"If you've got nothing

He was keen to find Ariana as quickly as possible. Any interference from Zayden was a nuisance he could do without.

“Wow, short memory, huh?" Zayden shook his head, amusement in his smile, lowering his hands. He stepped closer to Theodore, whispering, “Didn't I just mention? My visit to Eleymond was to meet my sister-in-law."

Suddenly, a wave of unease crashed over Theodore. Realization struck him and anger surged, hot and fast. Before he knew it, his hands had latched onto Zayden's collar, his forehead pulsating with veins.

"Don't you dare touch her!"

“Why shouldn't I?" Zayden's laugh held an edge of malice. His smile stayed, yet his eyes were devoid of amusement.

He lazily noted, "I did promise our grandfather to not harm our own people. But Ariana, she's an Anderson. She has never even graced our home with her presence.

She's not one of us."

His smile broadened, taking pleasure in Theodore's visible anger.

"My boys tracked her down to the ruins. I chose a man to follow her. He's got some steam to let off.

I'm sure he'll entertain her well. Do you appreciate my gift?”

His laughter erupted again, only to be cut short when Theodore slammed him onto the car hood. Zayden started coughing violently from the shock.

With one hand pressing Zayden down, Theodore's other hand surprisingly held a gun.

The bodyguards froze when they noticed, their own weapons already trained on Theodore.

Zayden could only whimper, his throat constricted around the gun barrel. The tableau held, nobody moved, nobody dared.

Theodore's eyes bore into Zayden’s.

"Speak again, and I'll add another bullet hole to your body."

At the same time, amidst the ruins of the fire, a group of men were hammering away at a door, trying to break it down.

Inside, Ariana braced herself against the door, breath coming in labored gasps as she fought to keep the barrier shut.

Just five minutes earlier, she had sensed trouble. She had quickly dimmed her phone and hidden in the shadows. When a man approached, she sprang, using her crutch as an impromptu weapon.