"Is the Holy Virgin running for election? I thought you'd be appointed," Norforth chuckled. "I don't have that much authority. The Holy Virgin must be selected through a city-wide vote. With your credentials, you've got a good shot."
"Do you really think I have a chance?" Alena was thrilled by his endorsement.
"I can recommend you to the City Council's Elder Assembly. After that, it's up to you," Norforth replied.
While they were deep in conversation, a sudden commotion erupted. A man quietly approached Norforth and, catching everyone off guard, pulled out a gun and fired directly at his head. But contrary to the assailant's expectations, Norforth didn't fall. The bullet seemed to hit an invisible barrier and bounced back.
City guards, hearing the gunshot, rushed in within seconds, quickly surrounding Nicole's family. Everything happened in a flash. The shooter, identified as Miles - Alena's own father - was immediately pinned down by four guards. De Silva's face turned ashen, and Alena was in shock.
Norforth, seeing the situation under control, instructed the guards, "Don't harm the others. They're my friends."
Nicole, stunned by her husband's actions, trembled. Norforth sensing her distress, reassured her, "Don't worry. He's likely from the Illuminati. This isn't about you."
"What's the Illuminati?" Alena asked timidly.
"They've been trying to eliminate me for years. This assassin was probably recently recruited," Norforth explained.
When Alena revealed the shooter was her father, Norforth nodded and told Nicole he needed to take Miles for questioning.
Outside, journalists swarmed, but hundreds of city guards formed a human shield. Norforth signaled and walked to an open area where six helicopters descended. Two landed on the grass - Norforth boarded one, while Miles was taken to another.
Back inside, Alena worried, "What will the City Council do to my father?"
"Don't even mention him," Nicole fumed. "I can't believe he's with the Illuminati."
De Silva added, "The City Council doesn't use capital punishment. He'll probably serve a few years and then be released."
Alena, curious about how the bullet missed, asked her mother. Nicole speculated it might be related to invisible agents.
She was correct. Two hidden robotic units - legacy technology from the city's founding - protected Norforth, a secret known only to him and Amandine. When Miles fired, these robots instantly shielded Norforth, causing the bullet to ricochet.
The next day, Norforth's attempted assassination dominated every media headline. The Nicole family became instant pariahs. De Silva was immediately fired from his school. Things got worse - people threw rocks and rotten eggs at their home, and his company's products were boycotted. Alena was too terrified to step outside, while De Silva spent his days sighing in despair.
Only Afastin, swept up in the throes of young love, was eager to go out. Nicole stopped him, "Can't you just stay home? Don't go out these next few days."
"I haven't seen Sophia in two days. She'll be upset," he protested.
"Then ask her to come here."
"Mom, she doesn't want to see De Silva. Why would she come?" Despite the warnings, Afastin left.
Just as he was about to get into his car, a man in his fifties charged at him. Without warning, the man swung a wooden club directly at Afastin's head. Afastin quickly blocked with his arm, yelping in pain. He bolted home, pale and gasping.
"I did nothing! Why would someone attack me?" he told his family, visibly shaken.
Alena asked concernedly, "What happened, bro?"
"Someone just attacked me," he replied.
Nicole was a mix of anger and sympathy. "That's what you get for not listening. I told you not to go out."
Norforth's reputation wasn't just from being the city's founder. He'd established support stations in every city, providing aid to poor families and the homeless. The man who attacked Afastin was one such homeless person. Most townspeople had family in the city and looked up to Norforth almost religiously. With their local hero involved in such an incident, they saw it as a town-wide disgrace.
"Mom, we need to move!" a frightened Afastin suggested. "We can't stay here."
Nicole asked De Silva and Alena, "What do you think?"
"Fine by me," De Silva agreed. "I can't find work here anyway."
"And you?" she turned to Alena.
Alena didn't want to leave. Her heart was set on becoming the Holy Virgin in the city. After a long pause, she hesitantly said, "I want to wait for Mr. Norforth's message. He promised to recommend me."
De Silva laughed, "Alena, are you serious? The Elder Assembly would never allow a murderer's daughter to become Holy Lady."
"No, I believe Mr. Norforth will keep his word," Alena insisted stubbornly.
In the end, they didn't move because Sophia refused to leave. With Sophia staying, Afastin abandoned the idea. For the next few days, they stayed home, windows shut tight, afraid of flying debris. Alena waited anxiously for Norforth's message, De Silva read books and sighed, while Afastin remained blissfully happy with Sophia nearby, their occasional giggles and moans echoing through the house.