Chapter 559: Do You Know What’s Killing Me?

Meanwhile…

As soon as Lucian stepped out of the car in front of the High Chamber’s building, he was greeted by the Head Elder’s trusted henchwoman, Ruth.

Her hair was neatly trimmed into a pixie cut, with streaks of violet running through it. A tattoo stretched from the side of her neck to the back of her ear. Taller than the average woman, she stood almost at Gustav’s height.

Ruth stopped several steps away from them.

Gustav immediately moved in front of Lucian, his stance openly hostile.

“We’re here to meet with the Head Elder,” he said, one hand already resting near the weapon at his side. His sharp gaze swept over the people guarding the entrance.

There were more guards than usual.

“I was informed,” Ruth replied, her gaze shifting toward Lucian. “However, the High Chamber is currently under lockdown for security purposes. Only the Black Dragon is permitted inside.”

Gustav’s jaw tightened before he turned to Lucian.

“Master.”

Lucian showed little reaction, keeping his eyes fixed on Ruth.

“If you insist on taking your men inside, I’m afraid blood will be spilled unnecessarily,” Ruth remarked, meeting Lucian’s gaze without flinching. “I hope you understand. The Head Elder specifically instructed me to wait for both of you and relay this message. No one here wants bloodshed.”

Ruth paused and shifted her attention to Gustav.

“But we will not back down either.”

Gustav curled his hands into tight fists, his eyes sharpening at her.

“Whatever your decision, Master…” He dragged his gaze away from Ruth. “But this could be a trap.”

Lucian had already spoken with the Head Elder over the phone and informed him that they needed to discuss something. However, the unusual level of security surrounding the building made the situation feel far more dangerous than it should have been.

Still, even Lucian had rules to follow.

Under different circumstances, he could have forced his way inside with his men. But unless both sides wanted to raise their weapons against one another, everything now depended on the decision of one man.

And that was not why they had come.

“Gustav, if I don’t come out within ten minutes, leave this place,” Lucian ordered, his gaze remaining on Ruth. “Gather our men and take Primo somewhere safe. As for my wife… she will be in charge.”

“Master—” Gustav stopped when Lucian finally cast him a sidelong glance.

He drew a deep breath and lowered his head.

“Yes, Master.”

Ruth stepped aside, clearing the path for Lucian. She followed him with her gaze before falling into step behind him.

However, after only a few paces, her steps slowed when Gustav suddenly called out from behind them.

“Master!”

Gustav lifted his chin, his expression grave.

“You know the Madam. If something happens to you in there…” He trailed off as his eyes shifted toward Ruth, catching her looking back at him. “…I won’t be able to stop her.”

Lucian paused briefly but didn’t turn around.

I know, he answered silently. If I die in there, she’ll raise hell.

That’s why I have no intention of dying here.

Ruth smirked at Gustav. Without another word, she resumed following Lucian toward the entrance.

“The Madam has been gaining quite a reputation lately,” she mused. “It makes me want to meet her.”

Lucian didn’t answer.

“I heard she’s crazy—and that Nikki has been losing her mind because of her,” Ruth continued teasingly, studying Lucian’s back. “I also heard about her grand entrance into this place. Apparently, she took down several of our men.”

Her smile widened. “That irritated me at first. But then I learned that some of the casualties were people I’d been planning to eliminate myself.”

“You…” Lucian began disinterestedly, keeping his gaze ahead as they proceeded down the corridor.

Only their footsteps echoed through the carpeted hallway, accompanied by the quiet murmur of their voices.

“…would get along well with her. Better than Nikki.”

Ruth smirked.

“Anyone is better than Nikki. At this point, I’m hoping she turns out to be an enemy so I can rip out all her hair with my bare hands.”

Soon, the two reached a pair of large chamber doors.

Ruth stepped aside and stood straight beside the entrance.

“The Head Elder is inside,” she said. “But before you enter, I must inform you of one thing. Whatever happens in that room—whatever you see or discover—must remain inside.”

Her expression turned serious.

“I’m following very specific orders. I hope you understand, Black Dragon.”

Whatever those orders were, they clearly involved maintaining complete confidentiality.

Lucian studied Ruth for a moment before nodding.

He reached for the handle and pushed one of the doors open. Its heavy hinges creaked as it moved, followed by the faint click of his shoes against the tiled floor inside.

The door led into a large, luxurious bedroom.

Warm lights dimly illuminated the space, but there was still enough light for Lucian to see the man leaning against the headboard of the bed.

Almost everything in the room was antique. Priceless paintings decorated the walls, while intricately carved wooden furniture occupied every corner. Against such surroundings, the advanced medical equipment beside the bed appeared glaringly out of place.

Several wires were attached to the old man’s body, and an IV line was connected to the back of his hand.

“Black Dragon,” the old man greeted, a faint smile appearing on his face. “Come. Sit.”

He tipped his head toward the chair beside the bed.

Lucian quietly crossed the room and sat where the old man had indicated.

Franklin—the Head Elder of the High Chamber—was already in his late seventies. However, he had always presented himself as a man who was still as strong and healthy as an ox.

It hadn’t been long since Lucian had last seen him.

Yet compared to then, Franklin now appeared to have aged several years.

“I wasn’t aware you were dying,” Lucian began, studying the old man carefully. “You hid it well.”

After all, Frank had still been capable of arguing arrogantly and acting as though nothing in the world could weaken him. Now, even the air around him felt quieter.

Frank chuckled weakly.

“When you grow older, you become more defensive—especially in a place like Dominion.” His fading smile carried a trace of understanding. “So I don’t blame you for hiding your illness back then.”

“It wasn’t an illness,” Lucian corrected. “I was being poisoned.”

“Through your cigarettes?” Frank guessed, although that information was already public knowledge within Dominion.

He leaned his head farther against the pillow.

“Would you like to guess what’s killing me too, Lucian?”

For the first time since entering the room, Lucian’s brows drew together.

Frank laughed weakly.

“That friend of yours—the one who helped you—is in grave danger, Lucian.”