A night of madness had come and gone.
Vanessa had completely surrendered herself. After being rejected and betrayed by her husband Leon, she no longer held anything back. In Rowan's arms, she rediscovered what tenderness and passion felt like. That night, he treated her with care that was both gentle and intoxicating, every gesture thoughtful, every touch deliberate.
Now, as dawn crept through the curtains, Vanessa lay asleep against Rowan's chest, her breathing soft and steady. Rowan didn't sleep. He gazed at her for a moment, then carefully lifted her head from his arm, gently laying her back against the pillow and pulling the blanket over her shoulders.
He stood up quietly, but the sound of the door made her stir.
"Rowan… where are you going?" Vanessa's voice was still drowsy, but beneath it was an unmistakable trace of fear the fear of being alone again.
"I'm going to make you breakfast," Rowan said with a small, easy smile.
In the kitchen, he moved with calm precision, his psychic energy lifting utensils and ingredients in a delicate dance. Vanessa, blinking in disbelief from the stairs, could hardly process what she was seeing.
Rowan a high-ranking senator, one of the most powerful men in the world cooking for her himself.
The realization struck her like lightning. To be cared for like this by a man of his status made her feel flustered, almost overwhelmed. Gratitude and warmth bloomed together in her chest.
When she finally came downstairs, dressed neatly and composed, the smell of freshly prepared food filled the air. Rowan stood at the stove, controlling everything with invisible hands. Plates floated from counter to table, a perfect breakfast assembled in minutes.
"Why are you standing there? Sit," Rowan said, ladling porridge into a bowl and placing it before her. "You can stay here as long as you want. Or, if you prefer, go back home. It's your choice."
Vanessa took the bowl, her fingers trembling slightly from its warmth. She stared at the porridge for a long time before whispering, "I'm not going back. I'm going to divorce Leon. I won't be his tool anymore. I want to live for myself from now on."
Rowan smiled faintly. "Then I suppose congratulations are in order. But what about what you planned to do the matter with Ryan's family?"
"You mean revenge?" she asked softly.
Rowan didn't answer. He only watched her quietly.
Vanessa lowered her eyes. "No. I should thank Ryan instead. If he hadn't killed my son, I never would have seen Leon's true face. I don't plan on taking revenge anymore."
That wasn't the entire truth. Part of her decision came from reason, but most of it came from Rowan. Without realizing it, she had grown dependent on him not just on his power or influence, but on the calm warmth he gave her after that night. She liked being near him.
And with a senator like Rowan as her shield, her future suddenly looked secure.
Her family, the Vennas, had already begun cutting ties with her because of Leon. The scandal and her brother's disappointment had nearly broken her. But now, standing before Rowan, she could see a path forward again.
"You can go back to your family," Rowan said, his tone measured but kind. "Tell them I sent you. From now on, your family will be under my protection."
Vanessa's eyes widened in shock and delight.
Then Rowan leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. "But there's one condition," he added with a faint smile. "You'll be my woman. That's the price."
Her cheeks flushed red. For a long moment, she hesitated, her breath trembling. But eventually, she knelt beside him, lowering her head.
Rowan's expression softened. "Good girl."
Time passed. While Vanessa adjusted to her new life, Rowan buried himself in cultivation. He pushed his psychic powers further, striving to reach the stellar rank. Days blurred into weeks, and weeks into months.
Two months later, a monumental piece of news shook the entire human world.
Ryan who had entered the ninth ancient civilization ruins half a year ago had returned alive.
He had emerged completely unharmed.
The discovery spread across the globe like wildfire. Magnus received word immediately, and Ryan was soon reunited with his family.
When Grace and Roy heard that Ryan was alive, they burst into tears of relief. Ryan, too, felt a swell of gratitude and the first thing he did was send a message to Rowan.
He thanked him for everything and invited him to Magnus Base to celebrate.
But Rowan declined with a smile. "Go see them first. When you're done, come to my place. I'll make you dinner myself."
He was genuinely happy for Ryan. The young man had returned far sooner than expected proof that his earlier guidance, especially giving Ryan the Divine Codex, had made a real difference. Without that, Ryan could never have progressed so quickly.
"With the Basic 312 Forms and the Basic 186 Forms, I should soon reach the stellar level too," Rowan murmured to himself, anticipation glinting in his eyes.
That evening, he prepared a full table of dishes. When Ryan finally came, he was full of emotion not only because Rowan had kept his promise, but because this powerful man had once again treated him as family.
Rowan laughed as Ryan stared at the food. "What's that look? You don't like my cooking?"
"No, it's incredible," Ryan said quickly. "Thank you, Rowan. For protecting my family while I was gone. I don't know how to repay you."
"Don't talk like that. We're brothers. There's no need for formality," Rowan said, pouring him another drink.
After dinner, their talk turned serious. "Tell me, Ryan," Rowan said, his eyes calm but sharp. "What really happened in the ruins? Everyone thought you were dead."
Ryan nodded and recounted everything the trials, the brushes with death, the treasures he'd obtained. He spoke honestly, even about the three ancient manuals he'd gained: Basic 312 Forms, Basic 186 Forms, and The Heaven-Evasion Manual.
"So all three are powerful psychic manuals?" Rowan asked thoughtfully.
Ryan nodded. "They're far beyond the Divine Codex you gave me. I've already begun mastering them. I think I'm on the verge of breaking through to planetary rank."
Rowan's eyes lit up. "Can you share them with me?"
Ryan froze. He remembered the warning from the intelligent core that had given him the inheritance a sentient machine from the fallen civilization of Inkstar. It had strictly forbidden him from sharing the techniques. If he did, he would be hunted down without mercy.
"I… can't," he said hesitantly. "The AI warned me. If I share them, it'll trigger their defense protocols. I might not survive."
Rowan leaned back, pretending to understand. "I see. Then it's fine. I won't press you."
But then he smiled faintly. "Actually, I might have a solution. I discovered a secret space that blocks all detection. If you enter it, nothing in the universe can trace what we do. You could give me the manuals there, safely."
Ryan blinked. "Seriously?"
"Of course. Just close your eyes. Don't use your psychic power. I'll guide you."
Trusting him completely, Ryan obeyed.
Rowan placed a hand on his shoulder and activated the Dual Crossing Ring. A whirlpool of energy opened beneath them. Ryan felt a strange pulling sensation, but he didn't resist. He trusted Rowan with his life.
A moment later, Rowan said, "You can open your eyes now."
When Ryan did, he found himself standing in a dimly lit room no larger than ten square meters. The air vibrated with an overwhelming psychic force, dense and suffocating. Just touching the ground sent a shiver up his arm the energy here was terrifying.
If he'd released his mind's power, it might have torn him apart instantly.
He looked down at his communicator no signal. Completely cut off from the outside world.
"Don't worry," Rowan said. "This space won't last long. It blocks all communication and scanning. Limited use, but perfect for now."
What Ryan didn't know was that they weren't in a secret space at all.
They were in Rowan's villa by the sea in the Marvel world.
The room itself had been crafted from vibranium, layered with Rowan's psychic energy to seal it off completely. He had disguised it as a temporary spatial pocket to deceive Ryan, ensuring the young man never suspected the truth.
To Ryan, it was just another miracle of technology.
To Rowan, it was the beginning of something much greater.
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