The story centers around a violent confrontation involving Dan, Derrick, and Marie, with Dan suffering a brutal beating orchestrated by Marie and her reinforcements. Dan is filled with anger and frustration, especially because Marie refuses to believe Derrick was involved in the incident, and Derrick has since stolen from Dan, further fueling his rage. Despite Dan’s efforts to reach Derrick and Marie, both are unreachable, heightening his sense of loss and betrayal.
As Dan and his team gather intelligence, they learn that Derrick and Marie are leaving on a private jet, which only intensifies Dan’s fury. Upon returning to Black Mountain, Dan finds the atmosphere tense and heavy. Artemis is quietly crying, Manny is grim, and Dale is cold and unreadable, creating a charged environment filled with unspoken emotions and long-buried secrets.
The interactions between Dan and the others reveal deep-seated conflicts and strained relationships. Dan taunts Dale about his apparent change in feelings toward Artemis and Manny, while Artemis pleads softly for understanding, questioning Dan’s harsh actions toward Manny and Lina. Dan’s cold and determined demeanor underscores his desire to uncover the truth about family ties and loyalties, setting the stage for further revelations and confrontations.
862 Lines That Should Never Be Crossed
And it wasn’t just a simple beating—she had come prepared with reinforcements. The assault was merciless, leaving no doubt about her resolve.
“Alright, alright, I’ll stop talking,” Derrick quickly interrupted, his voice tinged with unease. “Anyway, things really escalated that night.”
“Escalated” was an understatement.
From the perspective of Sebastian, Lancelot, and Ashley, the whole ordeal had been nothing short of terrifying.
Meanwhile, Dan sat slumped inside the car, his entire body throbbing with pain. “That damn woman!” he growled, his voice low and bitter. “I hope when she finds out it was Derrick, she tears that bastard apart!”
Conan, who was behind the wheel, remained silent for a moment, processing the tension in the air.
“Beat the crap out of Mr. Derrick?” he finally muttered, skepticism lacing his tone. “I doubt that’ll happen.”
His words struck Dan like a punch straight to the gut.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dan snapped, eyes narrowing. “You doubt it?”
“They’re married,” Conan stated flatly, as if that explained everything.
A heavy silence fell between them.
“Married couples sleep together, have kids—that’s normal, right? So why would she want to hurt Mr. Derrick?” Dan pressed, confusion and frustration bubbling up inside him.
More silence answered his question.
Each word from Conan felt like a blow, harder than any fist.
“So, I got my ass kicked for nothing?” Dan asked bitterly.
Conan gave a slow nod. “Probably, yes.”
It wasn’t just pointless—it was a complete loss. And with Marie’s recent outbursts at Ashen Pact, there was no doubt she had taken some of that personal rage out on him.
“Goddammit!” Dan roared, the frustration nearly overwhelming him.
His mind teetered on the edge of losing control, especially since Marie still refused to believe that Derrick was the one involved that night.
Who knew what lies that bastard had fed her?
But she wasn’t buying it—not even close.
The more Dan dwelled on it, the hotter his anger burned.
Just then, his phone rang again—a new alert. One of his resource sites had been taken.
And guess who had taken it?
Derrick.
That was the final straw. Dan felt like he was about to explode.
“That son of a bitch! After all this time I took the fall for him, he has the nerve to steal from me?” he yelled, voice thick with rage.
Now his anger was boiling over.
He slammed the phone down and immediately dialed Derrick’s number—only to hear it was switched off.
Next, he tried Marie’s phone. Also off.
Both of them unreachable.
“Find out where Derrick is,” Dan growled through clenched teeth. “And get me the contact info for everyone around him.”
Conan nodded, already making the calls.
Back in Redwood, their team moved swiftly.
By the time they reached Black Mountain, the intel was already coming in.
“Mr. Derrick and Ms. Marie are on their private jet, heading back to Falvaria,” Conan reported.
“What? They’re leaving?” Dan’s voice cracked with disbelief.
After beating him half to death, they just… left?
The fury inside Dan tightened his chest, making it hard to breathe.
The mood at Black Mountain was heavy when he finally walked through the door.
Artemis was crying quietly, tears tracing down her cheeks. Manny stood nearby, his expression grim and silent.
Dale sat on the couch, puffing on a cigar, his face unreadable and cold.
That icy glare warned anyone not to speak to him at the moment.
When Lenny, the butler, saw Dan enter, he let out a soft sigh of relief.
The entire place had been in chaos all day, and after years of managing Black Mountain, Lenny knew exactly which long-buried secrets had just been unearthed.
Those secrets had been buried deep for years—until today.
The instant Dan appeared, Artemis and Manny’s eyes sharpened, filled with guarded suspicion.
Artemis even glanced at the butler, as if seeking silent reassurance.
Lenny bowed his head slightly but stood tall, maintaining his quiet composure.
Artemis turned her gaze back to Dale, opening her mouth as if to speak—but ultimately, she remained silent.
Dale took another slow drag from his cigar.
Dan dropped onto the couch opposite him, crossing one leg over the other with a casual but challenging air. “What’s wrong? You used to love them so much. What happened? You don’t see them as your kids anymore?”
Dale’s cold eyes flicked up to meet his.
Dan smirked, a cruel edge to his voice. “Isk, tsk. That’s a rare sight. What changed? Finally ready to show your true colors? I thought you’d never be able to let go.”
Artemis and Manny stayed silent.
But the mockery in Dan’s tone sharpened Manny’s glare instantly.
Artemis’s heart pounded in her chest.
For years, Dan had harbored hatred toward her because of his late mother—and she was painfully aware of it.
If he ever got the chance to crush her, he wouldn’t hesitate.
But now…
“Dan, Manny and Lina have always been your younger siblings. Why are you doing this?” she asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.
“Whether they are or not—that’s what we’re here to find out, isn’t it? Works for me. I want to know the truth too,” Dan replied, his voice cold but determined.
The chapter closes on a tense and emotionally charged note, highlighting the deep fractures and unresolved conflicts among the characters. Dan’s fury and desperation underscore the painful reality that trust has been shattered, and the lines between family loyalty and betrayal have blurred beyond recognition. The weight of unspoken truths and long-buried secrets looms heavily over Black Mountain, leaving everyone caught in a fragile, uneasy silence.
Amidst the turmoil, the characters’ vulnerabilities and guarded suspicions reveal how much they are all grappling with loss, anger, and the need for answers. Despite the chaos and bitterness, there remains an undercurrent of yearning for clarity and understanding—a fragile hope that the truth, however painful, might eventually bring some measure of resolution to their fractured bonds.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of family loyalties and betrayals, with emotions running high and tensions simmering just beneath the surface. As Dan confronts the fractured relationships within Black Mountain, the true nature of bonds—both blood and chosen—will be challenged, forcing each character to confront painful truths they have long avoided. The simmering resentment and distrust hint at cracks that could shatter the fragile peace they once had.
Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding Derrick and Marie’s sudden departure looms large, casting a shadow over the unfolding drama. Questions about their motives and the secrets they carry will keep readers on edge, wondering what consequences their actions will unleash. With alliances shifting and old wounds reopening, the next chapter will test the characters’ resilience and reveal just how far they are willing to go to protect—or destroy—what remains of their fractured family.