Chapter 72

The morning sun filtered through the grand windows of the private hall where Valerian Vasiliev’s men had gathered. They were dressed in sharp suits, standing in perfect formation, they exuded discipline and power. At the front, Ivan Balthazar stood with his arms crossed, his keen emerald eyes scanning the room. Everything was in order.

Then, the heavy doors suddenly swung open and Valerian entered.

But something was different this time.

There was neither cold intensity in his eyes nor any unspoken threat hanging in the air. Instead, he walked with a calm, composed ease with his expression almost...

gentle.

The shift in his demeanor did not go unnoticed. His men who were trained to recognize every nuance of their leader’s presence, exchanged brief, subtle glances. Even Ivan raised a brow, intrigued.

But despite the change, their respect did not falter.

Valerian stopped at the center of the room as his gaze swept over the men before him. Then,