"Hey, Kid. We came here to celebrate your arrival. Could you at least appreciate me a little?" Gino quipped at Xavier, who was still engrossed in his laptop.The moment Gino called him "Kid," Xavier shot him a sharp glare. Even though he was much younger than the other two men, he refused to be underestimated. Not wanting to engage in an argument, Xavier simply ignored him.Gino let out a heavy sigh. Hearing about Xavier’s arrival from Regis yesterday, he’d been so excited. He caught the latest flight, even traveling from another continent, just to meet him. But now that he was here, he was being ignored."Why am I even friends with people like you two?" Gino grumbled, his face set in a look of exaggerated annoyance. Of course, he wasn’t serious. It was just his way of expressing frustration.Since the incident that had involved them in a case of theft and auction fraud, Gino had grown to admire both Regis and Xavier. When he found out Xavier was in London, he didn’t think twice about
Regis handed the bottle of vodka Gino had just opened to Xavier. “Done already?”Xavier nodded, grabbing an empty glass and accepting Regis’s offer of a drink.“What else do you have to do besides the task I gave you, Xavier?”Regis was curious about his friend’s busyness. All he’d asked Xavier to do was keep an eye on his son for a bit. To ensure Rayden’s safety at school, Regis had enlisted Xavier’s help.Regis couldn’t trust anyone else to protect Rayden because of the threats posed by Levent and Golden Snake, both of which required him to be vigilant about his subordinates.When Regis learned of Xavier’s arrival, he couldn’t think of anyone better suited for the mission.His trust in Xavier wasn’t based on instinct alone; their long-standing relationship had given them ample time to understand each other.After the jewel heist case was resolved, Regis hadn’t seen Xavier anywhere in New York City. However, fate had reunited them in a different place a year later.When Regis’s fathe
"Leave your son’s problem to me, Regis. I’ll make sure he’s safe."Hearing Xavier’s assurance, Regis smiled and nodded. He trusted the young man wouldn’t disappoint him."What are you guys talking about? Can’t you discuss something I actually understand?" Gino chimed in, feeling even more left out of the conversation.Xavier chuckled. "It’s better if you don’t know—if you value your life," he teased.Clicking his tongue in irritation, Gino opted to sip his vodka rather than look clueless. He already knew Regis had deliberately kept him in the dark to avoid dragging him and the Moonstone family into dangerous matters.Even without asking, Gino understood that most of Regis’s problems were life-threatening. It wasn’t that Gino didn’t want to help; he just knew his limits. He’d only end up being a liability. Besides, he was confident Regis could handle things, especially with Xavier’s help."So, Xavier, what’s brought you here? Can’t you just talk things out with your father? I bet they’
Regis had arrived at his penthouse. He entered the access code for the door and stepped inside as it swung open.The interior was dimly lit, with only a few lights casting soft glows in scattered corners of the room.“Amora? Ray?” Regis called out. But there was no response from either of them. The entire space was eerily quiet, the only sound being his own footsteps.‘Looks like everyone’s asleep,’ he guessed.He glanced at his watch, the face on his left wrist showing it was already nine in the evening. The drive to the penthouse had taken longer than expected, thanks to heavy traffic.After swapping his shoes for indoor slippers, Regis headed toward the living room. He stopped abruptly when a sharp pain flared beneath his chest.His hand instinctively reached out to steady himself against something. He bent slightly and leaned against the piano in the room. But his weight accidentally pressed down on the keys, sending an echoing note reverberating through the space.Regis let out a
The ginger water Amora had prepared was now boiling. She poured it into a clear glass and carried it, placing a coaster beneath the cup.She also brought two boiled egg whites, something Noel once told her was helpful for reducing excess stomach acid.Amora walked to the bedroom since Regis was no longer in the living room. Upon entering, she heard the sound of running water from behind the bathroom's glass door.She placed the glass of ginger water and the plate with the boiled egg whites on the small table next to the bed.Amora thought about leaving the room before Regis came out of the bathroom. However, the sound of water had stopped, and moments later, Regis emerged wearing only a bathrobe.Amora quickly turned her face away. “The ginger water is over there,” she said, pointing to the glass she had set down earlier.Regis gave it a brief glance before turning his gaze back to her.“Drink it when it’s not too hot. I also made boiled eggs for you. Eat them before you sleep,” Amora
"Speak," Amora replied indifferently.Her nonchalant attitude made Regis boil with frustration. He didn’t speak immediately, observing how Amora deliberately ignored him by staying glued to her phone, as if disregarding his presence entirely.Finally, Regis snatched the phone from her hands.“Regis, give me back my phone!” Amora snapped.But Regis held the phone behind his back. “It’s late, Amora. Who could possibly be bothering you at this hour?” he questioned.Before Amora could respond, Regis checked her phone himself. The screen merely displayed a game she’d been playing.“No one’s contacting me, are they? Satisfied now?” Amora said lazily, brushing off his accusation.Amora knew she shouldn’t act so childish but couldn’t help herself. It reminded her of her son earlier that afternoon, who had thrown a similar tantrum.“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to accuse you,” Regis said, returning her phone. “I thought you were still mad at me and ignoring me on purpose.”“You must still be drunk
“I'm sorry. My phone died completely and I really didn't know that my message wasn't delivered.”Regis expressed his regret to Amora. He then recounted everything that had happened to him throughout the day, including his dramatic entrance into the Jefferson residence.Amora lifted her face and looked at Regis in shock when he told her about his actions in capturing the perpetrators of the Jefferson family members.“You …. you’re not hurt, right? Are you okay?”Without waiting for an answer, Amora anxiously began inspecting Regis. She lifted his arms and turned him around to ensure he hadn’t sustained any significant injuries.Suddenly, Regis pulled off his plain T-shirt, revealing his broad chest, and tossed it carelessly onto the floor. “Want to check this part too?” he teased.Seeing the finely chiseled muscles of Regis’s body, Amora’s face flushed instantly. “Wh-why are you taking your shirt off?” she protested, flustered.“I’m just trying to make it easier for you,” Regis replied
"Wa-wait! I’ll talk!" Amora blurted out as Regis leaned closer, his lips just a whisper away. She quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, blocking him before he could take advantage of her silence.Regis halted, his lips curving into a smirk. One thick eyebrow arched, silently urging her to speak.Amora hesitated but eventually lowered her hand. Her eyes glared sharply at him, her lips pursed in frustration over how powerless she felt against him.She then recounted her day, including her meeting with Estelle Mauverick. However, she intentionally omitted the part about being mocked and bullied by Chelsea Harrison and Gloria Barclay.Amora refused to be seen as someone who only complained. Moreover, she didn’t want Regis to dirty his hands when dealing with those two women.“So, you’re thinking about starting a business?” Regis murmured, clearly surprised at the collaboration Estelle Mauverick had proposed to his wife.Amora nodded. “I just can’t sit around doing nothing and living of
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