Midnight Intrusion

At Richard's mansion, Rick's older brother lounged in a luxurious chair, a sly smile playing on his lips as he lazily crossed one leg over the other. 

"Alex isn't as stupid as I thought," Richard mused aloud, not sounding angry or pretending to be calm. His smile was one of genuine amusement, as if the situation entertained him more than anything else. 

Richard was a striking man with long golden hair and a sleek purple suit, giving him an almost otherworldly allure. The servant standing nearby swallowed nervously, his heart pounding as he spoke in a low voice, "Should we… should we send more people after him?"

"No need," Richard replied coolly, blowing on his tea before taking a sip. "You're no match for him, and even less so for that Howard boy."

"But… the second young master has already made his move. If we fall behind, the old lady's estate might end up in his hands," the servant ventured hesitantly.

Richard let out a soft laugh. "Do you really think Alex is so easy to deal with? That boy is cunning. If you're not careful, he might just turn the tables on you."

"But even if Alex is difficult, the second young master sent Feder after him this time. Feder isn't someone to be taken lightly," the servant persisted.

"Feder may be skilled, but he's blinded by his hatred for the Dupont family," Richard said, still calm as ever.

The servant seemed to recall something. "That's true. The scandal involving his mother and Alex's grandfather was a big deal back in the day. If Feder is targeting Alex now, it's probably because of that."

"Let them have their fun. Today was just a test to see what Alex is made of. Now that he's seen through it, there's no need to continue," Richard concluded.

"Understood," the servant replied, bowing respectfully.

"Take him down for treatment. Make sure he doesn't die," Richard added casually, gesturing toward the barely conscious man lying on the floor.

"Yes, sir," the servant said, quickly hauling the injured man away and closing the door behind him.

Once alone in the study, Richard's smile faded. He stared blankly out the window, his gaze fixed on the full moon hanging in the night sky.

"The moon is especially round tonight," he murmured to himself, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "That boy really is just like his uncle."

Though Richard appeared to be smiling, a trace of sadness lingered in his expression. After a while, he pulled out his phone, staring at it for a long time before letting out a self-mocking laugh. "Not a single message. No apology, nothing. After leaving me like this, you could at least show some remorse."

Annoyed, Richard tossed the phone aside and leaned back in his chair, draping an arm over his eyes with a sigh of frustration. As his sleeve slipped down, it revealed a red mark on his wrist, the kind left by tight bindings, still purple from bruising. It was the kind of mark that wouldn't fade for hours, evidence of recent restraint.

Meanwhile, Feder was dealing with his own frustrations. He had just received a call from Rick's second brother, who informed him that Richard had already made his move and urged Feder to speed things up.

Feder, already furious from Noah's escape earlier in the day, had no patience left. "Are you even listening to me?" Rick's second brother shouted in frustration, clearly irritated by Feder's silence.

Unlike the composed and calculating Richard, Rick's second brother was impulsive and rash, prone to losing his temper.

"I've got it under control. Just watch the news tomorrow," Feder replied, pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation.

Rick's second brother hesitated, then asked urgently, "You've found a way to deal with him?"

"Watch the news. I'm busy now," Feder snapped, ending the call abruptly.

Though fuming, Rick's second brother didn't dare call back to scold Feder. He needed Feder's help if he hoped to outmaneuver his older brother, Richard. 

"Damn it," Feder growled, throwing his phone onto the couch and raking his hands through his hair in frustration. 

The house, once filled with the lively chatter of women, was now eerily silent. Feder had kicked them all out earlier, leaving the place a mess.

Grabbing his keys, Feder stormed out of the house, speeding through the city until he reached Richa's estate. Parking his car discreetly, he sneaked into the mansion through the back entrance, easily avoiding the guards.

As one of Richa's men patrolled the backyard, he sensed someone behind him, but before he could react, Feder clamped a hand over his mouth and pressed a knife to his throat. "Where's Noah's room?" Feder demanded coldly.

Terrified, the guard stammered, "Th-the last room on the first floor…"

Without another word, Feder knocked the guard unconscious with a sharp blow to the neck and dragged him under a nearby tree. Then he made his way into the mansion, quietly locating Noah's room and slipping inside.

Noah was sound asleep, blissfully unaware of the danger creeping up on him. But suddenly, his eyes flew open as something covered his mouth.

"Feder… you bastard," Noah croaked out after what felt like an eternity, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Don't move," Feder ordered, his voice cold and tinged with anger—likely leftover frustration from Noah's earlier escape.

"How would you like it if someone did this to you? You wouldn't stay still either," Noah spat back, his voice low as he struggled against Feder's grip.

Feder's expression was one of irritation, as if he wanted to lash out but was holding himself back.

"Do you even know where you are? This is Richa's house. If you don't care about your life, I do!" Noah whispered urgently, terrified that someone outside might hear the commotion.

He had just assured Richa that he had nothing to do with Feder, and now here Feder was, sneaking into his room in the middle of the night. There would be no way to explain this to Richa if he were caught.

"Do you want me dead? Is that what you're after?" Noah trembled, his eyes filling with tears.

"I don't want you dead," Feder snapped, his frustration boiling over. He just wanted to see Noah again.

"Then what do you want? Why do you keep doing this? I'm at my wit's end. I'm begging you, just leave me alone," Noah pleaded, his voice thick with emotion. He was on the verge of breaking down, unable to understand what he had done to deserve this torment.

Feder's brows furrowed as he stared down at Noah, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Noah's words had clearly struck a nerve.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, followed by a concerned voice from outside. "Noah? Is everything okay?"

The unexpected interruption sent a jolt of panic through Noah. If Richa's men found Feder here, he'd be in serious trouble.

Feder, however, seemed unfazed. He leaned down, intending to kiss Noah.

You bastard.

Noah's anger flared.

"Noah?" the guard outside called again, knocking more urgently.

Panicked, Noah started beating at Feder with his fists, but the more he fought, the more forceful Feder became.

Tears streamed down Noah's face as he felt utterly helpless. What had he