A Few Hours Later
Left Wing of the Estate Mansion
"Why am I not surprised you already know Amelia was working under the bishop's orders?" Cady asked with a small, knowing smile, her gaze fixed on Knight, who leaned casually against the wall, looking more amused than bothered.
After yesterday's assassination attempt, Knight had returned to the estate. His angels had immediately bombarded him with footage and findings from Amelia's room, but he'd put the matter on hold—until now. He had finally summoned everyone to the meeting room.
"I didn't know she worked for Keenan," Knight said flatly. "But it's clear now."
Katherine stepped closer, arms folded tightly.
"That's because you let him be for all these years. Don't forget—he's the one behind this whole Takeshi mess."
The others nodded along with her. Even Damon, standing off to the side, gave a small grunt of agreement.
Mia spoke up next. "What's the plan now? We're surrounded—Genesis's family, Takeshi, now the bishop… What are we going to do?"
The room fell silent.
Everyone looked to Knight.
Waiting.
"Zarina's handling the Caldwells," Cady said suddenly, breaking the silence. "But she can't do it alone."
Knight nodded. "Of course she can't. Her job isn't to kill. She's going to infiltrate. Pull them apart from the inside. Get them exactly where I want."
"Okay, that makes sense," Melody said. "And what about Takeshi?"
Damon stepped forward this time.
"We need to take him down. It's getting out of hand. They tried to kill Knight yesterday."
Gasps rippled across the room.
Knight just laughed.
Damon didn't.
"You're not getting it," Knight said darkly. "Takeshi wouldn't try to kill me like that. It's too easy. Someone else is pulling the strings."
The angels exchanged looks. Joy was the first to speak.
"Another enemy? This is getting out of hand."
Knight pushed off the wall, and Damon narrowed his eyes.
In that moment, he realized something.
Knight knew.
He knew who was behind it—and he was just letting it play out.
"Everyone has a role to play in this," Knight said, voice sharp with focus. "And I've been distracted. Too distracted. But that ends now. You're all returning to the academy today. Prepare yourselves."
Eyes widened across the room.
"What? We're not staying here as maids anymore?" one of the angels asked.
"No," Knight said coldly. "The time for hiding is over."
The group began to smile—quiet, eager, a shift in energy building.
Knight turned to Damon.
"Get Chain in here."
The real war was about to begin.
Later...
Knight descended the grand staircase and turned down a long hallway. After a few minutes, he reached the door and pushed it open.
Music poured out.
He leaned against the doorframe, watching her dance. The fluid strength in her lithe body made his heart race.
Then she turned.
Their eyes met—and everything else vanished.
She stilled.
And then, as if drawn by some invisible force, they closed the distance.
Neither knew who moved first.
Suddenly, they were in each other's arms.
Knight's hands found her waist, possessive, aching. And then his mouth crashed against hers.
The kiss was brutal.
No hesitation. No control. Just raw, reckless need. His lips devoured hers like he'd been starved of her. Her fingers tangled in his hair, nails scraping his scalp, dragging him closer. He groaned—deep, guttural—like the sound had been buried in him too long.
He grabbed her thighs, lifted her effortlessly, and she wrapped her legs around his waist like she was meant to be there. His hand slid under her dress, gripping her ass, hard—angry almost, that it had been out of reach. He slammed her against the mirror on the wall, lips never leaving hers, tongue demanding and hot.
"I'm sorry," he gasped between kisses, breath ragged. His voice cracked. "I'm sorry, baby. I'm so fucking sorry."
She didn't speak.
But her kiss answered.
It was forgiveness. It was punishment. It was everything.
Knight growled—a dark, rough sound in his chest—and kissed her again, harder. Dirtier. All tongue and teeth and desperation.
His hands roamed wildly. One still clutching her ass. The other trailing up her spine, yanking her impossibly closer. Their bodies ground together, hot and frantic. Her hips rocked against his, and he groaned, pressing against her with a raw urgency.
"You drive me insane," he muttered, his voice low and wrecked. "And I'd still burn the fucking world down if it meant I got to keep kissing you like this."
He pulled back, just enough to stare into her eyes.
Those green eyes.
He stared deep, something fierce and unshakable rising in him.
"It's time," he whispered. "You're done being a princess."
His fingers brushed her cheek.
"I'm going to introduce you to my world, Genesis."
She frowned, confused—but not for long.
Fifteen Minutes Later
They stood in front of a building—tall, glass, and oddly silent.
Knight glanced at her, then back at the structure.
"This... is what's left of Caldwell Tech," he said. "Stripped. Hidden. But still alive."
Genesis stared at it, her breath catching. Her fists curled at her sides.
Then she turned to him and signed.
"But can I get it back? Now?"
Knight turned fully toward her, his voice calm but firm. Certain.
"Yes. You can."
Her eyes snapped to his, wide with disbelief.
"How?" she signed.
Knight took a breath, then reached into his coat. He pulled out a folder—thick, official, and slightly creased from the car ride.
"Your father included a contingency," he said. "An override clause. If the company was ever in danger of being mismanaged before your birthday—and we can prove it…" He handed her the folder. "You can take control early."
Genesis flipped it open, fingers moving fast. Scans. Signatures. Fraud. Financial abuse. False transfers. All documented.
Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the edge of a paper.
"You don't have to wait," he said quietly. "We've already filed the petition. It's official. Today, Genesis."
She looked up at him slowly. Eyes brimming.
"It's really mine?"
Knight stepped closer. His voice dropped. "It always was."
Tears slipped down her cheeks, but something had shifted.
No more fear.
No more doubt.
Just fire.
She signed again:
"What happens when I sign?"
Knight's smile was faint—dangerous. His eyes darkened, satisfied.
"Monica loses everything. Access. Accounts. Power. The entire board reverts to your authority. The name changes back to Caldwell Tech. Her little empire?" He scoffed. "Gone. Ashes."
Genesis turned her gaze back to the tall glass building. Her shoulders lifted. Set.
Knight watched her like she was the sun rising after years of storm.
"Are you ready?"
She looked at him, steady now, eyes sharp. Then she nodded—once. Strong. Final.
And signed one last sentence:
"Let's go take back what's mine."
Knight held the door open for her. And for the first time in years, Genesis stepped into her father's company—not as a nobody.
But as the rightful heir.
The
moment the doors shut behind them, Knight turned slowly… and smirked.
Then winked at the empty air.
But was it really empty?