Chapter 48 – The Hidden Past
Author's POV
Saturday Morning...
Fernandez Mansion was unusually quiet.
After last night's attack...
Section E had already returned to their own homes.
Keifer had also left early that morning.
Only Angelo...
Aries...
Tita Gama...
Jay...
And Yuri remained.
---
The dining room was silent.
The only sound was the clinking of utensils.
Yuri quietly ate his breakfast.
Across the table...
Aries never took his eyes off him.
Finally...
He spoke.
"I still don't trust you."
Yuri slowly put his fork down.
"I know."
Aries folded his arms.
"You disappeared without a word."
"You suddenly came back."
"And because of you..."
"Our home was attacked."
"I have every reason to be suspicious."
Yuri lowered his head.
"...You're right."
Before the atmosphere could become even heavier...
Jay calmly interrupted.
"That's enough."
Everyone looked at her.
She turned to Aries.
"I trust him."
Aries sighed.
"I trust you, Jay."
"But not him."
Angelo nodded.
"We'll respect your decision."
"But until we know everything..."
"We'll stay cautious."
Jay didn't argue.
She understood their concerns.
---
After breakfast...
Jay stood up.
"Yuri."
He looked at her.
"Come with me."
Without asking any questions...
Yuri followed.
---
Nearly an hour later...
Their car stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse.
Yuri looked around.
"...Where are we?"
Jay smiled faintly.
"You'll find out."
She walked toward a large steel door.
A hidden scanner lit up.
Access Granted.
The ground slowly opened.
Yuri stared in disbelief.
"...What is this place?"
Jay stepped into the elevator.
"My real workplace."
---
A few moments later...
The elevator doors opened.
Yuri froze.
A massive underground headquarters stretched before him.
Hundreds of people dressed in black immediately stood at attention.
The moment Jay stepped forward...
Every member bowed.
"Welcome back, Boss."
Yuri's eyes widened.
"...Boss?"
Scott, Nathan, Lucas, Damien, Zane and Aiden approached.
The six commanders saluted.
"Good morning, Boss."
Jay nodded.
"At ease."
The members returned to work.
Yuri slowly looked at Jay.
"...You're..."
Jay met his gaze.
"I'm the Queen of Shadow League."
For several seconds...
Yuri couldn't speak.
Then he smiled faintly.
"I had a feeling..."
"But I never imagined you were the Queen."
Jay smiled.
"Come on."
"There's something we need to see."
---
Inside the conference room...
Scott inserted the flash drive into the computer.
The encrypted files slowly unlocked.
Folder after folder appeared on the screen.
Finally...
Only one remained.
Scott clicked it.
A profile appeared on the screen.
Name: Lucien Blackwood
A photograph slowly loaded beneath it.
The room instantly fell silent.
Yuri's face turned pale.
"...Lucien..."
Scott froze.
"It can't be..."
Nathan slowly stepped back.
"...He's alive."
Lucas clenched his fists.
Damien shook his head.
"I watched him die."
Zane stared at the screen in disbelief.
"...Impossible."
Aiden whispered,
"After all these years..."
Jay stood completely still.
Her eyes never left the screen.
"...Lucien Blackwood."
Yuri looked at Jay.
"You know him too..."
Jay slowly nodded.
"I know him better than anyone."
Scott spoke quietly.
"He was Shadow League's greatest enemy."
Nathan lowered his head.
"We fought him for years."
Lucas added,
"We thought Boss ended the war that night."
Silence filled the room.
Jay slowly closed her eyes.
"I fought Lucien years ago."
"He nearly destroyed Shadow League."
"I defeated him..."
"And I watched him die with my own eyes."
She slowly opened her eyes again.
"If he's alive..."
"Then someone helped him survive."
Scott looked at Jay.
"What are your orders, Boss?"
Jay's expression became colder than ever.
"Mobilise every Shadow League unit."
"I want every commander on this mission."
"Find Lucien Blackwood."
"No matter where he's hiding..."
"We're bringing Yuri's family home."
"And this time..."
"I'll end this war."
The six commanders answered together.
"As you command, Boss."
Far away...
Inside a luxurious office...
A man slowly closed a folder labelled Shadow League.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"So..."
"You finally know I'm alive."
The man turned his chair toward the window.
His crimson eyes reflected the city skyline.
"Welcome back, Jay."
"I've been waiting for this reunion."
To Be Continued...
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Author's Note
The greatest enemy of Shadow League has returned...
And this time...
The war is personal.
Love you all veryyyyyyy much! 🫂❤️
Your Author 💕