Helio and Enrik bowed deeply and moved without hesitation because everyone knew, Jay Zhareth's wrath was not a threat.
It was a sentence.
Moments later, Leon rushed in, breathless and panicked.
"Liv! God! you're safe!" His relief was visible, nearly emotional, until Lucas approached, casually wiping a smear of blood from his cheek.
"I helped beat them up," Lucas said nonchalantly.
Leon nodded quickly. "Thank you, Lucas. I... I owe you so much."
But Lucas simply pointed to the woman standing nearby, Briella, her hair slightly messy, her breathing uneven, her eyes sharp.
"I'm not the one who started this."
Leon blinked. "What do you mean?"
Lucas exhaled and crossed his arms.
"If Briella hadn't noticed something strange first and followed them, we wouldn't have found Liv in time."
Briella stiffened, surprised Lucas was giving her credit.
Leon's gaze shifted to her, and something changed.
Not as Liv's friend.
Not as a noble.
But as a man recognizing someone extraordinary.
