The Bloodline Betrayal

Location: Tavara – Harold's Estate, Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands were known for their serene beauty—rolling green hills, misty mornings, and old-money estates nestled into the earth like hidden secrets. Harold Kane's manor, an architectural marvel of vintage Tavaran wealth, sat like a fortress cloaked in elegance. But beneath the polished stone and manicured gardens, rot was festering.

Damien adjusted the cuff of his suit as the armored vehicle pulled up the curved driveway. Nora sat beside him, calm and unreadable. Across from them, Logan locked a silencer onto his sidearm.

"This isn't a business call," Damien said. "If Harold talks, we expose the entire Western Syndicate infiltration."

"And if he doesn't?" Logan asked quietly.

"We make sure he never speaks to them again," Damien replied.

The front doors of the estate opened before they even knocked. Harold's butler, who had once served Damien as a child, bowed stiffly.

"Master Kane. He's expecting you."

Harold was seated in the inner salon, sipping brandy as if nothing in the world had changed. His gray hair was combed neatly back, and he wore a suit two shades too expensive for a man who claimed to be retired.

"Damien," he greeted smoothly, then turned to Nora. "And the beautiful niece who inherited your father's rage."

"Cut the act, Uncle," Nora snapped, eyes cold. "You sold us out."

Harold exhaled, rising to his feet. "You mean I made choices. Choices your father couldn't make. Choices your mother never had the spine for."

Damien stepped forward, eyes burning. "You used your family's name to fund black-market operations. You sold intel to foreign corporations trying to cripple Tavara's infrastructure."

Harold didn't flinch. "Because Tavara is weak. Corrupt. And you know it. You think I did this for money? No. I did it to survive the coming war. The one you two are blindly charging into."

Nora's voice shook with fury. "You were supposed to protect this family. You were the last piece of my father I trusted."

Harold's mask cracked just slightly. "And I did protect it—by ensuring its relevance. You call it betrayal? I call it insurance."

Damien's voice turned to steel. "That insurance ends today."

He signaled. Logan and two security operatives entered, taking position. Harold glanced between them, realizing for the first time that this wasn't just a warning.

"You wouldn't dare arrest me," he said, trying to steady his voice.

"We're not arresting you," Damien replied coldly. "We're extracting everything you know."

Harold paled. "You won't get far. The Syndicate has more eyes than you think. They're already here. Watching."

Damien leaned in close. "Then they'll see exactly what happens... when someone betrays the Kanes."

As Logan secured Harold for transport, Nora stared at her uncle with quiet devastation. She didn't say another word—not when he pleaded, not when he cursed, not even when he begged for forgiveness.

Outside, as the sun dipped behind the hills, Damien turned to her.

"This was just the beginning."

She nodded slowly. "Then let's finish it."