Meanwhile, at Sophia's place, a black Hyundai Elantra drove up to the gate and honked late into the rainy night. The security guard promptly opened the gate, allowing the car to drive in. The rain fell steadily, casting a glistening sheen over the driveway as the car made its way toward the house.Sophia stood at the entrance, framed by the soft glow of the porch light. She wore a stunning blue nightgown that accentuated her figure, her beauty effortless and alluring even at this hour. In one hand, she held a half-full glass of red wine, and in the other, her phone. The black Hyundai Elantra parked neatly beside her car, its engine purring to a stop. Moments later, the driver’s door opened, and Damian stepped out. Despite the rain soaking his suit jacket, he managed a smile as he spotted Sophia waiting for him.Quickly, he shut the car door and hurried toward the house. As he approached, he didn’t hesitate, reaching out to pull Sophia into his arms. Without a word, he began kissing h

The landlord took a deep breath before responding, “Eighty thousand dollars.”Elijah raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming at the corner of his lips as he considered the offer. It was a reasonable price, but he wasn’t one to settle quickly. He leaned back on the sofa, tapping his fingers lightly against the armrest. “Eighty thousand?” he repeated thoughtfully. “It’s a fair price, but I noticed a few things about the property when I last checked. The maintenance seems a bit overdue—paintwork, plumbing, and all that. I was thinking more along the lines of seventy-five thousand.”Elijah chuckled softly, his tone becoming more persuasive. “I understand, sir. It’s a lovely property, no doubt, and I appreciate your position. But you mentioned you need the cash urgently. Seventy-five is a strong offer—cash, no delays. It’ll save you time and effort trying to find another buyer.”The landlord went silent for a moment, clearly weighing Elijah’s words. “You make a good point, but seventy-five is

“Twenty-one,” Elijah answered casually.“Twenty-one?” Sierra’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you joking?”Elijah shook his head. “Nope, I’m not. I am.”Sierra was stunned. She hadn’t thought Elijah was that young—she was even older than him. “An expensive car at 21, your own house at 21... You’re amazing! I honestly thought you were around 23 or 24.”“Well, you’re wrong,” Elijah said with a grin. “But I guess one of the ages you just mentioned is your age?”Sierra nodded, laughing softly. “How did you guess? Yes, I’m 23, actually. Older than you are.”“Older girls,” Elijah said with a teasing smirk.“What did older girls do?” Sierra asked playfully, raising an eyebrow.“Nothing, nothing,” Elijah replied, holding back a laugh, his tone lighthearted.Soon, they arrived at a cozy restaurant tucked away in a lively part of New Ember City. The exterior had a modern yet inviting charm, with warm lights glowing through large glass windows. The sign above the entrance read The Urban Diner.E

As Sierra finished her last bite, the tension between them was thick. She kept glancing out the window, watching as Daniel parked his car and stepped out. He adjusted his suit jacket and glanced at the restaurant, his expression determined.Outside, Daniel glanced around with a straight face, his hands in his pockets. His brows furrowed as he muttered to himself, “What’s she even doing here at this hour? What happened to all the other restaurants in this city?”His eyes wandered, landing on a sleek BMW parked nearby. He walked over, running his hand along its polished surface. “This is beautiful,” he murmured, admiring the car’s elegance and design. Unbeknownst to him, it was the same car that belonged to Elijah, the man he had almost fought the previous night.A sudden wave of frustration surged through him as he sighed angrily, shook his head, and headed toward the restaurant entrance.“He’s coming in,” Sierra whispered, her voice barely audible as she spotted Daniel approaching.E

Her words hung in the air, cutting deep into Daniel’s arrogance. Sierra’s chest heaved as she stared at him down, her anger and disgust evident. “Your money doesn’t excuse this behavior, Daniel. You’re just embarrassing yourself, and honestly, I don’t even know who you think you’re impressing right now.”Daniel’s face twisted with fury as he touched his stinging cheek, his eyes blazing with rage. “I don’t care about this bullshit!” he barked, his voice echoing through the restaurant. “How dare he lay a finger on me? I, Daniel?” He chuckled darkly, shaking his head. “Fine. I’ll give him an opportunity. Ask him to kowtow before me and beg for forgiveness. Maybe—maybe—I’ll think about lessening his punishment. If not, even God won’t save him.”Elijah, who had remained still until now, smirked and stepped forward, his calm demeanor almost unnerving. His sharp gaze locked onto Daniel’s. “Apologize to you?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.Daniel nodded smugly. “You heard it rig