The black car slowed, then stopped.
The gates before them were not ordinary. They were towering wrought-iron structures, nearly fifteen feet high, engraved with an intricate crest Nicholas recognized instantly; the Brown insignia.
The gates parted smoothly. As the car rolled forward, Nicholas' breath stilled.
The driveway stretched long and curved, paved with polished stone that reflected the soft glow of embedded ground lights.
On either side stood trimmed hedges sculpted into precise geometric shapes.
Marble statues lined the path, each carved with stunning detail.
At the end of the drive stood the villa.
No.
The estate.
It rose three stories high, built in a fusion of modern glass architecture and classical European design.
Tall pillars framed the entrance. Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the twilight sky. Balconies curved elegantly along the upper levels, their railings forged from black steel with gold detailing.
Water cascaded from a central fountain in front of the entrance, illuminated from beneath so it shimmered like liquid crystal.
Nicholas stepped out slowly. Even he could not suppress the faint widening of his eyes.
"This…" he murmured.
Alfred stepped out from the front seat and moved to stand slightly behind him.
"Welcome home, Young Master."
Nicholas' gaze traveled further.
Rows of luxury vehicles were parked along the side of the estate; limited-edition sports cars, armored sedans, and even a vintage collection displayed beneath a glass canopy.
Uniformed bodyguards stood in symmetrical formation near the grand entrance. Their heads bowed in perfect synchronization.
"Welcome home, Young Master."
Behind them, maids and household staff lined both sides of the marble steps, also bowing deeply.
"Welcome home."
The words echoed.
Nicholas felt something familiar yet unfamiliar stir in his chest. Respect; something he had almost forgotten existed.
Alfred respectfully motioned toward the entrance.
"Please."
The double doors opened before Nicholas even reached them.
The interior was breathtaking.
A massive chandelier hung from a ceiling that extended up through all three floors. It glittered like a constellation.
The floor was polished white marble veined with gold. A sweeping staircase curved upward on both sides, meeting at a grand landing above.
Artwork adorned the walls were original pieces. Rare sculptures were displayed beneath glass cases. The air smelled faintly of sandalwood and sweet roses.
Nicholas walked forward slowly.
His reflection followed him across the marble.
So this was what had been hidden, all the while he had been suffering in the Coopers' world.
Then his eyes landed on a familiar figure.
An elderly woman stood among the household staff, slightly hunched, her hair now more gray than black. But the face was unmistakable.
His sister's favorite nanny. The one who used to hum lullabies for them every night. The one who used to sneak him extra desserts. The one he trusted most among the nannies.
She looked up.
Their eyes met.
Nicholas could not help the faint smile that spread across his face.
The golden mark on his hand tingled.
[Notable individual detected.]
[Would you like to activate Secret Archive Access?]
"Yes."
The world dimmed slightly.
Data flooded his vision.
TARGET: Martha Hale
Age: 71
Position: Senior Housekeeper
Years of Service: 36
Loyalty Index: 18 percent
Hidden Activity: Accepted financial compensation from an unknown third party eight years ago.
Action: Provided internal schedules and security layouts prior to Brown family collapse.
Status: Active information leak.
Nicholas' pupils constricted. The smile vanished instantly.
Eighteen percent.
His chest tightened.
There had always been an insider. Someone who contributed to their downfall.
But her?
She had sold them.
The memories of chaos eight years ago rushed through his mind — his father's breakdown, the media storm, the sudden disappearance of public and investor funds.
The threats. The accident. Neveah crying. The house burning. Holding Natalie's lifeless body.
The golden interface flickered brighter.
[High betrayal confirmed.]
[Optional side mission available.]
[Terminate target. Reward: $1000.]
Nicholas froze internally.
Terminate?
His jaw tightened.
The system continued.
[Financial reward will be credited immediately upon completion.]
Nicholas blinked once.
"…I still earn?" he murmured internally.
[Affirmative.]
[All system-sanctioned eliminations are compensated.]
He did not even need money. Natalie would still have been alive. Neveah would not be in her current condition if this woman had not gotten involved.
His gaze slowly returned to Martha.
She was still bowing.
But her hands were trembling.
Rage flared violently in his chest.
Alfred noticed the subtle shift in the atmosphere.
"Young Master?" he asked cautiously.
Nicholas did not respond immediately.
The system prompt hovered in his vision.
[Terminate target?]
"Why is she still alive?" Nicholas asked coldly, pointing at Martha.
"Young Master, she's…"
"A traitor. A shameless beast who bites the hand that fed her without remorse. All for some small change. The audacity to return to the Browns as though nothing happened. Did you think your crimes were buried?"
Martha's legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed to her knees, sobbing instantly.
"Young Master, please. I was forced. They threatened my family. I had no choice. I truly had no choice. Please remember when you were little. Please remember how I cared for you and the young mistresses. I would never intentionally cause you harm for any amount of money."
[False statement: Betrayal intentional for $20,000.]
Nicholas' expression hardened further.
Tears streamed down her face as she crawled forward slightly.
"I beg you. Spare me."
Nicholas stared down at her with eyes devoid of warmth.
"Confess," he ordered.
She shook her head frantically.
"I can't. They will kill my grandchildren."
Nicholas' expression did not change.
He turned his head slightly.
"Alfred."
Alfred straightened.
"Yes, Young Master."
"Make her speak."
Alfred hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding.
At his subtle gesture, two guards stepped forward.
They lifted Martha firmly from the ground.
"No. Please. Please."
Her cries echoed against the marble walls.
Alfred's voice turned cold.
"If you do not confess willingly, your granddaughter and grandson will be investigated. Their future will become very difficult. You said they threatened you with them. How about we play the same game?"
Martha froze. Her wrinkled eyes grew hollow.
Nicholas watched without blinking.
"You must know the reward for betrayal better than anyone, Martha. Do not blame the Young Master for showing no mercy if you refuse to confess now." Alfred added.
The word mercy shattered her resistance.
"I gave them the security layout," she whispered. "The internal schedules. I told them when the guards changed shifts. I told them where the documents were kept. They said it was only business pressure. I did not know it would destroy the family. I swear I did not know."
Each word was a blade.
Nicholas closed his eyes briefly.
When he opened them, they were almost lifeless.
"Her death will be silent," he said calmly.
Alfred looked up sharply.
"Young Master…"
"Her granddaughter will enter a convent. Her grandson will enter a seminary."
Gasps rippled faintly among the staff.
"Her bloodline ends in devotion and silence. That is the most lenient I will be."
"As you ordered, Young Master."
Alfred bowed. He turned to the guards holding Martha.
"Take her away and fulfill the Young Master's command. Make it clean."
Martha screamed.
"No. Please. Not them."
Nicholas did not look at her again.
Alfred was visibly shaken.
"How did you…"
Nicholas turned slightly, his expression unreadable.
"I know more than you think."
The guards dragged Martha away, her cries fading down the corridor.
The golden interface flickered brightly.
[Side mission completed.]
[Reward credited: $1000.]
[Current balance updated.]
[Income will be deposited into your bank account once activated.]
Alfred slowly lowered his head. Eight years and he didn't manage to get any dirt on Martha even after investigating all the staff.
But Nicholas…
The Young Master he believed he had been waiting for…
seemed to be the one who had been waiting for them all along.