Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 488

Chapter 488 The Cole Family

“Sir, please come back with us.”

Norman looked up, his gaze cold and unfamiliar. “You’ve got the wrong man.”

The scarred man took a deep breath and pulled a photograph from his jacket. The man in the picture shared Norman’s features–elegant yet sharp–standing amon

suits, backed by a grand family crest.

The man in the photo was undeniably him.

of men in black

Norman frowned and pushed the photo away. “I don’t know you, and I’m not interested.”

One of the men behind the leader couldn’t help but step forward. “The family is in chaos! You’re the only one who can restore order!”

“Enough.” Norman cut him off, his eyes sweeping over them like a blade. “I told you, you the wrong person.”

have

The scarred man remained silent for a moment before suddenly dropping to one knee. His voice was raspy with emotion. “The Cole family can survive without any of us, but we cannot survive without you.”

Norman looked at them and suddenly laughed, though the mirth never reached his eyes. “If you keep pestering me…” He slowly tightened his fist, his knuckles popping. “I won’t mind making sure you leave this place on stretchers.”

The metallic scent of blood still clung to him–the Giant’s blood.

The air froze for several seconds.

Finally, the scarred man stood up slowly. He gave Norman a long, searching look and left a black–and–gold business card on a nearby surface. “If you ever remember… the Cole family will always be waiting for your return.”

After they left, Norman stared at the crest on the card. Blurred images flashed through his mind again–blood, power, an endless, suffocating darkness.

He let out a derisive snort and tossed the card into a trash can without a second thought, turning toward the exit.

Waiting at the door was a woman with a brilliant smile, who launched herself at him.

“Wow! You were incredible just now!”

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Chapter 488 The Cole Family

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Norman caught Tammy, pulling her into a tight embrace. The lingering ferocity on his face vanished instantly.

“What took you so long? I’ve been waiting forever!”

His

eyes flickered for a moment as he buried everything that had just happened.

“Got held up in the restroom. Let’s go.”

Tammy didn’t suspect a thing. She grabbed his hand and led him awa walked. “Are we moving to the upper levels now?”

y, chatting as they

“Yes.”

“Then you have to make ribs tonight to celebrate!”

“Alright.”

Watching Tammy’s innocent, radiant smile and listening to her ramble about dinner, Norman suddenly felt that perhaps not remembering was a blessing.

If he was an amnesiac, so be it.

He genuinely liked his life now. It was stable and warm. More importantly, he was about to get married, and he wanted to protect this peace for his wife. He didn’t want any complications.

His intuition told him that the moment he regained his memory, he would end up single again.

In a way, his intuition was spot on.

The overhead lights were dim and sultry. Bluesy jazz flowed through the haze of smoke, and the clinking of glasses mingled with the flirtatious laughter of the patrons.

Lucas sat alone on a high stool in the furthest corner, his slender fingers wrapped around a whiskey glass. The amber liquid shimmered coldly under the lights.

He drank slowly, as if savoring the bitterness–or perhaps just killing ti

A tall woman approached, her red lips curving into a slight smile. Her fingertips brushed across the bar, coming to a stop beside him.

“Alone?”

Her voice carried a lazy, seductive quality, and her perfume was a light scent of roses–exactly the type he usually preferred.

Lucas looked up. His dark eyes reflected her image, yet showed no trace of emotion.

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Chapter 488 The Cole Family

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“Yes,” he replied simply, withdrawing his gaze to return to his drink.

He used to like this type. But that was in the past. Suddenly, he found the whole routine incredibly dull.

The woman arched an eyebrow, clearly surprised by such a cold reception. She took a step closer, her lips nearly touching his ear as she whispered, “Buy me a dri

Lucas turned his head, his gaze finally landing on her face. Her makeu alluring–she was certainly charming enough.

flawless, her eyes

Yet, his mind was suddenly flooded with the image of another face: one more vivid, more vibrant, and filled with a wild, untamed energy.

He suppressed the pang of sorrow in his chest and signaled the bartender. He ordered a cocktail for the woman that matched the color of her nails, and then-

“The drink is on me.” He stood up, laying down several bills. His voice was deep and detached. “But tonight, I prefer my own company.”

The woman froze. Before she could react, he had already turned and walked away.

The bar door swung open and shut, letting in a gust of cold air that scattered the room’s artificial warmth.

Standing on the street, he realized for the first time that he had nowhere to go. The Lund family wasn’t his home; it was a den of schemes and power plays. The Master of Steele Island no longer required his assistance.

He had spent so much energy fighting for control within the Lund family, only to find that at the end of the struggle, there was nothing but emptiness.

He suddenly, desperately missed that girl. The one who was candid, cheerful, and fiercely protective of him.

But he had lost her.

“Tammy… where on earth are you?”

Buzz… buzz…

His phone vibrated. He answered; it was a close friend.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the underground arena. Lucas had been dragged there by his friend.

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Chapter 488 The Cole Family

“Underground fights! Total adrenaline rush!”

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When his friend had promised excitement, Lucas assumed it would be nothing more than crude brawling. That was until he stood beside the iron cage-

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