Rocco Family
After hanging up the phone, Jaxon Rocco sighed softly. The situation was troubling. Why had Elowen escaped, only to end her own life? And in such a bizarre manner.
The oddity of it lay in how Elowen Trevino, having successfully fled, suddenly returned. In front of her pursuers, she stabbed herself in the stomach-more than ten times-until she died.
Jaxon Rocco hadn’t shared these details with Kayden. He didn’t want to trouble him further. The Rocco family wasn’t one to shy away from challenges. Unless there was no other solution, Jaxon would never seek outside help.
If it hadn’t been for the coincidence of running into Kayden, he wouldn’t have asked for assistance this time either. Deep down, Jaxon Rocco trusted himself above all.
“Sir, what should we do now? Should we inform the Trevino family?” Savannah asked quietly, stepping in front of Jaxon Rocco.
Jaxon sighed again, his tone slightly melancholic. “Of course, we’ll tell them. Just explain everything exactly as it happened. Why even bother asking me about this?”
Mrs. Rocco hesitated briefly before voicing her concern. “But the Trevino family might not believe it. They might accuse us of being behind her death. If that happens, it could create serious problems for us.”
Jaxon Rocco scoffed. “Problems? I’m more inclined to believe it was someone from the Trevino family who orchestrated this. After all, their people caused the deaths of three promising young men from my family. The fact that I didn’t kill Elowen personally to avenge them is already a regret. If the Trevino family dares to trouble us, I’ll make sure they see what we’re capable of.”
Fear wasn’t in Jaxon Rocco’s vocabulary, not even when it came to the Trevino family. They were one of the most feared and influential clans, the leaders among the Four Great Families. But Jaxon wasn’t intimidated. He had reason and righteousness on his side-his family had suffered significant losses because of Elowen Trevino.
Backing down would only signify weakness.
Hearing Jaxon’s words, Mrs. Rocco nodded slightly. “Understood. I’ll handle it.”
Just as she was about to leave, Jaxon added, “Make sure you convey anger when reporting the events. We should be the aggrieved party here. Don’t let the Trevino family think we’re easy to intimidate. Got it?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Rocco affirmed. “I know how to approach this.”
“One more thing,” Jaxon continued. “After you handle this, reach out to my brother. See if you can get any information about who’s behind all of this. I have a feeling that Elowen Trevino’s death is connected to whoever desecrated our family’s graves. Someone is targeting us deliberately, trying to provoke a conflict between the Rocco and Trevino families.”
“Although I don’t fully understand their ultimate goal, the fact that they’re resorting to such tactics means we need to uncover their identity. I want to know who has the audacity to challenge my family.”
Elowen Trevino’s death was indeed strange. It seemed to be the result of some dark scheme. The purpose was clear: to create a deep rift between the Rocco and Trevino families, with someone else waiting to reap the benefits.
But who stood to gain from such a conflict? That was the part Jaxon couldn’t figure out.
Mrs. Rocco hesitated and asked, “Why me? Didn’t you just call him?”
Jaxon clicked his tongue in exasperation. “He’s a man of pride. If I keep asking him for help, it’ll hurt his ego. We’re brothers, but I still need to preserve the dignity of my family. Even if he answers my questions, I’d feel embarrassed to keep relying on him for small matters like this.”
Mrs. Rocco nodded in understanding. “Got it. I’ll take care of it.”
—
Alfredson Family
The Alfredson family estate was a scene of celebration today, decorated with lights and festive ornaments. The atmosphere was jubilant.
For a family as prominent as the Alfredsons, hosting a wedding at a hotel would be beneath them-a clear insult to their status.
Early in the day, Zack Alfredson personally called Wood Faulkner, extending another invitation and insisting that both Wood and Kayden attend the event. Zack even hoped Kayden would serve as the officiant for his grandson’s wedding.
By the time Kayden and Wood Faulkner arrived at the Alfredson estate, the place was already bustling with prominent figures from the Western Frontier. Zack Alfredson was a famous figure in the region, respected and admired by many. While he didn’t hold the same level of influence as the Rocco family, he was still someone of great renown.
The wedding had drawn attention not only from business moguls but also from political elites in the Western Frontier. Even though the groom was of limited intellect, the event had become a significant social occasion.
“Mr. Scott, you’re finally here!” Zack Alfredson greeted Kayden warmly. The entire Alfredson family radiated joy as they came forward to welcome him. Even those who had once looked down on Kayden, like Derek and Seraphina, now greeted him respectfully.
Zack Alfredson alone knew the truth about what had happened at the Rocco family’s auction house. Kayden had killed Cyrus Nightbane and walked away unscathed. Zack hadn’t shared this information with anyone but had instructed his family to treat Kayden with the utmost respect.
The family dared not disobey Zack’s orders. They didn’t fully understand Kayden’s power or why he deserved such deference, but if the patriarch insisted, they complied.
Kayden responded calmly, offering a simple, “Congratulations.”
“Mr. Scott, having you here is an immense honor for the Alfredson family,” Zack said sincerely.
Zack knew what Kayden had gone through the previous day. Killing Cyrus Nightbane and being taken by the Rocco family, only to emerge unscathed, spoke volumes about Kayden’s strength.
“By the way,” Zack continued, “Miss Faulkner looks much better today-completely radiant, even extraordinary. Could it be…?”
He glanced at Kayden, as if seeking permission to ask further.
Kayden understood what Zack was referring to. Wood Faulkner had recently advanced to the Grand level, elevating not only her strength but also her demeanor and presence.
Wood Faulkner responded to the compliment with a gentle smile but said nothing.
“Not at all,” Kayden replied with a faint smile. “Wood Faulkner is still the same Wood Faulkner.”
With that, he patted Zack Alfredson lightly on the shoulder and walked into the Alfredson family’s grand hall.
For Kayden, Wood Faulkner’s breakthrough to the Grand level was a positive development.
As for today’s wedding, he wasn’t sure if it would turn out to be a good thing or a bad one.
If the bride happened to be Sophie Walsh, the ceremony could take a very awkward turn.
Kayden had already prepared himself for the possibility of a confrontation.