On the way to pick up her son from school, Amora sat quietly in the backseat, lost in thought about her conversation with Estelle.A wedding organizer isn’t a bad idea. But ….Her eyes caught Albert Parker’s reflection in the rearview mirror as he focused on driving. “Mr. Parker,” she called.Albert glanced briefly at her before returning his attention to the road. “Yes, Ma’am,” he replied.“Could you help me investigate something?” Amora asked, noticing his sharp look through the mirror.“I mean, do you know someone trustworthy who can handle discreet investigations?” she clarified.Albert smirked faintly. “You can count on me, Ma’am. Even though I’m just a driver, I’m quite a skilled informant,” he said confidently.He wasn’t bluffing. Both Regis and Mark often relied on him to gather critical information. Albert had an impressive network.“Really?”Amora was taken aback but thought for a moment before hesitantly asking, “Then, could you look into Estelle Mauverick?”Albert raised h
Regis's car stopped in front of a building surrounded by tall gates adorned with dragon heads carved at the center. He stepped out of the car without bothering to park it properly.He was currently at the Royal Dragon residence and headquarters to fulfill his father's order to meet him. As usual, the atmosphere around the residence was cold and quiet.A few subordinates greeted him briefly as he walked past them, continuing his way inside until he encountered Liliana Ritter, who had just stepped out of the elevator within the building.“Regis, why didn’t you let me know you were coming?” asked the woman, surprised. She hadn’t received any word about his return.“Are you staying the night here?” Liliana added.However, Regis ignored her questions and walked straight toward the elevator.“That boy ….” Liliana clicked her tongue in annoyance at being dismissed by her stepson and continued her steps out of the residence.Regis's sharp, hawk-like eyes followed her figure until the elevator
"Are you sure you didn't make any mistakes, including challenging Levent?" Diego questioned sharply.Regis understood that his earlier actions were risky. However, he felt he had no other choice but to assert himself to Altan Demir, making it clear that he was not someone to be trifled with."Father, he started it first. I was only giving him a little warning," Regis defended himself."Oh?"Diego raised an eyebrow and fixed his sharp gaze on his son.Understanding the meaning behind his father's look, Regis recounted the events that forced him to confront Altan Demir. However, he deliberately left out any mention of Amora, not wanting to drag her into the conflicts between organizations."You haven't forgotten, have you, that we have an agreement with Levent?" Diego probed.Diego believed Regis shouldn't have meddled in the dispute between Altan Demir and Beth Jefferson, as it was outside their jurisdiction.He also thought that Regis should just simply block Altan's attempts to spy o
"What do you mean?"Diego's brows furrowed deeply, his shock apparent at his son's statement.Seeing his father’s surprised expression, Regis only smirked indifferently.“Altan Demir caused your accident?” investigated Diego with an incredulous look.Though the accident had occurred seven years ago, Diego could never forget the near despair he felt, almost losing his only son.At that time, Diego had done everything in his power, gathering the best doctors to save Regis’s life. Though Regis eventually fell into a coma, Diego had been relieved his son was alive.Now that Diego had suddenly heard that the accident that almost killed his son was Altan Demir's doing, it was enough to shock him."Is it true, Regis?" Diego asked again, his anger seething.If Altan Demir truly was behind the crash, Diego had no intention of letting him walk free.But Regis was not eager to elaborate. He got up and said, "Father, I have other matters to attend to."Regis began walking away but stopped in his
"The woman who’s destined for you?"Diego smirked bitterly at his son’s declaration. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through its screen. Once he found what he was looking for, he handed the device to Pablo, instructing him to show it to his son since they were seated at a considerable distance from each other.Pablo approached his young master and presented the device.Regis’s expression turned cold immediately. He frowned for a brief moment before shifting his gaze from the phone back to his father, who was clearly pressuring him.“Is she the woman you’re destined to be with?” Diego asked, his tone sharp and probing.Regis gripped the armrest of the sofa tightly and answered firmly, “Yes.”“And who is this woman?” Diego pressed, retrieving the phone from Pablo’s hand.Regis smirked faintly. He didn’t know how his father had obtained a photo of him and Amora at the grand opening of Beth Jefferson’s art gallery, but he suspected that someone had deliberately sent it to him with ult
The school bell signaling the end of the day had rung. Parents and guardians were already waiting at the gate to pick up their beloved children.Rayden, who had just stepped out of the line, scanned the area but couldn’t spot his mother or his father’s assistant near the gate.“You haven’t been picked up yet, Ray?” Kimmy asked.Rayden nodded. “You haven’t either?”Kimmy also nodded.“How about we wait over there?” Kimmy suggested, pointing at a bench beside the gate.Rayden didn’t respond immediately, but the little girl had already grabbed his hand and started walking ahead of him. With no choice, Rayden followed her lead.Kimmy looked at Rayden, who had now taken a seat beside her, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Swinging her legs cheerfully, she said, "You were amazing at math earlier, Ray. How do you solve problems so fast?"Rayden turned to her, shrugged his shoulders, and replied nonchalantly, "I just answer whatever pops into my head.""You're so smart, Ray. If only I had e
A sharp sigh escaped Daisy’s nose. She finally turned to Ricky Brown and said, “I’m sorry, Sir. Please give me some time to contact his mother.”As Benjamin’s homeroom teacher, Daisy was responsible for ensuring the boy’s safety, especially since she had not received prior notice.“I’m sorry, Miss. His mother cannot be reached at the moment; she’s currently being treated at the hospital,” Ricky explained, his tone grave as he informed her about his distant cousin-in-law’s situation.Benjamin’s face turned pale. “You’re lying!” he screamed, punching the man with his small fists, which still managed to sting.“Ben, stop!”Daisy attempted to pull the boy back, but Benjamin’s strength made it difficult for her to restrain him.Eventually, a male teacher stepped in, pulling Benjamin away and escorting him into a classroom to calm him down. His hysterical cries echoed in the hallway.Rayden and Kimmy watched the scene unfold in stunned silence, exchanging confused glances.“Excuse me, Mr. Ri
After lunch, Albert Parker drove Amora and Rayden back to their penthouse. He parked the car in the building's parking lot and quickly opened the car door for them.Albert also helped Amora carry the shopping bags. Earlier, they had stopped by a supermarket to pick up a few essentials she needed.He halted his steps when Amora said, “You can leave us here, Mr. Parker. We can go up by ourselves.”They were now standing in front of the elevator leading to the penthouse. However, Albert insisted on accompanying them into the elevator.“I need to ensure your safety until you’re inside the penthouse, Ma’am. This is a direct order from the young master. Please cooperate,” Albert explained, requesting her understanding of his duty.Reluctantly, Amora allowed him to accompany them. As promised, Albert only escorted them to the penthouse door and placed the shopping bags on the terrace.“Thank you for driving us, Mr. Parker,” Amora said as Albert prepared to leave.“Should you need anything, d
A wide smile lingered on Regis' lips as he parked his car at his penthouse. He could barely contain his excitement to see the woman he adored. Even though the sky had only just turned orange, he was already home earlier than usual."Good afternoon, Young Master Lorenzo," One of his subordinates patrolling the parking area greeted him."Afternoon," Regis replied, making his subordinate's face twisted in shock.Why wouldn't he be surprised? Regis was usually indifferent to every one.The unexpected friendliness made his subordinate doubt whether he had mistaken him for someone else. But upon seeing the sharp glint in Regis' eyes, the man’s courage immediately faltered.Regis cleared his throat softly. He realized his expression was a bit excessive, but it was hard for him to suppress his happiness. He was sure Amora would be surprised to see him since he hadn’t told her he’d be home earlier than usual.He walked into the elevator, his arms full of gifts he'd picked up on his way back.T
Amora's thoughts raced as she scowled internally. 'What’s he planning now? He better not ask for something weird, 'she mused, her eyes narrowing at Regis suspiciously.The subtle shift in Regis's expression revealed everything. His irritation toward Albert gradually faded, replaced by an idea—he saw an opportunity to make Amora owe him.“Well?” Regis prompted again when his wife didn’t respond.“What kind of reward are you thinking of?” Amora probed, her lips pursed.“Would you really grant it if I told you?” Regis challenged, making her feel even more wary.Amora knew Regis was scheming. Yet, with Albert and the others' lives potentially in grave danger, she didn’t have the luxury to deliberate long. Her immediate instinct was to ensure their safety, even if it meant taking a risk.“Of course, as long as you fulfill my request,” Amora replied, keeping her tone steady.She trusted that Regis wouldn’t demand anything harmful or malicious—not after his heartfelt confession the night bef
"Where’s my husband, Mr. Carter?"Amora interrogated her husband's assistant, who stood stiffly in front of her. She was considering seeking out Regis to plead for forgiveness on behalf of Albert and the others.She would feel guilty if she didn't help them, especially since Albert had been incredibly helpful to her over the past few days."I’m sorry, Ma’am, I .…"Amora let out a sharp breath. Seeing Mark’s hesitation, she sensed that he was reluctant to reveal her husband's whereabouts."Never mind. Leave and wait for me in the lobby," Amora ordered firmly.Mark nodded and quickly left the room.After he was gone, Amora picked up her phone and searched for Regis’s contact. Without a second thought, she initiated a video call. It didn’t take long for him to answer.Regis’s face appeared on the screen. Amora had chosen video call to ensure she could see exactly where her husband was."Regis," Amora greeted nervously. This was their first video call. They usually communicated via text o
"So you told them?" Amora asked, probing."Of course not. Why would you want to get involved with people like that again?" Estelle chimed in."Smart. But I don't see any harm in using this opportunity to introduce our business to them, Estelle," Amora said, a sly grin spreading across her face as she shared an idea that suddenly popped into her head."Brilliant idea. Alright, then, let’s squeeze some money out of them," Estelle replied, laughing heartily.Amora could only shake her head. "But don’t tell them I'm Regis' wife. This is still top secret. I don’t want to deal with people like them," she reminded her friend."Relax. I’ll keep my lips sealed." Estelle mimed locking her mouth."Alright, if there’s nothing else to discuss, I’m going to have breakfast," Amora said, intending to end the call."Okay. But have you contacted Mr. Ritter? He was really worried last night. Poor guy," Estelle muttered, remembering his concerned expression."I’ll try to reach out to him later," Amora re
“Ma’am, you’re awake? I’ve come to pick you up.”Mark Carter stood at the door of Amora’s hotel room. As instructed by Regis, he was here to escort her.“My husband has already left?” Amora asked as she scanned the area around Mark.When she woke up earlier, Regis was nowhere to be found in the room.“Yes, Ma’am. The young master had some matters to attend to this morning. He asked me to come and check on you,” Mark explained, his head slightly bowed. He didn’t dare look her directly in the eyes or even glance at her.Amora’s appearance was quite disheveled; she had just woken up and was wearing a kimono-style towel provided by the hotel.Of course, she wasn’t trying to seduce anyone. She had simply taken off her dress last night, finding it too uncomfortable to sleep in.Her body was modestly wrapped in the kimono, but still, for a normal man like Mark, it was hard not to notice the beauty radiating from her.“Come in. I’m still having breakfast,” Amora said casually, walking back in
"I've already explained everything. I’m not involved! Don’t you get it? Get me out of here!"A middle-aged woman with heavy, smeared makeup leaned her face through the gap between the steel bars of the cell she was spending the night in. She had been yelling for over an hour, and her voice was now hoarse.Inside the dark and damp cell, she wasn’t alone. Sitting in one corner, hugging her knees tightly, was a young woman dressed in a once-elegant gown that now looked disheveled and dirty.The two women from vastly different generations were Julia Brown and Chelsea Harrison.Both had been detained at the local police station after undergoing separate interrogations for their crimes. The filthy, cramped cell with thick, dusty iron bars only added to Julia’s frustration.Standing by the bars, Julia shouted again, “I’m innocent! Don’t you know who I am?!”She couldn’t accept being treated this poorly by being thrown into a foul-smelling, filthy prison cell. The dim lighting in the tiny roo
"Ugh!"Amora struggled to keep up with Regis' increasingly passionate kiss. She felt completely overwhelmed as Regis greedily claimed her lips, leaving her no room to resist.Amora’s back was pressed tightly against the headboard as Regis’ hand moved to cradle the back of her head, deepening the kiss even further.Regis’s tongue was relentless the moment Amora parted her lips. The room was filled with the sounds of wet kisses and muffled moans.Amora’s thoughts were a whirlwind. She couldn’t even process what she was doing anymore, but one thing was clear—she was thoroughly enjoying the kiss.Seconds later, her chest tightened as her lungs screamed for air. She tapped Regis lightly on the chest, signaling him to stop. He finally pulled back, giving her a moment to catch her breath.Amora glared at him sharply, wiping her now-flushed lips with the back of her hand.Seeing her do this, Regis immediately leaned in and planted another quick kiss on her lips. Instinctively, Amora wiped the
Amora’s eyes darted nervously, her mind racing but completely blank. Every word she had planned to say vanished in the shock of the moment. She had no idea how to respond to the question Regis had just asked her.Truthfully, Amora didn’t even fully understand her own feelings. She wasn’t sure if she had broken her own vow never to fall in love again—a promise she had kept for the past seven years, haunted by fear and pain from her past.Her previous experience had left a deep scar on her heart. Yet, after spending nearly a month growing close to Regis, she found herself feeling an unexpected sense of comfort—a sensation she never thought she’d experience again.Still, Amora had repeatedly reminded herself not to make the same mistake twice. She had ingrained it in her mind: loving anyone meant opening herself up to disappointment.“Do I ... have feelings for him?” Amora wondered silently.Amora had considered the possibility that her feelings for Regis were nothing more than temporary
A nervous smile appeared on Amora’s lips as she tried to clear her mind, which had suddenly gone blank because of a strange question that popped into her thoughts.“I-I thought our relationship has always been mutually beneficial. What do you mean by saying you’re hurt? Aren’t we both grown-ups who can accept the risks of our actions? Do we really need to make a fuss over such a small accident?”Amora tried to keep an open mind. She still wasn’t sure if Regis had any special feelings for her.‘Have I not made my signals clear enough?’ Regis thought as he let out a weary sigh. He wasn’t sure if he was being too dense or if Amora was just too oblivious to pick up on the signs of love he’d been giving her all along.Suddenly, Regis placed his large hand on top of Amora’s head, ruffling her long hair playfully.“Regis, stop it! What’s wrong with you?” Amora complained, trying to fend off his hand, which seemed determined to turn her into his personal plaything.“You must be feeling better