Poison Rose of Avalon

The medics rushed forward with an emergency stretcher while the driver opened the door for his master. Donovan pulled Liora closer, his arms tightening instinctively around her as he noticed the nurses waiting for her to be placed on the stretcher.

"She might wake up," Donovan courteously informed them. In fact, he instinctively knew it was a foolish thing to say.

The medics exchanged uneasy glances and stepped back. Who would dare to speak against Donovan Magnum, one of the future leaders of the Traid Wolfen Group? This hospital belonged to his family.

He didn't have to wait for further protests and walked away carrying Liora in his arms.

'Trouble.' That's what this was. She was trouble, and he was knee-deep in it already. Why couldn't he just let her go? The thought nagged at him as he carried her down the sterile hallway.

He glanced down at her pale face, the way her lashes rested against her cheeks. For a brief moment, his chest tightened, an unfamiliar sensation clawing its way up his throat. Focus, Donovan.

'Lay her down, call her family, and leave. That's all.' But even as he repeated the plan in his mind, it felt empty.

In the private ward, the doctor and nurse stood waiting, clipboard in hand. Donovan eased her down onto the bed, his movements careful and almost reverent. His eyes stayed locked on her, refusing to stray even as logic screamed at him to walk away.

"Mr. Magnum, we need to examine her..." the doctor started, his tone professional but firm. Donovan cut him off with a single glance. With a curt nod, he stepped back and left the room, and his hands shoved deep into his pockets as if to hide their nervousness.

Kai and Logan were waiting outside, their expressions guarded, and Donovan barely noticed.

"You staying here tonight?" Logan asked, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, too steady as if he already knew the answer.

Donovan's response was wordless, but the look he gave Logan said it all—wasn't it obvious?

Logan's mouth twitched into a knowing smirk. "That obvious, huh?"

Donovan glanced away, grappling with his thoughts. He should be anywhere but here, yet the idea of leaving her alone felt deeply disturbing and unacceptable, especially after Logan had asked the question. He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Nothing makes sense," he muttered under his breath.

Kai stretched his arms, breaking the tension with a groan. "I need a coffee. Anyone else?"

"Get me one," Donovan said, his voice low, rough. He didn't even look up as Kai nodded and wandered off toward the vending machine.

Donovan's phone buzzed in his pocket, shattering the silence of the hospital hallway. He pulled it out, his brows knitting together as the screen lit up. 

"Mom?"

Logan, leaning against the wall, his shoulder slipped in that instant. He caught Donovan's voice calling out, 'Mom.' His eyes were fixed on the screen displaying her image.

Donovan slide to answer without delay,"

"Bonjour, Mom," said Donovan.

"Bonjour, Nova, comment vas-tu?" ("How are you?")

"Je vais bien, Mom. Merci de demander." ("I'm fine, Mom. Thanks for asking.")

"You still remember French. I was worried for nothing," Donovan's mother, Evelyn Magnum, chuckled before her voice turned grave.

"Son, I sent you abroad to focus on your studies, not to save another girl in a different country." Evelyn sighed, audible even through the phone.

"Though I truly appreciate your golden helping nature. But tell me, is this your latest tactic to grab our attention?"

Donovan pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry, Mom. That was never my intention."

"Good," Evelyn replied, though the warmth in her tone softened her words. "Anyways, come home soon. I'm waiting for you. À bientôt, mon fils."

"À bientôt, Maman." Donovan ended the call with a small smile, but it didn't last long. Her parting words echoed in his mind. Come home soon...

"Mom is here?" His eyes widened as realization struck. "Holy crap."

Kai, while carrying both coffee cups, inadvertently slipped on the steel-white floor, staining its surface.

"How does Aunt Evelyn always find the right moment to catch us? We are so dead!" Kai lamented, his voice full of disbelief.

Donovan pinched the bridge of his nose once more, his brows furrowing deeply as frustration welled up inside him. His eyes squeezed shut, blocking out the distractions around him. He needed to focus. He inhaled sharply, then released the breath slowly through his lips in a long, audible sigh before stating their only option.

"We have to leave," he muttered, annoyance lacing his tone as his gaze flicked between Logan and Kai.

"What happened to the overnight stay?" Logan asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, clearly finding amusement in Donovan's frustration.

Donovan rolled his eyes and looked away, "If Mom told us to come, that means she's already taken care of everything for Liora," Donovan replied, nodding toward the door where the doctor and nurse were examining her.

He felt the urge to stay and ask the doctor about her condition, but now that his mom wanted him to return home, he was reluctant to leave Liroa behind.

Kai leaned in slightly, narrowing his eyes as if trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside.

"Yeah, let's head out before we're a minute late. Aunt Evelyn's probably counting the seconds till our arrival, and if we keep her waiting...well, I don't want to end up being the next item on her to-do list."

**********

The Triad Wolfen Group comprises three significant sub-companies from TechRebel Innovation, Wolfsgang Corporation, and EuroWall Securities.

The group was formed when three sisters married the sons of Europe's biggest companies, creating a powerful triad venture.

Haruki Sante - Father and the Chairman - Sante Corporation - Asia's biggest Cosmetic R&D Lab.

├── Evelyn Sante ──┬── Jackson Magnum (Husband)

│ ├── Donovan Magnum ( Eldest Son)

│ ├── Derek Magnum (Second Son)

│ Twins ├── Dahlia Magnum ( Daughter)

│ └── Debra Magnum ( Daughter)

├── Nancy Sante ───┬── Ryan Wolfsgang (Husband)

│ ├── Logan Wolfsgang (Eldest Son)

│ └── Anesthesia Wolfgang (Daughter)

└── Liami Sante ────┬─Oliver Rothschild (Husband)

├── Kai Rothschild (Eldest Son)

└── Sky Rothschild (second Son)

*****

Along with Kai and Logan, Donovan headed to his current house. And their luggage had already been sent to the boxing gym as planned.

Despite having the code to enter the house, they chose to ring the bell out of respect and waited for Evelyn to open the door.

Evelyn Magnum appeared at the door with her usual grace. Her high forehead and sharp, symmetrical features were captivating, while her almond-shaped, storm-grey eyes held the kind of weight that silenced a room. At five feet nine, she was statuesque, her thick, dark hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders. Occasionally, she tied it back in a no-nonsense bun, but tonight, it framed her commanding presence perfectly.

As Haruki Sante's eldest daughter, Evelyn exuded charisma and authority. She governed her home like a monarch, her words final. Her family tradition demanded respect for hierarchy, and even in marriage, the younger siblings deferred to the eldest.

Her expression softened when she saw Donovan. She greeted him with a warm kiss on the forehead, offering the same to her nephews. Then her gaze sharpened.

"I was expecting you all tomorrow afternoon, and look at my luck—here I am in the middle of the night, leaving my sleep to welcome my beloved son and my dear nephews." Her cupid's bow-shaped lips curled in an elegant smile.

Kai and Logan straightened their collars nervously, avoiding their aunt's gaze. Donovan remained silent, his head slightly bowed. They were all bracing themselves for the inevitable reprimand as Evelyn's piercing eyes scanned each of them.

"We are truly sorry."

"Don't worry about it. In fact, I have something exciting planned for you guys." Evelyn cast a malicious smile behind her warm expression as she looked at the three boys.

"You'll accompany me on a shopping spree at Free Spirit (a luxury brand street) on Monday… after school."

"Shopping?" It did not take long for those three of them to bring their hands together in pleading.

"Aunt, please. We'll accept any punishment, but not this." Kai tried his luck first.

"Mom, if you want, we won't ride our bikes for a week," Donovan bargained.

This trio, who acted like studs in school and outside, were utterly transformed into small children in front of Evelyn.

Shopping was one of their horrendous punishments. The reason was straightforward: Evelyn usually took two hours to choose one pair of shoes, and if she mentioned a shopping spree, it meant a whole set of clothing with accessories.

Evelyn's serene smile didn't falter, though her words carried an unmistakable edge. "Boys, this is for your own good—a chance to reflect on your actions."

'Reflect on actions?' Donovan's jaw tightened, and a surge of anger burned through his chest. "Mom, should we have left her with those bastards?" His voice shook, raw and accusing, each word drenched in disbelief. The thought alone made his stomach twist, an unfamiliar fire pushing him to speak against her.

Evelyn's gaze hardened, her calm composure cracking. "You could have called Mr. Sohn for assistance! Do you three forget that you always have bodyguards stationed nearby, ready to step in when needed? You didn't have to take matters into your own hands, Nova—or have you already forgotten what you nearly caused in France?"

Her voice rose, tinged with anger but laced with an unspoken fear that made her hands tremble slightly.

"I will not tolerate such disrespect. Go to your room, all three of you." Evelyn gave her final words.

"Thanks, bro, for making things easy for us." Kai sarcastically made a remark.

Defeated, they trudged upstairs to their rooms, leaving Evelyn victorious. Later, as Donovan lay on his bed, guilt gnawed at him. He draped an arm over his eyes, whispering to himself, "I left her alone again."

*****

Daran had waited all night for a call from Liora, but his phone stayed silent. When he checked her tent, it was empty—neatly packed, as if she'd never been there.

After breakfast, all the students boarded the bus. However, none of the teachers spoke of the missing eight students; no inquiries were made, nor did anyone look for them.

Daran sat on the bus, glancing at the message he had sent to Liora. It still hadn't been read, and she hadn't been online since yesterday. He scrolled through the photos he had taken of her the day before.

'Where have you gone?' he wondered to himself.