The grand hall of the Voltaire Estate, with its towering columns and gilded arches, was a place where power was absolute, where the very walls whispered secrets of ancient bloodlines and ruthless ambitions. But tonight, Alaric Voltaire’s furious shouts filled the room with a reverberating roar.

“What the hell were you two doing in The Commons? With a voice like thunder, Alaric bellowed, shaking the entire estate. He clenched his fists at his sides. His knuckles were white with unyielding rage. His imposing figure loomed over his children, Noah and Elektra, who stood at attention before him. Their expressions contained a restrained fear. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve tied us and the rest of the nobles to the whole Threshold incident? Being seen there, in that filthy cesspool, has reduced our face among the other families. We are Voltaires. Do you understand what that means? We cannot afford such blunders!”

Noah was the first to respond, bowing his head slightly in a gesture of submission. “Father, I apologize. It was Elektra’s idea, not mine. She was the one who insisted on pursuing the lead.”

Elektra’s eyes flashed with annoyance at her brother’s attempt to shift the blame. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin defiantly. “I was finding a clue to where the bastard was,” she snapped, her voice sharp and defensive. “If I hadn’t gone there, we wouldn’t have known about Sabir Quinn’s connection to the child.”

Alaric’s rage didn’t abate, but his eyes narrowed as he considered his daughter’s words. Outside, the storm that had been brewing for hours reached a fever pitch. Rain pounded against the windows with relentless force, while jagged bolts of lightning split the sky, illuminating the dark clouds that churned ominously overhead. The tempest was a manifestation of Alaric’s anger, his emotions so potent that they twisted the very elements to his will.

Noah and Elektra exchanged a glance, both fully aware of the power their father wielded, not just over them, but over nature itself. The lightning crackled with a ferocity that mirrored the tension in the room, and the thunder that followed was like the wrathful heartbeat of the patriarch himself.

But then, as if commanding the storm with nothing more than his will, Alaric took a deep breath and released it slowly, his broad chest rising and falling as he regained control over his emotions. The rain tapered off, the sheets of water lessening until they were a mere drizzle. The flashes of lightning faded, leaving the room in a deep, unnatural silence that was almost more unnerving than the storm itself.

“Did you at least make any progress on killing the bastard?” Alaric asked, his voice calmer now, though it still carried the weight of his authority. He moved away from the center of the hall, pacing slowly as he awaited their response, his hands clasped behind his back.

Elektra seized the opportunity to present their findings, hoping to redeem herself in her father’s eyes. “We found Sabir Quinn, Father,” she said, her tone more measured now. “He told us that the child was last seen in a hospital in Tetra City. It’s not much, but it’s a lead.”

Alaric stopped his pacing and turned to face her, his gaze piercing. “Sabir Quinn? He holds the same last name as that damn whore.”

Before Elektra could respond, Noah stepped in, his voice smooth and confident. “Sabir Quinn is Cynthia Quinn’s brother,” he explained. It seems her brother has information on the child. Infuriatingly, he's trying to protect a child he doesn’t even know.”

Alaric grunted, the sound low and filled with disdain. “The Quinns,” he muttered, almost to himself. “That wretched bloodline has been a thorn in our side for too long. It’s time we put an end to them once and for all. After you’ve squeezed every bit of information out of Sabir, kill him. I’m sick and tired of that family messing with our affairs. Once those two are gone, this complete fiasco will be over.”

Noah nodded obediently, a small, satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “We’ll find the child and kill her soon, Father,” he promised, his voice dripping with assurance. “We’ll make sure our family’s reputation remains untarnished. The other nobles won’t hear a whisper of this. Our face among them will be preserved.”

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Alaric’s expression softened slightly at Noah’s words, but the cold, calculating glint in his eyes remained. “Good,” he said, his tone one of finality. “But be aware, the Gaian Matriarch already knows some of what’s going on. She’s chosen not to say anything—yet. But don’t let her silence fool you. She’s watching us closely, waiting for a misstep.”

The mention of the Gaian Matriarch sent a chill down Elektra’s spine. The Gaians were powerful and enigmatic, their influence stretching far beyond just Sector 3. If the Matriarch was aware of their movements, it could complicate things more than she cared to admit. But Elektra kept her concerns to herself, instead nodding in acknowledgment of her father’s warning.

“Understood, Father,” Noah replied, his voice steady. He cast a quick glance at Elektra, who gave a curt nod of agreement.

Satisfied, Alaric turned his back to them, his gaze drawn to the large windows that overlooked the estate’s sprawling grounds. The rain had stopped entirely now, leaving the world outside still and quiet. But the storm clouds remained, heavy and oppressive, like the weight of the expectations he placed on his children.

“Before you go,” Alaric said, his voice softer now but no less commanding, “what’s going on with Vincent? I haven’t heard anything from him in days.”

Noah sighed, his expression tightening with frustration. “Vincent is drowning in alcohol in that club he owns,” he replied, the distaste evident in his tone. “He still hasn’t gotten over everything, I suppose.”

Alaric’s shoulders sagged slightly, the first sign of weariness he’d shown all night. He sighed deeply, shaking his head as if in disappointment. “The boy needs to learn the hard way that we’re not like these regular people,” he said, his voice tinged with a bitterness that made it clear Ethan was a source of constant frustration. “We don’t scurry like rats with no greater purpose. We’re Voltaires. And he needs to start acting like it.”

Alaric’s gaze remained fixed on the window as he spoke, his reflection staring back at him from the glass—a powerful man burdened by the weight of legacy and the constant struggle to maintain it. Noah and Elektra remained quiet, aware that it was not the right time to disturb their father as he pondered deeply, else they may bear more repercussions.

Finally, Alaric waved a dismissive hand at them. “Go. Do what needs to be done. And don’t come back until it’s finished.”

Noah and Elektra bowed slightly, a gesture of respect that was more perfunctory than heartfelt. Without another word, they turned and left the grand hall, the heavy doors closing behind them with a resounding thud.

As they walked down the dimly lit corridor, the tension between them was palpable. Elektra could still feel the lingering sting of their father’s anger, and it took all her self-control not to lash out at Noah for throwing her under the bus. But she knew better than to start a fight now. They had more pressing matters to attend to—namely, finding Mia Quinn and finishing what they had started.

“We need to move quickly,” Noah said, his voice low as they walked. “The longer that child is out there, the greater the risk of someone else finding her first. And we can’t afford another mistake.”

Elektra, her mind racing with the implications, asked, “What’s the plan? We know she was last seen at a hospital in Tetra City. I can start checking the nearby areas.”

Noah shook his head, already considering the most efficient course of action. “I’ll take care of the hospitals. I have men stationed all over Tetra City. We’ll search every hospital, every clinic, and every damn medical facility until we find her.”

“And what about me?” Elektra’s voice was sharp with impatience, not liking the idea of being sidelined.

Noah’s eyes narrowed as he turned to his sister. “You’ll just get in the way. I don’t need you making things more complicated with your impulsiveness. Go back to your training with Warren. He’s been doing nothing but crying all day.”

Elektra scowled, her annoyance clear. But before she could argue, Noah paused, his expression shifting as a thought crossed his mind. He remembered Sabir Quinn, tied up and bleeding, the defiance still burning in his eyes despite the torture they had inflicted. There was something about the way Elektra had looked at Sabir, a flicker of interest that Noah hadn’t missed.

“On second thought,” Noah said, a smirk playing on his lips, “why don’t you have some fun with Sabir Quinn? You seemed to take quite an interest in him. Do what you want with him—just make sure he’s broken by the time you’re done. He’s lost his value, even if he’s hiding something”

Elektra’s expression transformed from irritation to excitement, a wicked grin spreading across her face. The idea of being given free rein over Sabir thrilled her, and her mind immediately filled with possibilities. Cruel, twisted possibilities that made her heart race.

“Oh, I’m gonna break him,” Elektra purred, her eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. “I have a few ideas that he’ll find… unforgettable.”

Noah gave a brief nod, making sure his sister would be occupied and not a hindrance. “Good. Just don’t overdo it. You might scare the servants.”

Together, they stepped out into the cool night air, the remnants of the storm hanged heavily above them. As Noah prepared to lead his men into Tetra City, Elektra’s thoughts lingered on Sabir, her grin widening as she imagined the “fun” she was about to have. For the Voltaires, it was only a matter of time before they wrapped this ordeal up, and Elektra was going to enjoy every moment.