Ava looked around, taking in the impressive surroundings. The building before them was a masterpiece of modern architecture, with large glass windows that reflected the morning sun, manicured gardens surrounding it, and a terrace set for an intimate breakfast.Despite the beauty of the location, Ava felt a bit uneasy, still wary of Jin's intentions. However, she maintained her composure, nodding politely."This is… quite something," Ava replied, her voice steady but polite.Two more guards stood by the entrance, nodding respectfully as Jin and Ava walked past them. Jin led the way, his hand lightly guiding Ava by her lower back as they stepped into the foyer of the private dining area. Inside, the atmosphere was even more luxurious. Soft classical music played in the background, and the room was elegantly decorated with fine art and lavish furnishings. A large, round table was set up near a panoramic window, offering a breathtaking view of the garden outside.A waiter stood by, ready
Ava glanced at him, her brow furrowed slightly. “Jin, I don’t think—”“Please,” Jin interrupted gently, his tone insistent. “I know it might be hard to hear, but it’s the truth. I’m not just talking about material things. I’m talking about the kind of life that will make you feel cherished and valued every single day.”He paused, letting his words sink in. “As the young master of the Wei family, I have access to a world of luxury and opportunity. I’m not just wealthy; I’m powerful. I can give you a life where you’re treated like a princess. You’ll have the finest clothes, the most exquisite dining, and anything else you could ever desire.”Jin’s gaze was unwavering, “But it’s not just about the luxuries. I can help you advance in your career, elevate you to new heights. You’ll have access to influential connections, exclusive events, and a network that will propel your career forward. With me, your potential is limitless.”Ava looked down at her plate, struggling to process his words.
As Anna seethed with anger, she slammed her hand on her desk and muttered to herself, "You want to joke with Gemstar, forgetting we made you? You’ll be destroyed under my watch." She picked up her phone again and dialed a number, her expression steely.Meanwhile, at the manor, Ambrose was sitting at the dining table, eating a simple meal that Evelyn had prepared for him: steamed rice with stir-fried vegetables and a small portion of tofu. It was modest but hearty, a far cry from the extravagant dishes Ava was likely enjoying with Jin. As he took a bite, his phone rang. He paused, glancing at the screen. Seeing Anna’s name displayed, he quickly looked around to ensure no one else was in the room before answering the call.“Hello, Master Li,” Anna’s voice came through, crisp and businesslike. “Good day. I was able to sit down with Mr. Wei to discuss the percentage increase.”“Good,” Ambrose replied calmly. “What was the feedback?”Anna explained the heated exchange with Malcolm Wei, det
Dera reached the front entrance of the manor, her steps brisk and purposeful. She pushed open the large, heavy gate, letting it swing wide. She quickly made her way to Ava's car and unlocked the door and slid into the driver's seat. The leather interior was cool and comforting, but Dera was in no mood to relax. She started the engine, and the car roared to life with a low, powerful hum.Glancing in the rearview mirror, Dera adjusted her sunglasses, a determined look on her face. She shifted the car into gear, and with a confident press of the accelerator, the vehicle glided out of the driveway and onto the road. The main gate creaked as it slowly closed behind her. Meanwhile, Ava and Jin arrived at her office building. Jin parked the luxurious car in front of a modern, sleek structure. The exterior was modest but stylish, with clean lines and large windows that hinted at the creative work taking place inside.As they stepped out of the car, Jin couldn't help but take in the sight of
“No, don’t go. Come in, Dera. Nothing is happening. I was actually waiting for you,” Ava said quickly, her voice flustered and her face burning with embarrassment.Jin stood up slowly, his eyes drifting over Dera from head to toe. He couldn’t help but notice that she, too, was quite beautiful. Turning back to Ava, he said, “I’ll take my leave.” As he walked past Dera, he paused, leaning in slightly. “Your friend here,” he said quietly, “if you want what’s best for her, just advise her. I’ll treat her well.” With that, he walked out, leaving a tense silence in his wake.Dera’s eyes widened as she closed the door behind him. She turned to Ava, her expression playful. “Tell me,” she teased, “did you two…?”“Don’t say nonsense,” Ava snapped back quickly. “Nothing happened, nothing will happen, and nothing must happen.” She sat down abruptly, clearly flustered.Dera grinned, clearly amused by Ava's reaction. “Come on, Master Jin is young and handsome. Looks charming too. I can’t wait to se
Aurora leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as if to shield herself from the emotional sting she felt. "I'll just act like I never knew him," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Better to forget... just like he seems to have forgotten me." She tried to focus on the stack of papers on her desk, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Ambrose, her mind replaying their last moments together.She drew in a deep breath, straightening her posture. "Alright," she told herself firmly. "Time to move on. There’s work to be done." And with that, she picked up the nearest file and forced herself to focus. At the same time, Malcolm Wei got down from his car, his expression still clouded with anger as he walked toward the entrance of the Wei mansion. His mind was still reeling from the tense meeting with Anna at Gemstar. The audacity of their demands, asking for a 30 percent cut instead of the agreed 10 percent, had infuriated him. He pushed open the heavy front door and strode inside.
Malcolm touched his reddened cheek, his voice trembling. “I didn’t do anything, Dad. I just didn’t agree with Anna’s terms and left.”Elder Wei's anger was far from abated. He slapped Malcolm again, harder this time. “You fool!” he thundered. “Instead of negotiating or at least telling her you needed time to consider, you stormed out in anger? Are you out of your mind? They demanded 30 percent, and now look—we’ve lost 40 percent in mere minutes! You’ve destroyed years of my hard work, Malcolm!”Malcolm stood there, shaken and speechless. Elder Wei's face twisted with rage as he looked at Malcolm. "You idiot! You’ve ruined everything! Do you have any idea what this means for our family? You’ve made a complete mess of things. If you ever dare to defy me or act so recklessly again, I’ll make sure you pay for this—both professionally and personally. You’ve betrayed our family’s legacy, Malcolm!”Malcolm, still reeling from the slaps and the curses, tried to regain his composure, but the
Chen, catching his breath from the earlier chaos, began to recount the events. “We received news that Gemstar demanded a 30 percent stake from us instead of the 10 percent we were paying. Master Malcolm refused to agree to their terms and left the negotiation angrily. As a result, Gemstar retaliated by causing a massive downturn in our market value. Investors pulled out, our stock prices plummeted, and we’re facing severe legal and financial consequences.”Jin’s eyes widened as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. “So, the entire collapse is because of this negotiation?”Chen nodded solemnly. “Yes. The sudden market crash has put us in a dire financial position, and we’re now heavily indebted. It’s a complete disaster.”Jin’s face grew pale as he processed the information, realizing the full extent of the crisis his family was facing.Later that night, Ava and Dera arrived back at the manor. Ava parked the car and they walked inside, where they found her parents, Elizabeth and he