Yuri’s disappearance and the clues she left.
The discovery in Ravah, especially in Ashkar, connects Slater to his previous life.
Henrik’s conspiracy about the Divine High Circle wanting the secret society to fall. And then, the attack on the man’s life within the Order’s territory. More importantly, he was missing.
Vito’s connection to all of this.
And now, Farah, who goes by the name Melanie. The woman who recruited Slater into that torture training.
Not to mention the smaller details, like Melissa putting a bullet in Jarvis’s head, and the current investigation they were conducting into the Order. Adding to that, Farah suddenly visits Amala. Then again, Lola didn’t want to think Amala was in danger.
"Amala will be fine," Lola whispered. "She can protect herself, and... it’s not really surprising that she meets up with Farah."
She went quiet. "At least that’s what I want to think."
Lola propped herself on the edge of the table, arms crossed, facing the three boards they had put up. Since Slater had stepped out to answer a call, she had been standing here, staring at this information like it was the first time she’d seen it.
"These are all happening at once," she whispered. "Is it... intentional? Or simply a coincidence?"
Did this all start because they found a Pandora’s Box that unleashed everything? Or was someone aware their carefully crafted scheme had been exposed before it came to fruition and was now throwing everything at them to derail them?
"Let’s think this over again," she whispered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Yuri, Henrik, Vito, Melissa, Farah... Ravah."
Slowly, she opened her eyes, trying to think calmly once more.
"Yuri, Vito, Melissa, Farah, Henrik, the Divine High Circle, Ravah..." she trailed off, her eyes sweeping over the board. "The butler, the Bennets, my pregnancy, the Piersons, Nathalie Zorken... me."
She narrowed her eyes. "How does this all connect?"
Lola felt the vein at her temple pulsing loudly beneath her skin. "Atlas said not to worry about Henrik’s disappearance and focus on Yuri’s. But how could I, when I know the attack might have been meant to start a fire in the Secret Society?"
They were all aware that someone was trying to start a war between the Order and the Bellemonte family. But since that plan was spoiled, this could be their countermeasure. Attacking Henrik within the Order’s territory naturally put the Order — and Atlas — under fire in the council.
"Then there’s also the possibility Florida mentioned... that this could be Henrik’s plan all along," she hummed, lips pressed into a thin line. "That he was lying, and he simply wanted all of us to believe he had nothing to do with this. That he organized all of this to put the Order in a bad light."
Even so, if that had been Henrik’s plan from the start, it didn’t make sense that he begged Atlas to rescue his men and son from Ravah. Henrik wouldn’t do that if he knew there were things Atlas would find out.
Silence dominated the room as Lola pondered deeply. She had been stuck here, and the compounding pressure felt heavier on her shoulders.
Wasn’t she the female lead in this story? How come this takes a dozen Chapters to get resolved?
She frowned deeply, only for her brows to twitch.
"Hmm?" She tilted her head, then quickly pulled out her phone. Dialing Atlas, she waited for it to ring.
Surprisingly, the call connected right away.
She hummed. "That’s fast. Weren’t you on the way to the council?"
"I am," Atlas replied. "I was reading a message from Allen when you called."
"Ahh..." Lola smacked her lips and nodded. "Uhm. Babe, can I... use whatever authority I have as your wife?"
Atlas didn’t answer immediately, as if the question didn’t even need one. "Anytime."
"Just in case," she continued. "Is there any limitation I should keep in mind?"
"Nothing."
"Really?"
"Whatever your decision is, count it as mine," he said, answering both her questions at once. "Do whatever you want."
Lola blinked. "What if I screw up?"
"I’ll do damage control — it’s fine. I trust your judgment."
"Does that mean... it’s not my intention, but just a what-if... I can even call for an emergency meeting with the council?"
"You can start a war with any of them if you’d like," Atlas answered calmly. "Do you want to call for an emergency meeting with the council?"
He tilted his head slightly. "But I’m already headed there. Should I turn back and pick you up?"
"Hehe, nope!" Lola shook her head. "I’m going somewhere else as the matriarch of the Order. Is that fine?"
"Where?" he frowned slightly, but before she could answer, he added, "Take someone with you. It’s dangerous."
"I know, I know~! Anyway, take care on your way! Show those guys you’re not to be trifled with — love you! Love you! Mwa mwa mwa! See you later~!"
Atlas listened to Lola’s increasingly long string of endearments. He had noticed that whenever they had a phone call, her closing statements grew longer — with more kisses.
He chuckled softly as the call ended, staring at his phone. Deep down, he was worried about whatever plan had formed in Lola’s head. However, he had promised to trust her and lean on her more.
"I guess the madam had been bored in the manor."
Suddenly, Sybil’s voice rang from his side. Atlas turned, catching the elderly woman smiling at him. He slid his phone back into his suit pocket, glancing toward the front partition of the car.
"So?" Sybil hummed, watching him look back at her. "What is it that you want to know, master? You have something you need from me — that’s why you’re taking me to the council, isn’t it?"
Atlas no longer needed Sybil’s company whenever he met with the council. The only time she went with him was during his first few attendances. Mostly, she stayed on the sidelines. After all, she was stepping down, and she had to ensure she wouldn’t do so unless Atlas was ready.
Atlas let out a shallow breath, eyeing Sybil. "Nathalie Zorken’s butler," he said, knowing this was a safe place to talk.
"Him?" Sybil tilted her head. "Why are you suddenly interested in the dead?"
"Do you have any other information about him?" he asked, not entertaining her curiosity. "Anything... interesting?"
The lines on her wrinkled face deepened as she nodded in understanding, telling him everything she knew. She could only hope something she shared would interest him.
"Also, his family joined the Zorken family after turning away from their beliefs in the church," she added. "He was still very young when the late Mr. Zorken accepted them into his territory."
"Church?" Atlas arched a brow.
Sybil smiled and nodded. "They used to be devout followers of the Divine Circle, master. As for the Order, the Zorken family was the least interested in those beliefs and practices. From what I know, his family simply took shelter under the Zorkens after turning their backs on their faith."
Atlas remained quiet, thinking of Henrik’s words to him days ago, before he disappeared.
It seems... Henrik was probably right, after all.