One hour earlier
Leora took the teddy bear from Isaac. She handed it to the gate guard at the stronghold’s market.
“Deliver it to the house,” she said, passing him a note with the address.
The man gave a short nod and jogged off.
Leora didn’t return immediately. Instead, she pulled out her device. It was a rectangular, thin slab rather than a wristwatch. She tapped a name and waited for two rings.
“Miss Eleanor,” came Lucius Calloway’s voice. “Seems like you got the news already.”
“I did.”
There was a pause.
“If you can, could you tell me what exactly happened? I did get a overview of the situation from my people, but it’s rather obvious they are painting Isaac in bad light, and Selene in a good one.”
She told him everything without softening the facts.
Lucius listened in silence.
When she finished, he let out a long sigh.
“Selene… how could you.”
Leora spoke again. “Isaac wants to meet you. He’s going to try to take Alice with him. Away from Calloway.”
Lucius murmured something to himself. “Maybe that’s the answer.”
His voice had lost its usual steadiness.
“Despite having the skills to start a new business by herself, she is trying to stay in the hostile environment of the Conglomerate to repay us for everything that has been given to her. She’s chained by the responsibilities.”
He was quiet for a moment longer, then added, “The problem is, even if I let her go… I don’t know if she’ll agree to leave.
“And I can’t give her to someone just because he feels strongly. Not unless I’m sure he’s capable. Not unless I know he’s more than just another overconfident talent.”
…
Present
Lucius sat calmly, his hands resting on the polished desk.
“You’ve been going on about taking Alice away,” he said, eyes on Isaac. “But have you asked her what she wants? Has she even agreed?”
The room stilled.
Alice shifted in her seat. Her fingers trembled ever so slightly, resting against the chair’s arms.
Isaac reached under the table and gently squeezed her hand.
“I—”
“I’ve had enough of this farce,” Lucius said suddenly, cutting her off. “Let’s say I’m on Alice’s side. Let’s say I even ignore what you did to Selene, and she brought it on herself. Still. How could I let Alice go with you?”
His gaze sharpened.
“So far, all I’ve heard from you are criticisms. Faults. Shortcomings. But what about you?”
He leaned forward.
“What makes you worth trusting? Don’t talk to me about potential. Potential means nothing. I’ve seen too many talented people being buried after they thought they were destined for greatness.
“I’m not interested in your future power. I want proof of your competence now.”
Isaac said nothing. He waited.
Lucius didn’t look away.
“Here’s the deal,” he said. “Earn ten billion Obols in one week. Without help from the Sanctum of Masters.”
Leora inhaled quietly.
Alice’s was shocked, but she remained silent.
Isaac had humiliated Selene in public. The news would’ve spread by now and everyone in the market would know.
Every merchant wold think Calloway was now targeting Isaac. Even if they liked money, no one wanted to risk being blacklisted by the Calloway.
And since Sanctum won’t openly support Isaac due to Lucius’ terms, no merchant would want to do business with Isaac.
By the time he found a distributor, one week would’ve been long gone.
“Now, tell me, can you prove yourself, or are you all bark nor bite?”
He expected hesitation, or a demand to lower the amount. Maybe even some prideful protest.
But Isaac only smiled.
A quiet, confident smile that didn’t match the pressure of the challenge.
Lucius blinked.
Isaac had been leading everything towards this moment.
It was all for Lucius’ permission.
“That’s good enough for me,” Isaac said. “When do the seven days start?”
Lucius turned slightly, looking out the tall window. The sky had dimmed.
“Tomorrow.”
“Then let’s write up a contract.”
Lucius studied him for a few seconds. Then, without a word, he pressed a button on the desk.
Margaret entered.
“Draft a contract for one week. Isaac needs to earn ten billion Obols. He would take no support from the Sanctum. If he succeeds and Alice agrees to go with him, he gets to take her.”
Margaret nodded and left.
Ten minutes later, two copies of the contract were laid out. Both men signed them without delay.
As Isaac, Alice, and Leora left, Lucius remained seated.
He looked at the signed contract for a while.
Then he smiled, just a little.
“He’s more clever than Alice gave him credit for,” he said softly.
Margaret returned to his side, eyes flicking between the papers and the door.
“Sir… the contract says that if Isaac fulfills the condition and Alice agrees, she’ll go with him. Does that mean they’re going to be married?”
“Marriage already?” Lucius chuckled under his breath. “But yes, I thinks so. They’re old enough. And she’s liked him since long ago. It’s obvious he cares for her too.”
Margaret blinked.
“But Isaac already has a girlfriend.”
“…What?”
Lucius turned to her slowly.
“The Evil Sword told me.”
Lucius sighed, rubbing his temple. “Of course she did. That woman can detect a lie but tells them every other breath. Never trust anything she says unless it’s stamped and sealed.”
He stood.
“I’m going to see Selene. Where is she now?”
“In the medical ward.”
They rode the lift down in silence. Two guards opened the medical suite’s doors without a word.
The room was more lavish than most wealthy peoples’ home. It had gold fixtures, clean tiles, a private mana-field generator quietly humming in the corner.
Selene was lying on the bed. Bandages covered her nose and upper cheeks. Her eyes were open, but she didn’t speak.
Lucius walked in and gestured for everyone else to leave. Margaret stayed by the door outside.
Selene looked ready to speak, probably to defend herself.
“I heard what happened.”
Selene’s mouth clamped shut. He knew everything already. There was no way her lies would work.
He sat beside her with a disappointed look in his eyes.
Minutes passed.
Then, finally, he spoke.
“Selene… what did I do wrong?”
Her brows furrowed.
Lucius continued quietly. “Was I too soft? Was I too absent? Did I raise you wrong because I couldn’t give you a mother?”
She opened her mouth.
But no words came out.
She realized he wasn’t disappointed with her, but with himself.
Lucius looked forward, not at her. “Alice is struggling. Just days ago, she received news that shattered her. She’s hanging on by threads, and yet… you insult her behind her back.”
His voice lowered.
“I don’t care what excuse you have. I care that you’re hurting your sister when she needs help most.”
“Dad—” Her voice cracked. The weight of her actions was settling in.
He didn’t look at her.
“Was it really about the chairmanship? Were you trying to humiliate her so no one would follow her?”
“No! I didn’t—!” she tried.
“Then maybe you should’ve just assassinated me and taken my place.”
She froze.
That line struck deep. Her thoughts scattered. Her pride cracked.
Tears fell silently as she realized how deeply she’d hurt him.
Lucius stood without another word and walked out.
Margaret was waiting in the hall. She fell into step beside him.
“Was that really necessary?”
“Yes,” Lucius said. “I spoiled her too much. Maybe this should’ve happened years ago.”
…
Isaac POV
The jeep’s engine rumbled as it carried them through the dirt-streaked roads of Akaza Ruin.
The sky overhead had settled into a cool orange, and the breeze outside the windows carried the scent of dust and growing things.
Inside the vehicle, Isaac turned slightly to face Alice.
“I hope you are okay with staying at my house?” he asked.
Alice gave a small nod.
Her expression remained calm, but inside, everything was a mess. Her heart was hammering so hard she barely registered Isaac’s words.
Her thoughts kept circling back to Isaac, walking into Calloway Conglomerate, standing before her uncle without a hint of hesitation.
That man wasn’t just a chairman; he was a storm in human skin. Almost no one could maintain their composure in front of him.
And yet, Isaac had looked him straight in the eye for her.
Recalling it made Alice feel strangely happy.
Alice shifted her gaze out the window. She needed the wind on her skin. Something to cool the warmth spreading through her chest.
Up front, Professor Catherine caught the flicker of emotions in Alice’s eyes through the rearview mirror.
A knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
Then she glanced at Isaac.
“So,” she said, “what exactly did you mean earlier, when you told Lucius you’d ’take Alice’?”
“It’s simple. I’ve been thinking about starting my own business. Since I’ll be growing more crops, it doesn’t make sense to hand them off to someone else and lose profit every time. It’s better to sell directly.”
He continued with a relaxed tone.
“With Alice handling the accounts, and her business skills, I figured we could get started right away.”
Catherine chuckled softly. “Ah, so what you really meant was you’d take her away from the conglomerate and give her a job.”
“Exactly.”
Alice blinked. That warmth from earlier? It was doused like a candle in rain.
She turned sharply to Isaac. “So when you said you’d take me… you were offering me a job?”
“Why, did it sound like I meant something else?” Isaac smirked.
Alice’s jaw tightened.
The way he said it, the glint in his eye… he knew. He absolutely knew what she’d thought.
Shameless, she thought. Utterly shameless.
She turned her face toward the window, not looking at Isaac anymore.
Professor Catherine coughed into her fist, trying to muffle her laugh.