Chapter 2

Tristan sat deep in thought. His gaze was fixed, watching the row of skyscrapers through the window of his office. Faintly, he smiled. It wasn't without reason. It was as if a spark of joy had touched his long-empty heart. This all happened because of his meeting yesterday with the woman Edward had brought to his birthday celebration.

"So, all this time, Olivia has been living in Germany?" Tristan asked as he ate the dinner already laid out on the table. Listening to Edward rambling on about the woman he brought made Tristan curious too.

"Yes..." The woman named Olivia nodded. "I've lived in Germany since I was a child. I just moved a year ago and finally decided to settle in London," she explained, sipping the wine Edward had given her.

"By the way, who do you live with here? Are you alone or with family?"

Again, Tristan asked a question. He was very enthusiastic about anything Olivia told him. Not even for a moment did his attention shift, as if he was already fixed on the beautiful woman sitting next to his friend.

"Right now, I'm living alone. My parents and sister are in Germany. But they will soon follow to move to London."

"It must be tough living alone in a city you just moved to."

"Yes..." Olivia nodded in agreement. "At first, it was difficult. But it's okay. Honestly, I'm happy to live alone in London. Here, I'm free to work and do all my hobbies without anyone bothering me."

Once again, Tristan smiled in silence. It wasn't a happy smile because he met a beautiful woman, but a happy smile as if pleased because the target he had been searching for had appeared on its own.

"Mr. Tristan, I brought what you asked for."

From behind the office door, there was a knock followed by the entrance of a man Tristan knew well. He walked slowly, approaching where Tristan was sitting.

"What information did you get, Mario? Please show me," Tristan replied.

"I've summarized everything in one document. I apologize if there may still be some missing information. But I promise, I'll find the rest for you."

Tristan nodded and then took the black folder handed to him. He began reading it carefully, scrutinizing all the information that might be necessary.

"Olivia Walters. The first child of Rudolf Walters and Anna Maria Walters." Tristan read what was written there. He glanced, staring deeply at his assistant. "That means, this woman is indeed the one I've been looking for."

"That's correct, sir," Mario replied. "From all the social media pages, the bio listed on the agency's website, and the circulating photos, it's confirmed that this woman is indeed the daughter of Rudolf Walters, a property entrepreneur from London who has now expanded into construction and settled in Hamburg, Germany."

Tristan looked again at the papers in his hands. He looked at some photos while rereading carefully, as if not wanting to miss any information.

"Only 24 years old. Single. Works as a model and is also known as a social activist. She has had relationships with several celebrities. And currently, she lives alone in Marylebone Square's Penthouses."

"That's correct, sir," Mario replied again. "I've included some of Miss Olivia's show schedules that were officially released by her agency. I've also attached data on who she is currently close to, and one of them is your friend."

Tristan nodded in his seat.

"Yes, I know. This woman seems to be close to Edward." Tristan raised his eyebrows. The man pulled the corner of his lips meaningfully. "But I won't let them get any closer. Never, Mario." Tristan's voice lowered, but there was a definite tone of threat in it. His gaze was sharp, piercing the photo of Olivia he was holding.

Mario could only remain silent in his position. Besides performing his main duties at the office, as a trusted person, Tristan also asked him to investigate someone. The young man even paid a private detective a high f*e to find the whereabouts of Rudolf Walters and his entire family.

From the beginning, Mario was curious. But until now, he had never dared to ask outright why Tristan was looking for Rudolf, who had long migrated from London to Hamburg, Germany.

"Thank you for your report, Mario. If there is any other information about the Walters family, please let me know as soon as possible," Tristan requested.

Mario nodded politely. After giving what Tristan asked for, he then chose to leave the room.

Just a few minutes after Mario's departure, Tristan's door was knocked again. This time, it was Raphael's turn to visit the young man.

"Am I disturbing you?" Raphael asked as he stepped in.

"Of course not, Uncle Raphael. No matter how busy I am, I always have time for you." There was a sincere tone in Tristan's words. As an orphan, he felt deeply indebted to Raphael. It was Raphael who patiently took care of and even raised him, teaching him many things until he succeeded as he did now.

Because of this great debt, Tristan was determined always to follow Raphael's words. He also tried his best never to disobey his uncle's orders.

"You always know how to touch my heart," Raphael said. He then sat calmly in the chair directly opposite Tristan.

"What brings you here, Uncle?" Tristan asked curiously.

"I want to discuss your engagement with Kimberly. When do you think is the right time to hold this sacred ceremony?"

Tristan was silent for a moment, clearly considering the right time to carry out what his uncle had ordered. He had promised and would never break it.

"Actually, I don't mind when the event is held. However..."

Raphael's brow furrowed deeply. Hearing Tristan deliberately pause made him curious now.

"But what?" he asked, seeking clarity.

"Recently, I met Olivia Walters. The daughter of Rudolf Walters, whom I've been looking for, Uncle."

Tristan's statement naturally shocked Raphael. He remembered well that he had once ordered his men to investigate Rudolf and his family. But it was quite difficult to get information.

And now, suddenly, Rudolf Walters' daughter appeared without needing to be searched for. It was as if God had deliberately shown His kindness to Tristan, who had been searching for the woman for a long time.

"So what will you do next?" Raphael inquired.

Raphael was confident that the son of his two friends had prepared a well-thought-out plan for a long time. He knew Tristan well. The young man was born with strong instincts. Never reckless. Always meticulous in every action and decision he made. This was also what enabled Tristan to compete with other competitors in the business world he was involved in now.

"I will approach her slowly, Uncle. So please allow me to win Olivia's heart first. When everything goes smoothly, I promise I will immediately marry Kimberly."

Hearing that, Raphael looked up and their eyes met. His emerald green eyes stared deeply into Tristan's sharp blue ones, trying to read what plan the man was actually concocting.

"Are you sure about this plan?"

Tristan nodded and gave a respectful stance. "I've thought it through very carefully, Uncle. This is the only way to destroy Rudolf slowly."

"That's not what I meant," Raphael countered, his face showing clear concern. "What if you end up falling in love with Rudolf's daughter?"

"That won't happen, Uncle," Tristan confidently rebutted. "How could I fall in love with the daughter of the man who ruined my family?"

Tristan's cold words immediately eased Raphael's worries. Especially seeing the vengeful expression that didn't leave Tristan's face, it was highly unlikely that Tristan would fall for the enemy's daughter.

"Alright. I trust everything to you. But remember, Tristan," Raphael said, looking deeply at the man he considered his own son. "You still have to be careful. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

Tristan nodded again, grabbing Raphael's wrist and holding it tightly. As if to assure him that nothing bad would happen to him in the future.

"Trust me. Whatever Rudolf has done, he will eventually have to answer for it."