Chapter 10 - The Threshold of Sixteen
Three months passed over the Phoenix estate, bringing a crisp, beautiful autumn to the desert valley.
Life at the mansion had settled into a joyful, peaceful rhythm. Selena was no longer a housekeeper; she had taken over management of the estate's charitable foundation, helping families of fallen logistics workers across the state. Little Ruby had her own playroom on the second floor, her small pink suitcase now filled with colorful storybooks and art supplies.
On a warm Friday afternoon, Damon sat behind his mahogany desk in his second-floor study, reviewing the annual logistics report. He wore his signature black three-piece suit, looking powerful and serene.
Marcus Vale entered the study quietly, carrying a silver tray with a sealed leather portfolio.
"Boss," Marcus said, setting the portfolio on the desk. "The legal adoption and guardianship papers for Ruby Castillo have been finalized by the state court."
Damon picked up the heavy document, looking at the official seal at the bottom. From this day forward, Ruby was legally protected under the Reyes family estate, ensuring she would inherit equal shares of the logistics network alongside any future heirs.
"Thank you, Marcus," Damon said, sliding the document into his center drawer.
Suddenly, Marcus’s earpiece chimed with a private notification. His disciplined face shifted slightly into a subtle frown.
"What is it, Marcus?" Damon asked, observing his security chief immediately.
"A private courier just arrived at the main gate from New York," Marcus reported, pulling a small silver metal tube from his coat pocket. "It was sent via international diplomatic post, addressed directly to you."
Damon took the silver metal tube. He unscrewed the heavy brass cap, sliding out a rolled scroll of thick, high-grade parchment paper sealed with an unfamiliar crest—a raven holding an hourglass.
Damon broke the seal and unrolled the parchment.
Written across the paper in dark, elegant calligraphy were five short sentences:
To Don Damon Reyes,
You played a fine game in Phoenix, little brother. Victor Vance was merely a pawn on my board. When Ruby turns sixteen, the true inheritance of the Reyes bloodline will be revealed.
Prepare yourself. The Raven Council is watching.
Signed, The Elder.
Damon stared at the dark calligraphy for a long, intense moment. His handsome face remained completely calm, but his dark eyes burned with a renewed, formidable fire.
He did not show fear. He did not show hesitation.
Damon slowly rolled the parchment back up, placing it securely inside the silver tube, and locked it inside his desk safe beside the gold Reyes family medallion.
He stood up, adjusting his black silk cuffs and putting on his suit jacket.
Through the tall study window, he looked down at the sunlit terrace below. Selena and Ruby were sitting on a garden bench, laughing as they read a storybook together under the warm autumn sun.
May you like
Damon looked out over his sprawling estate, a dark, confident, protective smile touching the corners of his lips.
Whoever "The Elder" was, and whatever secrets awaited sixteen years in the future, Don Damon Reyes was ready for whatever storm came next—because his family was unbroken, his empire was strong, and he would tear down the world before he let anyone harm them.
