China… Frost Family Estate…
Knock! Knock!
The sharp knock on the door pulled Tony out of his sleep.
His brows furrowed as he opened his eyes, irritation flashing briefly across his face. For someone to disturb him this early meant only one thing… trouble.
He swung his legs off the bed and opened the door without much thought.
Julie stood outside.
But something about her was off… Her usual sharp expression was replaced by unease, and there was a hint of urgency in the way she shifted her weight.
"Tony," she called out quickly, almost too quickly.
Tony leaned against the doorframe, studying her with narrowed eyes. "You look like you've seen a ghost. What happened?"
Julie hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "Your father is looking for you. He asked me to inform you the moment you woke up."
Tony's expression changed instantly.
"My father?!" he repeated slowly.
Julie nodded, avoiding direct eye contact.
Tony's sleep is gone in the next second. Rion Clark never summoned him without reason. And when he did, it was rarely anything pleasant.
"Did he say why…?!" Tony asked in a serious tone.
"No," Julie replied, her voice slightly tight. "He didn't explain anything. Just told me to make sure you go immediately."
Tony watched her for a moment longer, sensing the tension she was trying to hide. It didn't take much intelligence to guess what she was worried about.
She thought he might expose her. A faint smile appeared on his lips, but he said nothing.
"Alright," he said casually. "I'll go see what this is about."
Without waiting, he stepped past her and walked down the corridor.
If his father was calling him this early, something significant must have happened.
And in this family… Significant usually meant dangerous.
***
Moments later, Tony arrived outside his father's chamber. He knocked twice.
"Come in," a cold voice responded from inside.
Tony pushed the door open and stepped in.
Rion Clark sat behind a large desk, his sharp gaze landed on Tony immediately. On the table beside him lay a sealed envelope marked with a distinct insignia… one that Tony recognized instantly.
'The Nine Lotus Academy.'
Tony's eyes flickered briefly toward it before returning to his father.
"You called for me..?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.
Rion didn't answer immediately. Instead, he observed Tony carefully, as if trying to find something different about him. There was a subtle change… something in his presence… but it was too vague to define.
In the end, Rion dismissed the thought.
"There are two things you need to know," he said directly. "First, your engagement with Lily Frost has been finalized."
Tony didn't react outwardly, but his mind stirred slightly.
"Lady Lily personally approached me this morning," Rion continued. "She insisted that the engagement be announced publicly as soon as possible."
Tony's eyes narrowed faintly. 'She was pushing things forward herself?'
"I see…" Tony replied calmly.
"I trust you understand the importance of this marriage. This is not just about you. This concerns the entire Clark family."
His voice grew colder. "And I don't need to remind you what will happen if you ruin it."
Tony gave a faint nod though his thoughts moved differently.
So even his father doesn't fully trust him in this matter… Not surprising!
Rion leaned back slightly. "This alliance secures your position as the heir… But don't misunderstand. That doesn't make you worthy of her."
Tony almost laughed.
'Worthy?!' He suppressed the thought, keeping his expression neutral.
"Then what do you expect from me?" he asked instead.
"Prove yourself," Rion replied without hesitation. "If you lack martial talent, then compensate elsewhere. Business, influence, leadership. Show that you're not completely useless."
Tony remained silent.
Inside, however, his thoughts were far less obedient.
'So I have to prove myself to stand beside her? Let them think that… The less they know… The better.'
A faint smirk almost appeared… But something else bothered him more.
Why was everything moving so fast?
"And the second matter," Rion continued, breaking his thoughts, "is that you have been admitted into the Nine Lotus Academy."
Tony's composure cracked for the first time. "What…?!!!"
The word slipped out before he could stop it… He stared at his father, genuinely stunned.
"That's impossible… I don't meet any of their requirements." He said immediately.
The Nine Lotus Academy didn't accept weaklings. Their standards were ruthless. Even prodigies struggled to gain entry.
And him?
He shouldn't even qualify to stand at their gates.
Rion's expression hardened slightly. "Watch your tone… It's not something you need to question. The invitation has already been issued."
Tony's gaze shifted toward the envelope.
"How…?!" he asked again, more controlled this time.
Rion narrowed his eyes. "They made an exception with few conditions," he said. "Consider it a result of my efforts."
Even as he said it, there was a trace of doubt in his own voice.
Rion Clark tried all his means to send Tony to 9 Lotus Academy. But they never agreed. But this invitation came out of nowhere.
Rion continued, "Your engagement with Lily Frost likely played a role as well. With her status, your value increases by association."
Tony didn't respond. Inside, however, a different conclusion formed.
This is her…. A Heaven-blessed existence. Fate itself was bending around her… And dragging him along with it.
"And finally…' Before he could continue, the door opened.
A familiar figure stepped in with a bright, almost theatrical smile… Andrew Frost.
Tony immediately straightened slightly and gave a polite nod.
"Congratulations, my son-in-law," Andrew said cheerfully as he walked in. "It seems even the Nine Lotus Academy has finally recognized your… potential."
Tony resisted the urge to respond.
Andrew sat beside Rion comfortably, as if the two had already reached a complete understanding.
"We've discussed this already," Andrew continued. "The engagement ceremony will be held before you leave for the academy."
Tony's eyes flickered slightly. "That soon?"
Andrew smiled wider. "Of course. Once the engagement is public, everything becomes stable. More importantly, you'll be able to stay close to Lily at the academy."
His tone turned slightly meaningful. "She'll guide you… and protect you from unnecessary trouble."
Tony almost laughed at that.
Protect? Or monitor?
"Do you have any objections?" Andrew asked, leaning forward slightly, his eyes locking onto Tony.
Before Tony could respond, Rion spoke instead. "He wouldn't dare," he said flatly. "This is the best outcome he could hope for."
Andrew laughed loudly. "Good, good! Then everything is settled."
Tony remained silent.
Andrew stood up and walked toward him, handing over the sealed letter from 9 Lotus Academy. "Go… Lily is in the training hall. You should meet her."
Tony took the letter…. His fingers brushed against the seal.
The insignia of the Nine Lotus Academy gleamed faintly. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room.
As he stepped into the corridor, he immediately opened the letter to confirm his doubt.