Chapter 23 – Shadows Over the Mansion

Nathan didn't waste another second.

The moment he noticed the black sedan parked outside the mansion—engine off, but the faint glow of a cigarette flickering inside—his instincts screamed at him. Someone was watching. Someone who shouldn't be here.

Without hesitation, he slipped past the gates, ignoring the puzzled looks from the security guards, and stormed into the grand hallway of the mansion.

His mind had only one objective.

Find Lilian.

Nathan moved quickly, his polished shoes barely making a sound against the marble floor. He didn't bother exchanging pleasantries with the maids or the staff—he knew exactly where Lilian would be.

And when he found her, sitting in the lounge with a book in hand, completely unaware of the danger lurking outside—he didn't even think.

Nathan pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.

"Oi, what the hell—?" Lilian's voice was muffled against his shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?!"Nathan just reply with a sign."Thank God you are safe."

Nathan didn't answer immediately. He just held her there for a second longer, breathing in, making sure she was real, making sure she was safe.

Finally, he exhaled and pulled back, but his hands remained on her shoulders, gripping firmly.

"There's someone outside," he muttered. "Watching you."

Lilian blinked, her irritation fading slightly as her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Nathan reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone and pressing play.

A faint, muffled voice crackled from the recording.

> "She's still inside."

"What about him?"

"No movement yet. We wait."

Lilian stiffened.

"They were talking about you," Nathan said, his voice low. "And me. This isn't just some random creep. Someone is after us."

For once, Lilian had nothing to say.

Before she could even process everything—

CRASH!

The sound of shattering glass sent both of them into immediate action.

A rock had been hurled through the window at full force.

Nathan's reflexes took over.

He lunged toward Lilian, pulling her down with him just as the rock smashed onto the floor where she had been standing.

They landed hard—Nathan's arm braced behind her head to cushion the fall—his face inches away from hers.

Lilian's breath hitched. Her cheeks turned red instantly at the sudden proximity.

Nathan, completely unbothered, held his position and locked eyes with her.

"Are you okay?" His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable edge of concern beneath it.

Lilian swallowed hard. "I—yeah. I'm fine."

For a second, neither of them moved.

Then, realizing their position, Lilian shoved him off with a huff. "You didn't have to tackle me like that."

Nathan just smirked, pushing himself up. "Would you rather get hit?"

She had no comeback for that.

But now, the tension in the air had shifted.

This wasn't just a warning anymore. Whoever was watching them wasn't afraid to act.

Nathan marched straight to Joseph's office, dragging Lilian along.

Joseph looked up from his desk, immediately noting their disheveled state. "What happened?"

Nathan didn't sugarcoat anything. He explained the situation—the car outside, the voices, the thrown rock.

"There's no doubt about it," he concluded. "Someone is targeting Lilian."

Joseph's expression darkened. He leaned back in his chair, fingers pressed together in thought.

"I'll handle security," he said. "I'll double the guards, set up—"

"No." Nathan cut him off. "That's not enough. You need to take Lilian and leave. Get out of the country for a while. Lay low."

Joseph exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I can't. Business is at its peak right now. There's too much at stake."

Nathan's jaw tightened.

Of course.

Of course, Joseph wouldn't abandon his empire, even for Lilian's safety.

That meant—

Nathan had to do it himself.

He turned to Lilian. "Pack your bags."

She frowned. "What?"

"We're leaving," he said firmly. "You're coming with me. We're going to Germany."

Lilian froze.

Germany.

The place where it all started. The place where Nathan had vanished, only to return as someone entirely different.

And now he was taking her there?

"Wait—hold on—" She shook her head. "Are you being serious right now?"

Nathan's gaze was unwavering. "Completely."

Lilian glanced at her father, expecting him to argue.

But Joseph only sighed.

"If anyone can keep you safe," he said, "it's him."

And just like that—her life took an unexpected turn.

End of Chapter 23.