Lyra's voice shook with anger as she said, "Yesterday, you claimed the invitation card and the jewelry were from you. And now you're saying that BioHealth Solutions—a company that's been profitable every day and has a long history as one of the best in Vancouver—is going bankrupt."She laughed bitterly."Really? You're going to such lengths to blame Chris! I have to admit, you're consistent."Alex's expression turned cold as he looked at them through the screen of his phone."Kingston will cut ties with BioHealth. It'll become a worthless company," he said flatly."Cut off by the Kingston family?""A useless company?"One by one, disbelief spread through the room."Nonsense, all of it is nonsense. How could Kingston cut a decade-long collaboration while my father is in Los Angeles opening a new Kingston branch?" Chris asked sharply."Alex," Jack called out, "everyone except you knows that BioHealth is doing well—even better than our Lancaster company. I suggest you keep quiet before C
"Alex, these are the divorce papers Sophia prepared. All you need to do is sign them," Lyra said, placing the documents on the café table."Where is Sophia?" Alex asked, his eyes fixed on Lyra.Despite her undeniable beauty, every word she spoke dripped with venom."She's busy transferring money. Listen, Alex," Lyra leaned in, her voice icy."While I'm still being civil, just sign the papers. End this. You can't keep scamming her. For God's sake, let her go!"Alex sighed. His only reason for marrying Sophia was to find clues about his mother and to honor his master's wish."If she wants a divorce, she should tell me herself," he replied calmly.Lyra shook her head. "I know you're not happy about this, but just accept it. You're not right for her. Don't make this harder—just sign the papers."He crossed his arms, sensing her disdain.Maybe she didn't just hate him; maybe she despised all men without wealth."Alex, stop dragging this out!""You can yell all you want, but I need to hear
Alex sat at a café table, his mind drifting as fragments of his memory began to unravel.He couldn't quite recall his mother's face, but he remembered this medallion she had given him."Alex, if you ever get lost, use this medallion to find your way home." Her voice had been urgent, full of warning.He remembered her telling him to hide, someone was chasing them. But who? He couldn't piece it together.The next memory was of him waking up at the orphanage, the medallion already gone from his possession.These must have been his memories before he ended up there.Touching the cold surface of the medal, Alex knew he had to track it down to find his mother and reclaim his past.Suddenly his phone rang."Alex," Jasmine's voice was soft but tense."Yes?""Can you help me by accompanying me to my banquet?"Alex wanted to refuse, but he remembered his promise to Abraham—to ensure the Kingston partnership was handed over to the Lancasters, even though Sophia had divorced him.His mission to f
It was evening at Heaven, the most exclusive club in Vancouver—a place where only the wealthiest mingled.The building resembled a colossal glass dome, showcasing the splendor of the night sky—though the view could be adjusted to suit any desired theme.Tonight, it was transformed for a "Royal Gathering," replicating a banquet celebrating a king, a queen, and a princess's first public appearance.The décor was classic yet elegant, adorned with sculptures inspired by antiquity, exuding an air of grandeur.Guests began to arrive, strolling through the gardens and admiring the fountains and ornate decorations.A sleek black Mercedes pulled up to the entrance, where the red carpet awaited.A stunning woman in an elegant evening gown stepped out, immediately drawing every gaze.Shortly after, another equally beautiful woman arrived, capturing everyone's attention."Who are those gorgeous women? Are they famous actresses?" a reporter whispered, snapping photos rapidly."That's Sophia Lancas
Sophia just wanted to ask Alex politely—just as her grandfather had advised—about who he really was.It dawned on her that she'd been prejudiced against him from the start, never giving him a fair shot.Maybe there was still something worth salvaging.But did Alex have to make everything so damn difficult?"Alex, I get it—you hate me for divorcing you, and now you're parading your new arm candy around to rub it in my face. Do you realize this is exactly why I left you?" Sophia didn't hold back."My mistake, huh?" Alex raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance."I gave you countless chances to redeem yourself, but you were too clueless to get it!" she snapped, her patience wearing thin."A chance?" Alex looked genuinely puzzled."Can't you see? I tried to talk to you in private, but instead, you flaunt your ego and make everything worse," Sophia's tone was icy. Her CEO pride wouldn't let her back down, especially not with Jasmine hanging off his arm like that."So let me get this straight—
Lyra, standing beside Chris, suddenly chimed in, "Chris, your wedding is tomorrow. Maybe try not to ogle every woman who crosses your path?"Chris frowned, shooting her an annoyed glance. "Since when is being nice a crime?""Nice? There's a fine line between being nice and being a creep," Lyra retorted, firmly siding with Sophia."Fine," Chris muttered, knowing his little trick wasn't working. He turned back to Jasmine."Gorgeous," he called out, flashing a grin. "How about you join us? That man there is undeserving of your attention. He’ll only try to scam your money."Jasmine gently touched Alex's chin and smiled."Oh, Alex," she said softly. "All I have is money. If that's the only reason you'll give me your attention, just name your price. I have a hundred million with me now. If that’s not enough, just tell me—I still have some more at home.""Lady," Chris interrupted suddenly, trying to sound suave."You're beautiful, and you don’t need to give money just to get attention. Peopl
"Let’s just forget him," Sophia said, her mood already souring.She realized she'd never understand that jerk. "The banquet is about to start. Let’s find our seats."The banquet was set with round tables, each seating about six guests.The closer the table to the front, the more important the guests were.To Sophia and Lyra's shock, when they checked their invitation cards, they were assigned to the very front—the VIP table."Chris, your father really pulled some strings to get us the best invitations, didn’t he?" Sophia commented.Chris wore a proud expression. "Of course, my father is very important to the Kingstons. That’s why I told you not to worry about the partnership—you’ll have it."As they moved toward the front, they were stunned to find Jasmine and Alex already seated at their table, laughing and talking closely."Alex," Chris approached, irritation clear in his voice. "Do you know this table is reserved for special invitations only? How dare you sit here? And how did you
"Alex," Jasmine nudged him urgently."Quick, how do I respond? This is the first time in my life someone has called me poor."Alex glanced at her. Jasmine Kingston—the wealthiest heiress in Vancouver—had probably never heard that word directed at her."Just smile and say 'thank you,'" Alex suggested calmly."Really?" she asked, eyes wide with feigned innocence."Absolutely. When they go low, we go high."Jasmine turned back to Chris with a graceful smile."Thank you for calling me poor. This is a new experience for me."Chris's face flushed crimson.He slammed his fist on the table. "Are you dense? When someone calls you poor, you're supposed to feel insulted, ashamed!""Why should I feel that way?" Jasmine replied, tilting her head slightly."I'm not poor."Chris, barely containing his frustration, threw his hands up. “You really have no brain, do you?"Jasmine turned to Alex, her gaze curious. "Alex, do you think I have no brain?""Not at all. In fact, I think you're much sharper th
Sophia picked up the menu and glanced over at Lyra, her mind spinning with confusion.There was Lyra, practically leaning against Alex, an intimacy that would make any observer assume they were the married couple, not her and Alex.“Alex, I bet this is your first time here,” Lyra said brightly.“Sophia and I have VIP status at this place. Let me recommend a few dishes—I’m sure you’ll love them.”Alex managed a polite smile. “Thanks.”Lyra beamed, flipping through the menu. “Order whatever you like. Don’t worry about the bill, I’m covering it tonight.”Sophia nearly choked.Lyra—stingy, penny-pinching Lyra—offering to pay? For a man, of all people?Lyra never spent her money on men.Every luxury in her possession was typically gifted by them.This was the first time Lyra had ever offered to foot the bill for a man.Sophia narrowed her eyes. “Lyra… are you feeling alright? Did you forget to take your meds this morning?”Lyra raised a cool eyebrow. “What’s with the shock, Sophia? I’ve al
Inside the car’s quiet interior, Sophia leaned her head against the window, her mind drifting back to the stranger who’d come to her aid earlier.Could it be fate?Was this mysterious figure the soulmate she’d always dreamed about—the one who would stand by her forever?She breathed out heavily, shaking the thought away.She didn’t even know him.“You don’t look happy,” Alex said, breaking the silence.Sophia managed a faint smile.“On the contrary, I’m very happy. Someone paid a hundred million for me, clearing the loan that haunted me and the Lancasters.”Alex smiled, his heart lightening.He was glad to see his wife finally accept the help.Later this noon, as she drifted into sleep, he gently healed her and pulled a blanket over her, making sure she was warm and comfortable.Meanwhile, behind the scenes, he’d ordered Carlos to take control of the entire Black syndicate.Charles Cole, Cathy Black, Bruno Black—their fortunes and futures now lay quietly in his hands.“I’m glad you’re
Alex burst into Kingston’s penthouse office, heart pounding.Just moments earlier, Jasmine had called him in tears—something he never thought he’d witness from her.Inside, the tension felt thick as smoke.Jasmine was curled up on the plush leather sofa, her face buried in her trembling hands.Nearby stood Kelly, tapping briskly on her smartwatch.The instant Jasmine spotted Alex, she sprang from the sofa and flung herself into his arms, sobbing so hard he could feel the quake of it through his chest.This wasn’t the poised, controlled Jasmine he knew; this was someone shattered, clinging to him like he was her only lifeline.“Jasmine,” he murmured, fighting to keep his voice steady, “what happened?”She couldn’t answer, her sobs stealing her words.Instead, he turned to Kelly, who regarded them both with a cold detachment.“Kingston just lost about a billion dollars,” she said flatly.A billion?The number slammed into Jasmine like a punch. Her cries intensified, her grief pouring ou
A few minutes earlier, Bruno Black had been furious the moment he received the text message from his sister.“Who dares to threaten my sister? Do they not fear the Black Syndicate?” Bruno growled angrily, seated in the back of the limousine.He turned his rage toward his private bodyguard.“Brad, we need to show them who we really are and take control of Vancouver's underworld!”“Yes, Sir,” Brad replied meekly.“It’s because of your meek personality that people look down on us!” Bruno snapped, glaring at him.Brad nodded. “I am sorry, boss.”“You... If it weren’t for your big body, no one would hire you!” Bruno’s anger grew sharper. “Talking to you is like talking to a big, stupid bull!”“Yes, sir.”Bruno angrily slapped Brad. “Just shut your mouth. You’re pissing me off!”Brad only nodded again, silent as ever.If Brad weren’t over two meters tall and didn’t move like a freight train, Bruno wouldn’t have kept him around.The man could act as a meat shield when needed, and that was re
Alex hesitated. "But—""No buts. This is a family matter," Charles cut him off sharply."Alright," Alex sighed, stepping back, unwilling to get involved in what he now saw as a tangled web of domestic chaos.Charles turned his attention back to Cathy, yelling furiously, "Don’t you think I don’t know what you’ve done behind my back? You threatened and tortured everyone connected to me! Including my ex-girlfriend! You’re nothing but a sadistic monster!"His fists slammed into her motionless body, each blow carrying years of pent-up anger."Do you know how much pain you’ve caused me? You think money can fix this? What’s the point of money if I can’t find happiness?!"He picked up a vase from the corner of the room, his face twisted in pure hatred. "You think I’m your worker, your slave, your damn toy?!"With a final roar, he smashed the vase against her body, shards scattering across the floor.As the silence settled, Charles stood over Cathy’s limp form, chest heaving.The room was litt
Cathy Black laughed as she fired all of her shot, yet only to freeze in disbelief.Alex stood before her, unscathed—no bullet hole, not even a scratch."Impossible," she gasped, her eyes widening.She glanced at her gun, empty now, as the hollow click confirmed her worst fear.Alex’s lips curled into a cold smile. "You’re truly lucky, I don’t hit women."He turned away, striding toward Charles, who was trembling near the wooden table."But you," Alex continued, grabbing Charles by the shoulder, his grip firm as iron, "you hit my wife. Seems like you’re good at hitting women.""No! No, I’m not!" Charles stammered, his body quaking like a leaf.Alex’s voice dropped, a venomous edge creeping into his tone."Your wife hit my wife. Don’t you think it’s only fair you take the hit as payment?"Without waiting for an answer, Alex slammed his fist into the sturdy wooden table beside him.The deafening crack echoed in the room as the table split clean in two, the pieces scattering across the fl
“Who the hell are you?” Charles snarled, voice cracking into a shrill pitch.“If my wife says she’s going to die, then she’s going to die!”Alex stepped into the office, calm and deliberate.His eyes swept over the scene before settling on Sophia.Even from across the room, he could see her condition was anything but normal.She looked drugged, unsteady, and vulnerable.“Get your filthy hands off my wife,” Alex said quietly.His voice was steady and low, yet it carried a firm authority that made everyone pause.Cathy almost laughed out loud, disbelief flickering in her eyes.She prided herself on never feeling fear, but when she met Alex’s gaze, a strange chill gripped her.For the first time in years, her knees weakened, and her hands trembled.She released Sophia’s hair, letting the young woman slump back onto the sofa.“Good,” Alex murmured, moving closer to Sophia.Cathy studied him, unsettled.He seemed like any fit young man—handsome, maybe—but nothing special.Still, something
Tim, Cathy Black’s driver, was drenched in sweat beneath his thin cotton shirt.He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.He could feel Cathy’s icy gaze boring into the back of his neck from the rear seat.Ever since Bernard’s warning call, Tim had prepared himself for something terrible—but this went beyond his worst fears.He slammed the gas pedal to the floor, weaving recklessly through Vancouver’s crowded streets.The usual thirty-minute drive to Cole Finance had to be cut down to ten, no matter the cost.Cathy’s voice still echoed in his ears:“Get me there in ten minutes, or you’ll be six feet under.”Her tone had held no trace of doubt.Up ahead, Black Syndicate enforcers on motorcycles roared through traffic, forcing cars aside with shotguns and sheer menace.They formed a path of chaos, snarling at anyone who dared slow them down.Tim followed in their wake, heart hammering, ignoring every traffic light, weaving between honking cars and shrieking ped
At one of Vancouver’s most renowned salons, Cathy Black reclined beneath gentle hands, savoring the soothing rhythm of a facial massage.The air was sweet with lavender and rosewater, calming her senses, until her smartwatch buzzed insistently, yanking her from blissful repose.She opened her eyes, annoyance already sparking beneath her lids.“Yes?” she snapped, answering the call.“Madame Black, it’s Jacqueline, Mr. Charles’s secretary,” came the crisp voice on the other end.Cathy exhaled, impatience bleeding into every word. “Well?”“Mr. Charles has invited Sophia Lancaster to his office and ordered me away from my desk,” Jacqueline said.Cathy’s face went cold at the mention of that name.“Sophia Lancaster,” she repeated, as if testing the flavor of it on her tongue.The esthetician, still smoothing delicate creams over Cathy’s face, tried to soften the moment.“She’s the most celebrated beauty in Vancouver,” she offered quietly.“A famous model, back in the day.”Cathy’s body ten