221 Darwin's smile faltered slightly as he met his mother's gaze. He could tell she was trying to read his emotions, and he didn't want to worry her with his conflicted feelings about Fiona. "I'm fine, Mother. Just... catching up with an old friend," he replied vaguely, his tone carefully neutral.
222 King Maelstrom's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight before him. Jake and Stan, two shady figures attempting to tamper with Darwin's car. His fists clenched at his sides, a mixture of anger and disbelief coursing through his veins. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he boomed, his vo
223 With the flowers in hand, Darwin made his way to the counter, where a friendly florist greeted him with a warm smile. "Those orchids are a lovely choice," she remarked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. Darwin nodded, returning the smile. "Thank you. They're for someone special," he admitted,
224 On the other end of the line, Lady Margaret listened with growing fury, her grip tightening on the phone as she struggled to contain her anger."Those fools dare to lay a hand on my son's belongings?" she seethed, her voice low and dangerous. "They'll regret ever crossing paths with me." King M
225 One week later, Darwin stood in front of his mirror, buttoning his jacket. He wore a high-end custom-made, his mother had given him, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. Today, he was heading to a charity gala, an event his mother had insisted he attend. As he adjusted his tie, his thoughts drifted to the mysterious incidents of the past week, the attempted sabotage on his car. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. After making sure he looked presentable, Darwin climbed into his Audi and set off for the gala. The venue was a luxurious ballroom, adorned with crystal chandeliers and elaborate floral arrangements. As he stepped out of his car and made his way inside. As he walked through the door, Darwin's custom-made suit caught the attention of the other guests. Whispers and murmurs filled the room. "Look at him, he doesn't even have the logo on his suit," snickered a
226 Zayne's rage simmered beneath the surface as he looked Darwin up and down with disdain. "That rag you're wearing can hardly be called a suit." "It's from the finest tailor in the city," Darwin retorted. "But I wouldn't expect you to know quality." Zayne's eyes flashed with rage. "You think yo
227 As Darwin watched Zayne storm off, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered. He knew this wouldn't be the end of their conflict. With a deep breath, he turned his attention back to the gala, determined not to let Zayne ruin his evening. Zoe approached him, her eyes filled with con
228 The other bidders looked at him, surprised by the sudden appearance of the new challenger. A hush fell over the crowd as they processed Darwin's bid. A few murmurs and whispers filled the room, and then, as if a fire had been ignited, the competitive spirit took hold. " $45,000!" a voice reso