Chapter 39

Darkness swallowed Eliana before she could even take in the man's features, her body giving way as consciousness slipped.

Just before her head met the floor, a strong hand caught her, steadying her face with surprising care.

"Si!" Rocco burst through the doorway, eyes darting to the figure in Tristan's arms. Only when he stepped closer did he recognize Eliana.

His expression shifted as realization struck. "She? Then the people fainting outside... all of that was her doing?"

"That's right." Tristan gave a brief nod, his gaze flicking toward Sean slumped in the chair. "Take him too."

"And the Fist Guild members?" Rocco asked, already bracing for the answer.

"Get Simon here. Tell himn he has two paths-face the Fist Guild head-on, or deal with me instead." Tristan ordered,his voice sharp.

Rocco's expression tightened as he replied, "Got it." For years, the police had avoided going up against the Fist Guild, knowing just how shrewd and slippery the group could be.

They operated under the harmless guise of a boxing gym, hiding their backroom dealings behind locked doors.

Tracking their crimes had always been like trying to follow smoke in the dark.

Worse still, their members included people with connections high enough to keep them untouchable -men like Sean.

Simon Quimby, the police chief, was only weeks from retirement and had no appetite for the mess that would follow if he challenged them now.

Yet Tristan's words left no room for escape. This time,Simon would have to move.

Tristan had planned to anchor his influence in Qidence without stirring trouble with either the Fist Guild or the police.

That intention shattered the moment instinct outweighed restraint.

Rocco remained on-siteto wait for Simon's men,while Doran took charge of transporting Sean. Inside the car, Doran settled into the driver's seat and glanced at Tristan, asking, "Where do you want them taken,sir?"

His eyes shifted from Eliana, limp in his arms, to Sean,slumped against the passenger seat. "We're going to my place," he said.

"Got it." Doran pressed down on the accelerator,and the vehicle sped through the city streets toward their destination.

Security gates parted one by one until they reached the lakeside property.

When Tristan stepped out, still carrying Eliana,his personal doctor was already standing at the entrance.

A meticulous examination later, the doctor finally spoke. "She's collapsed from fatigue and has also inhaled a mild toxin. I've given her an injection-she'll come around soon."

"And the man?" Tristan asked.

"His condition is serious but stable. No danger to his life. I'll begin treatment immediately," the doctor answered.

"Do it," Tristan said. "Yes,sir."

Tristan's gaze lingered on Eliana as she lay on the bed.Her brows drew together in discomfort, and the color had drained from her lips, leaving them ghostly pale.

He leaned closer, intending to adjust her blanket,when her eyes snapped open. In a flash, a silver needle shot toward his eye.

Before it could close the last five centimeters, his hand locked around her wrist. His expression didn't change. "That's a curious way to repay the man who just saved your life."

Her eyes adjusted, and the face before her came into focus-it was Tristan.

The needle in her grip had been pure reflex,her body reacting to the sense of someone closing in. She hadn't expected him.

The pressure driving the needle forward eased,and Tristan let go of her hand without another word.

Glancing around, she took in the unfamiliar room,every detail putting her on guard. "Where am I? And how exactly did I end up here?"

Fragments of memory returned-she'd been inside the Fist Guild gym. "I was there on my own business," Tristan replied in an even tone. "Found you passed out. Since I had no idea where you live, I brought you here instead."

Realization clicked into place. This had to be the Maples Villa.

As if reading her thoughts, Tristan said plainly,"You're in the Maples Villa."

Another memory slammed into her-the moment she had been seconds away from a deadly fight with Flint,when a sudden strike had sent him sprawling.

"So that was you," she murmured.

"Correct." His brow lifted in quiet amusement."Seems you're stacking up debts with me."

She held his gaze, silent long enough for the air to feel weighted, before saying,"What do you want me to do for you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tristan asked.

"This makes the third time you've stepped in for me.If you have something you need from me,you can ask now," Eliana answered with quiet composure.

Trusting that anyone would step in three times without wanting something back felt impossible to her.

A low, almost mocking laugh slipped from Tristan."What? Hard to believe I might actually enjoy lending a hand?"

Eliana met his gaze in silence.

If he truly were as generous and uncomplicated as he claimed, there was no way he could have risen to control the intricate Pearson family in such a short span.

Her thoughts settled, and she finally said, "Please spare me the guessing. Just tell me what you want. I'm not the type to keep debts hanging over my head."

A quiet sigh escaped Tristan, the kind that hinted at reluctant amusement. She might look agreeable on the surface, but he was learning she was as unyielding as they came.

"Alright then," he said at last. "My father's been unwell recently.I want you to treat him."

"That's it?" Eliana asked, skepticism lining her voice.She had already given that promise before.

Tristan replied, "For anything else, give me some time.Nothing else comes to mind just yet."

"Fine." She gave a single nod. her.

A low, almost mocking laugh slipped from Tristan."What? Hard to believe I might actually enjoy lending a hand?"

Eliana met his gaze in silence.

If he truly were as generous and uncomplicated as he claimed, there was no way he could have risen to control the intricate Pearson family in such a short span.

Her thoughts settled, and she finally said, "Please spare me the guessing. Just tell me what you want. I'm not the type to keep debts hanging over my head."

A quiet sigh escaped Tristan, the kind that hinted at reluctant amusement. She might look agreeable on the surface, but he was learning she was as unyielding as they came.

"Alright then," he said at last. "My father's been unwell recently.I want you to treat him."

"That's it?" Eliana asked, skepticism lining her voice.She had already given that promise before.

Tristan replied, "For anything else, give me some time.Nothing else comes to mind just yet."

"Fine." She gave a single nod.her.

A low, almost mocking laugh slipped from Tristan."What? Hard to believe I might actually enjoy lending a hand?"

Eliana met his gaze in silence.

If he truly were as generous and uncomplicated as he claimed, there was no way he could have risen to control the intricate Pearson family in such a short span.

Her thoughts settled, and she finally said, "Please spare me the guessing. Just tell me what you want. I'm not the type to keep debts hanging over my head."

A quiet sigh escaped Tristan, the kind that hinted at reluctant amusement. She might look agreeable on the surface, but he was learning she was as unyielding as they came.

"Alright then," he said at last. "My father's been unwell recently.I want you to treat him."

"That's it?" Eliana asked, skepticism lining her voice.She had already given that promise before.

Tristan replied, "For anything else, give me some time.Nothing else comes to mind just yet."

"Fine." She gave a single nod. His lips lifted faintly as he dragged a chair closer and sat beside her. "I've helped you three times now. Are you going to tell me your name?"

"Eliana," she answered.

"Eliana," Tristan repeated, letting the sound linger."It suits you."

Eliana gave a perfunctory smile and asked about Sean,"That man tied to the chair earlier-what happened to him?"

"He's in the room next door. My doctor is with him,"Tristan answered without hesitation.

At that, Eliana flung the blanket aside, swinging her legs to get up-only to freeze mid-motion when she realized her clothes were entirely different.

Her eyes snapped to Tristan, the chill in them sharp enough to cut.

Both hands lifted in a placating gesture, he said,"Don't get the wrong idea. I had one of the maids change you."

Eliana's gaze narrowed, studying his face for the slightest crack in composure.

With a half-shrug and a weary breath, Tristan added, "Trust me, I wouldn't sink low enough to take advantage of someone unconscious."

The coldness in her stare melted away completely at that.

"I appreciate it," she said at last.

"You've got it backwards. I'm the one who should be thanking you." His mouth curved into a smile as his eyes lingered on her.

A flicker of surprise crossed her face."Thanking me?"

"Yes, the Pearson Group has just shifted its focus to Qidence, and the Fist Guild has been causing trouble repeatedly. I went there today to deal with them,but thanks to you, that mess got handled a lot faster,"Tristan explained.

Now it made sense to her why he had turned up at the Fist Guild gym in the first place.

"And the head of the Fist Guild?" Eliana asked,thinking of Flint.

"Probably sitting under a bright light at the police station as we speak," Tristan replied.

She gave a short nod, ready to ask about seeing Sean,when a knock sounded and a man in a white coat rushed in. "Mr. Pearson, the gentleman next door just started vomiting blood, I-" the doctor said.

A sudden rush of air cut him off as a shadow darted past. By the time he registered the movement,the bed was empty-Eliana was gone.

Another blast of wind followed an instant later. Tristan,too,had vanished from the room.

The doctor stared at the doorway in disbelief.