Later that evening, Dahlia sat in her office, the dim glow of the city skyline reflecting off the floor-to-ceiling windows. The office was quiet except for the rhythmic tapping of her pen against the polished wooden desk.She was lost in thought, reviewing financial projections that didn’t look promising when her phone buzzed beside her. She glanced at the screen.Caleb.She hesitated. The last time she had seen Caleb, he had been humiliated; his family was kicked out of the city's largest business association by Mr.Drake. It had been a public affair.Her finger hovered over the screen before she finally swiped to answer.“Caleb.”“Dahlia,” his voice came smooth and confident, as if the recent disaster had never occurred. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”At that moment Dahlia leaned back in her chair, tapping the pen against her fingers. How is he still acting so composed?“That depends,” she said coolly. “Is everything alright? Why are you calling?”Caleb let ou

The morning light streamed through the grand windows of Celestial Manor, casting a soft glow over the polished floors. Raymond sat on the plush leather couch, sipping a cup of black coffee. His mind was sharp, his body energized from the cultivation he had practiced all night. Just then, his phone vibrated on the coffee table. He glanced at the screen—Malisa. He picked up. “Hello, Malisa. What is it?” On the other end, Malisa let out a soft chuckle. “That’s not how you greet someone who’s inviting you to dinner.” Raymond raised an eyebrow slightly. “You’re inviting me to dinner?” “Mhm.” Her voice was casual, but there was something playful beneath the surface. “Don’t look so surprised. I didn’t get the chance to properly thank you for saving my grandfather yesterday.” Raymond leaned back, resting one arm on the couch. “That wasn’t necessary. I didn’t do it for a reward.” “I know,” she admitted, her tone light. “But maybe I just want to know more about the man who did wha

At that moment a soft smile tugged at Malisa's lips. As the evening went on, Vincent continued expressing his gratitude, occasionally raising his glass in appreciation. The conversation shifted between business, politics, and casual topics, but Raymond wasn’t particularly interested. He had never been the type to enjoy prolonged discussions, especially when they didn’t concern him directly. After several drinks, he leaned back in his seat, his fingers lightly tapping against the table. The atmosphere was pleasant, but he felt no need to stay longer than necessary. He exhaled slightly, his gaze flickering toward the door. “I’ll step out for a bit,” Raymond said casually, pushing his chair back. Vincent immediately straightened. “Do you need anything? I can have the staff—” Raymond shook his head. “Just want to use the restroom.” At that moment he stood up, as he turned to leave, Vincent motioned to one of the servers. “Allow me to show you the way—” Raymond waved him off. “

At that moment The soft clink of glasses echoed through the VIP private room, the lighting casting an intimate glow over the expensive décor. Dahlia’s grip tightened around the stem of her wine glass, her posture tense as she watched Jefferson lean back in his chair, with a smug expression on his face.He had been pouring drink after drink for her, his charming façade barely masking his true intentions.“You know, sweetheart,” Jefferson murmured, swirling his glass lazily, “securing an investment isn’t just about business—it’s about trust. And trust is built… over a few drinks.”Immediately Dahlia’s jaw tightened, but she forced a polite smile, her gaze sharp. “I don’t need to drink to prove myself.”Jefferson let out a low chuckle. “Come on now, don’t be so stiff. Relax. A few drinks won’t hurt.” Then he leaned forward slightly, sliding the bottle across the table toward her. “Let’s make a deal. Every time you finish a glass, I’ll consider adding another million to my investment.”

Raymond’s gaze remained cold as Deborah’s words sank in. Let it go? He wasn’t the type to let things slide, especially when men like Jefferson thought they could do whatever they pleased without consequences. And yet, as soon as Jefferson saw Raymond’s hesitation, he smirked. Arrogance surged through him like a drug, fueling his delusions of control. Straightening himself despite his bruised pride, Jefferson brushed off his suit, adjusted his tie, and sneered. “See? You’re smarter than you look,” he said smugly. “But I don’t think you fully understand who you just messed with.” At that moment his sharp gaze locked onto Raymond, and suddenly, he took a slow step forward. “Since you like playing the hero,” Jefferson continued, his voice dripping with mockery, “I’ll give you one last chance to learn your place.” His hand slipped inside his suit jacket, and in one swift motion— Click. A gun was aimed directly at Raymond’s head. Immediately the room went dead silent. Deborah gas