Dear Readers,We hope this message finds you well. We are sorry to inform you that the author has been receiving medical treatment and is resting in the hospital due to health issues recently. The doctor has indicated that if everything progresses smoothly, the author will be discharged on December 9th. However, if further care is needed, the discharge may be delayed until December 13th.The author sincerely apologizes for the delay in updates and asks for your understanding during this time. The author is also deeply grateful for your continued support and companionship throughout this journey and is eager to return as soon as possible.Thank you all for your patience, and the author looks forward to rejoining you with new content very soon.Best regards,MegaNovel Editor Team(On behalf of the author.)
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
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
“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
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
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
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 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
That morning, the Lancaster mansion was anything but peaceful.In the grand living room, Florance stood in front of Justin, practically shaking with anger.“You’re worthless as a father!” she shouted. “All you do is sit around watching garbage on TV!”Justin frowned, more irritated than surprised. “What do you want from me?”“How about acting like a dad for once? Our daughter is in trouble over that massive loan. You need to help figure out a solution!” Florance’s frustration bled through her every word.Justin let out a tired sigh. “And what exactly do you expect me to do?”“Look at the bigger picture! Your brother is already waiting for Sophia to fail so he can give Mike her position in the company. We can’t let that happen!”Rolling his eyes, Justin scrolled aimlessly on his phone. “I don’t have that kind of money, and you know it.”Florance glared at him. “You’re good for nothing except your so-called manhood!”“Fine!” Justin snapped. “What do you want me to do?”“Marco Ashford,”
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