The basement lights hummed softly.
Nyx stopped at the door.
"Everyone stay out," she said.
James hesitated. "I didn't tie him up."
Nyx didn't even look back.
"Not required."
She took one step forward—
Lucien suddenly grabbed her wrist.
She turned.
His eyes searched her face.
"Be careful," he said quietly."If you need anything—call me."
Nyx nodded once.
Then walked in.
Richward sat on the chair, head lowered.
He heard footsteps and slowly lifted his face.
Smiled.
He stood.
Nyx stopped a few feet away.
He stepped closer.
"So," he said. "Why am I here?"
Nyx's voice was flat.
"Your father."
His smile faded.
"I'm not saying anything."
He turned to leave.
Nyx grabbed his collar and yanked him back hard.
He stumbled.
"I didn't request," she said coldly.
"I ordered."
Richward leaned close to her face.
"And I'm not listening to you."
His lips curved cruelly.
"Do you even know why we broke up?"
Nyx stayed silent.
He scoffed.
"Because of this. Your control. Your coldness."
He turned again.
She pulled him back violently.
He hit the floor.
Nyx looked down at him.
"I tried being polite," she said.
"Looks like that's not working."
He came at her first.
A punch.
She blocked.
A kick.
She twisted away.
He grabbed her shoulder—
She slammed her elbow into his ribs.
He staggered.
Tried again.
She ducked, swept his legs, dropped him.
He got up, wild now.
Swung hard.
She caught his wrist, twisted, and drove him into the wall.
He pushed her back.
She rolled, kicked his knee.
He screamed.
Three minutes.
That's all it took.
By the end, Richward was crawling backward on the floor, blood on his mouth.
His back hit the wall.
He froze.
Nyx calmly pulled a chair in front of him.
Sat.
Crossed her legs.
Pulled out her gun.
Her face was unreadable.
"Last time," she said.
"Talk."
His voice shook.
"The document… it's with my father. In his private archive."
Nyx tilted her head.
"That's it?"
He nodded frantically.
"I swear—I don't know anything else."
The door burst open.
Lucien and Elias.
Nyx didn't even glance at them.
"Stay out of this."
Neither moved.
Nyx stood.
Pulled out her knife.
Drove it into Richward's leg.
He screamed.
"I told you everything!"
She stabbed again.
He cried.
"I won't say more! Even if you kill me!"
Lucien smirked slightly.
He leaned toward Elias and whispered,
"Isn't she adorable when she's killing her ex?"
Elias stared at both of them.
"You're both psychopaths."
Lucien just grinned.
Nyx stepped back.
Looked at Richward.
"Then you're useless."
She raised the gun.
One clean shot.
Straight to the head.
Silence.
Lucien walked in slowly.
"That was unnecessary."
Nyx holstered the weapon.
"He had no value anymore. Leaving him alive would've been dangerous."
Lucien studied her.
"No feelings? He was your ex."
Nyx didn't blink.
"The reason we broke up," she said calmly ,"is because I never let him touch me."
Lucien stiffened.
"He questioned that."
She shrugged.
"So I ended it. He only wanted satisfaction."
Then quietly:
"I don't like physical contact."
She turned toward the door.
"James."
James entered.
"Clear this."
He nodded.
Lucien added, "Midnight. Make it look like an accident or trafficking. No traces."
"Yes," James said.
Nyx walked out.
Lucien followed.
"I'll tell Liz," Nyx said.
Lucien opened the car door for her.
"Let me drop you."
She nodded.
"Yeah."
They drove off.
Blood behind them.
Secrets ahead.