The gunfight slowly ended.
Several attackers were already on the ground.
The remaining ones escaped through the broken gate.
Smoke filled the air.
Aryan Malhotra stood in the middle of the courtyard, still holding his pistol.
His expression was cold and controlled.
Behind him, Anaya Sen was trying to understand everything that had just happened.
One of Aryan's men ran toward him.
"Boss… we caught one of them alive."
Aryan turned slowly.
"Bring him."
The captured attacker was dragged forward.
He was injured but still smirking.
Aryan looked at him quietly.
"Who sent you?"
The man laughed weakly.
"You already know."
Aryan's eyes narrowed.
The attacker whispered a name.
"Viktor Volkov."
The moment Anaya heard the name, Aryan's expression changed slightly.
Cold.
Dangerous.
Viktor Volkov was one of the most powerful mafia leaders in Europe.
Ruthless.
Merciless.
And someone who hated Aryan deeply.
"Tell Viktor," Aryan said slowly,
"that if he touches anything that belongs to me…"
"He won't live long enough to regret it."
The attacker laughed again.
"You think this was an attack?"
He looked directly at Anaya.
"This was just a warning."
Anaya felt fear crawl through her spine.
The attacker continued.
"Viktor wants the girl."
The courtyard suddenly became silent.
Aryan's voice dropped dangerously low.
"Why?"
The attacker smiled.
"Because she has something Viktor wants."
Anaya looked confused.
"I don't have anything!"
But the attacker just laughed again.
Before anyone could say more—
A loud explosion echoed from outside the mansion.
BOOM!
The front gate burst open.
A convoy of black armored vehicles entered slowly.
Aryan's guards immediately raised their weapons.
But Aryan lifted his hand.
"Wait."
The door of the first vehicle opened.
A tall man stepped out.
Cold eyes.
Dark coat.
A cruel smile.
It was Viktor Volkov himself.
He looked directly at Aryan.
Then at Anaya.
"Hello, King Cobra," Viktor said calmly.
"Looks like you found my missing treasure."
Anaya's heart skipped a beat.
"Treasure?" she whispered.
Viktor smiled darkly.
"Oh yes."
Then he said something shocking.
"She doesn't even know who she really is."
Aryan's eyes hardened.
The game had just begun.