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Chapter 11 - Chapter Eleven:The Storm within

The matriarch of the Denvair family coughed lightly, her frail hand trembling as she wiped sweat from her brow. Her voice, though commanding in tone, quivered with fear. "Don't panic. Stay calm!"

But the shaky cadence of her breath betrayed her. Her unease was palpable, and for good reason. The fate of the Denvair family lay in the hands of the Malavant family, and now their enforcer, the infamous Devil Deven, had arrived, encircling the estate with a small army.

Deven stepped forward, his towering presence overshadowing the terrified family. His voice was cold and resolute: "Today is everyone's last day."

The matriarch's knees buckled, her frailty almost sending her to the ground. Were it not for Eldrin Denvair's quick reflexes, she might have collapsed altogether.

Through trembling lips, she addressed Deven. "Deven, Denvair family is not your enmity . Why would you want to exterminate us?"

Eldrin and Celeste Denvair quickly chimed in, desperate to shift blame.

"It's all Kael Renforth's doing! That cursed man brought disaster to our doorstep!"

"Yes, Deven, we had nothing to do with this!"

Deven's icy glare silenced them both. "Nothing to do with you?" His lips curled into a sneer. "Your family dared to send someone into the Malavant house to kill Valen Malavant? Even wiping out your entire line wouldn't be punishment enough!"

A wave of disbelief swept over the Denvair family.

"Deven, you must be mistaken!" Eldrin stammered. "We wouldn't dare attack Valen Malavant, much less in his own home!"

Unmoved, Deven pulled out a stack of photographs, flinging them at Eldrin's face. "Then explain this!"

The topmost photo depicted Kael Renforth wielding a knife, driving it toward Valen Malavant's throat.

Eldrin's face drained of color. "He… he really did it," he whispered hoarsely. But a spark of self-preservation quickly flared within him, and he pointed to the photo. "That man isn't one of us!"

Deven's expression darkened. "Not one of yours? Don't lie to me. Isn't this the husband of your granddaughter, Lyria?"

The matriarch clutched at straws, her voice resolute. "Lyria has already divorced him. She's preparing to marry into the Silvervein family."

She threw out the Silvervein name like a shield, hoping to deflect Deven's wrath. After all, Victor Silvervein, heir to the most powerful family, was smitten with Lyria. Surely, that alliance would make Deven hesitate.

But Lyria stepped forward, her voice steady and defiant. "Grandmother, Kael Renforth is still my husband." Her luminous eyes locked onto Deven with unflinching resolve.

The matriarch's face fell, her frustration barely concealed. "Foolish girl! Don't you understand the danger he's brought to us?"

Eldrin seized the opportunity, his voice brimming with indignation. "Kael Renforth's actions aren't our burden to bear!" He turned to Deven, his tone shifting to one of obsequiousness. "Deven, Kael Renforth is here on our house. Take him! We have no ties to that murderer."

Kael Renforth had been lurking unnoticed at the back of the crowd. His sharp eyes softened when he saw Lyria standing firm in his defense, even against the might of Devil Deven.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his hand brushing hers. Her palm was ice-cold.

"You've endured so much for me," he murmured, his voice low and filled with unspoken gratitude.

For a moment, Lyria hesitated, her resolve wavering. But when Kael Renforth's hand closed over hers, a sense of calm washed over her. Perhaps, amid the storm, this was the strength she needed to face the danger together.