Hazel stood frozen in place, her heart hammering in her chest as she watched the scene unfold before her. It was as though she were watching a movie, but it was all too real. The air was thick with tension, and her mind struggled to comprehend what she had just witnessed. Raymond's combat skills had left everyone speechless. She had seen a glimpse of his prowess earlier, but it was nothing compared to this. Now, in the cold silence of the room, the aftermath of his terrifying display left her in awe. Every movement, every strike was so precise, so effortless. How could one man possess such power?As she continued to watch Raymond, Hazel’s admiration for him grew. There was something undeniably captivating about his presence. He exuded a quiet confidence, and there was a hint of mystery about him that made him all the more intriguing. She couldn’t help but think about the possibilities—if she were to become involved with him, she would be able to witness his combat skills whenever she

He had thought that no matter how they searched for it, they would never find it. Grey Stanley had spent years perfecting his charade, fooling even the most discerning eyes with a fake Rays Painting. It wasn’t just a forgery; it was a masterpiece in itself, capable of captivating anyone who saw it. He had displayed it proudly to visitors, investors, and rivals, knowing full well they would never suspect it was a counterfeit. In his mind, it was the ultimate shield, a clever diversion from the truth. The real Rays Painting—the one worth fortunes and surrounded by countless legends—was far too valuable to risk. And so, he had hidden it in the most unassuming place imaginable: buried beneath the tiles of his bathroom floor.Not even his son, Casper, knew about the secret. Grey Stanley had kept it to himself, trusting no one with the truth. He knew the world was full of opportunists, and given how much he had boasted about the painting, he was certain there were countless eyes watching it

Hazel sat in the car, her body trembling with disbelief. The events that had just unfolded in the Stanley Mansion replayed in her mind like a vivid dream she couldn’t shake. She had been there—present for every terrifying moment—yet it felt surreal. How powerful was this man, Raymond, to walk into a place as dangerous as that and pull her out unscathed? Not a scratch on him, not even a single button out of place on his shirt. If someone had told her he had been in a life-or-death battle moments ago, she would’ve thought it was a wild exaggeration. But she had seen it. She had lived it. And now, she was safe, thanks to him.She couldn't take her eyes off him. Raymond sat there, gripping the steering wheel with such calm and composure, as if he hadn’t just risked his life. Hazel, however, couldn’t help but stare. It was as though she was in a trance, her mind failing to process the reality of her situation. This man—this stranger—had entered her darkest moment, her hopeless prison, and

Ethan smiled when he noticed Lauren’s happy expression. It wasn’t something he saw often, and it caught him off guard. A part of him wondered when she had started showing interest in painting. For as long as he’d known her, she had been quiet, reserved, and uninterested in such artistic pursuits. Yet here she was, her eyes sparkling with a childlike curiosity.Stanley Jos and Raymond, standing nearby, froze at the sight of Ethan’s smile. It was rare for him to show any genuine emotion, let alone something as warm and beautiful as a smile. They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging how uncharacteristic it was. For a moment, they simply stared, unable to look away.Ethan, however, was keenly aware of their gaze. His smile faltered as quickly as it had appeared, his expression hardening into its usual stern demeanor. He turned to glare at them, his piercing eyes sharp enough to make them look away in embarrassment. Both men quickly averted their gazes, pretending they hadn’t been cau

Grey Stanley’s sharp gaze shifted from Katherine to Jane before he finally spoke, his voice calm but stern. “This is supposed to be a meeting for men. Why, Alex Walker, did you bring your entire family?”Alex Walker glanced briefly at his wife and daughter, reading the discomfort in Grey Stanley’s tone. Without hesitation, he turned to them and motioned for them to leave. “Apologies, Pa Stanley,” he said with a respectful nod. “We only intended to check on Asper Stanley before we received your message early this morning.”Grey Stanley gave a slight nod of understanding, but the atmosphere in the room remained tense. A low chuckle from Lucas Henry broke the brief silence, though his laughter carried a sneering tone. “So pretentious,” he remarked, his voice loud enough to ensure everyone heard. “Just like his father.”Alex Walker, calm as ever, ignored the taunt. But Grey Stanley’s sharp gaze landed on Lucas Henry, his expression unreadable. “Does he think everyone is as shallow and con