130In the ensuing silence, Derek's disbelief was palpable, his stance rigid. Darwin, sitting calmly behind his desk, watched Derek with a quiet amusement that only seemed to inflame his childhood rival further."No way in hell am I presenting to you," Derek spat, clenching his fists so tightly his
131Darwin couldn't help but feel a tinge of satisfaction at Derek's clear discomfort and disbelief. All those years of torment at the orphanage by Derek and his gang came flooding back. "Sit down, Derek," Darwin said coolly, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his large oak desk. Derek beg
132For a moment, he stood frozen, a statue of betrayal and pain. Then, with a shaking hand, he quietly withdrew, stepping back from the door as if it were the source of his anguish. The urge to confront Maxwell was overwhelming, yet the realization of his utter manipulation rendered him powerless,
133Seeing Darwin's guarded appreciation, Emmanuel felt a warmth spread through him, a stark contrast to the cold dread that had filled him earlier. "I... I just want to make things right," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.Darwin nodded, a silent acknowledgment of Emmanuel's sincerity. He t
134Maxwell slammed the phone down, his hands trembling with rage. How did that fool Wettin find out about his schemes? It made no sense. He ran his hands through his hair, grasping at the roots as if trying to physically rip the answers from his mind. Pacing his office like a caged animal, Maxwell
135Maxwell was in his office, seething with anger towards Emmanuel Hughes. How dare that imbecile betray him. He wished to beat him senseless, teach him a lesson about loyalty. But with his plan foiled and his hands tied by the sudden intervention at Emmanuel's apartment, physical retribution was n
136Darwin couldn't help but feel a bit cornered. Fiona and Lana were both important to him, each in their own unique way. Fiona, with her uplifting spirit and genuine care, had always been a beacon of positivity for him. Lana, on the other hand, was dynamic, a force of nature that challenged him in
137As Darwin emerged from the restroom, adjusting his jacket and mentally preparing to switch from Fiona’s intense conversation to Lana's unknown expectations, the sight before him stopped him cold. There, just a few steps away from where he stood, were Fiona and Lana, engaged in what appeared to