Chapter: CHAPTER 144Soft music thumped in the background, and dim lights hung low in the private lounge owned by Waldric. The air was filled with the scent of alcohol mixed with expensive perfume. A model laughed loudly on the sofa while sipping a nearly spilling pink drink, while at the end of the room, Waldric sat relaxed, his jacket open, tie loose, and expression satisfied.He raised his glass toward Kaylery, who sat across from him, his smile wide, almost like a child who had just received an expensive toy."I can't believe it was this simple. You saw it yourself, didn't you? These models... wild, full of energy, and most importantly—profitable."Kaylery responded with a slight nod, sipping his drink, not saying much, just a subtle smile. He preferred watching Waldric puff out his chest, like a big boss who had just won something."I should have done this earlier," Waldric continued, chuckling while swirling his glass. "That drug... amazing. They become more... appealing on camera. More confident. T
Last Updated: 2025-05-05
Chapter: CHAPTER 143Asher stared at his laptop screen without truly reading. His mind was overwhelmed. The wall clock showed it was nearly nine in the evening. The office was quiet, with only the sound of the air conditioner and the rustling of papers from Kailos, who remained faithfully standing beside the desk.The issues with the former Alexander company's branch had nearly driven him mad that day. Overlapping reports, unsynchronized logistics distribution, and an old system not yet fully integrated. He had contacted the branch head in Detroit earlier that afternoon, his tone flat, though his eyes betrayed fatigue.After filing away the last document, Asher leaned back in his chair. He exhaled deeply. His back felt heavy—as if the weight of the company clung to it, refusing to let go."A report from Dixon just came in; I'll place it here," Kailos said, setting a thin folder on Asher's desk. "There's also a request from the hotel branches to recheck their purchasing systems."Asher nodded, opening the
Last Updated: 2025-05-02
Chapter: CHAPTER 142Alicia remained silent, her eyes locked onto the man's gaze before her. There was something in Asher's eyes that laid bare her thoughts, as if reading her heart without needing to ask. And she knew, there was no point in lying about her feelings anymore.They sat so close, silence enveloping the room. Until finally, Asher let out a small sigh and leaned in closer. “I couldn't wait to start a life with you.”His voice was calm, yet filled with determination. “In a week, there would be a family meeting to discuss our wedding.”Alicia froze. Her fingers intertwined, her head bowed slowly as if trying to hide the turmoil within her chest.“Asher….” Her voice was faint, almost a whisper. “Would your parents… still accept me?”Asher immediately rose from his seat, then moved to sit beside Alicia. His movements were gentle, calm, full of control as always. But now, his gaze had tr
Last Updated: 2025-05-01
Chapter: CHAPTER 141Somewhere else, Kaylery’s laughter echoed within his private room. The tone of satisfaction and victory was unmistakable.On the television screen, Aldric Pervaz’s face was displayed prominently—embroiled in a scandal that had now become public consumption."Look at you now, Aldric," Kaylery murmured, his eyes narrowing with mockery. "It was so easy to ruin your reputation."He leaned back on the sofa, swirling a glass of vodka in his hand. The long-held grudge inside him felt slightly avenged.Once, Aldric had rejected him. Considered him unworthy as a son-in-law. Not someone fit to stand beside Alicia. And now? The great name of Pervaz was being torn apart by the media.And Alicia… Yes, Alicia was still by Asher’s side. Kaylery clenched his jaw at the thought of it. Worse, when he had casually checked the surroundings of her apartment, he had been furious to discover that Asher had stayed the night there. His eyes gleamed with obsession."Now, all that’s left is taking Alicia from A
Last Updated: 2025-03-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 140Alicia tossed and turned in bed, frustrated by her inability to sleep soundly throughout the night. It wasn’t because of the worries about her family. It wasn’t because of the news circulating about her father.It was because of someone.Asher. The image of that man filled her thoughts—his teasing smile, his sharp gaze that seemed to read her mind, and the fleeting touch at the corner of her lips last night.Honestly, Asher had begun to occupy a part of her heart. Alicia took a deep breath before finally rising from the bed. She had changed into her satin nightgown the night before, brushing aside her messy hair as she walked toward the kitchen, hoping that a cup of coffee would help calm her thoughts.However, her steps halted when she saw something—or rather, someone—that wasn’t supposed to be there.Asher. The man was standing in her kitchen, cooking.Alicia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Asher?” Her voice sounded unsure as if she was trying to confirm whether she was dreaming or no
Last Updated: 2025-03-13
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: 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
