The Matriarch’s fingers stilled, her amber eyes blazing with a fierce, unyielding resolve. The flickering light of the Emberheart flames danced across her face, illuminating the cold, calculated expression that had come to define her rule.
"Rats, frost, or wind," she began, her voice low but carrying the weight of absolute authority, "it matters not. The Hawkins family lit this fire when they dared to target my child. They chose this war, and a war is what they will receive."
Her gaze shifted to Esme, sharp and unrelenting. "We will not relent. The Frostborne and the Ventoriens are distractions—nothing more. The Hawkins family is our focus. They must be reminded why no one challenges the Emberhearts and escapes unscathed."
Esme inclined her head, her own expression hardening in response to her Matriarch’s command. "Understood, Matriarch. The fight will continue. What of the Frostborne? Their involvement is growing bolder with each passing day."
The Matriarch’s lips curled into a faint, predatory smile. "They wish to play their games in the shadows, as they always have. Let them. The Frostborne thrive on secrecy, and secrecy is a weakness when exposed to the light. Pressure their operatives, disrupt their alliances, and strike where they least expect. They will fall, just as they have before."
Her gaze flickered with cold amusement as she continued, her voice soft but dripping with venom. "And the Ventoriens… they are fools to involve themselves in this conflict. Their petty grudge blinds them to the fact that they are nothing but pawns in the Hawkins’ schemes. If they step too far, they will burn."
Esme straightened, her fingers tightening around the tablet as she took in her Matriarch’s words. "And the Young Lady?" she asked carefully. "Shall I ensure her protection remains a priority?"
The Matriarch’s expression darkened, her tone sharpening. "Irina is my daughter. She does not need to be coddled. But make no mistake—any who threaten her will face my full wrath."
Esme hesitated for the briefest moment before nodding. "It will be done, Matriarch."
The Matriarch’s eyes returned to the flickering flames, her thoughts clearly fixed on the road ahead. "This war will not be won overnight, Esme. The Hawkins have made their move, and their allies believe they have tipped the scales in their favor. But they have underestimated the Emberheart resolve. We will not just defeat them—we will crush them."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "The Hawkins family will be reduced to ash, their allies scattered to the winds. And when the flames settle, the world will remember the cost of crossing the Emberheart name."
Esme bowed deeply, her resolve matching the steel in her Matriarch’s voice. "Your will shall be done, Matriarch."
As Esme turned to leave, the Matriarch’s gaze lingered on the flames, her amber eyes gleaming with the intensity of her conviction. "Let the war continue," she murmured, more to herself than to the empty room. "And let them see what it means to provoke the lion’s den. They will burn."
********
<Arcadia City, Hartley Family Headquarters, Marc’s Office> freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
The faint hum of the city outside was drowned by the silence inside Marc Hartley’s grand office. The warm sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows did little to soften the cold tension that had settled in the room. Marc sat at his desk, his fingers steepled as he stared at the holographic report floating in front of him. His hazel eyes burned with a mix of frustration and calculated determination.
A sharp knock on the door broke his thoughts.
"Enter," Marc commanded, his voice steady but laced with impatience.
Ray stepped inside, his posture as impeccable as ever, though the faint furrow in his brow betrayed the gravity of the news he carried. In his hands was a sleek black tablet loaded with updates on the ongoing conflict.
"Sir," Ray began, his tone measured. "I have the latest report regarding the Phillips family."
Marc leaned back in his chair, gesturing for Ray to proceed. "Go on."
Ray tapped the tablet, and a detailed projection appeared above it, showing a map of contested territories. Lines and dots marked gains and losses, the most recent shifts painted in a stark red.
"Over the past three months, we’ve made significant progress against the Phillips family," Ray began. "We’ve acquired multiple gate rights, industries, and a substantial portion of their resources, particularly in the western sectors. However—"
Marc’s gaze sharpened at the hesitation in Ray’s voice. "However?"
Ray exhaled softly, his tone turning grim. "Over the past two weeks, the situation has shifted dramatically. The Emberheart family’s conflict with the Hawkins family has caused ripple effects across the federation. Their clashes have destabilized key markets and redirected alliances. The Phillips family seems to have leveraged this chaos to their advantage."
Marc’s jaw tightened, his hazel eyes narrowing. "Go on."
Ray continued, pulling up more detailed graphs. "We’ve been encountering resistance on multiple fronts. The Phillips family has fortified their positions and forged unexpected alliances, likely spurred by the Emberheart-Hawkins war. Our recent attempts to secure additional gate resources have been blocked outright, and we’ve faced increasing sabotage within our acquired territories." Explore hidden tales at freewebnovel
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