Chapter 160: A Ride to District 3

After a quick shower, Evren dressed in a black button-down shirt and dark trousers. He strapped his watch onto his left wrist, glancing at the small scrap of crimson silk still resting on the polished mahogany nightstand with an amused smirk.

He left the bedroom and walked down the wide hallway of the eightieth floor. The floor-to-ceiling windows filled the penthouse with bright morning light, overlooking the vast expanse of District 1.

In the open-concept dining area, the aroma of fresh coffee and toasted bread filled the air.

Zephyra was leaning against the marble kitchen island, holding a dark ceramic mug between both hands. When she heard Evren’s footsteps, she looked up.

A moment later, Amber walked in from the opposite corridor. She had taken a warm bath and changed into a fitted dark-red blouse and tailored black pants, her damp black hair combed neatly over her shoulders. A faint, radiant glow lingered around her skin.

Zephyra took one look at Amber’s relaxed smile, then glanced at Evren. A slow, knowing smirk touched the edges of her lips.

"Someone looks well-rested," Zephyra teased lightly, taking a sip from her mug.

Amber’s cheeks flushed pink, but she didn’t hide. She walked right up to the counter, pouring herself a cup of steaming tea. "I slept wonderfully, thank you."

Zephyra laughed softly, giving Amber’s arm an affectionate squeeze. "Good," she said with a genuine smile. "You two deserved a quiet night after holding the line at Zone 2."

At the head of the long oak dining table sat Calista.

She was resting comfortably in her custom magitech wheelchair, dressed in a soft lavender sweater that complemented her long silver hair. Her cheeks were flushed with healthy color, and she was holding a silver fork in her right hand, cutting a piece of toast completely on her own.

When Calista saw Evren walk into the room, her silver eyes lit up. "Good morning, Chairman Evren."

"Morning, Calista," Evren replied, pulling out a chair beside her and sitting down. "How does the upper body feel today?"

Calista set her fork down and lifted both arms into the air, rotating her wrists and flexing her slender fingers. Her movements were smooth, without any of the violent tremors from before.

"The stiffness in my neck and shoulders is completely gone," Calista said with quiet wonder. "I can sit upright without getting dizzy, and my chest doesn’t ache when I breathe."

She tapped her lower back lightly. "I still can’t feel my waist or my legs, but being able to eat, read, and move my arms like this... it feels like a miracle."

"It’s only the second stage," Evren told her with a warm smile. "Once we prepare the next batch of medicine, you’ll be standing on your own two feet."

Amber and Zephyra joined them at the table, taking their seats as the private chef served plates of eggs, grilled meats, and fresh fruit.

For a few minutes, the only sounds were the clinking of cutlery and quiet conversation.

Evren watched Calista sip her tea, enjoying the morning sun warming her face through the glass. "Calista," he said, setting his cup down. "I’ve been thinking, yeah?"

Calista paused, looking over at him with curious silver eyes. "Yeah?"

"You can sit up comfortably now, and the chair handles smooth terrain effortlessly," Evren said. "How would you like to take a ride into District 3 today?"

Calista’s breath caught in her throat. Her fork hovered just above her plate as her eyes went wide. "District 3... You mean..."

"The Vesper Ancestral Conservatory," Evren said gently. "I brought you the deed and the master key while you were in the sanatorium, but you haven’t actually seen it since you were hurt."

He smiled at her. "The seventy-year star tree is in full bloom. It’s time for you to go home and see it with your own eyes."

A sudden wave of emotion hit Calista so hard that her lips began to tremble. A pair of warm tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, spilling down her pale cheeks.

For two years, the cartel had locked her away while Lord Albright held the conservatory’s deed. She had spent countless nights mourning her family’s legacy, convinced she would never see the glass domes again.

"I... I can really go?" Calista whispered, her voice cracking.

"Of course you can," Amber said warmly, leaning across the table and resting her hand over Calista’s trembling fingers. "It belongs to you. Nobody in this city can ever take it from you again."

"And if anyone tries, I’ll take their heads off," Zephyra added with a calm, dangerous grin.

Calista let out a wet, breathless laugh, wiping her cheeks with the back of her sleeve. "Thank you so much. I want to go more than anything."

"Finish your breakfast first," Evren smiled. "We’ll head down to the garage as soon as you’re ready."

Before Calista could pick up her fork again, a chime rang through the penthouse intercom.

The security terminal on the wall flickered to life. The face of the ground-floor security commander appeared on the screen, looking unusually formal and alert.

"Chairman Evren," the commander reported through the speaker. "An official military escort from the Imperial Defense Division has just cleared the security checkpoint at the base of the tower."

Evren raised an eyebrow. "Is it Grand Arbiter Kincaid?"

"No, sir," the commander replied. "It’s Captain Ronald from the Grand Arbiter’s direct staff. He is carrying a sealed dispatch and requested an immediate personal delivery to you and Vice-Chairman Sterling."

Amber set her teacup down. "A formal military dispatch? They didn’t even wait for the afternoon briefing."

"Send the captain up through the private express lift," Evren instructed calmly.

"Understood, Chairman. Escorting him now."

Two minutes later, the private elevator doors at the edge of the dining foyer slid open with a soft ping.

A tall officer in a black-and-silver military uniform stepped out onto the marble floor. A polished silver eagle crest was pinned to his collar, and at his side hung a dress saber. Under his left arm, he carried a heavy folio bound in dark leather, stamped with a golden wax seal.

Behind him, two armed Apex guards stepped back, keeping a professional distance.

The captain stopped ten paces from the table, brought his right fist across his chest, and bowed with sharp military precision.

"Chairman Evren Crawford. Vice-Chairman Amber Sterling," the officer announced in a respectful voice. "I am Captain Ronald of the Imperial Defense Division, reporting on behalf of Grand Arbiter Raymond Kincaid."

Evren stood up from his chair, greeting the officer with a steady gaze. "Captain Ronald. What brings the Grand Arbiter’s office to Meridian Tower so early?"

Captain Ronald stepped forward and presented the leather folio with both hands.

"The Grand Arbiter personally drafted this imperial summons following the successful containment of the Zone 2 breach," Captain Ronald said. "Due to Apex’s decisive intervention, the total annihilation of the mutated void swarm, and the preservation of Sector A, the High Council has convened an emergency plenary session."

Evren accepted the folio. The wax seal bore the double-headed hawk of the Imperial Defense Division.

With a thumb, Evren cracked the wax and opened the leather cover.

Inside rested an official parchment inscribed with gold-trimmed calligraphy:

IMPERIAL DEFENSE DIVISION — SUPREME HIGH COMMAND

CLASSIFICATION: LEVEL-ZERO STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE

To: Chairman Evren Crawford & Vice-Chairman Amber Sterling (Apex Conglomerate)

Decree: By order of Grand Arbiter Raymond Kincaid, you are hereby summoned to attend the National High Council Assembly at the Grand Citadel in two days at 10:00 am.

Agenda:

1. Official military commendation for the defense and stabilization of Defense Zone 1 & Zone 2.

2. Ratification of Apex Conglomerate’s independent defense jurisdiction.

3. Inauguration onto permanent National Defense Directorate.

Status: All previous regulatory inquiries against Apex Guild assets are permanently vacated by executive Order.

SIGNATURE: GRAND ARBITER RAYMOND KINCAID

Amber stood beside Evren, reading the decree over his shoulder. A fierce, proud smile curved her lips.

"A permanent seat on the National Defense Directorate," Amber murmured, her eyes gleaming. "And every single inquiry from Elder Caldwell’s lackeys has been wiped clean."

"The Grand Arbiter keeps his word," Evren said calmly. He closed the folio and looked back at Captain Ronald. "Tell Grand Arbiter Kincaid that Amber and I will attend the session in two days."

Captain Ronald saluted crisply once more. "I will relay your confirmation immediately, Chairman. The capital is in your debt."

With his duty completed, the captain turned on his heel and stepped back into the private lift, descending toward the ground floor.

The dining room fell quiet for a moment.

Zephyra leaned back against the counter, a cold, satisfied smirk playing across her face. "Caldwell and the old nobles are going to look like they swallowed poison when they see you two walking into the Grand Citadel."

"Let them sweat for forty-eight hours," Evren said, slipping the folio onto the sideboard. "The council meeting isn’t until Thursday. Today belongs to Calista."

Calista looked up from her chair, her heart swelling with gratitude. Even with the highest leaders of the empire summoning him to receive national honors, Evren’s priority didn’t waver for a second.

"Are we ready?" Evren asked, looking down at her.

"I’m ready," Calista nodded firmly, her silver eyes shining bright with excitement.

Ten minutes later, the group took the private elevator down to the subterranean executive garage, where three armored SUVs were already idling in formation.

Evren gently lifted Calista into his arms and placed her onto the soft leather seats in the spacious cabin, making sure she was buckled in comfortably. The guard carefully folded her magitech wheelchair and stowed it securely in the trunk.

Amber and Zephyra climbed into the cabin beside her, while Evren took the front passenger seat.

"Where to, Chairman?" the driver asked.

"District 3. Take the scenic route past the botanical park."