Viktor Blackwood rode silently through the winding roads back to the Blackwood Estate, his mind occupied with the events of the day. The weight of Alaric's plans and the encounter at the meeting point with the Nightfangs still lingered in his thoughts, his mind racing as he replayed every detail. Lilith's unexpected collapse, the tense atmosphere, and Alaric's calculated dominance had shaken him more than he wanted to admit.
As the gates of the Blackwood Estate loomed ahead, Viktor exhaled deeply, steeling himself for what awaited inside. The estate was still, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. He entered the grand foyer, the familiar creak of the doors signaling his arrival. Almost immediately, Evelyn appeared at the top of the staircase, her eyes searching his face for answers.
"Father!" Evelyn called out, hurrying down the stairs to meet him. "What happened? You look… disturbed."
