Chapter 70
The moment Miss Reyes stepped into the duel hall, the atmosphere shifted.
She arrived without announcement, without entourage, dressed in understated elegance that stood in sharp contrast to the extravagance surrounding her. No insignia marked her allegiance. No expression betrayed her intent. Yet heads turned all the same, conversations faltered, and more than a few powerful figures straightened unconsciously in their seats.
Miss Reyes rarely honored invitations like this. When she did, it was never without reason.
She moved through the aisles with calm confidence, her heels echoing softly against the stone floor, taking a seat among the distinguished guests as though she belonged there–which she did Cameras subtly adjusted their angles. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
“Why is she here?”
“I thought she stayed away from Ventress affairs.”
“This is unexpected…”
Freya noticed her almost immediately.
A faint, calculating smile curved her lips as she excused herself from the group surrounding her and walked toward Reyes with measured grace. Her expression was warm, almost welcoming, but her eyes were sharp, assessing.
“Miss Reyes,” Freya said smoothly, inclining her head. “I must say, I’m surprised. You don’t often honor our invitations. I never thought you’d come to witness something like this.”
Reyes turned to her slowly, lips lifting into a polite smile that revealed nothing. “Life has been dull lately,” she replied. “This duel sounded… interesting. I haven’t seen anything truly entertaining in years.”
Freya chuckled softly. “Interesting is one way to describe it.” Her gaze flicked briefly toward the massive rings in the center of the hall. “It must be satisfying, coming to witness the fall of an arrogant man who overestimated himself.”
Reyes’s eyes followed her gaze, resting on the empty arena for a moment before she looked back at Freya. A faint smirk appeared, subtle but unmistakable. “Actually,” she said, her voice calm, “I’m rooting for the man.”
Freya blinked once, caught off guard despite herself. “You’re… rooting for him?”
“Yes,” Reyes said easily. “Anyone bold enough to challenge twenty–one immortals must be worth watching. Courage like that doesn’t come from madness alone.”
Freya studied her more closely now, amusement mingled with suspicion. “Or perhaps he’s simply mentally unstable. Level five, from what we’ve heard. Hardly the kind of man one places their hopes in.”
Reyes shrugged lightly. “History isn’t written by the cautious. And find it refreshing when someone stands against those who hide in shadows and call themselves untouchable.”
Freya’s smile widened, though something colder flickered beneath it. “Then perhaps this is an opportunity,” she said after a brief pause. “What if we make things more interesting? A wager, between you and me.”
Reyes arched a brow. “Go on.”
“If the immortals win,” Freya said, her tone confident, “you’ll finally reconsider your stance toward the Ventress family. A partnership, perhaps. Mutual benefit.”
Reyes didn’t answer immediately. She leaned back slightly, considering, then looked directly at Freya. “And if the man wins?”
Freya hesitated for a fraction of a second. “He won’t.”
“But if he does,” Reyes pressed calmly, “then I want the Ventress family to exit the city. Completely. No influence. No backroom dealings. A clean departure.”
The words landed like a blade dropped onto stone.
Chapter 70
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Around them, the noise of the hall seemed to dull, as if the air itself were listening.
Freya stared at her, stunned. “You would place that kind of trust in a man you barely know? Someone labeled unstable, someone who hasn’t traveled the world or built power the way we have?”
Reyes’s gaze didn’t waver. “A deal is a deal,” she said simply. “If you’re confident in your immortals, you have nothing to fear.”
Freya’s fingers curled slightly at her side. For a moment, calculation warred with pride. Then she laughed, sharp and fearless. “ Fine,” she said boldly. “I accept. When the immortals win, you’ll regret ever doubting us.”
She extended her hand. Reyes took it without hesitation.
“Happy collaboration in advance,” Freya said, her grip firm.
Reyes smiled faintly. “We’ll see.”
Freya turned away, satisfaction humming through her veins. In her mind, the outcome was already decided.
Moments later, the lights dimmed.
A deep, resonant hum rolled through the hall as the massive gates at the far end creaked open. The crowd surged to its feet, voices rising in a deafening wave.
“He’s coming!”
“Is he really here?”
“So he didn’t run after all!”
From the shadows emerged Adrian.
He walked forward slowly, a thick ceremonial rope draped loosely over his shoulders, his steps steady and unhurried. Kai walked beside him, his expression solemn, his posture straight, eyes sharp as he scanned the surroundings.
The noise exploded.
Some laughed loudly, mocking the simplicity of his appearance. Others fell silent, unsettled by the calm that radiated from him. Cameras zoomed in, capturing every detail, every breath, every measured step.
“Look at his confidence!”
“Does he think this is a parade?”
“That rope–does he think he’s already won?”
Adrian didn’t react.
He reached the edge of the ring and paused, lifting his gaze to take in the massive arena, the countless faces watching him with anticipation, hatred, curiosity, and greed. Then he stepped into the ring without hesitation.
Kai stopped at the boundary, remaining outside as instructed.
The noise intensified.
Freya rose from her seat and made her way toward the ring, her heels echoing as she approached. She stopped just short of the boundary, arms folded, eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.
Adrian turned toward her, his expression calm, almost bored. He walked closer, stopping a few steps away, close enough that only she could hear him.
“Do you have something you want to say to me?” he asked evenly.
Freya’s lips curved into a smirk. “Happy death day,” she replied softly. “You’re the only man I’ve ever met who saw his death coming and still chose to show up.”
Chopra 70
Adrian studied her for a moment, then smiled faintly. “That’s because you’re mistaken.”
“Oh?” Freya tilted her head. “About what?”
“About whose death this is,” he said calmly.
Her smile faltered for the briefest instant before she masked it with laughter. “We’ll see soon enough.”
She turned away, signaling to the officials.
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