air, fresh and calm, untouched by the chaos that ruled the cities beyond.
Miles was already deep into his routine.
His palms pressed firmly against the ground, muscles tightening and releasing with each controlled push up. Sweat traced along his jaw and neck, falling onto the forest floor beneath him. His breathing remained steady, disciplined, almost chanical, as if his body had long morized every motion.
At the entrance of the villa, the gates opened quietly.
Olivia stepped in, dressed simply, her hair tied loosely as if she had just stepped out without much thought. The guard greeted her with a nod, already familiar with her presence by now.
She walked past the main path and into the forest, following the faint sounds until her eyes found him.
She paused for a mont.
Watching.
A faint smile ford on her lips as she leaned slightly against a tree.
"I can imagine how you are built under your clothes."
Miles did not stop.
His voice ca out steady between breaths.
"Do you not know it is not a good thing to look under anyone’s clothes?"
Olivia chuckled softly.
"I said imagining, not seeing."
Miles completed his set, pushing himself up one last ti before rising to his feet. He grabbed the towel beside him and wiped the sweat from his face, his eyes briefly shifting toward her.
"So, out on a morning walk?"
Olivia folded her arms casually.
"Kind of. Grandma does not let sleep after sunrise."
Miles let out a small breath, almost amused.
"Discipline follows in the family then."
Olivia tilted her head slightly.
"You can say that. Grandpa is more strict though."
That word made Miles pause.
He straightened fully, the towel resting around his neck as his expression shifted slightly, sothing more serious replacing the calm.
"I forgot to tell you sothing."
Olivia’s gaze sharpened.
"What is it?"
Miles looked at her directly.
"We found your grandfather."
For a mont, the world seed to stop around her.
"What... where?"
Miles spoke calmly, as if trying to ground the storm rising in her.
"He was being held captive in an abandoned factory in Citadel."
Olivia’s fists clenched instantly, her jaw tightening.
"What?"
Her voice carried disbelief, anger, fear, all at once.
"Where is he now?"
Miles picked up his water bottle and took a slow sip before answering.
"The factory was burned to ashes last night."
"Along with the people who held him."
Her breathing grew heavier, but she did not interrupt.
"Your grandfather is on his way to Star Harbor. He should be here within a few hours."
Olivia stood still, absorbing everything.
Then slowly, she exhaled.
"Thank you..."
Her voice softened, genuine.
"Thank you for saving him."
Miles shook his head lightly.
"Do not ntion it."
He looked at her for a mont.
"Just tell your grandmother not to worry. He will be here soon."
Olivia nodded, her eyes still carrying the weight of what she had just heard.
"I will."
A small smile appeared.
"Thank you... really."
A brief silence passed between them before her expression shifted again, curiosity returning.
"You know martial arts, right?"
Miles raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I am trained well."
Olivia’s eyes lit up just a little.
"Have you heard about the Ancient Martial Art Clans?"
Miles looked at her more carefully now.
"Yes."
"Why are you asking?"
Olivia blinked, surprised.
"Wait, you really know?"
Miles gave a small nod.
"I do. Which clan are you talking about?"
Olivia leaned forward slightly, excitent mixing with her words.
"Phoenix Clan. My grandpa told about it."
Miles lifted the bottle again, taking another sip.
"Your grandfather is lucky."
He lowered the bottle slowly.
"So what do you want to know about them?"
Olivia smiled faintly, her gaze drifting as mories surfaced.
"When I was a teenager, I t a girl from the Phoenix Clan. She said she was out for training."
Her lips curved slightly.
"I challenged her."
"I lost. Very easily."
Miles listened quietly.
"She was strong. Really strong."
Her eyes returned to him.
"I want to et her again. I want to challenge her once more."
Miles took another sip of water, then asked casually.
"What is her na?"
Olivia answered without hesitation.
"Clarissa."
The mont the na left her lips, Miles suddenly choked on the water.
He coughed, turning slightly as he tried to regain control.
Olivia stepped forward instantly.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Miles waved his hand, catching his breath.
"You said Clarissa?"
Olivia nodded.
"Yes. Do you know her?"
Miles let out a quiet breath, a strange expression forming on his face.
"Of course you lost to her."
Olivia frowned slightly.
"What do you an?"
Miles looked at her, almost amused now.
"She is the Clan Supre."
Olivia froze.
"Clan... Supre?"
Miles nodded.
"She does not just run the Phoenix Clan."
"She leads all the Ancient Clans."
Olivia’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"What...?"
She took a step back, trying to process it.
"She is that strong?"
Miles gave a small nod.
"You should forget about fighting her."
Olivia shook her head imdiately, a stubborn spark in her eyes.
"No."
Her voice was firm now.
"I still want to try."
A small smile appeared.
"Win or lose does not matter."
She looked at him.
"I looked up to her since that day."
A brief silence followed.
"Can you help et her?"
Miles sighed quietly, then nodded.
"Alright."
"I will ask soone to send her a ssage."
Olivia crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Can you not talk to her directly?"
Miles looked away for a mont.
"It is... complicated."
Olivia smirked faintly.
"There is sothing between you two, right?"
Miles shook his head slightly.
"I ssed up during her groom selection ceremony."
Olivia blinked.
Then laughed softly.
"That sounds interesting."
She waved her hand casually.
"Anyway, it is fine. Just ask soone to pass the ssage."
She looked at him again, a teasing smile forming.
"You have quite the connections, man."
Miles did not respond, only giving a faint smile.
Olivia turned and began walking back toward the villa, her steps lighter now, her mind already racing to share the news with her grandmother.
Miles watched her leave for a mont.
Then he exhaled slowly.
The forest returned to its quiet state once more.
He picked up the bottle again, taking one last sip before setting it aside.
For once, there were no urgent calls.
No imdiate threats.
No chaos demanding his attention.
He walked back toward the villa, his body finally easing.
Today, he allowed himself sothing rare.
Rest.
The news spread like wildfire across the city of Vespera
Every channel, every screen, every passing conversation carried the sa headline.
The abandoned factory on the outskirts had burned down in the dead of night.
Inside the Mordecai Mansion, the atmosphere was nothing like the calm exterior it presented to the world.
A glass shattered against the marble floor.
Water spread across the polished surface, dripping slowly toward the edges.
Jax Mordecai stood in front of a row of n, his expression dark, his patience gone.
Several of them stood with their heads bowed, not daring to look up.
"Damn it..."
His voice was low, but it carried enough weight to make the room feel smaller.
"Where the hell were all of you last night?"
No one answered.
His eyes moved across them, sharp and unforgiving.
"Why did I not hear anything about this?"
Still silence.
His jaw tightened.
"Good for nothing."
One of the n shifted slightly, gathering the courage to speak.
"Boss... we tried to reach them, but we cannot contact a single one of our n who were stationed there."
Jax’s gaze snapped toward him.
The man swallowed.
"The matter has already reached the police... we do not know if the old man is alive... or dead."
The words hung in the air.
Heavy.
Uncertain.
Jax’s fingers curled slightly, controlling the anger that threatened to spill over again.
Before he could respond, the door opened.
A house help stepped in carefully.
"Excuse , boss... Captain Linus from Vespera Police Departnt is here to et you."
Jax’s expression changed instantly.
The anger faded.
Replaced by composure.
A controlled calm.
"Get out."
His voice was cold.
The n did not wait for a second command. They left quickly, one after another, disappearing from the room.
Jax adjusted his coat slightly and nodded toward the house help.
"Let him in."
A few monts later, a man in uniform stepped inside.
Captain Linus.
His eyes scanned the room briefly before settling on Jax.
"Hello, Mr. Mordecai."
Jax smiled politely, as if nothing had happened monts ago.
"Captain, please have a seat. How can I help you?"
Linus did not sit imdiately.
His gaze lingered on the direction where the n had exited.
"Were those your n who just left?"
Jax did not hesitate.
"They work in my dicine plant."
Linus gave a small nod, though his expression remained unreadable.
"Interesting choice for employees."
A faint pause.
"They looked more like street goons to ."
Jax’s smile remained.
Linus continued.
"Anyway, I am not here for that."
He stepped forward slightly.
"You are aware that your old abandoned factory burned down last night?"
Jax nodded.
"I heard the news this morning. I was actually planning to rebuild it before this happened."
Linus watched him closely.
"You do not have any clue what caused it?"
"No."
A simple answer.
Linus tilted his head slightly.
"Do you have any suspicion on anyone?"
Jax let out a small breath.
"I have no enemies, Captain."
Linus studied him for a mont, then spoke again.
"We found thirteen bodies inside the factory."
Jax’s eyes widened, just enough to look convincing.
"Thirteen?"
Linus continued.
"All of them burned beyond recognition."
"Your security guard is also missing."
Jax frowned.
"I am afraid he might be one of them."
Jax shook his head slowly, as if trying to process it.
"How can there be so many people in an abandoned factory?"
Linus’s gaze remained steady.
"That is exactly what we are trying to find out."
A brief silence followed.
Then Linus stepped back.
"If you do not know anything, I will not trouble you further for now."
He adjusted his cap slightly.
"I will return if we find sothing."
Jax nodded.
"Of course, Captain."
Then added, with just the right amount of concern,
"If you find anything about my security guard, please let know."
His tone softened.
"He was the only earning mber of his family."
Linus gave a small nod.
"Take care, Mr. Mordecai."
Without another word, he turned and walked out.
The door closed behind him.
The room fell silent again.
Jax stood still for a mont.
Then his expression snapped.
"Damn it."
His voice echoed through the room.
He pulled out his phone imdiately and dialed a number.
The call connected.
"Hello... Chief Lin."
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