Nina’s biological father, Pharaoh of the Yaren tribe, was exposed. The previous chaos within the Yaren tribe, his subordinates’ acts of looting, the establishment of slave camps, and the use of live humans for experiments were all revealed. Nina was labeled the "Daughter of the Devil," causing an uproar on international forums."Who would have thought that this kind-hearted journalist advocating for peace is actually the devil’s daughter? Look at her father’s evil deeds!""It’s only because of Birkham’s tolerance for the sake of peace that they haven't pursued the Yaren tribe.""Exactly! Otherwise, the Yaren tribe would have been wiped out long ago!""Nina’s actions are laughable. Her father is a monster, yet she wants to be a justice warrior.""She must have been planted in Birkham by Pharaoh as a spy!""She was married to Nash, and he later died in the Yaren tribe. She must have caused his death!""Death to the spy! She doesn’t deserve to be a journalist or to pretend to be
Nina also realized that with Micah still here, those people might come looking for trouble with him. She pressed her lips together, her expression serious, "Micah, you should leave.""Do you think I can just leave you here alone?" Micah held Nina's hand. He could not abandon her. Besides, given the current relationship between the Yaren tribe and Birkham, Birkham would not detain him.Especially since Nash’s death had been officially reported and investigated.Nina was at a loss for words.She was not a spy, but Birkham needed to provide the public with an explanation. She would need to undergo an investigation, including a review of her recent call records.As Nina was about to be taken away, Orion clung to her hand, refusing to let go. Nina knelt down and patiently explained to him, "Orion, stay with Uncle Micah. I just need to handle some things with these people. You have to be good."After speaking to Orion, she looked up at Micah, her eyes filled with hope. She did not
Eventually, the bag covering Nina's head was removed. She saw the car's interior light up with a warm orange glow, revealing several men holding guns. The man sitting next to her had some white hairs at his temples. The lighting was dim on his side, so she could not make out his face clearly.The man smirked, "Why do you think we captured you to exchange for Seth?"Nina remained silent, deep in thought. If they did not want to trade her for Seth, what was their goal? Or maybe her reports had affected the interests of the allied forces? Were they planning to use her as a bargaining chip with the Yaren tribe? Nina's breath quickened. She had not revealed her connection to Micah or Pharaoh. She had mentioned those names hoping it would make these people reconsider and release her. Clearly, it had not worked. She could not afford to become a burden to them."If that's not it, then just kill me." Nina leaned back against the seat, resigned. With Nash's survival a secret, she coul
Nash did not want to involve her, but since it concerned her directly, she had the right to know the truth. He knew how stubborn she could be, especially when she was angry. After a moment of silence, Nash spoke slowly, "These people are from my father's side. Sally isn't my biological mother, and William isn't my biological father. My real father is the president of Salterra. When I fell into the river that runs through the Yaren tribe, it was my father who saved me. I spent a long time recovering, and later he arranged many things for me. Nina, I made a deal with him back then. There were things I had to agree to."Nina could guess some of the complications that had kept Nash from contacting her, but hearing it from him still hurt. She wanted to reach out and hold him, but she held back, thinking about their child. "What about the child, Nash? I'm not a child myself. I can handle the truth. Is our child alive or not?"Tears welled up in her eyes as she gripped Nash's hand. St
Nina pushed Nash away. "Go do what you need to do. As long as my child is alive…""Are you saying you don't want me anymore?"Nash could not bear to hear the rest of her words. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on Nina, his gaze intense and full of emotion. The redness in his eyes spread, and layers of sorrow seemed to rise within him.He knew that after being away for five years and suddenly reappearing, she would be angry and blame him. But he had no way to fight fate, no way to appear before her as the broken man he had been.Nina felt a surge of emotion, her blood rushing to her head. She looked at Nash, noting the scar on his forehead and the strands of white hair. Her heart ached intensely.She reached out to touch his face. "You have your position and your obligations. Nash, I can't stop you, and I can't help you. All I want now is my child."She was desperate to return to Orion, to make up for the five years she had missed as his mother.Nash's heart was in agony. He would r
Nina frowned but remained silent.Eugene continued, "I won't hurt you. I have some things I need to tell you."Nina looked at him, waiting for him to speak.After a moment of silence, Eugene began, "Mr. Nash was saved by the President and remained in a coma for over three years. The bullet was very close to his heart, and he had multiple fractures and severe injuries all over his body. During his recovery, without the use of anesthesia to avoid side effects, he underwent countless surgeries and therapy sessions. In his moments of pain, he always called your name. He cares about you deeply. Now, he's even willing to defy the President for your sake. The President has a Reset Plan—""Eugene!" Eugene was abruptly interrupted by Nash's angry shout from outside the room. He immediately stood at attention, responding instinctively.Nash's men were trained to react this way. Despite the interruption, Eugene's words echoed in Nina's mind. She had suspected Nash had reasons for his actio
This was the real Nash!No matter how angry Nina had been before, she loved Nash deeply and could not bear to see him die in front of her. Besides, his men had already explained everything to her. He had explained it himself, and she could understand his situation and feel his pain.Nina held Nash even tighter. "Nash, you have your reasons. Honestly, I’m grateful your father saved you."If it weren’t for his father, Nash might have died in that icy river. She would never have seen him again or been able to hold him like this.Most parents would want their children to succeed, and his father was the president. Their positions were different, especially now that she had been exposed as Pharaoh’s daughter and labeled the "daughter of a demon.""Nash, can I take Orion back to Birkham?" Nina decided not to dwell on their issues because thinking about them would only bring pain and suffocation. Orion was her child, and she wanted to take him out of the war zone and give him the best
Dominic could not believe that Nash was actually throwing words at him here right now!He did not need anyone to point fingers at what he was doing.Nash's expression darkened as well. He pulled Nina behind him and said, "If you don't want to listen, then handle your own matters yourself. Don’t drag others into it."This could also be understood as he was stepping down as the Third Prince.And all of this was because of Nash's stance, particularly because of his relationship with Nina.Dominic pulled out his gun. As he cocked the trigger, Nash stood in front of Nina. Nash was ready to face death.Dominic was ruthless, but Nash had recovered and was still his most valued child. He could not just shoot Nash dead."It seems like you’re determined to be with her, even if it kills you. Fine, if she wants to be your wife, then she has to fulfill the duties of a wife. Being the wife of the Third Prince of Salterra isn’t that easy!" Dominic glared at Nina, his words cold and sharp.Nin
Yelena quickly lowered her arm, letting her sleeve fall over the mark to cover it. “It’s nothing. Here’s your cocktail. Please enjoy.” “Yelena.” Hunter grabbed her wrist without warning. He pulled up her sleeve, revealing the deep, ugly scars on her arm. His brows knitted together instantly. “Who did this to you?” The force behind it was brutal—downright inhuman. Yelena remained silent. Who else could have done this besides Liam? But she had agreed to this. She had willingly accepted Hunter’s request and entered Liam’s world. She had no right to complain. Her silence gave Hunter all the confirmation he needed. “Liam did this to you, didn’t he?” Yelena nodded. “It’s nothing. The wounds have already started healing. They look worse than they feel. Give it some time, and they’ll fade.” “Wait here.” Hunter stood abruptly and walked away. Yelena had no idea what he was doing, but since he told her to wait, she didn’t argue. A few minu
Then again, it made sense. How could a normal person possibly empathize with a lunatic? If Yelena could understand Liam, that would make her just as twisted. *For the next few days, Yelena stayed home to recover. During that time, Liam came back a few times, bringing her flowers and food. Like a child showing off a treasure, he placed the food in front of her. “Yelena, these are your favorite honey crullers. I got them fresh from the bakery. Try them and see if you like them.” “I’m not really hungry.” She didn’t want to eat anything he gave her. She couldn’t even stand looking at him. But she had made a promise. So, she had to force herself to stay. Liam’s expression darkened. “Are you really not hungry, or do you just not want to eat what I give you?” For someone like him, once he had lost his temper once, the second time would only come faster and smoother. With a heavy thud, he slammed the honey crullers onto the table. “Yes, I hit y
If Liam had been a normal person, Hunter never would have sent her here in the first place. But of course, Yelena could only think that. She wasn’t suicidal enough to say it out loud. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. “I was really just messaging an old classmate. If you don’t believe me, go ahead—check my phone.” She wasn’t worried. Whenever she contacted Hunter, she deleted each message immediately. She had even forged an entire fake conversation just in case Liam ever got suspicious. So, no matter how thoroughly he checked, there would be nothing for him to find. Liam narrowed his eyes. “Is that so? Then why do I still feel like you’re lying? Women like you—nothing but liars, every last one of you.” Then, he struck her again. Yelena screamed. The pain was relentless, merciless. She had no idea how long it lasted—only that by the time he finally stopped, she was barely breathing. Her body slumped against the floor
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind Yelena. She spun around, her heart hammering in her chest. Liam was walking toward her, a faint smile on his lips—but the coldness in his eyes told a different story. Memories of his past cruelty flashed through her mind, sending a shudder down her spine. She forced herself to stay calm. “Who are you messaging?” He was getting closer. So close that when he finally stopped, they were nearly pressed against each other. Then, without warning, his fingers clamped around her chin, gripping tighter and tighter. Pain shot through her jaw, and Yelena winced. “No one. Just an old classmate. I ran into her a few days ago while I was out.” “Oh? Is that so?” Liam’s voice softened, almost gentle. To anyone watching, he might have seemed like a kind, easygoing man. But Yelena knew better. He would never let her off that easily. And sure enough— In the next second, he grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her hea
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.“Haven’t I been just fine lately?“Or do you think my hand isn’t injured enough? If that’s the case, go ahead—do it yourself. “You already know I wouldn’t fight back no matter what.” Without warning, Yelena stretched out her injured hand, an act that instantly enraged Liam. “What the hell is wrong with you?” He snapped. “I was just making a casual remark. Is that really what you think of me? I already told you—I’m not going to lay a hand on you.“It wasn’t intentional before, and you know it. We both do. Stop acting like you’re above all this when we both know who sent you here.” Yelena felt a pang of sadness. They had spent so much time together, yet this was how he treated her—always choosing to hurt her. “I know—I wasn’t someone you chose, and none of this was intentional. But after all this time we've spent together...“I thought maybe I was a little different to you. But I guess I was wrong. Nothing has changed at all.
“Why do you even care about what happens to other people? Haven’t I made myself clear enough already?“Whose card is this—yours or mine?” His assistant immediately apologized upon hearing Caleb’s tone. “I hope you won’t hold this against me. I really wasn’t thinking clearly at the time—I should have considered this more carefully.” Caleb didn’t bother responding. After hanging up, he focused entirely on investigating Vera’s brother. *Meanwhile, Vera was deeply worried. If things had been somewhat under control before, now they were completely off track. The situation on both sides was far more complicated than she had anticipated. “Don’t worry. That’s exactly how it is. If you don’t want to go in person, I can go for you—but it won’t be cheap,” the private investigator said.Since Caleb had warned her about the private investigator, Vera started testing him, probing for inconsistencies. And sure enough, his story had too many holes. “Why are you so sure my b
As Caleb spoke, he looked at Vera with a hint of helplessness. After all, her hand had been injured because of Luna. “Don’t feel guilty about this. Honestly, it’s nothing to me.“And I’m not the type to carry burdens over things like this.“Besides, it’s been so long. If this had happened back then, I might have cared. But now? I just don’t think it matters anymore.” Vera’s voice was steady and sincere. But Caleb’s expression darkened. “Why would you say that? Why do you think it doesn’t matter? Do you really see me as just the same as everyone else?” For some reason, at this moment, Caleb took it personally. Vera couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course not. You’re different from the rest—so obviously, I wouldn’t see it the same way.“You’ve helped me so much. The least I can do is acknowledge that, instead of stubbornly nitpicking about what’s right or wrong, don’t you think?“Besides, whatever happened between you and Luna, that’s none of my business. It’s in
“I didn’t mean to just now. Besides, you’ve been acting all sneaky lately—so really, who else is to blame?” Seeing Yelena in tears, Liam, who had been furious just moments ago, felt a small pang of guilt. He was never good at expressing emotions. But watching her like this made him a little uncomfortable. “Go get your hand treated. Otherwise, people who don’t know any better might think I’ve been abusing you.” With that, he turned and walked away. Yelena watched his retreating figure, feeling a bit helpless. This wasn’t something she could decide on her own. Installing surveillance? It wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Liam was naturally suspicious. If he caught wind of it, the consequences would be disastrous. But she had no choice. She had a mission to complete, and there was more at stake than just this moment. Letting out a deep sigh, she finally decided to head to a clinic to get her hand treated. *“What happened to you? That’s a serious injury. You
And just like that, the conversation fell into a brief silence. Meanwhile, on the other side, Hunter received a call from Yelena. “What did you just say?” Yelena told him that her hand was broken, and on top of that, Liam seemed to be getting suspicious. She wasn’t sure what to do, so she called Hunter for advice. “I don’t really care what happens to you, but at the very least, take care of yourself.“Otherwise, if something else goes wrong later, I’ll have to step in and clean up the mess. Don’t you think so?” Hearing this, Yelena was a little taken aback. “It’s not just about my injury. The real problem is, I’m scared of what he might do now.” Sure, she had taken the two hundred thousand dollars, but she had to stay alive to spend it. At this rate, she wouldn’t even make it through in one piece. “I already told you—protect yourself. If you need anything else, I’ll try to provide it. But right now, I need you to do something for me.” Hunter had been look