Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

King still didn't fully grasp why Max had initially decided to build up this formidable force, but he was coming to understand just how powerful they truly were.

Their specialty? Assassinations and stealth.

Sometimes, King found Max's foresight downright eerie.

Well, credit where credit's due, he thought.

As he pondered, Max's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Don't be jealous."

King's blood boiled instantly.

Taking a deep breath, he redirected all his focus to the task at hand. His troops were patrolling just outside the North American border, effectively keeping the royal family from joining the fray. Without a legitimate reason to confront his forces, the royals were left stewing in their own anxiety.

Now was the perfect time to capture those princes and princesses, a move that would surely intimidate the rest of the royal family.

"Max, did you strike a deal with Jaired?" King couldn't help but ask.

Why else would Jaired agree to bring outsiders into the core of their operations? And what role did Jaired play in all this?

Max's response didn't come immediately, and King thought he might not answer.

"We made a deal, but Jaired is unpredictable."

Jaired wasn't lacking in money or power, making him the hardest to control.

King had a rough idea. During the time Brielle was pregnant, Max often disappeared. It was then he had made a deal with Jaired, though King didn't know the specifics.

"King, you can use Jaired, but don't trust him."

Even Max's warnings confirmed Jaired's danger.novelbin

King couldn't help but worry. What if Jaired targeted Brielle?

He only hoped Max's people would find Brielle soon and ensure her safety.

Watching the chaos unfold before him, King saw his side gaining the upper hand, thanks to support from several influential families.

The North American royal family hadn't dared make a move since his forces hadn't crossed the line.

Royal families always needed allies. Those joining the fray were the royals' arms and legs; to act now would only tarnish their reputation.

Dawn was breaking, and the night-long battle was nearing its end. Helicopters littered the ground, their wrecks smoldering.

Despite the involvement of numerous families, the media was clueless, thanks to the royals' efforts to avoid public panic by sealing off the area. The royals were in a bind, unable to act without weakening themselves.

King relaxed a bit but grew to dislike

the North American royal family even more They had forced him into a six-month oil deal after being outplayed by Brielle, and now their

demands were even ned

"Dustin, if my forces make it through this time, your Lynch family's assets will also be swallowed by the royal

family. Doesn't that tick you off? e

Especially since that so-called organization has been lurking within the Lynch family for so long.

Dustin's laugh was cold and filled with disillusionment.

"Of course, I'm furious. So, after this settles down, the Lynch family will withdraw all support from North American academic and research institutions. Let them fend for themselves." The royals, those backstabbers.

King was about to say more when his phone rang. The team sent to rescue Sarah had returned, but they hadn't brought back Sarah.

"Sir, we're sorry, but you told us to respect Ms. Sarah's wishes. She wanted us to save this person instead, so we did."

King's brows furrowed. What did that mean?

A surge of anger welled up inside him. Was his mother-in-law still at the organization's base?

"Sir, Ms. Sarah called her Orla. I thought she might be important to you, so..."

Before the caller could finish, King stiffened, a bolt of realization striking him. His mother's words echoed in his mind.

"My child, even if you found that benefactor, what then? We're living in hiding, not lacking in anything. Contacting her would only disrupt her life. There's no need to know who she is. She saved me, and I'm grateful."

"You can remember Orla. She's your aunt, my sister, always there to protect me."

"King, if—if I'm no longer here, I hope you and Max can support each other like Orla and I did."