Chapter 1296
The amount of wealth hoarded on that island was astronomical. It was enough capital to rival the GDP of a small nation.
And it had all been wiped out in a single night.
Because of that devastating loss, The Obsidian Core had become the ultimate target on the international stage. The global elite who had desperately bid on those experimental drugs to extend their lives were now out of money and out of time, and they were losing their minds.
To Obsidian, Serena wasn’t just an annoyance anymore; she was a lethal threat that had to be eradicated.
Julian’s expression grew cold. “Severia and Obsidian will undoubtedly try to kill you during the next rounds of the competition p>
Jerrick’s brows knitted together in a fierce scowl. “No way, Serena. I’m contacting command right now. I’m requisitioning a full security detail to guard you p>
Serena shook her head. “There’s no need. Obsidian doesn’t have the guts to make a public move yet p>
She lifted her gaze, her eyes utterly calm and calculating. “I’ll stay in the spotlight and act as a lightning rod. I’ll draw their fire p>
“Jerrick, you and Nicholas need to work together and smoke out Obsidian’s operatives from the shadows p>
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Obsidian is accelerating their timeline. I’d bet everything it’s because I crippled their finances p>
“The international community is closing in on them. They’re being hunted p>
“They are desperate, which is exactly why they’ve completely entrenched themselves with the Severian government p>
“This entire global tournament was a setup from the start p>
“They used the competition to lure the world’s top intellectual talent, billionaires, investors, and media straight into Severia’s borders p>
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what they plan to do with all of them p>
“We have to move faster p>
She delivered the breakdown with a casual, lazy elegance, completely unfazed by the gravity of the situation.
But that brilliant, tactical mind left both of her brothers in quiet awe.
Julian and Jerrick knew it then. Their sister was not some fragile girl who needed to be shielded from the dark.
She was a mastermind capable of anchoring the entire operation.
Sitting beside her, Nicholas curved his mesmerizing eyes, his gaze entirely fixated on Serena. His long lashes lowered slightly, adopting a posture of absolute submission. His voice was soft, practically dripping with devotion. “Okay p>
“I’ll do whatever you say. Just tell me what you need, and it’s done p>
His obedient, utterly fragile demeanor was a masterclass in manipulation.
Watching him act like a harmless puppy made Jerrick’s eye twitch violently. His fists clenched.
The disgust and hostility radiating from Jerrick were palpable. This lecherous predator knew exactly how to play the victim in front of his
sister. ne
He wasn’t a decent man at all.
Jerrick was furious. Beyond furious.
He had only just reunited with his sister, and suddenly there was this so-called
fiancé hovering around her?
It made his blood boil.
But the threat of Obsidian loomed over them, and he knew this wasn’t the time to
pick a fight. Destroying the syndicate took priority.
Still, the glare he shot Nicholas was venomous.
Jerrick forcefully swallowed the urge to pull his sidearm, making a dark promise to himself. Once they were
back in Elyndor, he was going to
have a very long
very violent
Conversation with this bastard.
Over the next few days, the tournament escalated into a brutal gauntlet.
Round three: The Cryospheric Survival Simulation.
Round four: The Holographic Breach Protocol.
Round five: The Inverse Pathological Reconfiguration.