Chapter 1195
Nicholas drove his car out of the Blackwood estate.
In the passenger seat, Serena took one look at his spectacularly sour expression, arched an eyebrow, and asked the obvious. “What did your grandfather say to you p>
Nicholas’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
The car rolled slowly down the avenue.
He turned his head slightly, shooting her a look of utter grievance. “What else could he say p>
“My pristine reputation has been completely destroyed by that mouth of yours p>
Nicholas pressed his lips together, looking both pitiful and deeply wronged. “I don’t care. You have to take full responsibility for me for the rest of your life p>
Serena leaned back in her seat and laughed.
She shot him a teasing, sideways glance, her eyes playfully dropping toward his lap. “How exactly did I ruin your reputation? Was a single word I said untrue p>
Nicholas gritted his teeth. Serena, just you wait! When the time comes, I’ll show you exactly what I’m capable of p>
Her laughter only grew brighter, her brilliant eyes curving into crescents.
After their playful banter died down, Nicholas steered the car toward the Lancaster estate.
Just as he was about to change lanes, Serena spoke up. “Keep going straight.” Nicholas kept the car steady, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. “Where to?” “The outskirts.” Serena gave him a highly remote address.
Nicholas paused for a fraction of a second, but he didn’t ask questions. He simply pressed down on the gas pedal and headed straight for the destination.
An hour later, the car rolled to a stop in a desolate, abandoned factory district.
It was completely devoid of human life.
Following Serena’s directions, Nicholas parked the car in an incredibly well-hidden
corner.
As they stepped out, Nicholas surveyed their surroundings.
Overgrown weeds and crumbling structures made the entire area feel eerily sinister.
“Let’s go p>
Serena took the lead.
She moved with practiced ease through the depths of the half-collapsed factory.
Finally, she stopped in front of a heavy, rust-covered iron door.
Raising her hand, Serena rapidly pressed a sequence into an unnoticeable indentation near the frame.
The massive iron door slid open silently, revealing a descending staircase.
Serena stepped into the passageway.
Nicholas took a quick look and followed right behind her.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the iron door snapped shut.
After descending dozens of steps, Nicholas’s pupils contracted in shock.
Before him lay a staggeringly massive underground metropolis.
Dozens of operatives clad in black tactical gear stood at attention, assault rifles in hand.
“Captain p>
At the sight of Serena, the operatives moved in perfect unison, bowing their heads respectfully.
Serena gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. “Are the items I asked for ready p>
Jaxon nodded. “All set p>
As he spoke, he couldn’t stop his eyes from darting toward Nicholas.
The other heavily armed operatives were also struggling to keep their eyes off the
man.
Their faces betrayed unfiltered shock.
Their captain had actually… brought a man back to the base p>
This was The Vaelion Vault, the
most heavily fortified and absolute
core of the Ghost Alliance’s
vel?
operations in the city, operating entirely
Off the grid in the Gray Zone.
It was heavily guarded, and information was strictly compartmentalized.
Aside from a handful of core Ghost Alliance members, no one in the world even
knew this place existed!
And yet, their captain had brought a man! A man p>
Though completely blown away,
they only dared to tenet
their shock through wide-eyed glances, top terrified to speak out of
turn.
Serena casually offered an explanation. “He’s one of us p>
Jaxon and the other operatives’ eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
One of us?
Just how ‘close’ did someone have to be to get dragged into the most secretive vault on the continent?
One look was enough to tell them this was the future… wait, the future Consort of the Alliance?
Nicholas stared at the imposing
underground fortress a tidal wave.
eshing through his deep;
predatory gaze.
of
It felt as though a heavy blow had struck his chest, sending an indescribable thrill rushing through his veins.
She had just boldly and casually brought him into the very heart of the Ghost Alliance.