Chapter 3 Tatiana

CHAPTER 3

The plush leather chairs were arranged around the table in a cozy, conversational layout. Kolton and Miles sat in the council chamber, with folders labeled "Phoenix" and "Dragon" on the glass table. The other council members leaned in, their faces inquisitive. "What's this?" Alexander asked, his voice assertive. Kolton shrugged. "We discovered it in the secret lab. It was concealed." Ezekiel's eyes flashed briefly, but he stayed silent, his expression inscrutable. The council members scrutinized the documents, but they were vague, containing cryptic references to "Subject A" and "Subject B".

As they searched for answers, Kolton and Miles took a lunch break at a nearby eatery. Over food and drinks, they discussed the latest findings. "It's like Ember vanished," Kolton said. Miles nodded. "And the folder's suspicious." A woman with piercing brown eyes walked by, and Kolton's eyes widened. "Isn't that...?" Miles turned, but she was gone. They exchanged a dubious glance. "Must've been imagination," Kolton said. Yet the encounter left them uneasy. Over the next few days, they reported more encounters with a mysterious woman resembling Ember, each time with more questions. Then, a car accident occurred.

Ember deliberately veered into the path of an oncoming car, her eyes fixed on the road. She wanted to escape the pain and guilt that had tormented her since her betrayal. However, fate intervened. Alexander, driving the other car, swerved to avoid her, but it was too late. The cars collided, and Ember's world went dark. When she awoke, she was in a hospital bed, surrounded by beeping machines and antiseptic smells. A doctor leaned over her, his face etched with concern. "Miss...?" Ember's eyes flashed defiance. "I don't want treatment." The doctor's expression turned firm. "That's not an option. You're fortunate to be alive."

Ember's gaze dropped, her face devoid of colour. She knew she didn't deserve to live, not after what she had done. But for now, she was trapped, forced to confront the consequences of her actions . The doctor was speechless. Patients in similar situations strive to escape the clutches of death: but this lady is a totally different story.

In the study, Alexander pulled a document from the drawer and handed it to Ezekiel, his voice steady and even. "Take some time to follow up on this matter and reach out to them as soon as possible." Ezekiel glanced at the document. It was a collaboration project between the knight family and the Meyer family that hadn't officially kicked off.

Before Alexander and his brothers left the manor a year ago, the old man divided the Knight family assets amongst the 5 of them with Alexander getting the largest share as the eldest. "Got it," Ezekiel replied nodding. He closed the file for a moment, staring intently at Alexander. "It seems like Tatiana has been unusually quiet lately." Kolton nodded in agreement, looking at Nathaniel with curiosity. "Do you think she might be plotting something bigger?"

Tatiana was known for her cunning schemes, always up to something. Her sudden silence was completely out of character, especially with her son in their custody. "Maybe your last warning had an effect," Miles suggested. Alexander sat back in his chair, his long fingers lightly tapping the armrest. His dark eyes were deep and inscrutable. "Ember must have met with Tatiana before her release." "Huh?" Kolton frowned, confused. "Are you saying Ember is working for Tatiana now?"

Alexander's jaw tightened, his gaze turning cold. If that's the case, I won't hesitate to take her out myself. With a sigh, Miles slumped back in his chair, feeling exasperated. "Does she think 'The Owls' would trust her?" "If she's still so deluded, then she's truly beyond help. She deserves to be more than a tool by that woman, Tatiana." Ezekiel recalled Ember from his memories, frowning and remaining silent. In his impression, Ember should be a smart girl, not foolish enough to act like this, right? Kolton Harris frowned, thinking for a moment before speaking. "Alexander, do you think Ember really wanted to kill you in yesterday's accident?" Alexander raised an eyebrow but remained silent. "Exactly. Ember knows your Black Maybach is equipped with Level 8 armor. If she wanted you dead, she wouldn't have resorted to just a mere car accident; she is not that naive," Kolton pointed out. "And even though 'The Owls' wanted you dead, they wouldn't send Ember to do it. It's not just their style," Miles chimed in.