"Reporting live from the Asteria Skyhaven airport where an explosion has just occurred. The cause is still unknown but the rescue teams arrived moments ago, and the evacuation of civilians is underway." The reporter's voice trembled slightly, conveying the urgency and chaos unfolding behind her. The night air was thick with the blaring sounds of police sirens and ambulances, their blue and red lights casting eerie shadows across the scene. Injured people were being dragged out of the wreckage, some walking with difficulty while others were carried on stretchers.
The airport, now a battleground of confusion, was filled with the frantic activity of rescue workers and the desperate cries of the wounded. Reporters scrambled to capture the scene from every angle, their cameras zooming in on the crumbled building and the raging inferno that consumed everything in its path. They pushed microphones into the faces of anyone who seemed willing to talk, trying to piece together the horror story for their viewers.
Amidst the pandemonium stood a man in a black suit, a black mask obscuring his features. He watched the chaos with a calm, detached gaze, his eyes cold and unfeeling. The blue and red lights reflected off a healed scar on his left eyebrow, a mark that ran through his forehead, adding to his stern appearance. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he lifted it to his ear. Pulling down the mask he wore revealing a face marked by sharp features and a serious demeanor. His jaw was sharp, his nose pointy, and despite his youth—appearing to be in his late twenties—there was a hardness to his expression that spoke of experience and ruthlessness.
"We found nothing. He got away," Kiera reported, his voice devoid of emotion.
"You have made a mess! I told you to keep it low, and look, you blew up an airport!" The voice on the other end was agitated, seething with anger.
Kiera's fist curled up in frustration. "My apologies, Master. I messed up this time," he said in a dejected tone, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene in front of him.
"Get your *ss out of there now! Get the men and disappear! Leave the place clean so no one traces it back to us!" The command was sharp, leaving no room for error.
"Yes, Master," Kiera replied, his voice maintaining its monotonous calm. He ended the call, tucking the phone back into his pocket and turned his head away to leave. In that very moment, from within the burning building, a stretcher emerged carrying a slim, unconscious body. The fragile, pale hand dangled lifelessly, and a bruised face with short hair drenched in sweat clung to his forehead. The boy looked dead.
Meanwhile, Viviana's secretary, Suzi, reached the mansion to report the recent occurrence to Alister. He was still seated at the dining table, even though the food had long been cleared away. He waited patiently as Suzi walked in. Alister gave her a brief look before asking, "Where is she?"
"Chairman, Miss Viviana went to see Mr. Nico. She had something important to discuss with him—" Suzi was interrupted by a loud slam as Alister's hand struck the table, causing her to jump in fright. The cold, gloomy aura surrounding Alister was already intimidating, and now his outburst made her heartbeat skyrocket.
Alister, a scary-looking old man, always wore a frown on his brows. His soft and warm side was reserved only for Viviana; to the world, he was a demon in disguise. "That useless brat! How many times have I told Viviana to leave that b*st*rd, but she wouldn't listen! Someday he will be the end of her, and she won't even know it!" he shouted, his face turning pink and the veins on his forehead bulging out. Suzi lowered her head and clenched her teeth tightly, feeling her back dampen with sweat.
"Take me to his place! I have to deal with him today!" Alister demanded, standing up from his chair.
"Chairman, about that," Suzi made a great effort to speak up, and Alister paused for a moment to look in her direction. "Say what you want to say."
"Mr. Nico seems to be having an affair with one of Miss Viviana's friends. She went to him to break things off today. I think we should let her do it on her own terms," Suzi said, biting her lip and hoping she hadn't overstepped.
Alister's brow lifted. "He did what?"
"He—he cheated on her," Suzi rephrased, her voice trembling.
"Hah! That b*st*rd!" Alister's hand tightened, and he took heavy breaths to calm his nerves. The butler quickly came to his side with his medicines. "Master, please calm down. Your health is already deteriorating," the old butler, who seemed more frail than Alister, tried to soothe him.
"How dare they hurt my child?! They think they can treat her however they please? I will make them pay for it!" Alister hissed, rising to his full height. He was a six-foot-two tall man who had kept himself in shape, ensuring he never appeared weak even as his health declined. In his left hand, he carried a tall black leather-coated walking stick, more a tool for a fight than for support.
"Call that b*st*rd's father. I need to know if he's willing to pull him out of his will or if I should make their company kiss the ground before the next sunrise," Alister commanded. The butler lowered his head in an affirming nod, ready to carry out his orders.
Alister left the mansion in a hurry. The butler called for Alister's car, and it rolled to the front of the mansion's grand entrance in no time. The estate was vast, resembling a palace where not a single soul could enter or leave without Alister's command. The butler quickly opened the car door for him. Alister marched forward to get in but paused, turning around to find Suzi standing behind the other servants.
"What are you doing back there? Get in!" he ordered, his voice booming. Suzi gulped nervously, her throat dry, and nodded before hurrying down the stairs, following him into the car.