Chapter 381: Breaking News

"The press caught wind of what happened. Reporters are already swarming the front doors downstairs," James reported. "The situation is spiralling rapidly because of a separate event that transpired last night."

"A separate event?" Alester questioned, his tone sharpening.

James glanced around at the silent group. "I assume none of you have checked the morning news."

A cold knot tied itself in the pit of Aliana’s stomach. Instinctively, she reached out and gripped Gavriel’s arm to keep herself grounded.

"Speak clearly, James," Alester instructed.

"It would be best if you simply saw it for yourselves. I’ll be right back," James replied.

He hurried over to the front desk, returning moments later with the remote for the flat-screen television mounted on the wall. He pointed at it and switched on the main news network.

The second everyone’s eyes fell upon the screen, Aliana, Portia and Nigel’s complexions turned pale as they read the headline. Meanwhile, Gavriel, Cillian and Alester’s expressions grew grim.

On the screen, blurred video of the abandoned warehouse filled the display, accompanied by a stark crimson banner:

BREAKING NEWS: Horrific Warehouse Massacre Shocks the City of Astoria!

The news anchor’s voice echoed through the hallway.

"We are coming to you live from the industrial district on the outskirts of Astoria, where authorities have uncovered what lead investigators are calling one of the most gruesome acts of violence the city has ever seen.

Early this morning, a patrol unit responded to a distress call from a sanitation worker who could barely explain what he had witnessed. While the official details remain strictly guarded, sources within the police department have confirmed the recovery of the remains of dozens of victims from inside the warehouse.

The scene was so violent and bloody that even some members of the investigation team reportedly struggled to stomach what they encountered. Authorities have yet to determine exactly what was used to commit such a horrific homicide, with all the victims left in a condition that makes identification nearly impossible.

At this stage, the motive and the identity of whoever could be behind this remain unknown. However, authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid isolated areas whenever possible for their own safety."

While Portia and Nigel stared at the screen in horror, Aliana’s grip tightened around Gavriel’s arm until he pulled her into his embrace.

Cillian’s eyes remained fixed on the television before subtly shifting towards Gavriel’s.

Neither of them moved a muscle, yet the unspoken understanding between them was absolute.

A slaughter of that magnitude, carried out without gunpowder or blade, leaving behind nothing but shredded flesh and crushed bone... it bore all the hallmarks of a wild, unrestrained dark entity.

Not only that... it had happened in the very same abandoned building where Jade had been kidnapped, on the very same night.

There was no way they could believe that was a coincidence.

The question was... just who could have done it?

"W-Who could do such a thing?" Nigel asked in shock.

"This is terrible," Portia whispered.

Aliana kept her mouth shut as the dread pooling in her stomach brought her to the exact same conclusion Gavriel and Cillian had reached.

Meanwhile, Alester, who had been listening in silence, turned to James. "Is the media attempting to link the two incidents?"

"Not yet, sir. However, the fact that two massive events occurred on the very same night has left reporters restless and asking questions. The details regarding Mr. Ross’s attack have been kept strictly confidential, but because several people saw him being brought in last night, word of his hospitalisation has already leaked."

Alester knew the implications all too well.

Alec was a prominent figure in the real estate industry, and rumours of his severe condition would inevitably trigger a frenzy in the market and press. The best course of action was to contain the information as tightly as possible and deal with one crisis at a time.

"I will go speak with the police," Alester said, turning his attention to the group. "Until then, I want all of you to keep a low profile and double the security around this wing. We do not know who was behind the attack on Alec, so it is crucial that we take extreme precautions."

Alester met Cillian’s gaze, then Gavriel’s. Both men offered a firm nod of agreement before Alester turned and left with James.

Portia spoke up softly. "I will go arrange some food and secure some private waiting rooms for us."

Nigel immediately offered, "Let me help you with that, Mrs. Vanderbilt."

Portia gave him an appreciative nod, and the two walked off down the hallway, leaving only Aliana, Gavriel, and Cillian behind.

Gavriel looked down at his silent wife, who was still clinging to him with her gaze fixed on the television screen. "You must be exhausted," he murmured softly. "Should we head home for a while?"

Aliana slowly shook her head before looking up to meet his eyes.

Seeing the deep anxiety mirrored in her expression, he raised his palm to gently cup her cheek. "What is going on in your mind, baby?"

She stared at him for a beat longer before her lips finally parted. "Tell me, Gav... what happened to Uncle Alec... and the slaughter at that warehouse..." Her lips trembled slightly. "Why does it feel like it was done by the exact same entity?"

When Gavriel remained silent, her fingers tightened around the front of his shirt. "It is them... isn’t it?"

Gavriel was not surprised that she had connected the dots so quickly, knowing how sharp Aliana had always been.

What truly concerned him was her tendency to worry about everyone else’s safety while neglecting her own well-being. He had watched her grow increasingly restless over the past few days, tossing and turning in her sleep or waking up in the grip of yet another nightmare.

It always left him feeling helpless to see her this way, and even now, he found himself troubled by the thought of her being burdened by yet another thing.

Even so, he refused to lie to her.

"I suspect the same," he admitted softly. His thumb gently brushed against her cheek. "Nothing is confirmed yet, Ana, but I will do everything in my power to get to the bottom of this. Can you trust me?"

Aliana was drawn into the calmness of his beautiful, jewel-like eyes and could only nod silently before another thought occurred to her.

"And if they are the same? Why would they go after Uncle Alec of all people? And those people... what if they are the same ones who kidnapped Jade?"

"If they are the same people, they will get what they deserve for coming so close to our home," Gavriel replied with quiet confidence. "To be honest, I do not care what happens to Alec, or what happened to those men. What I care about is a threat like this encroaching on my territory and my people. That, I cannot forgive."

Aliana knew every word from his mouth was sincere.

Even though he openly stated his indifference toward Alec, she did not mind. Her primary concern was the safety of those she loved, and Gavriel’s words provided a sense of reassurance that somehow calmed her restless heart, even if only slightly.

"I trust you," she whispered.

Gavriel leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead before she buried her face into his chest.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of green eyes had just emerged from the observation room and fixed themselves on the embracing couple.

But this time, Cillian’s sharp eyes caught the look.