The mansion was unusually silent after dinner. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of wet soil. Inside, the soft golden lights barely touched the deep corners of the estate. It was late—past midnight—and yet three figures made their way into the private conference room: Ryan Ashworth, Maggi, and Jane Blackwood.
Jane sat at the head of the table, wearing a black silk nightgown that hugged her figure and shimmered faintly under the chandelier. Her bare feet rested lightly on the marble floor, her long dark hair cascading over one shoulder. A thin folder lay in front of her, untouched. A glass of red wine sat by her hand, though she hadn't sipped from it yet.
Ryan entered quietly, followed by Maggi, who was in her usual casual black tactical outfit, her posture firm and professional.
Jane gestured lightly. "Sit down. We have much to discuss tonight."
Ryan obeyed, sitting across from her, feeling the strange tension in the room. It wasn't nervousness. It was something heavier—like standing on the edge of a cliff and knowing you had no choice but to jump.
Jane leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "Ryan Ashworth must cease to exist."
The words dropped like stones into the quiet.
Ryan blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You can't move forward tied to your old life," Jane said calmly. "The enemies who ruined everything are still out there. As long as you are Ryan Ashworth, you're vulnerable. You're a loose thread."
Maggi spoke next, her voice cool. "You need a new identity. New documents. New story."
Jane nodded. "We'll prepare schooling records, college degrees, employment history—everything. All legally untraceable. You'll be clean, polished... invisible."
Ryan sat back, trying to absorb it.
"And your appearance," Jane added, tilting her head. "Your white hair streaks make you stand out. It's striking, yes, but it's dangerous. You'll dye it—something plain. Something forgettable."
He smiled faintly. "From standout to blank."
"Exactly," Jane said, returning the smile. "In this new world, you're a ghost."
Eleanor, who had been silently seated at the back of the room, now stepped forward. Her presence had been so quiet Ryan had almost forgotten she was there.
"In the structure of Blackwood Enterprises," Eleanor said crisply, "you'll be the official secretary. Your face will attend meetings. Sign papers. Host events if needed. But the real internal company matters—the private files, the confidential operations—" she gave a small smile, "—I'll handle those from the shadows."
"No one will know you exist within the power structure," Jane added, her voice firm. "To the world, you're a pretty face doing mundane work. But in truth, you'll be protecting the empire with us."
Ryan was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Understood."
Jane's gaze softened for a second, pride flickering in her eyes.
She turned to Maggi. "And his training?"
Maggi straightened, her face serious. "We need a place isolated. A place wild. Somewhere he can be broken and rebuilt . There is a also a military training facility .
Jane frowned. "Where?"
"Andhra Pradesh," Maggi said. "In India."
Ryan blinked. "India?"
Maggi smirked. "We're already in Mumbai right now. From here, the flight to Andhra Pradesh will take about three hours. Once we land, after resting stocking the goods for the journey ,we'll head straight to the interior forest region and there are also camps of that military training facility in interior forest region as they send their trainee there for real live experience Perfect for what he needs." and they also have all equipments for the the training .
Jane leaned back, thoughtful. "Good. Very good."
Maggi continued, "There are dense forests there. Perfect for training—wild survival, tracking, stealth. And," her eyes gleamed a little, "it's not safe. Smuggling operations, murders for red sandalwood—it's not theoretical danger. It's real. He'll get live experience."
Jane drummed her fingers lightly against the table. "You already arranged this?"
Maggi nodded. "I have contacts. We'll leave Monday morning."
Ryan let out a slow breath. Today was Saturday night. Less than two days.
Eleanor closed her folder with a sharp snap. "I'll begin preparing his documents immediately. When he returns, he'll have a whole new life waiting."
Jane stood, her nightgown sliding against her curves as she moved with silent grace. "Meeting adjourned."
Maggi saluted slightly before leaving the room. Eleanor followed a few steps behind, quietly slipping away into the night.
But Ryan didn't move.
He remained seated, his eyes fixed on Jane's back as she gazed out the tall window, the moonlight kissing her hair.
Slowly, Ryan stood and walked over to her.
Without a word, he placed his hands gently on her shoulders and began massaging them—lightly at first, then with more pressure, feeling the knots of tension in her muscles.
"You look absolutely stunning tonight," he said softly, his voice low.
Jane closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the warmth of his touch. "Flatterer," she murmured.
"I'm serious," Ryan said, his fingers brushing lightly against the nape of her neck. "You're... breathtaking."
Jane turned slowly, facing him. Her dark eyes locked onto his.
Her hand reached up, tracing a line down his chest—slow, teasing.
"Careful, Ryan," she whispered. "I might start wanting more."
"Maybe you should," he whispered back.
The space between them evaporated.
Their lips met in a slow, deliberate kiss—sweet at first, then hungrier, deeper. It was a kiss that promised a thousand things neither dared to say aloud yet.
Jane broke the kiss first, her breathing shallow. She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat—steady, strong.
"Stay," she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her without hesitation.
Together, they walked slowly to her bedroom.
Jane climbed into the massive bed, pulling him down beside her. She curled against him, laying her head on his chest as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
And for the first time in a long, long while, Jane Blackwood slept peacefully.