Chapter 147

"Drax, what's going on?" Jaden's voice crackled through the comm, calm but edged with steel.

A beat of silence. Then Drax answered, voice low and alert.

"Boss, we've got a ghost aboard. Assassin. Real slippery - but when you opened your door just now? There was a leak. A flicker of murderous intent. Sharp as a blade."

Jaden's expression hardened.

Without hesitation, he spun around, reopened the door, and yanked Hannah - stunned and half-flustered-back into the room.

“Wha—? Jaden?" she gasped as he pushed her inside.

Her dress fluttered as she stumbled back, confused.

"Even if you're mad... I can still forgive you," she said, trying to smile, brushing her hair behind her ear.

Jaden didn't even look at her.

"Interesting," he muttered, eyes locked on something invisible, his mind already elsewhere. "I'll be right back."

He left her standing there, alone — - lips parted, eyes narrowing with frustration.

On the shadowed edge of the starboard wing, stood a solitary figure dressed in matte black.

Michael Thornfell.

The cold wind whipped around him, tugging at his coat. His platinum hair

shimmered under the low deck lights as he crouched on the rail, gazing out into the abyss.

"So the rumors are true..." he murmured, eyes gleaming. "Jaden really is protected by someone dangerous."

He licked his lips, a sick fascination dancing in his gaze.

Suddenly-

Clink.

Boots landed behind him. Heavy. Measured.

Michael straightened, sighing without turning around.

"Late to the party, are we?"

"White boy, where do you think you're going?" came the gruff voice behind him.

Michael turned slowly to face him — and saw a mountain of muscle in a tactical coat.

Drax.

A lazy grin spread across Drax's face.

"Caught you sneaking around like a rat in silk shoes."

Michael's expression darkened.

"You're looking for death,” he snapped, launching a swift kick toward Drax's chest.

But Drax's hand shot out like lightning and caught his leg mid-air — fingers

tightening with vice-like strength.

"Is that all you got?" Drax grinned, twisting the leg until Michael winced.

But then-

Michael's other hand slipped into his coat.

A soft pssst! and suddenly, a burst of chemical mist sprayed directly into Drax's face. "Wha-"

Drax's smile dropped. He staggered backward, eyes blinking rapidly.

"You-trick-"

His knees buckled. His massive body hit the ground with a thunderous THUD.

Michael stood over him, twirling the small metallic canister between his fingers.

"Biochemical venom, enhanced with neurotoxins. Strong enough to drop a bear in seconds." He knelt beside Draxis unconscious form. “Didn't think it'd just knock you out you're a freak of nature."

He drew a knife from beneath his coat — sleek, curved, obsidian steel glinting under the deck light.

Michael chuckled darkly, eyes lingering far too long on Drax's still frame.

“Such a shame..... such a fine body about to be ruined." He licked his lips. "But work is work."

He raised the dagger high-

"Going to kill him?"

The voice was deep. Cold. Commanding.

Michael froze.

His hand trembled slightly mid-air.

He turned — and his blood ran cold.

Standing in the shadows just beyond the deck light was a tall man draped in a long

black coat, silver cuffs gleaming.

Lucian Thornfell.

Michael's father.

"F-Father?" Michael stammered.

Lucian's hand moved in a blur. CRACK!

Michael's head whipped to the side from a brutal backhand. His cheek burned red instantly.

"You disgrace," Lucian growled,

voice smooth but dripping with fury. "I taught you lures. I taught you deception Threats Traps The art of control Not mindless violence

Michael clutched his cheek, stunned. "I-I thought—"

"You thought wrong."

Lucian stepped forward, boots clicking, eyes glowing like burning coals in the dark.

"You were about to kill the one man who matters most in our plans. Do you even understand who this is?"

He raised his foot... and placed it directly on Drax's chest, pressing down gently.

"This

lever the said softly, "is the

turns Jaden's world. And

you were going to butcher him in the dark like a common thug."

Michael swallowed hard. "So... what now?"

Lucian looked up with a chilling smile.

"Now, we remind the world why the name Thornfell still means something."