Denovan’s gaze hardened, the warmth that usually lingered in his eyes completely gone. What replaced it was something colder... older... something that didn’t need to shout to be feared.

"Malone."

His voice was low, steady, but it carried weight. The kind that made the air feel heavier.

Malone straightened immediately. "Yes, sir."

Denovan took a slow step forward, his hands folding neatly behind his back as his posture straightened to its full height.

"Call in every unit from our security firm. I want them ready fully armed and on standby."

His tone did not rise, yet it pressed down on everyone in the room.

"And send word to our allies," he continued, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Anyone who still respects the Thompson name should move immediately... especially those stationed in X City."

A brief pause.

Then, colder

"Bring in the underground network as well. I want the dockside syndicate, the black-market informants, and the private guard factions. No gaps. No blind spots."

Malone’s chest rose sharply as he absorbed the order. "Yes, sir."

"Call the inner circle," Denovan added, his voice turning even quieter. "If this is what I think it is... I want no room for mistakes."

The silence that followed was suffocating.

"Your say is an order," Malone replied firmly, bowing his head.

"Then carry it out."

Malone didn’t hesitate. He turned sharply and strode out, his steps quick, almost urgent, the tension clinging to him like a second skin.

"Azazel."

Denovan didn’t even look at him, yet the command landed instantly and

Azazel, who had been gripping his phone tightly, lifted his head. "Yes, Grandpa."

"Mobilize the main force. All of them."

"And reinforce with the private guards from the eastern sector. I want double coverage."

Azazel’s jaw tightened. "Understood."

"No," Denovan corrected softly. "You don’t understand yet."

That made Azazel freeze.

Then Denovan finally turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp enough to cut.

"If this touches my grandson..." his voice dropped into something almost dangerous, "...I want the entire world to feel the consequences."

A chill ran through the room.

Azazel nodded once, quickly dialing numbers as he stepped away, his voice already shifting into command mode.

But Denovan wasn’t looking at him anymore.

His eyes had already found Julie.

She stood there... unmoving.

Her hand rested against her chest, fingers slightly curled as if trying to hold something inside, her breath, her heart, her fear.

But it wasn’t working.

Her eyes were open, but distant and unfocused... like she was standing in the room, yet not truly there.

Denovan’s expression chang the tightness and worried line on his forehead softened slightly.

And without a word he slowly walked toward her and when he reached her, he gently placed a hand around her shoulder, steady and warm.

"Don’t stand like that, my dear."

His voice was quieter now, calmer.

Julie didn’t respond at first.

Then slowly... her head tilted just slightly toward him.

"You are strong," Denovan continued, his tone firm but reassuring. "I know that. But strength is not just standing still... it is knowing when to hold yourself together."

Julie’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

"You are the queen of the underworld," he added, his grip tightening just a little in comfort. "And your king... wherever he is... he is not someone who falls easily."

A faint sniff escaped her and finally, she moved her head up and down nodding in understanding.

"Now go," Denovan said gently. "Rest. We are here. Nothing will happen to him."

Julie nodded just barely.

"Thank you..." she whispered, her voice soft, fragile.

She turned slowly and walked toward the stairs, her steps steady but distant, like someone moving on instinct.

As she reached the top she came face to face with Azazel.

He was pacing from this end to the other, but the moment he saw her, he halted in his track.

"Wait a minute," he muttered into his phone before pulling it away.

"Sister-in-law..."

His voice softened immediately.

Julie, who had also stopped in her tracks, slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.

Azazel stepped closer, his eyes moving over her face carefully, as if searching for something beneath the surface.

And then he saw it.

She looked calm.

There was no tension on her face, no panic in her eyes... just a quiet stillness that felt completely out of place.

The kind of calm that didn’t bring ease but unease.

Something in his chest tightened.

"Don’t walk like that," he said softly, his voice lower now, almost cautious. "It... it doesn’t suit you."

Julie eye lashes fluttered as her eyes blink.

"I know you’re worried," he continued, forcing a small smile onto his face. "Anyone would be. But this isn’t the first time."

Hearing him her eyes lifted slightly reacting to what he said.

"Really?" she asked, a faint spark returning.

Azazel nodded instantly. "Of course. And every time... he comes back."

He held her gaze, making sure she believed him.

"Give it less than a day. We’ll find him."

And Julie exhaled softly."Okay... I’ll try not to worry."

"That’s my sister-in-law," Azazel said with a light chuckle.

He stepped past her. "I’ll go handle things."

Just as he was about to take a step forward, her voice stopped him.

"Azazel."

His raised foot paused mid-air for a brief second before settling back onto the floor.

He turned slowly.

His brows drew together slightly as his gaze found hers, searching... questioning... as if trying to understand why she had called him back.

Julie looked at him, more grounded now."If there’s anything I can do... anything at all... tell me."

Azazel nodded, that same easy smile still on his face.

"Of course," he said, his lips curving into a calm, reassuring smile.

He turned away from her slowly, his steps steady and unhurried.

For a brief moment, that same smile remained on his face... but the second he was sure she could no longer see him, it began to fade.

The corners of his lips dropped first.

Then the softness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by something colder and sharper.

Within seconds, there was nothing left of that warmth.

It was as if the smile had never existed at all.

I’d really love to hear your feedback, dear readers. It truly encourages me to keep writing and improving. I also want to know do you prefer this style of writing, or the one I used before?

Thank you🌹🌹