Meanwhile, somewhere in the world...

A crowd had gathered at a municipal function hall where a free medical checkup and community charity event were being held.

Most of the attendees were elderly people and children who couldn’t afford proper medical care.

"Thank you, Doctor," one of the elderly patients waiting at the desk said with a warm smile. "You truly are a blessing to all of us. Ever since you fought for this program and treated me, I’ve been feeling so much better."

The others waiting in line chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"He’s like an angel."

"I’m so glad there are still doctors like him who save lives without expecting anything in return."

"Doctor, we pray you live a long life so you can keep helping people."

The doctor they praised to the heavens—and even included in their prayers—smiled gently.

"You’re all too kind."

Just then, a nurse approached the desk where the line had formed, most of them waiting specifically for him.

"Everyone, Doctor Memphis will be taking his lunch break now," she announced. "He’ll be back later."

"I’ve already prescribed your medication," Memphis said with a kind smile, leaning slightly over the desk. "Just tell the pharmacy my name, and you’ll receive it free of charge."

The old man laughed heartily.

"Thank you, Doctor Memphis! You truly are heaven-sent!"

Memphis chuckled before glancing at another physician nearby, signaling him to take over.

With another doctor replacing him, Memphis walked toward one of the closed tents reserved exclusively for him.

The moment he stepped inside, two men in black suits were already waiting.

He paused, glancing at one of them.

The man immediately approached, offering him disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer, which Memphis accepted without a word.

"God..." he muttered as he walked farther inside. "Can’t these people stop touching the very hands trying to help them? They can’t even clean their nails."

He wiped his hands thoroughly, clearly far less pleased with his "patients" than they believed.

"How did the operation go?" he asked while cleaning his hands before taking a seat at the table where lunch had already been prepared. After spending the entire morning surrounded by those people, he intended to enjoy his meal in peace.

"Any word from them?" he asked, shooting the men a sidelong glance.

Instead of answering, one of them silently offered him a phone.

Memphis clicked his tongue before taking it.

The line was already connected.

He placed the phone against his ear while the two men continued arranging the table.

"How is it?" he asked. "Don’t ruin my mood by telling me it failed."

His eyes glinted. "I’m going to kill you."

"Sir, we’ve encountered a problem."

Memphis’s expression immediately turned cold, the temperature inside the tent seeming to drop with it.

"A problem?"

"Yes." The man on the other end spoke carefully. "Before we could begin, Madam Dominion came under attack."

Memphis frowned. "Is she hurt?"

"The shooter missed."

Silence filled the line. Neither man spoke.

The subordinate knew better than to continue before Memphis had processed the information.

"I see..." Memphis murmured, slowly nodding. "Give me the details."

The subordinate immediately summarized everything that had happened.

"Dominion captured the shooter. They’re most likely interrogating him as we speak."

"He wasn’t part of the plan... and he had to make his move at the worst possible time." Memphis clicked his tongue, displeasure written across his face. "Something about this doesn’t sit right. And he targeted Dominion’s madam?"

His eyes narrowed.

The shooter had never been part of their operation, yet because the attack happened first, Dominion would now be on high alert.

"Don’t worry, sir," the subordinate assured him, making Memphis raise a brow. "We prepared a contingency plan in case things didn’t go our way."

A satisfied smirk tugged at Memphis’s lips.

"We’ll move once we have a clear shot at the target."

"Good." Memphis nodded. "But while you’re at it, find out who sent the shooter after Madam Dominion."

A brief silence followed.

"Is that necessary?" the subordinate asked.

"He attacked Dominion’s madam. Of course it’s necessary," Memphis replied. "Lucian treasures her more than his own life. And she treasures him just as much."

A faint chuckle escaped him.

"It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" He smiled to himself. "Having someone you cherish so deeply... that you’d do absolutely anything to protect them."

If there was one thing Memphis had learned throughout his life, it was that people with nothing left to lose were far more terrifying than those who still had something precious.

It was in his best interest to make sure Lucian and Ashley never lost everything — not yet.

"There’s one more thing, sir," the subordinate said.

"Marshal’s daughter is attending the event."

Memphis arched a brow before his smile widened.

"Give Marshal a little scare." His smile deepened. "And if the opportunity presents itself... eliminate both Lucian and Ashley while you’re at it. If there aren’t, forget about it."

"We’ll move immediately."

Then, the call ended.

Memphis remained seated, completely ignoring the meal before him.

A quiet chuckle escaped his lips which slowly grew louder.

Then it became restrained laughter.

"Ahh..." He leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "This is so much fun."

*****

Back at the event...

Tonight’s charity gala was far too important.

The shooting alone was enough to throw everything into chaos. If word about the bomb spread among the guests, panic would become impossible to control.

Fortunately, even before Ashley had dealt with the gunman, she had already instructed Dominion to begin escorting guests out of the venue one by one.

By the time the bomb was discovered, nearly half the guests had already left.

Using the shooting as an excuse, Dominion quietly accelerated the evacuation.

Meanwhile, Ashley, Lucian, and Primo were escorted toward another exit to ensure their safety.

Liza, Shyaan, and Tommy stayed close behind.

"Master, the cars are ready," Gustav reported as he approached Lucian, who had been speaking with Tommy while everyone else was being escorted outside.

Lucian and Tommy both turned toward him.

Tommy nodded first.

"Go," he said, shifting his attention to Lucian. "I’ll stay and oversee the situation."

"No—"

"Go," Tommy repeated firmly, looking him straight in the eye. "Keep your family safe first."

Lucian instinctively wanted to argue.

No one had ever spoken to him like that before—as though he were simply a husband whose first responsibility was protecting his family.

After a brief pause, he nodded.

"Gustav," Lucian said, glancing at him. "Stay with Sir Tomas."

Gustav lowered his head.

Without another word, Lucian gave Tommy one last look before turning away.

Tommy let out a slow breath.

Something about tonight’s sequence of events continued to bother him.

Until he figured out what it was, the safest decision was to get Dominion away from the area.

Especially Primo.

Tommy watched Lucian’s retreating figure.

As he instinctively shifted his position, something caught the corner of his eye.

A tiny red dot.

Right in the middle of Lucian’s back.

The instant Tommy recognized it, his pupils constricted.

"Lucian!"

His sudden shout made everyone freeze and turn toward him.

Lucian stopped and looked back.

But before he could react, Tommy lunged forward and slammed into him, sending both of them crashing onto the ground.

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!