Chapter: CHAPTER 139Asher didn’t go straight back to the mansion. Instead, he went to Alicia’s apartment, as per Aldric’s request. His future father-in-law had informed him that Alicia had locked herself in her apartment ever since the scandal involving Pervaz erupted. Worried about her, Asher decided to check on her himself.Inside the apartment, Asher felt a slight suffocation, as if the air was heavy with prolonged silence. There was no sound except for the ticking of the wall clock and the faint rustling of the chocolate bar the woman was chewing.He sat on the sofa, his back slightly leaning against it, yet the tension in his body was undeniable. His eyes caught every detail in the room—from the scattered pillows on the floor to the empty coffee cup on the table to the almost-finished box of chocolates. But what captured his attention the most was Alicia herself.She looked different. No neatly pressed blazer, no proud stance, no sharp gaze like the ones she wore in business meetings.Alicia sat slo
Last Updated: 2025-02-17
Chapter: CHAPTER 138Asher sat on the sofa, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest in a slow, deliberate motion. His gaze occasionally flicked to his watch, waiting for news about the publication of Evelyn Kazylot’s work. He wanted to see how the media and public would react.He had spent the entire day working to restore the hotel’s reputation. After yesterday’s tragedy, room bookings had plummeted, and many guests had canceled their reservations. Headlines were filled with negative speculation, calling Celestial Haven a “cursed hotel” or even hinting at its involvement in Evelyn’s death.But this wasn’t the first time Dixon had faced a storm. And Asher never lost this game.A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Kailos entered, a rare look of satisfaction on his face."Sir, the news is out."Asher took the tablet from Kailos and leaned back on the sofa, scanning the screen swiftly, reading through the articles now dominating online media.Meanwhile, Kailos turned on the TV, and the larg
Last Updated: 2025-02-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 140Asher’s footsteps echoed steadily down the hallway of Pervaz Corporation, but his gaze never left the woman beside him. Alicia walked with a vacant stare, her expression carrying an unease she could not hide.Asher didn’t need to ask. He already knew what was running through her mind. Fear. Shame. Doubt. Alicia was afraid of losing him. Afraid that this scandal would make him leave her.Asher let out a quiet sigh before stopping in his tracks. Alicia, too lost in her thoughts, was forced to halt beside him. Her brows furrowed in confusion when Asher turned to face her, his gaze intense and unwavering."I am not ashamed, Alicia." His voice was calm, yet firm.Alicia’s eyes widened slightly. Her lips parted, but no words came out."Even if your family is caught in this scandal, I will never leave you or break off our engagement."In an instant, the crushing weight in her chest lightened just a little. Alicia’s gaze softened, shifting into something more vulnerable. She had prepared hers
Last Updated: 2025-02-07
Chapter: CHAPTER 136The atmosphere at Pervaz’s office was far from calm. Since morning, security personnel had been busy keeping demonstrators at bay outside. Their shouts echoed into the building, their voices filled with anger. Some held posters reading “Justice for the Experiment Victims!” and “Pervaz Must Be Held Accountable!”Inside, the chaos was just as bad. The Public Relations and Crisis Management divisions were overwhelmed by the nonstop influx of phone calls. Staff members tried to calm the public’s outrage, but nearly no one was willing to listen to their clarifications.Meanwhile, the communications team was scrambling to take down articles tarnishing Pervaz’s name, desperately trying to control the narrative before everything spiraled further out of control. But like a venomous snake, the news continued to spread, no matter how many times they tried to suppress it.The doors to Aldric’s office swung open, revealing Alicia as she stormed inside, her face filled with fury. She strode straigh
Last Updated: 2025-02-06
Chapter: CHAPTER 135The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows along the glass walls that overlooked the now-quiet city. Asher sat in his chair, staring at the pile of documents scattered across his desk—some still sealed, others already read and signed.He leaned back, rubbing his temple with his fingertips. His mind was still preoccupied with his conversation with Aberon earlier."The higher you climb, the more people will try to pull you down."Asher let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling. Dad was right. There are still so many things I need to be cautious about.Before his thoughts could wander further, a knock on the door broke the silence. Asher straightened up, adjusting his posture."Come in."The door opened, and Joseph stepped inside with a serious expression, his eyes carrying something beyond a routine report."How’s Antony’s situation?" Asher asked immediately, his tone remaining calm, though he had already predicted most of the answer."Antony has officially been thro
Last Updated: 2025-02-05
Chapter: CHAPTER 134Asher sat upright in the black leather chair facing his father’s desk. The air in the room felt warm, mixed with the distinct scent of mahogany wood. The glow from the desk lamp cast soft shadows over the stack of documents Aberon had just handed him.Aberon folded his arms over the desk, his gaze as sharp as ever, though there was a hint of pride reflected in his eyes. “Review it carefully and understand everything. After that, you can decide,” he said, his voice calm yet authoritative.Asher took the documents without haste. He flipped open the first page, his eyes swiftly scanning every detail. The papers contained the construction proposal for Alexander’s former company, now part of Dixon, plans for its merger, and the potential risks that might arise from this move.“So, Dad, you agree with this acquisition?” Asher asked without lifting his gaze from the papers. “I want to merge it with Dixon’s construction sector. That way, we’ll have two main pillars in this industry.”Aberon l
Last Updated: 2025-02-04
Chapter: CHALTER 22Rafael stood tall before the massive mirror adorning the wall of his lavish chamber. His broad shoulders were cloaked in an outfit tailored to perfection, befitting his new title as crown prince. A sleek black suit with modern cuts hugged his frame, paired with a long crimson mantle that shimmered subtly under the golden light. The royal crest of Carlies, a gleaming gold emblem, adorned his chest, a symbol of the authority now officially his.Servants moved swiftly around him, adjusting the folds of his suit, slipping white gloves over his hands, and ensuring every detail was immaculate. Rafael, however, remained calm, unfazed by the flurry of activity.His gaze in the mirror reflected the bearing of a leader, though beneath his composed exterior lay a flicker of satisfaction he couldn’t entirely mask. It wasn’t just the restoration of his rightful title that pleased him—it was also the ruin of those who had once dismissed him."Frederick," Rafael murmured softly, his voice laced with
Last Updated: 2024-12-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 21Three days had passed, and the devastation in Hurbret was undeniable. Small villages lay in ashes, fields were barren, and refugees filled the main roads with despair etched into their faces. The air reeked of smoke, blood, and death. Frederick stood on the balcony of his now-disheveled estate, his sharp eyes scanning the empty fields below, his jaw clenched tight.Inside the house, the chaos mirrored the destruction outside. His trusted secretary stood with his head bowed, clutching a stack of official documents. His voice trembled as he spoke, trying to deliver the news delicately.“Baron,” the secretary began softly but firmly, “I’ve just received a report from the royal envoy. The kingdom is planning a welcoming feast for the new crown prince.”Frederick froze for a moment, then slowly turned with eyes as sharp as daggers. “What?” he asked, his voice low and filled with menace.“A welcoming feast, sir,” the secretary repeated, swallowing hard before continuing. “The new crown prin
Last Updated: 2024-12-05
Chapter: CHAPTER 20In the vast silver-toned chamber, Rafael sat in an armchair, holding a glass of red wine in his hand. The room felt warm, but Rafael’s mood burned hotter. A brief report from Caesar had just been delivered, and every word in it brought a wide smile to his face.He read the letter again, letting his eyes dance over the words describing the downfall of the Hurbret family. The collapse of trade guilds, attacks from wild beasts, and the growing number of refugees—all these details seemed like personal entertainment to Rafael. But the highlight was the description of Frederick, the once-arrogant baron who had now become a desperate man groveling for help to survive.“That coward truly is like a dog,” Rafael muttered disdainfully.He couldn’t hold back. A booming laugh erupted from his lips, echoing through the chamber like a victory bell. Tossing the letter onto the table, he swirled the wine in his glass lazily. “Utterly hilarious,” he murmured, his smile curling into a sneer.Rising from
Last Updated: 2024-12-02
Chapter: CHAPTER 19A week had passed since Rafael left the Hurbret territory, and chaos had begun to unfold. The once-thriving trade guilds collapsed one after another. Goods failed to arrive on time, and trading partners gradually withdrew their support. Meanwhile, wild beasts from the forests, which had previously kept their distance, began attacking nearby villages. Farmers lost their fields, and residents started abandoning their homes in search of safety elsewhere.In the grand but now hollow Hurbret manor, Baron Frederick paced back and forth in his study. The once-confident man now bore a somber expression, deep lines of worry etched across his forehead. Reports piled up on his cluttered desk, none of them bearing good news."Why is this happening?" Frederick muttered in despair, staring blankly at the scattered papers.In the corner of the room, Marquess Greyson Yrewich sat with a tense expression. His fingers massaged his temples, his tired eyes reflecting his growing frustration. As a landlord
Last Updated: 2024-12-01
Chapter: CHAPTER 18The banquet hall that night was filled with the aroma of exquisite cuisine, the clinking of wine glasses, and the lively chatter of knights. The majestic pillars of the royal dining room stood tall, adorned with golden carvings reflecting the shimmering light from the crystal chandelier above. However, the jovial atmosphere abruptly shifted when King Tremos rose from his seat, raising a hand to command silence."Brothers!" Tremos' voice boomed with authority, echoing throughout the hall. "Tonight, I wish to introduce someone many of you thought lost to us. He is my blood, a son who has proven himself far beyond these palace walls. My own son—Rafael De Carlies."Sitting calmly beside the king, Rafael raised his wine glass slightly, a faint, unreadable smile gracing his lips. Some of the knights looked puzzled, while others immediately rose from their seats, bowing respectfully."Greetings to the Grand Prince of Carlies," one knight proclaimed with reverence."Isn't he Duke Rafael, the
Last Updated: 2024-11-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 17The luxurious chamber fell silent after the heated exchange. King Tremos stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his emerald eyes locked sharply on Rafael as if trying to decipher every detail of his son’s expression. Finally, Tremos took a deep breath, his voice lowering from its usual commanding tone.“So, what is it that you want?” Tremos asked, at last, his voice calm but still cold. “Do you wish to be king?”Rafael, who had been standing nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets, raised an eyebrow, as though surprised by the question. Slowly, a thin, meaningful smile curled on his lips. He didn’t answer right away, letting an awkward silence stretch between them. Finally, with a casual motion, he stepped away from the sofa, standing tall in front of his father.“Yes,” he answered firmly. “Restore my status. I am still your son, am I not? Isn’t it time I replaced you? Though times are changing, the title of king might not hold the same significance in the future. Even so, I’l
Last Updated: 2024-11-26
