"So, we still have some time," Ethan said, sinking into the plush leather seat.
Madison sat back, turning her gaze toward the dark scenery passing by outside the window.
Why is Jake showing so much interest in Ethan? she wondered silently.
Ethan had also turned his head to look out into the night, deep in thought. Suddenly, something clicked in his memory. He turned back toward the front console.
"Jake... there's something I need to ask you."
Jake glanced at him, for a split second before giving a subtle, permissive tilt of his head.
If anyone knows something about this, it's him, Ethan thought.
"Do you know anything about Allen's father?" Ethan asked.
At the mention of Allen's father, Madison immediately turned her head, her attention locked onto Jake.
Jake remained as calm and unreadable as ever.
"Jake... do you know him?" Ethan pressed. "He had white hair."
White hair...? Madison thought, searching her own memories.
"I don't know," Jake replied smoothly. "If you're curious, ask Allen yourself."
Ethan gave a single nod, shifting his gaze to Madison.
"Ethan, I actually asked Allen about his parents once," Madison shared softly. "He told me he doesn't remember anything about them. And as far back as I can recall, Allen was raised alongside me, by my father."
Ethan nodded, leaning back as the engine hummed quietly through the night.
Before long, the highway opened up to skyline lights as the vehicle crossed the city limits.
Ottawa... we're back, Ethan thought.
Scanning the elevated structures along the main strip, Ethan's trained eyes picked out shadowed figures stationed on rooftops. "Snipers."
"The British Royal Family is hosting," Madison noted, looking up. "The security protocols are going to be absolute."
Jake kept his hands on the wheel, silent as the car glided deeper into the central district. The city was silent, like it was empty.
Passing a secure perimeter, Ethan spotted the sealed, cordoned-off grounds of the Museum of Nature and the surrounding structures.
"So that's the museum," Madison murmured, staring at the site.
She looked at Ethan.
Ethan nodded. "Yeah. A Japanese sword user, woman, cut through both structures—the Museum and the Third Branch behind it—with a single, massive slash."
Madison looked at him in surprise. "Really? A woman did that?"
"Why are you so surprised?" Ethan asked with a subtle smirk.
"I know it wasn't earthquake, and I assumed the collapse was caused by charges detonated on the foundation pillars," Madison admitted.
Ethan shook his head. "The media fabricated the report to suppress the truth."
"Why cover it up and claim it was an localized earthquake?" she asked.
"To protect the nation, it had to be buried," Jake spoke up, his tone clipped and practical.
Madison paused, processing his words, before nodding in realization. "Ah... that was a smart move."
"Explain," Ethan said, looking between them.
"If the truth wasn't suppressed or fabricated, or available publicly, do you think the British Royal Family would be here hosting a global festival today?" Madison explained. "Diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada would have collapsed instantly. So they had to buried it."
Ethan nodded in quiet understanding. He sat back.
"We're here," Jake said.
The vehicle turned into a massive, heavily guarded private courtyard. Rows of exotic, high-end hypercars and custom luxury vehicles filled the illuminated parking lots.
"hmm... every wealthy figure on the planet must be here," Ethan muttered. Madison nodded in agreement.
Jake guided the Rolls-Royce toward an exclusive inner valet entrance. Up ahead, a vehicle caught their attention.
"Look at the car ahead of us..." Ethan said, staring in surprise.
"A Rolls-Royce completely wrapped in solid gold," Madison remarked, shaking her head at the sheer display of wealth.
The inner valet guard, wearing a crisp uniform, flagged down the golden car, speaking with a refined British accent. "Pardon me, sir, but this restricted bay is reserved exclusively for primary dignitaries, as indicated by the posting. Please utilize the secondary lot."
The owner of the gold vehicle yielded, maneuvering away to the general parking section.
When Jake pulled up to the same checkpoint, he rolled down his window. The guard leaned down, caught sight of Jake's face, and immediately nodded, gesturing for them to proceed straight through into the private VIP enclosure.
Jake parked the car in a secluded, open-air VIP space—a private zone containing only two other vehicles, with just two remaining spots left open.
"They just let us right in...?" Madison whispered, watching as Jake killed the engine and stepped out.
Ethan and Madison stepped out onto the pavement, following Jake. Madison stared at Jake's back in quiet disbelief as he turned toward her.
Madison was startled as Jake stepped towards her.
"You're my younger sister," Jake said calmly.
"What?" Madison blinked.
"Just for today," Jake reiterated, turning back toward the entrance.
Madison nodded slowly, falling into step beside Ethan. This guy... why does he talk like that? That really caught me off-guard.
Jake walked ahead as the trio approached the primary security gates.
While dozens of high-society figures and international delegates were undergoing rigorous screening, metal detectors, and credential checks, the guards at the VIP gate simply nodded respectfully and opened the doors for Jake's group without searching them.
Madison stared at the back of Jake's head as they walked through the archway.
Who are you really...?
Stepping into the main grand hall, the sheer scale of the gathering hit them instantly. The vast chamber was packed with global elites, high-ranking government officials, international celebrities, and prominent public figures.
Above the main floor, Madison spotted two sweeping grand staircases on the left and right, both curving upward toward an elevated central balcony draped in royal velvet.
That must be where the King will make his appearance, she deduced.
Ethan walked alongside her, taking in the grand architecture and keeping his focus strictly on Jake as they navigated through the bustling crowd.