The golden light in the mansion's grand dining room was soft and warm, bathing the entire expansive space in an aura of true wealth and impeccable style. Dinner was in full swing. Steve, Elisa, Veronica, and Evinetta sat around the polished table, and the atmosphere between them was electric—not with the exhaustion of a long day, but with that special, vibrating drive only felt by those who are in the middle of accomplishing something monumental.
— Veronica, did you take a close look at the shipping charts today? — Elisa asked with a bright smile, elegantly lifting her crystal glass. — We are officially two weeks ahead of our most optimistic schedule. Your relentless work with the global suppliers is nothing short of extraordinary.
Veronica nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with a fiery intensity.
— Elisa, believe me, this is just the beginning! Once we finally implemented that new integrated logistics system, everything just took off like a rocket. I spoke with the lead representatives from the Center today; they were in utter shock at our pace. They told me the 'Steve & Elisa Factory' is currently on everyone's lips in the industry!
Evinetta, usually the most reserved and quiet of the group, couldn't hide her triumphant smile today. She leaned forward, pushing a plate of exquisite, hand-crafted appetizers toward the center of the table.
— Do you know what I personally noticed today? — her voice sounded more confident and ringing than ever before. — The workers down on the factory floor... they look at us differently now. Before, it was just the standard respect for the bosses. But today, I saw something much deeper. I saw devotion in their eyes. It's as if they can finally feel that we aren't just managing a business—we are breathing life into something legendary.
Steve, who had been silently listening to his women until this exact moment, slowly leaned back into the deep comfort of his leather chair. He looked around at those present—beautiful, successful, and radiating life.
— Girls, — Steve spoke softly, but there was such a raw, undeniable power in his voice that all other conversation ceased instantly. The room went still. — What you're feeling right now isn't an accident. Evinetta, you're absolutely right about that devotion. And I finally know exactly why it's happening.
He looked directly at his sisters, Veronica and Evinetta. They froze in place, sensing that a monumental revelation was about to be unleashed.
— We've achieved so much in a short time, but tonight I want you to truly understand whose foundation we are standing upon. Our grandfather, Dex... he left us a legacy that goes far beyond the mere right to run this factory. His father was the legendary, the omnipresent Hall. The true son of Princess Ragnea of Marionis.
— And who was she? Who was this Princess Ragnea? — Roni asked, her voice a hushed whisper, completely intrigued.
— Ragnea was the sister of my own great-grandmother, — Elisa answered, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and pride. — She was a royal who fell deeply in love with a young man from your world and risked everything to find her way here. Tragically, she perished at the hands of lawless bandits, leaving behind her only son—Hall.
— His name, the Omnipresent Hall, is not just some dusty fairy tale from old books. It is the very blood in our veins, — Steve declared, his chest swelling with pride. — He was the husband of Stella, and our grandfather Dex was his direct, rightful heir. We are the true descendants of Ragnea's son—the Halls. His power and influence became unshakable after he married Stella. And it was he, our ancestor, who originally built this entire factory!
The silence that fell over the dining room was heavy and deafening. Evinetta slowly pressed her trembling palm to her lips, her eyes widening in a state of total shock and sudden, clear realization.
— Hall...? — she whispered, the name tasting like power. — The son of a princess? Steve, are you telling us that... that the royal blood of Marionis flows within our own hearts?
— Exactly that, — Steve smiled with a triumphant glint in his eyes. — That is exactly why the Factory submitted to our will so quickly. That is why we can handle any obstacle or difficulty with such ease. We aren't just mere businesspeople, cousins; we are the heirs to a fallen empire that is finally reclaiming what is rightfully its own.
— My God! — Veronica suddenly leapt from her seat, her face flushed a deep crimson with pure excitement. — So that's why I always felt such a magnetic pull to this place! Steve, this is just... a total explosion of everything I thought I knew! It turns out our family and Elisa's are fundamentally connected by blood and history. It makes me so incredibly happy—that we now share one story, one bloodline, and one single, glorious goal!
— Grandfather Dex was simply waiting for the moment we would be strong enough to handle the truth, — Elisa added softly, reaching across the table to place her hand over Evinetta's. — And now that we are together, as one united family in this great mansion, the secret is out. We are no longer just partners. We are now a single, unified, and unbreakable family!
Evinetta looked up at her cousin, Steve, with a new kind of light in her eyes. Her face reflected a level of iron resolve and regal pride that Steve had never seen in her before.
— To the truth, — she proclaimed solemnly. — The truth that has made us even stronger than we ever imagined.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of incredible excitement. They stayed up late discussing every fine detail, recalling every cryptic word their grandfather had ever whispered, fitting every small piece of their past into a perfect, shimmering puzzle. Laughter, fierce debates about the grand future, and ambitious plans filled the air—the mansion hummed with the vibrant energy of four people who had finally realized their true, unstoppable power.
As the celebratory dinner drew to a close and the emotions in the mansion began to settle, a weathered but sturdy mini-bus pulled up to the main entrance, its tires crunching softly on the gravel. At the wheel sat Paul, Steve's cousin. This van was his second home: by day, Paul personally loaded the new mannequins into it, meticulously checking every fastening, and by night, the vehicle transformed into a mobile security headquarters.
Paul entered the dining room at the very last moment, just as the girls were finishing their discussion about the greatness of their lineage. His powerful frame, clad in a work jacket smelling of wood and varnish, brought an air of grim business into the hall.
— Well, family, you've been sitting here long enough, — Paul gave a short nod to everyone, his eyes meeting Steve's. — It's time to move. Twilight is deepening, and that's when the scum always starts crawling around the Factory.
But Elisa immediately stopped him with a gesture.
— Food first, Paul! — Elisa said softly but firmly. She rose from her seat to serve him a plate of hot roast. — You've been on your feet all day with the loading. We aren't letting you go on duty hungry.
Veronica and Evinetta immediately busied themselves, showing the sincere care that was so central to their characters. Veronica poured him a large mug of fragrant tea, while Evinetta pushed a plate of fresh bread toward him.
— Eat in peace, — Evinetta smiled. — Steve can wait another ten minutes. You need your strength; we know how hard you work guarding our mannequins at night.
Paul, touched by such warmth, sat at the edge of the table. In this mansion, he didn't feel like a hired hand; he felt truly at home, surrounded by the care of his sisters.
— Thank you, girls, — he rumbled, quickly finishing his dinner. — With care like this, I'm ready to stand guard all night.
When the shadows finally lengthened into total darkness, Steve and Paul headed to the back courtyard. There stood Paul's working "mini-bus"—the tough microbus he used to deliver finished products during the day. Paul habitually checked the locks on the rear doors, where the mannequins were secured, and took the wheel. Steve sat beside him.
— I heard you finally told them the truth about Hall and Ragnea? — Paul asked as the car pulled onto the dark road leading toward the industrial district.
— Yes, — Steve replied, watching the city lights. — They needed to realize whose blood they carry. Now they aren't just owners; they are defenders of their name.
— That's right, — Paul grunted, gripping the steering wheel tighter. — You know, Steve, I may just be a loader, but when I think about how our grandfather Dex was the son of Hall himself... my fists clench on their own. If the blood of Marionis flows in us, then all this filth crawling onto our territory is going to regret it deeply tonight. Everything is ready at the factory; I've strictly ordered our security to be extremely vigilant when both of us are away.
— You are doing the right thing, my brother, — Steve answered. — Without your help, I wouldn't survive this alone.
— That's what brothers are for! — the brave Paul replied.
As the mini-bus approached the massive silhouette of the Factory, Paul slammed on the brakes. Right in the middle of the road, blocking the path to the main gates, stood several dark figures. Metal glinted in the glare of the headlights.
— Here we go again, — Paul whispered, stepping out of the bus behind Steve. Both brothers were filled with a fighting spirit. Steve clenched his fists, and Paul stood shoulder to shoulder with him, ready for a clash.
But a figure stepped forward from the darkness, and the headlights caught a familiar face. It was James Urban. He stood at the head of a small but grim-looking squad of tough men.
— Easy, Steve. It's me, — James's voice sounded raspy.
— Urban? — Steve frowned. — What are you doing here at this hour? And why have you blocked my way with your men?
James stepped closer, his expression resolute.
— I came to warn you... and to help, — James pointed toward the dark alleys. — My men brought word: a massive raid is being planned against the Factory tonight. The very same thieves and fraudsters who robbed my Uncle John for years during the decline have united today. They know you're reviving the Factory's power, and they want to smash everything here before you become too strong.
— And you decided to come to us? — Paul looked at Urban's squad with suspicion. — After everything that's happened between our families?
James looked Paul straight in the eyes.
— My uncle let this place fall apart because he was weak. But I won't let them destroy what is coming back to life now. It's a matter of honor. Tonight they are coming with rebar and chains. They want to turn your machinery into ruins.
Steve assessed the situation. He could see that James was not lying.
— How many will there be, James? — Steve asked.
— Two or three thousand of them, the worst of the worst, — Urban replied.
— That's a whole army! — Steve grew furious. — How do they dare? Those scoundrels!
Then, a localized anger burned in Steve as he looked at Paul, who gave a short, firm nod. In a battle of this scale, every extra fighter was necessary.
— Fine, Urban, — Steve firmly shook James's hand. — Today, we are on the same side. Paul, drive the mini-bus onto the grounds and lead James's men to the west wing. I'll take the post at the main entrance.
— Consider it done, Steve! — Paul began barked out commands. — Take positions behind the equipment! As soon as you see movement—strike first! We won't let them ruin a single mannequin!
James Urban nodded to his men and followed Paul. Steve remained standing at the gates, feeling the blood of Hall boiling within him. The battle for the legacy had begun.