Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Their Chose

Chapter 68 Their Cause

The morning sun filtered through the grand windows of the private hall where Valerian Vasiliev’s men had gathered. They were dressed in sharp suits, standing in perfect formation, they exuded discipline and power. At the front, Ivan Balthazar stood with his arms crossed, his keen emerald eyes scanning the room. Everwing was in order.

Then, the heavy doors suddenly swing open and Valerian entered

But something was different this time.

There was neither cold intensity in his eyes not any unspoken threat hanging in the air. Instead, he walked with a calm, composed ease with his expression almost… gentle.

The shift in his demeanor did not go unnoticed. His men who were trained to recognize every nuance of their leader’s presence, exchanged brief, subtle glances. Even Ivan raised a brow, intrigued

But despite the change, their respect did not falter.

Valerian stopped at the center of the room as his gaze swept over the men before him. Then, with the same authority that had always commanded absolute loyalty, he spoke.

“Доброe утро.” (Good morning.)

As if on instinct, the response was immediate.

“Доброе утро, Дон Васильев!” (Good morning, Don Vasiliev!)

Their voices rang in unison, unwavering, filling the hall with absolute obedience.

Valerian let the greeting settle before offering a slow nod of approval. He tilted his head slightly with amusement flickering in his eyes as he noted their silent curiosity.

They had noticed.

And he knew exactly what was on their minds.

Valerian let the silence stretch for a moment. Then, when it was finally time, he breathed deeply and spoke.

“I want to start by thanking all of you.” His voice was smooth yet unusually solemn. “For your loyalty, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment. Without you, none of this would have been possible.”

A flicker of confusion crossed the faces of his men.

Their Don was never one for sentiment. He led with strategy, efficiency, and an iron will. Gratitude was something he rarely voiced–it was something earned in his eyes. Yet here he was, speaking as if he were… saying goodbye.

A shift in the air was immediate.

Ivan who was standing at the front, narrowed his emerald eyes. He had known Valerian for years and had seen him at his best, his worst, and everything in between. And this? This wasn’t just gratitude.

It was as if there was something else he did not want to hear.

Then, Valerian confirmed it.

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“But now,” he continued, his voice calm but firm, “it’s time for me to step away.”

A ripple of disbelief passed through the room.

Ivan’s arms dropped to his sides as his entire body tensed. “No,” he said in utter disbelief. “You’re not serious.”

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Chapte: 68. Their Cou

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Valerian didn’t react to the protest, as if he had expected it. Instead he took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Ivan’s.

“I am.” Valerian said simply.

The weight of his words settled over them like a heavy fog.

“I have given years of my life to this organization ever since I was young,” he continued, his voice steady but holding an unusual warmth. “And I have done so without regret. Every decision, every battle—I took them all as my own because that was my duty, because it was what was expected of me.” He exhaled slowly, as if the weight of those years was finally slipping from his shoulders. “I have long avenged my mother, and now, I have avenged someone who matters to me more than my life.” His silver -grey eyes swept across the room with an unwavering gaze. “With your help.”

The men before him exchanged glances while confusion flickered in their expressions.

“But there comes a time when a man must choose his heart,” Valerian continued in a softer tone. “And I wish for all of you to do the same.”

Some of the men inhaled sharply at his words as the meaning behind them started to sink in. Valerian had already made his choice.

“I have sent your proper rewards,” he went on. “Enough to give you a choice of your own–enough for you to do whatever you have long dreamed of. Whether it is to build a new life, start a family, or walk away from this world entirely, you are no longer bound to me.”

Valerian’s men went silence out of shock.

“This organization,” Valerian continued, “will no longer be what it once was. From this day forward, it will serve only as a legitimate finance company. Vasiliev Holdings. And with that change, I wish for everyone, and I mean everyone, to no longer see me as someone higher than you, but as your equal.”

Then, he smiled. Truly and genuinely smiled.

“My friends,” he paused and breathed, “I want to build a family of my own. And I wish for all of you to support me with this decision.”

A heavy pause filled the room.

Valerian Mikhail Vasiliev was not a man they followed out of fear.

They had followed him because he was worthy of it.

From the moment he had taken control, he had done something no other mafia leader had ever done he had refused to be one of them. While others bathed in corruption, thrived in chaos, and ruled with greed, Valerian had built something different. He had not been a criminal. He had not been a tyrant.

He had been a force of reckoning.

A man who did not exploit the weak but destroyed those who did. Aman who did not seek power for himself, but instead waged war against those who abused it. They had watched him dismantle entire criminal networks, eliminate men who had sold women and children like cattle, and strike down the very monsters who had thrived in the darkness for far too long.

And now, this man, this legend, stood before them and said he was leaving.

For the first time, they felt betrayed.

Not because he had failed them. Not because he had lied.

But because he thought they would let him go so easily.

The moment Valerian spoke his final words, a wave of emotion surged through them. And before he could process what was happening-

One by one, they moved.

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Chapter 88: Their Cause

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And in perfect synchronization, they bowed.

Not out of fear. Not out of obligation.

But out of honor and loyalty to the man who had protected them and their families.

“Don Vasiliev!” one voice rang out, fierce and unwavering.

Then another.

And another.

Until the entire room thundered with the voices of men who had once sworn to follow him.

“We will serve you for life!”

Valerian was stunned. His silver–grey eyes swept over the sight before him. He had expected acceptance, perhaps an acknowledgment of his decision. But this? This was something he had never anticipated.

Even Ivan, who had been seething at Valerian’s attempt to step away, smirked knowingly, shaking his head.

“Did you really think,” Ivan finally began, “that after everything you’ve done, after who you are to us, we’d just let you walk away?”

Valerian let out a quiet breath while running a hand down his face as he laughed softly. It wasn’t a laugh of amusement, nor was it one of disbelief.

It was a laugh of realization.

He had never been just their leader.

He had been their cause.

And no matter what path he chose–they would follow.

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Charter go too

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Chapter 69: Too Good