Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

They put it to a vote-should they go to the ceremony or not?

Kent was the first to speak. "If this is some kind of trap, it's probably meant for Jeffery and Nemo. Why would the heads of all four families be invited, then? Honestly, the Grevenberg family seems sincere enough. Plus, there's strength in numbers. If anything goes down, we can step in and help. What's everyone so afraid of?"

Jeffery shook his head. "Whatever he's planning, Shadow and I will handle it. The rest of you shouldn't get dragged in."

The truth was, everyone worried Grant's father was just pretending to want peace. Maybe he never really believed in reconciliation-maybe he just wanted an excuse to settle old scores with Jeffery and Nemo.

Neil spoke up. "I can't shake the feeling this isn't about old grudges. It's about the treasure."

Ruby nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "There's that hundred-year-old legend-the one about the four families' treasure, hidden somewhere deep in a mountain abbey. You think it's St. Benedict's?"

After a long debate, they finally agreed: the heads of all four families would go with Jeffery and Nemo up the mountain. Kash would keep a security team at the base, ready to help at a moment's notice.

As for Jeffery and Nemo, they'd already made their peace with whatever might happen. To them, just being able to clear the air, play another game of chess together, share a bottle of whiskey-well, that felt like enough for one lifetime.

The next morning, they set out. The two oldest men, Jeffery and Nemo, surprised everyone by hiking to the summit without so much as a pause, while the younger ones were left panting and out of breath.

Their group was small: Jeffery, Nemo, Chloe, Connor, Pax from the Gilbert family, Kent, and Isaac. Kash's team waited down below.

At the top the imposing Great Hall

came into view. Grant was waiting at the entrance, his gaze landing on Nemg, but his expression stayed unreadable. "My father's inside. Please, come with me."

With Grant leading the way, they entered the hall. Inside, a group of priests were chanting in unison, the gentle clack of wooden clappers echoing off the stone walls.

Grant walked up to the lead priest and spoke quietly. The priest nodded. Grant returned to the group. “Please, come with me to the side chapel. My father will join you soon."

met

He led them into the Chapel of St. Michael, where a statue of the archangel stood watch. The ceremony continued. Since it was the abbey's annual festival, visitors filled the halls, offering prayers and seeking blessings. The abbot recited prayers for everyone, hoping to bring peace and closure.

Chloe and the others lingered near the doorway, taking it all in.noveldrama

By dusk, the ceremony finally ended, and the last visitors trickled down the mountain. That's when he appeared-Grant's father.

Dressed in simple, spotless robes, he looked every bit the wise, distant priest. His features were striking, his skin almost translucent, faint blue veins beneath the surface. His eyes were long and dark, deep and

cold-like a lake at midnight,

impossible to read.

He had the kind of face that seemed made to offer comfort, yet no one dared get too close.

But as Chloe looked at him, her heart skipped a beat.

Why did he look so familiar? Why did he remind her so much of someone she

used to know?