While Michael trained relentlessly in the rift, preparing to face the powerful rift boss, a very different conversation was unfolding in the nation's capital, far away from the dangers and mysteries of the otherworldly realm. In the heart of the White House, Andrew Corvinus, the head of the powerful Corvinus clan and President of the United States, was seething with frustration.
"How did you lose the whereabouts of a child with no money and no help?!" Andrew's voice was low but laced with fury. His sharp, steel-blue eyes—eerily similar to Michael's—bore into his right-hand man, Thomas, who stood stiffly in front of the president's imposing mahogany desk.
Thomas, dressed in a black suit with matching tie and sunglasses, remained composed despite the tension in the room. "We acted immediately upon hearing of the premature awakening, sir. When we saw the last name, we dispatched our men to the hospital. However, by the time they arrived, the boy had already left with a girl of similar age. There was nothing more we could do, sir."
Andrew leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his slicked-back blonde hair, the same shade as Michael's. He looked every bit the powerful and polished leader, but underneath, a storm of emotions brewed. "I've spent years searching for him, and now that you've found him, you lose him?! We need to retrieve him and put this chapter behind us, Thomas. If the First Lady finds out he's alive, all hell will break loose. Are we absolutely sure about his identity?"
"Yes, sir," Thomas replied with unwavering certainty. "Our agents saw the pendant in his pants pocket while he was asleep and sent a picture of it and the boy over to us. He may be malnourished and poor, but the resemblance is undeniable. He shares your features just as much as your eldest son, young master Adrian." Thomas then handed over a file containing the photos to Andrew.
Andrew's eyes narrowed as he stared at the pictures, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face. "And what else? You mentioned another problem."
Thomas hesitated, his normally unflappable demeanor faltering slightly. "Young Miss Ashley saw the message, sir. The one with the name on the pendant."
Andrew's expression hardened, and he slammed the file shut. "How could you be so careless, Thomas? You've never been this sloppy."
"She was sitting next to me on our way back, and I wasn't expecting such news to come through my personal phone, sir. I'll take full responsibility," Thomas said, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.
Andrew sighed deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Just find him and take care of this. Put out a reward notice—one million dollars for information on a missing orphan named Michael. Make sure to redact the last name. I'll talk to Ashley and clear up her doubts."
As Thomas left to make the necessary calls, Andrew steeled himself for the conversation with his daughter. He walked briskly down the hall to Ashley's room, his mind racing with thoughts of how to contain this potential scandal.
Ashley Corvinus was the youngest of Andrew's acknowledged children, a pair of twins who were both twelve years old—just six months older than Michael. Like the rest of her family, she had the signature blonde hair and cool steel-blue eyes that marked the Corvinus lineage. She was beautiful and poised, already showing signs of the fierce intelligence and ambition that defined her family.
When Andrew knocked on her door, his usual confidence faltered slightly. "Ashley, we need to talk."
"Yes, Father. Come in," Ashley replied, her voice calm and composed.
As Andrew entered the room, he noticed that Ashley's demeanor was colder than usual. She was seated on a meditation cushion, her eyes closed as she focused on expanding her mana pool—a typical practice for someone of her potential. Normally, she would greet him with excitement, eager for the attention of her often-absent father, but today she remained distant.
"I know you saw the message meant for Thomas," Andrew began, sitting on the edge of her bed. "Tell me what you think, and how you feel."
Ashley's eyes remained closed, her voice steady and emotionless. "You cheated on my mother and have an illegitimate child. He looks just like you, Father."
"Yes," Andrew admitted, his tone firm. "Your mother knew about this years ago, but we never found or confirmed his whereabouts until now. Your mother and I worked through this issue long ago, and I ask that you not make it a recent matter." His words carried the weight of authority, a clear indication that this was not up for debate.
Ashley finally opened her eyes, fixing her father with a piercing gaze. "I have no issue, but I want to know—do my brothers know?"
"Only your mother, your grandfather, and I are aware of this," Andrew replied, holding her gaze.
"And what will you do when you find him?" Ashley's tone was neutral, but there was a sharpness in her eyes.
Andrew hesitated for just a moment before responding, "We can't afford a scandal like this, especially considering his mother's identity. He'll disappear from public view, and all will be well."
"You'll kill him to protect yourself from future headaches, no matter how big or small they may be," Ashley said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Andrew felt a pang of guilt but maintained his composure. "Yes. It's better for things like this to remain in the dark. You may not understand now, but if you fight for the right to inherit, you'll see that choices like this are made all the time."
He stood up, moving towards the door, not wanting to linger in the uncomfortable silence that followed. He had expected some resistance from Ashley, but the coldness in her response unsettled him.
As he reached the door, Ashley's voice stopped him. "Father, one more thing."
Andrew turned to face her, his hand on the doorknob.
"Am I expendable too?" she asked, her voice as cold as ice.
Andrew's heart clenched, but he masked it with a stern expression. "You're my daughter. Focus on your training and your future, Ashley. That's what matters."
With that, he left the room, leaving Ashley alone with her thoughts.
Once the door closed, Ashley resumed her meditation, but her mind was far from peaceful. Father is more dangerous than I thought. If he will kill this bastard child, then we are all just expendable. I need to fight to become the heir; otherwise, he might sell me off.
Her thoughts were cold and calculated, just like her father's. She understood now that in the Corvinus family, only the strong and ruthless survived. With renewed determination, she closed her eyes, focusing on expanding her mana pool. There was no room for weakness—not in this family.