The hospital room was quiet except for the steady beeping of the monitor. Lisa Johnson stirred, her eyelids fluttering open as she winced in pain. The stark whiteness of the room greeted her, along with the heavy weight on her shoulder. Her vision adjusted, and she saw Jack sitting by her bedside, his posture relaxed but his eyes shadowed with concern."Jack…" Lisa’s voice was weak but steady.Jack leaned forward, his expression softening. "You’re awake. How are you feeling?"Lisa managed a faint smile, though her eyes glistened with guilt. "Like I’ve been run over. But I’m alive. Thanks to you."Jack shook his head, his tone firm. "You’re alive because of your own courage, Lisa. You jumped in front of a bullet for me."Tears welled up in Lisa’s eyes. "I promised your parents, Jack. I swore I’d protect you. And look at me… I couldn’t even do that properly."Jack reached out, gently placing a hand over hers. "You kept your promise more than anyone ever could. You put yourself o

The atmosphere in the restaurant shifted as Heather's phone buzzed with a message. Jack observed how her entire demeanor transformed in an instant, the flirtatious smile vanishing from her face like a light being switched off.Interesting, Jack thought, taking a measured sip of his water. Her mask slips the moment she thinks she has leverage."Emma, could you get me some extra napkins from the bathroom?" Heather asked sweetly, her voice carrying a deliberate undertone.As soon as Emma disappeared around the corner, Heather's facade crumbled completely. She slammed her phone down on the table, sliding it toward Jack with barely contained hostility."Look at this," she spat, her manicured nail tapping the screen. "Your precious Maserati? It's registered to Highland Holdings LLC. Care to explain that?"Jack maintained his calm, studying her with the same steady gaze he'd used to assess battlefield situations. The expensive chandelier light caught the anger in her eyes, casting sharp shado

Inside the Sea King Room, Emma Brooks excitedly pulled Jack Sullivan’s arm, her eyes gleaming with mischief.“Come on, Jack! Just one song won’t kill you,” she pleaded, trying to drag him toward the karaoke mic.Jack leaned back in his chair, an amused smirk playing on his lips. “I’m not really into singing.”Emma pouted but didn’t push further. “Fine, but don’t blame me when you regret missing out on my flawless performance.”The night had settled into an easy rhythm, with laughter, drinks, and casual chatter—until the doors swung open.Two figures entered, and the entire Sea King Room seemed to shrink under their presence.The Bull Mason strode in first, towering over everyone, his massive frame filling the doorway. His scarred face was expressionless, but his mere presence sent a chill down the spine of those who knew his reputation.Following him was Madame Victoria, dressed in a deep red gown that hugged her sharp figure. Her cold eyes swept over the room, calculating and assessin

The tense atmosphere inside the Sea King Room was quickly dissolving into uneasy laughter as Nie Mitchell, still full of arrogance, reassured everyone that nothing would happen.But just as Kevin Steel was about to pour himself another drink, the door slammed open with a violent crash.A group of heavily armed men stormed inside, their presence suffocating the room.The air shifted. The stench of power and blood followed them like a silent executioner.Jack Sullivan’s instincts kicked in immediately. Without hesitation, he stepped in front of Emma Brooks, shielding her with his body. His eyes swept over the intruders—these weren’t ordinary thugs.Nie Mitchell, however, was too full of himself to recognize the danger.He shot up from his seat, glaring at the men. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His voice was full of disdain. “Do you know who I am?”The leader of the group, a mountain of a man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. His suit barely contained his h

Heather Reed’s screams echoed through the room as she was dragged toward the door. Her nails scraped against the floor, heels skidding as she desperately fought against her fate.“Emma! Please!” she shrieked, her voice cracking with terror. “We’re best friends, right?! You have to help me!”Emma Brooks, who had been watching boredly from her seat, finally stood up.The room fell into silence.Her sharp eyes swept over Big Tom, and her voice, calm but commanding, cut through the tension.“Let her go.”Big Tom arched an eyebrow, amused. “Oh? And why would I do that?”Emma took a slow step forward, her presence suddenly much heavier than before.“Because I’m Emma Brooks,” she said coldly. “Of the Brooks family.”Nie Mitchell gasped loudly, as if he had just witnessed a miracle.Kevin Steel’s jaw dropped.Even Heather Reed, mid-sob, looked at Emma with wide, hopeful eyes.Big Tom?He blinked. Then he laughed.A deep, mocking, belly-shaking laugh that sent a chill through the room.“Oh, thi