The black Rolls Royce stood in front of the hospital, its polished surface reflecting the dim glow of the streetlights.
The Butler, with his usual practiced elegance, gave a low bow before opening the rear door.
Lucian stepped inside without a word, settling into the back seat as the Butler gently closed the door behind him.
He moved toward the driver’s seat, ready to depart when he noticed the purple-haired man still standing outside, frozen in place.
The man’s expression screamed hesitation.
Should he run? Should he stay?
His gut told him to leave.
But before he could act
Click.
The car door swung open from the inside.
Lucian’s voice followed.
“Come in.”
Alex hesitated.
His body tensed.
This was not a good idea.
His survival instincts kicked in, screaming at him to reject the offer.
“Uhh, how about you go ahead, dude? Uhh, sir I have my own car, I’ll just drive home”
Before he could finish, a hand shot out.
Lucian grabbed his arm and yanked him in.
The strength in his grip was terrifying.
“Get in, bud. Let me show you the world.”
His voice was light, almost amused.
But beneath it, there was a dangerous edge.
One that left no room for refusal.
Alex let out a long sigh as he reluctantly sat down.
His fate was sealed.
Death, huh?
Not like there was anyone waiting for him at home anyway.
From the driver’s seat, the Butler finally spoke.
His voice was polite, but there was a trace of concern.
“Sir, are you sure about taking this guy with you? He’s a nobody and meeting patriarch is just.”
He turned his head slightly, glancing at Lucian through the rearview mirror.
Lucian’s gaze sharpened.
There was no anger.
But his voice carried a weight that could crush a room.
“I think you’re forgetting your manners.
I don’t think the Malvic Patriarch would be too happy to hear you say that.”
The Butler’s face stiffened.
His lips pressed together before he lowered his head slightly.
“Apologies, sir.”
With that, he turned back, started the car, and drove off into the night.
But in his mind, one thought lingered
“Just a few more minutes and the truth will be in front of everyone lets see if you deserve this arrogance young boy.”
Alex sat in the last seat, his back pressed against the cool leather.
Sweat trickled down his neck.
His hands rested in his lap, clenched into tight fists.
He had already given up the fight.
Lucian, however, sat completely relaxed.
One arm lazily draped over the purple-haired man’s shoulders.
His voice was casual.
“So, what’s your name, bro?”
Alex tensed up.
But he knew better than to resist.
Lucian Kane was a lunatic.
A ticking time bomb.
He wasn’t someone you could piss off and live to tell the tale.
“Ahh it’s Alex,” he finally sighed.
Lucian grinned.
“Oh, good name.”
Then, in a serious tone, he asked
“I just wanted to thank you for your help. Is there anything you want?”
Alex hesitated.
Lucian’s expression was genuine.
For a moment, he almost believed this guy wasn’t so bad.
But then
Reality hit him.
His life was already ruined the moment he got involved in this mess.
No amount of thanks could fix that.
Alex sighed again.
“No, sir it’s nothing. I’m alright. I’d be happy if you just got me out of all this.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
His voice dropped slightly.
“You know what you’re doing, right? I don’t wanna say this, but
Because of helping you, I’ve almost lost my life. And now, you still won’t let me go.”
Lucian stayed quiet.
Alex swallowed hard, pushing through his fear.
“I really want to say this, alright? Even if hes crazy and unpredictable, his ‘thank you’ just now felt real. And seeing how he tried to hide things from his mother, it’s”
he sighed.
“I don’t think he’s actually a bad guy.”
he thought
Lucian let out a deep breath.
his voice lacked its usual playfulness.
“I know.”
He nodded.
“I know, bro.”
Lucian leaned back in his seat.
His fingers tapped against his knee.
“It’s not that I don’t want to let you go. It’s really not that big of a deal for me.”
His tone turned quiet, almost thoughtful.
“I don’t want anything from you.”
“It’s just you’re right. You’re in deep trouble.”
Lucian’s eyes darkened.
“Even if today didn’t happen even if you had leaved now your bio-data and full information have already reached the World Council table.”
Alex’s breath stilled.
Lucian’s voice was calm, but the weight of his words was suffocating.
“Maybe they won’t touch me.
Maybe the General and that red-haired woman will be interrogated, put them under hard surveillance.
But you? You’re just a normal man.
And normal men?
They don’t get second chances.”
Alex’s hands shook slightly.
“You’ve seen too much.”
Lucian sighed.
“And the World Council? They won’t hesitate. They’ll get rid of you.”
A tense silence filled the car.
Alex took a deep breath.
For the first time, he fully understood.
There was no going back.
Lucian had saved his life.
By keeping him close.
But
Was this really saving?
Or was it just delaying the inevitable?
Alex leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
“Sigh alright. Sorry for the trouble, man. I really didn’t mean to get caught up in all this.”
Lucian patted his back.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Alex laughed bitterly.
“But what’s the point? Being with you doesn’t change anything. My future is still over, right?”
His voice lowered.
“Just let me go, man. Let me enjoy my last moments alone. Drop me at some club or something.”
He laughed.
But his eyes were full of fear.
Lucian shook his head.
His voice was soft but firm.
“Don’t worry, bro.”
“As long as you’re with me, nothing will happen to you.”
“They don’t dare.”
Lucian exhaled.
His voice dropped just slightly.
“Just stay with me for a while.
As a friend.
Eventually, they’ll understand.
And it’ll be alright.”
Alex stared at him.
His heart hammered.
And for the first time
A part of him believed it.
“You have family?”
Lucian’s voice was casual, but there was an underlying weight to it.
“I can send some people to protect them though the chances of them getting in trouble are low.”
Alex paused.
A long silence stretched between them.
Then
“No.”
Just one word.
A word heavy with loneliness.
Lucian turned his head slightly, glancing at Alex from the side.
He looked like he wanted to say something.
But
He didn’t know what.
So, instead
He sighed.
And simply patted Alex’s back.
“It’s alright.”
No more words.
Just understanding.
Lucian then shifted his gaze forward.
“Butler, how much time more?”
From the driver’s seat, Butler responded smoothly.
“Just a few more minutes, sir.
We’ll be at our secret base soon, and from there just the normal routine.”
The car turned sharply, sliding into dark alleyways.
The once-bright cityscape was replaced by narrow, dimly lit roads.
The air felt heavier.
Like they were entering a different world.
After about a minute, the car slowed in front of an old, abandoned garage.
Its shutter was closed, looking completely worn out.
But just as the car approached
Whirrrrr.
The shutter suddenly began lifting up, moving with an automated mechanical hum.
Alex’s eyes widened.
The garage looked too small to fit such a large vehicle.
But just in time, the space was just big enough for the car to smoothly slide in.
And as soon as the car entered
Darkness.
Pitch black.
The outside world vanished.
A deep click-click-click sound echoed as the shutter lowered again, sealing them inside.
The car finally came to a stop.
Alex’s heart pounded.
He swallowed hard.
Something felt off.
He leaned slightly toward Lucian, lowering his voice to a whisper.
“Umm are you sure we’re in the right place?
I think this Butler guy is gonna kill me.”
His voice was shaky, unsure.
His eyes nervously darted toward Butler in the driver’s seat.
He had seen firsthand how good Butler was in combat.
There was no way he’d survive a fight against him.
And now
They were trapped inside an abandoned garage.
Alone.
With no way out.
Lucian let out a soft chuckle.
“Calm down.
This is one of the secret bases top families use for travel.
You’re not getting assassinated… yet.”
He patted Alex’s back again, clearly amused.
Click. Click. Click.
A deep, mechanical whirring sound filled the space.
The floor beneath the car shifted.
Then
It began sinking.
Alex’s eyes widened even more.
“What the hell?!”
The entire platform was descending.
Like some underground elevator.
His hands gripped the edge of his seat.
“Is this some kind of sci-fi movie?!”
His voice was filled with shock, excitement… and just a little bit of fear.
Lucian and Butler, however
Remained completely calm.
Like they had done this a thousand times before.
The descent lasted several seconds
At least 100 feet down.
Then, with a soft thud
The car came to a stop.
Alex slowly looked around.
His excitement momentarily overshadowed his fear.
He was inside a dimly lit underground chamber.
A square-shaped room
Just big enough for the car.
Like a private underground garage.
His heart raced.
He wasn’t sure if he should be scared or amazed.
But one thing was certain
He had just stepped into a world far beyond his understanding.
—–