Episode 2 – The First Night

Kai felt the blood drain from his face.

"They're... looking for me?"

The guard lowered his head. "Yes, sir."

The entrance hall fell silent. The sound of the alarms echoed through the mansion, making Kai's heartbeat even louder.

Adrian's expression remained calm, but his eyes grew sharp.

"Ethan."

Within seconds, Ethan Brooks stepped forward.

"Yes, sir."

"Double the security. Lock every entrance. No one enters or leaves without my permission."

"Understood."

The guards quickly disappeared, carrying out Adrian's orders.

Kai stood frozen, unable to understand what was happening.

"I don't know those people," he said quietly. "I've never done anything to anyone."

Adrian looked at him for a long moment.

"I believe you."

Those three words surprised Kai.

"You... do?"

"If you were hiding something, your reaction would be different."

Kai looked away.

He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or more confused.

Adrian turned toward the large window overlooking the front gate.

Flashing red and blue security lights painted the garden outside.

"This wasn't random," Adrian said.

"They planned this attack."

Kai slowly walked closer.

"Then why me?"

Adrian didn't answer immediately.

"That's what I intend to find out."

---

An hour later, the mansion had finally become quiet again.

Most of the guards remained outside, searching the grounds for clues.

Kai sat alone in the enormous living room.

The silence felt heavier than before.

His phone buzzed.

It was a message from an unknown number.

> Congratulations on your marriage.

Enjoy your new home while you still can.

Kai's hands trembled.

Before he could show Adrian, the message disappeared by itself.

"What..."

He checked again.

Nothing.

As if it had never existed.

A cold chill ran down his spine.

---

Meanwhile, inside his private office, Adrian studied the security footage.

The attackers had worn black masks.

Not a single face was visible.

"They knew exactly where the cameras were," Ethan said.

"They avoided every blind spot."

Adrian folded his arms.

"This wasn't the work of amateurs."

Ethan nodded.

"Do you think Victor Kane is behind it?"

Adrian remained silent.

Victor had been trying to destroy Ashford Group for years.

Business meetings had become battles.

Every contract was a competition.

Every success came with another hidden attack.

But this...

This felt personal.

"If Victor is involved," Adrian said quietly, "he wants something more valuable than money."

---

Near midnight, Adrian left his office.

As he passed the guest room, he noticed the door was slightly open.

Kai had fallen asleep on the sofa instead of using the bedroom prepared for him.

A blanket had slipped onto the floor.

For a moment, Adrian simply stood there.

Then, without waking him, he picked up the blanket and gently placed it over Kai's shoulders.

Kai stirred slightly but didn't wake.

Adrian turned off the lamp and quietly closed the door.

Outside the mansion, hidden among the trees, a man lowered his binoculars.

A small smile appeared on his face.

"So," he whispered into his phone.

"The marriage is real."

A cold voice answered from the other end.

"Good."

"Phase One is complete."

The call ended.

The stranger disappeared into the darkness, leaving only one question behind.

Who was truly pulling the strings from the shadows?

End of Episode 2 🖤

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