The Northvale Key

Episode 5

Acquiring the Branded Jewelry Store

Lianna was still sobbing in the corner of the stuffy logistics desk, while the echo of Cyrus's office door slamming still seemed to linger in the air. Her cheeks were flushed from holding back tears, a sharp contrast to the bruise on Cassian’s cheek that was now beginning to turn blue. She grabbed a few tissues and approached her husband with fingers that were still trembling.

I am sorry, Cassian. I should not have let him hit you, Lianna whispered hoarsely. She wiped the corner of Cassian’s split lip with what remained of her strength. Because of my ambition to build that charity jewelry foundation project, you had to endure this humiliation.

Cassian remained silent, letting the cold touch of his wife’s hand crawl over his skin. His gaze remained calm, but behind that stillness, there was a storm ready to consume anything. You are not at fault, Lianna. Cyrus is only afraid of your talent, which is why he tried to attack you through me.

But now it is all over, Lianna’s crying broke out again. She slumped into the worn wooden chair beside Cassian’s desk. Great-Grandmother just sent a message. The funding for the Valerian charity gallery building was flatly rejected. Grandma said we have no right to do good deeds while the family’s financial condition is unstable. Without that building, thousands of small artisans who have worked with us will go bankrupt, Cassian. I feel like a failure as their leader.

Cassian stroked his wife’s hair gently. Your dream will not be destroyed today, Lianna. Not in front of me, he thought sharply. He stared out the window at the black Stark Capital car slowly driving away from the lobby area. Stark’s threat that he had to choose between their house or Lianna’s life kept ringing in his head, but for Cassian, there was a third option: taking control of the situation without having to bow his head.

Rest in your office for a moment, Lianna. I will go get some water for you, Cassian said softly.

After ensuring Lianna had entered her locked office, Cassian walked quickly toward the toilet at the end of the quiet hallway. Once inside the locked stall, he pulled out a slim black phone hidden behind his waistband.

The phone screen immediately glowed red before turning into a luxurious emerald green. Rows of binary code slid past quickly before the Syndicate Northvale logo appeared.

Target location: Silver-Gate Commercial Center. The jewelry boutique building at the main intersection. Who owns it now? Cassian murmured to the voice assistant device embedded in the phone.

Connecting to the Syndicate data satellite... a synthetic AI voice answered in his ear. That building is currently controlled by a local consortium affiliated with Stark Capital. They plan to seal it this afternoon due to a default by the previous tenant. Market valuation: Twelve million dollars. Quick sale price under dispute: Nine million dollars.

Cassian smiled faintly, a smile that was rarely seen. The smile of an economic predator. Buy it now. Under the name of the shadow foundation North-Spirit. Do not use Lianna’s name directly for now. Insert a clause for ninety-nine years of free rent for the Valerian Charity Project.

Instructions received, Mr. Northvale. Liquidating assets from the liquid reserves at the European Central Bank. Transaction complete in eighteen seconds. Do you require a digital deed signature now?

Send the original physical documents to my apartment address this afternoon, Cassian ordered coldly. Use the Agent D special courier service. Make sure the envelope looks ordinary, as if it is just a bank promotion letter.

Executed, Sir.

Cassian left the toilet and returned to his desk as if nothing extraordinary had happened. He passed Cyrus, who was laughing with the other logistics staff, looking as if he had just won the lottery after hitting him this morning.

Look, the debtor is back to work! Good, Cassian! Keep typing until your hands go stiff, because that is the only way you can pay for your sins against me! Cyrus shouted mockingly.

Cassian did not even spare him a glance. To him, Cyrus’s voice was now no more than the buzzing of a mosquito before it is finally swatted. He continued working on his remaining reports until it was time to go home.

A few hours later, night had fallen over the city. The narrow apartment felt quieter than usual. Lianna just sat at the dining table, staring at a cup of tea that had already gone cold. Her gaze was hollow. Her plan to build a future for the artisans seemed to have died along with the ambitions of the greedy Ashworth family.

There was a package for you at the door earlier, Lianna, Cassian said as he walked in, carrying a thick brown envelope that he had intentionally placed under the shoe rack.

Lianna looked up weakly. What package? It is probably just a credit card bill I haven't had the chance to pay yet.

Just try opening it. Who knows, there might be some good news, Cassian handed her the envelope. He stood slightly behind his wife, watching closely.

With weak fingers, Lianna tore the end of the envelope. As soon as her eyes read the first line on the document inside, they widened. Her body, which had been slumped, suddenly straightened. Her breath caught in her throat.

This... this is impossible... Lianna whispered, her voice trembling violently.

What is it, honey? Cassian asked, feigning ignorance.

The deed of ownership and exclusive usage rights... for the Gallery Building in Silver-Gate! The most strategic building in the city center! Lianna screamed under her breath, her tears now flowing not from sadness, but from disbelief. The owner, the North-Spirit foundation, is leasing it to me for zero dollars for ninety-nine years! Cassian, they wrote that this gallery may only be used for the Valerian Charity Project!

Lianna flipped through the papers, looking for the identity of the donor. Who is this foundation? I have never heard their name. This is a miracle, Cassian! Grandma will not be able to stop me anymore because this is not a family company asset. This is pure external help!

Cassian smiled faintly, stepping closer and putting his arm around his wife’s shoulder from behind. Mr. North will always make sure the way is open for you, Lianna. Perhaps there is a powerful person who has seen your work all this time and felt moved. The world is not always as cruel as your own family, right?

Lianna turned around and hugged her husband tightly. Thank you for staying with me today, Cassian. Even though you do not have the money or power to help me, your presence makes me strong enough to receive this miracle.

Cassian remained silent, his eyes staring sharply into the darkness outside their apartment window. He could feel the warmth of Lianna’s body, a powerful reason why he had to shoulder this bloody Northvale responsibility. This warmth was everything, yet he had just gambled this peace.

In the middle of that emotional moment, a small red dot from a laser beam suddenly pierced through the glass window, dancing on their living room wall. The light moved quickly, searching for something, before finally stopping right on Lianna’s heart as she remained wrapped in Cassian’s embrace.

Cassian felt the danger as fast as lightning. He realized something with pure horror. The enemy was no longer just playing in the stock market or making verbal threats in the lobby.

Lianna, get down! Cassian shouted, but before his voice was finished, the apartment window shattered with the booming sound of a high-velocity bullet tearing through the night.