PAMPERED BY MY THREE BROTHERS: THE RETURN OF THE NEGLECTED HEIRESS-Chapter 1818: I’ll be the death of her.

Atlas and Zoren had spent almost the entire day together, not just during their flight to this island, but also before that. After all, Zoren had visited Atlas’s office to discuss what was necessary.

Atlas’s question to him was: "How did you claim the Shadow Order?"

Zoren’s answer?

"I ended Sybil."

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In this secret society, families and organizations like the Zorken and the Shadow Order adhered to a slightly more outdated way of life. It wasn’t that they lived in the past, but many of their practices wouldn’t be acceptable in the outside world. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

One such practice was the ascension to leadership within these families or organizations.

Just as in ancient times, whenever one sought to overthrow or ascend to a throne, blood would be spilled. If the one in power couldn’t defend their seat, the remaining people they commanded would serve as repayment for all the casualties during the conflict.

It was, more or less, a bet.

Those who won claimed everything: power, authority, and control.

The loser? Dead. Those who sided with them became, not literally, slaves. Instead, they would be absorbed by the victorious force and naturally deemed cannon fodder for future battles. However, people often resisted, so there wasn’t always anyone left on the losing side.

This custom wasn’t exclusive to the Zorken Family; it applied to everyone who was part of the secret society.

The only difference between other families and the Zorken Family was their unique rituals, like the Code for the Shadow Order.

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But then, what was it that everyone wanted so badly?

The Code wasn’t merely a passcode to make the Shadow Order obey. It was a pledge—a promise made centuries ago.

A pledge bound with secrecy till the end.

And one of its secrets was... the Shadow Order’s true nature. To gain access to it, one had to find the true person in power of the Shadow Order.

When Zoren claimed the Shadow Order with the code in his first life, two individuals regularly switched roles to run the Order. However, only one name was publicly known: Octavia. In truth, Octavia was simply a stand-in. Anyone who reached Octavia and claimed the code would automatically be denied.

It didn’t matter who it was: Naylani, Nathalie, Noel, or even Satan.

Why?

Because Octavia was simply a character created by the real manager of the Shadow Order: Sybil.

Sybil, the real Code.

The item in Zoren’s hands was merely a guide, revealing the two existences within the Shadow Order and leading him to the real one.

And Sybil’s role? To decide if they were worthy.

In a sense, Zoren simply forced the Shadow Order into submission. But even then, Sybil approved of it for whatever reason. Hence, even when Zoren ended her, the Shadow Order followed Zoren as their new leader. However, this also symbolized that their allegiance to him was his new prison.

A prison he would never escape until the day he died.

Which was why Atlas chose to come alone. Unlike Zoren, he had no means of forcing these people into submission. Also, if he was going to claim the Order, he wanted to do it his own way.

How he claimed them and how he would do it would dictate the future direction of this entire organization under his rule.

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"Step down now and get out of my and my people’s way, Sybil."

Silence fell in the clearing, all eyes on Atlas. They’d heard him loud and clear: he was challenging the madam. But strangely, even as he did this and already claimed them as his, they had conflicting opinions about it.

After all, Atlas was making a lot of sense.

Many of their comrades were being held hostage, and others were being treated as little more than slaves. If the Shadow Order wanted to move, they could have reduced the damage being done to their island and their people.

But alas... Sybil had given her order. Therefore, they could only grit their teeth and quietly seethe in anger.

Meanwhile, Sybil studied the shifting mood in the air as she noticed some of them loosening their grip on the weapons pointed at Atlas. It was subtle, but even with her age, her vision was still very clear, and her senses were still sharp.

"A challenge!" Sybil nodded at Atlas before she chuckled. "Young man, did you come here with only your tongue armed?"

Atlas blinked ever so slowly. "Guns, grenades, chaos. Everything is happening on this island other than talking it out. Of course, I am biased, so I’d say even if Nathalie Zorken explains the reason for her actions, I’d still order her head."

"Even so, I came here to claim the Order," he continued just as calmly. "Whether I die or fail, the only regret I’d have is letting my people down. You, on the other hand, have been letting them all down to let such a miscreant tarnish this land and your people’s integrity."

"And I believe..." he trailed off, his eyes glinting as they sharpened. "... you are just as responsible, Sybil."

Another wave of silence fell upon their shoulders, allowing his calm voice to echo. After a breath, Atlas raised his chin and scanned everyone.

"I know the members of the Order value loyalty more than anything," he spoke, this time, to those who could hear him. "I am here to claim the Order and challenge Sybil."

He paused again and took a step forward, unfazed by the remaining red laser dots on him. "And I will win it, and become the next head of the Shadow Order. Those who agree with me, stand back. As for those who still side with the madam, shoot me now."

"Otherwise... I’ll be the death of her."

The second those words rolled out of his tongue, the sound of rifles and feet on the ground rang out simultaneously.

Much to everyone’s surprise, just as those who cocked their rifles at Atlas were about to grant his request to be killed, some of their members pointed their rifles back at them.

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