Three hours later, the examination finally ended.
It was 1:45 PM.
The heavy doors of the examination hall opened, and exhausted students slowly walked outside. Among them was Lilith, her shoulders slumped with fatigue after hours of writing.
Not far away, Nikolai sat on a wooden bench with little Mila resting comfortably beside him.
As soon as Lilith spotted them, a small smile appeared despite how drained she felt.
"Hi, Nikki," she said softly.
Nikolai immediately stood.
"Hey, Bambi. How was it?"
Lilith looked at him with tired eyes before giving a slow nod.
"It was hard… but I hope everything goes well."
"It will, Bambi."
Mila immediately stretched both of her tiny arms toward her mother, making grabbing motions.
"Oh, my sweet little baby."
Lilith gently lifted Mila into her arms before kissing her forehead lovingly.
"I found a small job."
Nikolai raised an eyebrow.
"Really? And what kind?"
"Well… it's a cleaning job—"
"Hell no, Bambi."
Lilith blinked.
"Okay… there is a Black Card in your name since your wedding day. All the families have been putting money into that account. My love, you can't be working and studying. That's a lot of stress. I don't want you going through that kind of stress while taking care of Mila too."
He gently shook his head.
"So… no."
Lilith pouted.
"But can I work in a café at least?"
She clasped her hands together.
"Pretty please?"
Before Nikolai could answer—
"P… P… P… Pweas?"
Both parents instantly froze.
Their heads slowly turned toward Mila.
Lilith's eyes became wide.
"Oh my God… Mila… did you just say 'please'?!"
Mila burst into adorable giggles.
Nikolai laughed loudly before lifting Mila high into the air.
She giggled even harder.
He caught her safely.
"Fine, my little angel. Mama will work in a café."
Mila immediately clapped her tiny hands happily.
"I'll take care of Mila… and I know someone else who loves Mila very much."
Lilith tilted her head.
"Wanna know, Mimi?"
"Who?"
Nikolai smiled.
"The Bloody Queen herself."
He paused dramatically.
"The Blood Sovereign."
Lilith simply blinked at him.
He chuckled.
"Come on. Let's get lunch."
Mila wrapped both tiny arms around her mother's neck as the three of them walked toward the car.
Moments later, they drove away.
Back at the mansion…
Nikolai walked inside while speaking with Damian.
"Yes, Boss."
"Boss, we have a night meeting," Rima informed him.
"Hmm."
He looked toward Addison.
"Stuff's ready?"
"All loaded, Boss."
"Let's change."
Everyone nodded.
Ethan looked over.
"How was Lily's test?"
"According to her, it was stressful and hard."
Nikolai sighed before rubbing his forehead.
"Can you imagine? Your sister told me she wants to take a job as a fucking cleaner."
"WHAT?!"
Everyone shouted simultaneously.
"Cleaner?!" Sarah exclaimed.
"Yes."
Nikolai crossed his arms.
"I gave her another offer. She'll work in a café close to the school with someone who'll be running it… but it's a surprise."
Zafraan, while carrying little Anya, asked,
"Did you give her the Black Card?"
"She said no."
Nikolai sighed again.
"She wants to work and earn money herself."
"Comeeeeeee onnnnnnnnnnnn…" Yulian groaned dramatically.
"Right."
Daria nodded.
"She can't stress herself, brother."
"Yeah."
Dr. Liv folded her arms.
"Especially with this poison still inside her body."
Nikolai's expression darkened.
"Anything yet?"
Dr. Kelvin nodded.
"Yes. We need to take her to the hospital for an antibiotic treatment."
"Okay."
The Dominion Apex began preparing for the meeting.
Each member wore a tailored suit displaying the insignia of their respective title.
Logan watched Addison load her gun.
"I know what you're thinking, baby," she said.
"Maybe."
He wrapped both arms around her waist.
She smiled before leaning into him.
"It's always you, my love."
"Now and forever."
"I love you so much, Addy."
He rested his forehead against hers.
"And if anyone comes between us…"
"They'll lay in a pool of blood."
They both spoke in perfect unison.
Logan smiled before kissing her.
In another room…
Sabrina carefully tucked a blanket over both her sleeping husband and son.
She leaned down and kissed each of their foreheads before quietly leaving.
Inside Hassan's room…
Noor gently held his hand.
"Come back safely."
"Don't get hurt."
Hassan smiled warmly.
"Don't worry, my sweet baby."
"I'll be back."
He kissed Noor before bending down to kiss his son's forehead.
Inside Rima's room…
Asif tossed her handgun toward her.
"Catch."
She caught it perfectly.
"Kick some butt, pretty Mama!" Yasmine cheered.
"D… D… Don't get hurt, pretty Mama," little Yasmin whispered.
Rima smiled.
She hugged both children tightly before kissing Arham's cheeks, making him burst into laughter.
She then walked over to Asif.
"Go safe."
He kissed her forehead.
She smiled before walking out.
Downstairs…
Nikolai descended the grand staircase.
He wore an entirely black ensemble.
A long double-breasted overcoat.
A matching double-breasted waistcoat.
Tailored black trousers.
Black dress shoes.
The outfit was completely monochromatic, formal, and carried an almost dramatic presence.
He lit a cigarette.
"Let's move."
Within seconds, engines roared to life.
Motorcycles and black vehicles sped away into the distance.
Meanwhile…
Lilith relaxed inside the house while watching a Disney movie.
Beside her, Mila stared excitedly at the television.
"Wawwwww…"
She clapped both little hands excitedly.
She still didn't own a phone or any electronic gadgets.
Lilith glanced toward the house telephone.
She considered calling Nikolai.
After a few seconds, she slowly shook her head.
"I have a little money left…"
"Over ten thousand."
She sighed quietly before returning her attention to the movie.
Deep inside the woods…
An abandoned warehouse stood surrounded by darkness.
Nikolai stepped inside.
He removed his overcoat.
He folded his sleeves.
He walked alone.
Rows upon rows of armed men and women immediately bowed.
"KOROL' KOROLEY!"
"KING OF KINGS!"
They greeted together.
Nikolai casually snapped his fingers.
Everyone straightened immediately.
Several women stared at him with obvious lust in their eyes.
He ignored every single one of them before taking his seat.
The Red Order sat nearby.
"Problem?"
One man stepped forward.
"Boss… it's the Mexican group."
He explained everything that had happened.
While listening, Nikolai quietly watched a live feed showing Mila peacefully sleeping.
Another man secretly signaled toward a hidden shooter positioned above the warehouse.
The shooter slowly aimed his rifle directly at Nikolai.
Nikolai suddenly looked upward.
He smiled.
Then…
He waved.
The shooter's eyes widened in horror.
"Got ya!"
Darya laughed loudly before kicking him off the overhead platform.
The man crashed onto the floor.
"Hello."
Nikolai smiled pleasantly.
"What do we have here?"
"I… I… I… I…"
The shooter trembled violently.
Nikolai calmly placed one polished shoe on top of the man's head.
"I can spare your life…"
"…if you point at who paid you."
He smiled.
"Now be a good boy."
"And do it."
"Chop chop."
The man shook uncontrollably.
"Come onnnnnnnn…"
Rima smacked the back of his head.
Nearby…
Caspian picked up an item.
"Ouuuu…"
"Look, bro."
"Isn't this pretty?"
He showed it to Alexio.
"Is it for Mil?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sooo in."
Kenen laughed.
Everyone laughed together.
Nikolai cleared his throat.
Silence immediately filled the warehouse.
Kalma slowly crossed one elegant leg over the other.
She wore a striking black floor-length gown blending intricate lace detailing with sleek structured accents.
The dress featured a high halter neckline highlighting her shoulders and upper torso.
Delicate floral-patterned lace created an elegant semi-sheer appearance.
Across her waist, glossy black fabric twisted into a dramatic knot with a metallic accent that cinched her silhouette while adding a modern contrast.
Below the waist, the lace skirt flowed gracefully to the floor with a high front slit revealing additional lace beneath.
She watched silently.
"I… I… I… it was them."
The shooter pointed toward a group of men.
Nikolai snapped his fingers.
His men immediately grabbed them.
Kalma snapped hers.
Seris and Hana seized one man by his tie.
"Make them speak."
"No! No! No! No!"
The captured men screamed.
Nikolai smiled.
"You get special treatment."
He suddenly burst into laughter.
Everyone became frightened.
Without warning—
BANG!
He slammed his hand onto the table.
"If anyone dares me…"
"I swear…"
"I will give you a death so massively terrible…"
"…your twelve generations will become terrified just by hearing about it."
He slowly scanned every face.
"So…"
"Anyone else?"
"No, Boss!"
Everyone shouted.
"Good."
"Krasnaya Prikaz."
"Red Order."
"Come with me."
They nodded before following him.
Three minutes later…
"Yes, Boss."
Nikolai looked around.
"Lilith and my daughter are back in Russia."
"I brought them back."
Everyone gasped.
"Lily is back?"
Hana asked excitedly.
"Yes."
He unlocked his phone.
"And here…"
"…is my daughter."
"Mila."
Everyone gathered around immediately.
"Awwww…"
Kalma smiled warmly.
"She looks so, so, so adorable."
Nikolai explained everything that had happened over the past months.
Luiza looked hopefully at him.
"Can we go and see them?"
"Please, Boss?"
"Soon."
Nikolai nodded.
"But one of you needs to do something for me."
"I don't want her working as a cleaner."
"Hell no."
"Yeah."
"Fuck no."
Crya folded her arms.
"She will not."
"That's why…"
Nikolai looked toward all of the women.
"You girls will help me."
"I just want her to come home…"
"…but she isn't."
Every woman immediately nodded.
"We're with you, Boss."
"Just give the order."
Vindicata said firmly.
Nikolai began explaining every detail of his plan.
One by one…
They nodded.
When he finally finished—
They bowed respectfully.
"Get to work."
Kalma gave the command.
"Yes, Boss."
The Red Order answered in perfect unison before leaving to carry out Nikolai's orders.