“Dad, do I really have to wear this?”Rayden asked his father who was watching his appearance in the full-length mirror that revealed his handsome and adorable figure.They were in an upscale boutique, where Regis had ordered a tailored suit for his son and a gown for his wife, both for the upcoming Royal Dragon anniversary celebration.Rayden was in the same fitting room as his father. His mother was in a different fitting room from them.Rayden is currently trying on a black tuxedo suit with a silver tie adorned with tiny diamonds. It was by far the most expensive outfit he had ever worn, and its weight was a bit much for his small frame.“You look incredibly handsome, son,” Regis complimented with a broad smile.“But it’s so heavy, Dad,” Rayden whined.Regis understood his son’s discomfort. The tuxedo was indeed a bit heavy—unsurprising, considering it wasn’t just designed by a renowned fashion designer but also incorporated cutting-edge technology that rendered it bulletproof.Reg
A wave of confusion swept over Rayden’s mind as he processed the question his father had just asked. He vividly remembered his mother asking him a similar question years ago, just before deciding to marry Regis.Back then, Rayden thought his mom was joking. After all, she had only asked for his opinion about Regis becoming his father, which made him happy since he had always wanted a father figure.This time, this similar question, with a different intent, certainly made Rayden think hard. He felt that Regis didn't just want to ask for his opinion, but there was another purpose that the man wanted to know from him.If he wanted to equate Regis with his biological father, of course, Rayden didn't like it. Although he had never met him in person and had no idea who his biological father was. In his mind there was only a negative assessment of the figure.Tilting his head slightly, Rayden fixed his sharp gaze on Regis.“Daddy is Daddy. There’s no way you’re anything like him,” Rayden dec
"Could he really be my biological father?"Rayden muttered to himself in front of the mirror. The thought had crossed his mind out of nowhere. Suspicion after suspicion began to bubble up, but he quickly shook his head.“No … no way. He’s not my real father,” Rayden mumbled, trying to push away his own analysis.“Where’s Mommy’s handsome prince?”Amora's voice interrupted Rayden's thoughts. He immediately turned his head and found his mother standing at the door of his fitting room.Amora looked stunning and elegant in a luxurious gown that highlighted her beauty.Rayden blinked, momentarily taken aback by her appearance.“Wow... my son is so handsome,” Amora praised enthusiastically. Her smile wide as she took in the sight of her son in formal attire for the first time.“You know, Ray, I almost thought you stepped right out of a fairy tale book,” she teased, giggling at her own imagination.Rayden gave her a shy smile as he walked toward her, gazing at her intently.“You’re beautiful
After finishing the fitting session, the sun had already begun its descent. Regis invited Amora and their son to dine at a restaurant his assistant had reserved.Upon arrival, a waiter and the restaurant manager greeted them warmly and escorted them to the private room they had booked.Rayden’s wide eyes wandered around the VIP room in awe. He took in the beautiful crystal chandeliers hanging elegantly from the high ceiling.His little feet quickly carried him to the large windows, which offered a breathtaking view of the city glowing with a myriad of twinkling lights.Mark followed closely behind, his duty being to accompany his young master’s son.“Do you like this restaurant, Little Young Master?” Mark asked, noting the sparkle in the boy’s eyes.Rayden looked up and nodded enthusiastically. His gaze shifted to the long dining table, where his parents were busy ordering food with the help of the manager.“Uncle Carter, can I ask you something?” Rayden whispered softly, as if afraid
“Do you remember what I mentioned earlier in the car? About the security detail?”Regis began the serious topic he had wanted to discuss with his wife.Amora gave a small nod.“Starting tomorrow, there will be someone escorting you and Ray. I hope you can get used to this arrangement.”Amora was stunned, staring at her husband in disbelief.“Tomorrow? Didn’t you say you’d only do that once our relationship became public knowledge?” Amora protested at his unexpected decision.“I’ve changed my mind,” Regis replied nonchalantly.Amora clicked her tongue in annoyance. She had thought life would stay normal until the Royal Dragon anniversary celebration.For the past few days, Amora had observed Regis, who always seemed to act with a clear reason. Even if he sometimes avoided explaining things outright, causing misunderstandings that led to arguments, they would eventually clear the air.Oddly enough, neither of them ever stayed upset for long. It had become part of their dynamic.Amora fe
After dinner, Mark drove his young master, along with his wife and child, back to their penthouse.“Thank you, Mark. You should rest too. We’ll continue our discussion tomorrow,” Regis said as they stood at the entrance to his residence.Mark nodded. “Goodnight, Young Master,” he replied respectfully before heading back to the elevator and leaving.Regis shut the penthouse door, switched to his indoor slippers, and walked inside, scanning the room. He noticed neither his wife nor son were around. “They disappeared fast,” he muttered.The two had gone in earlier while he and Mark briefly discussed his schedule for the following day.Regis took off his suit jacket and tie, tossing them onto a bar stool. He grabbed a bottle of mineral water and then stepped into the gym to do a little physical activity.This was his nightly routine when there were no pressing matters. Burning off calories helped him drain his energy, ensuring a good night’s sleep without battling insomnia.He unbuttoned
Amora’s hand froze mid-air as she was about to unlock her son’s tablet. But after a moment of hesitation, she proceeded to try opening it. Unfortunately, she couldn’t—Rayden had set up a passcode on the device.She pursed her lips in annoyance and glanced over at her son, who was now doing his best to avoid her inquisitive gaze.“Ray…”Before Amora could ask further about the passcode, Rayden snatched the tablet from her hands and quickly hid it behind his small back.Reacting instinctively, Amora stretched out her hand toward him. “Give me the tablet, Ray!” she commanded.Rayden pressed his lips together tightly and bowed his head low, still keeping the tablet firmly behind him.Amora let out a long sigh. She realized she might be acting too strict, but she had to know what her son was trying to hide.Her concern wasn’t baseless. Amora feared Rayden might be caught up in something harmful. Technology had advanced rapidly, but online dangers had grown just as quickly. She didn’t want
Rayden looked back at his mother and asked, “Mom, is it possible for two people to look so much alike even if they’re not blood-related?”Amora smiled faintly. “I once read that every person has seven doppelgangers in the world, people who aren’t related to them at all. But honestly, I’ve never been sure since I’ve never seen it myself,” she replied.Rayden nodded thoughtfully. Earlier, he had read a similar article, but the question still lingered in his mind. Was his resemblance to Regis mere coincidence, especially given their significant age difference?Before Rayden could ask more, his mother preemptively addressed the question forming in his mind. “But you and Regis might resemble each other not because you have no blood relation, Ray.”The statement that fell from his mother's lips did not surprise Rayden too much. However, he was at a loss for words to express his feelings.A sigh slowly escaped Amora's nose as she reached for her son's tiny hands, which felt very cold when sh
Two young men, Mark and Xavier, stepped out of the bathroom inside Madam Lorenzo's cabin. They exhaled simultaneously, relieved as they finally breathed in the fresh air outside the cramped space."Has the big boss left?" Mark asked as he scanned the surroundings."Relax, it's clear now," Alicia replied, patting her brother's assistant on the shoulder."Thank goodness. I thought I’d have to spend the night in there," Xavier joked, making Alicia giggle.Just minutes earlier, Mark and Xavier had visited Winny Silverlake. They had explained in detail how Diego had locked up Regis and asked the old woman for help in getting him out.Right as they finished their discussion, Diego and his wife happened to pass by Madam Lorenzo's cabin, prompting the elderly woman to call her son and daughter-in-law in for a talk.Mark and Xavier had no choice but to hide in the bathroom, fearing that Diego would find out they had tattled to Madam Lorenzo."Did the Master agree to listen, Miss?" Mark asked f
Madam Lorenzo’s chest rose and fell rapidly. Her clenched fist tightened around the armrest of the sofa. She never expected her son to be so brazen, openly defying her opinion.Seeing her mother-in-law’s dazed expression, Liliana, who had been sitting beside her, quickly grabbed a glass of water and handed it to the older woman. Madam Lorenzo took slow sips, trying to suppress the storm of anger raging inside her.“Mother, please don’t let this get to you. You need to think about your health too,” Liliana urged, speaking for the first time since the confrontation began.Liliana looked genuinely concerned about the elderly woman’s condition. Though she didn’t fully understand why her husband was opposing his mother, she still tried to ease the tension.“Maybe Diego is just worried that Miss Lysander’s kindness might be taken advantage of, Mother. Our family is constantly in the public eye, and there are plenty of people who would love to exploit that,” Liliana said, unintentionally sou
"A woman like that?"Madam Lorenzo's eyes narrowed sharply. She clearly didn't like the cynical tone in her son's voice."And what kind of woman do you want for this family, Diego? Regis wants to get married and has found someone who suits him—isn't that something to be grateful for? You and Liliana have been searching for a woman for him all this time, but what have you accomplished?" Madam Lorenzo snapped, throwing a sharp glance at her daughter-in-law.Liliana Ritter could only purse her lips slightly, unable to refute her mother-in-law's words.However, Diego wasn’t about to back down so easily. "Mother, I know you want Regis to settle down. But we can’t just let him marry any woman."Madam Lorenzo scoffed. "Are you saying I don’t know how to choose properly?"Alicia held back a smile. She could see how powerless her father was every time he argued with her grandmother."That’s not what I meant, Mother. But we need to find a woman with a clear background. Did you know that she was
"Damn it! How long does he plan to keep me locked up in here?"A low growl, followed by a sharp wince, slipped from Regis' lips. He was still trapped inside the executive cabin, his current prison.Not a single drop of water had been given to him by his father’s men, leaving his throat painfully dry. His appearance was a mess from repeatedly trying to break down the door. Unfortunately, the door was sturdy, and all he had managed to do was injure himself in the process.The room had a balcony overlooking the open river. Regis could jump from there, but the risk was too high—especially with the strong currents rushing below on this late night.As much as he wanted to escape, he wasn’t about to throw his life away. He needed another plan."Young Master, I'm sorry. We should've been more careful earlier," Albert muttered from across the room.A while ago, Albert and Pedro, along with several others, had attempted to fight off the guards stationed outside. But they had been utterly defeat
'No! I can't give up just like that. I can't make Regis worry. He must be fighting on his own right now. Ray needs me too. There's no time for me to keep feeling sorry for myself.'The light in Amora's eyes, which had dimmed, sparkled once more. She quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and straightened her posture.Even though she had felt weak and helpless just moments ago, she reminded herself that she couldn't just sit there crying. At the very least, she had to find out what was happening with Regis.Worry was written all over Amora's face. She was sure Regis was in a powerless situation, especially since Diego had control over her husband's phone.Determined, Amora picked up her phone and searched for Albert’s contact. But he was unreachable.'Albert must be in trouble too,' she guessed.She then tried calling Estelle. She was certain her friend was still there and might be able to provide some information.It didn’t take long for Estelle to pick up. “Hello, Amor
“Have you heard from Regis yet?”Noel’s question momentarily pulled Amora out of her thoughts. She shook her head slightly and let out a weary sigh.“He might have been forced to stay there,” Amora guessed.“But he should’ve at least contacted you, Amora.”Noel’s words hit the mark. She had been waiting for any news from Regis or Albert, but neither had sent a message or called.She had considered reaching out to Regis first but worried that her call might interrupt him while he was busy speaking with guests.Amora had heard that the Royal Dragon’s anniversary celebration would last all night. The guests would only be disembarking from the ship the following morning, making tonight the event's grand finale.As the son and heir of the Lorenzo family, Regis was expected to stay. Even though Amora wished he could be by her side, she couldn’t afford to be selfish. At the very least, she felt relieved knowing that Rayden was in stable condition and only needed time to recover.Still, the s
"Amora, you should get some rest. Let me watch over Ray."Noel's voice broke Amora's thoughts as she sat by Rayden’s bedside. Her son looked much better after receiving the best medical care. Exhausted, Rayden had fallen into a deep sleep, and Amora stayed by his side.Seeing the fatigue etched on Amora's face, Noel felt a pang of sympathy. She hadn’t left Rayden’s side from the moment they rushed to the hospital until the doctors finished treating him."It’s fine. I’m worried he’ll look for me when he wakes up," Amora murmured, her voice hoarse.Noel let out a quiet sigh. He grabbed a bottle of water he had bought from a vending machine earlier and handed it to her."At least drink some water. Your lips are dry," Noel coaxed gently.Amora turned to him, offering a small smile before accepting the bottle. She took slow sips, instantly feeling relief in her parched throat."Thank you, Noel. You must be tired too. You should go home. I can manage here," Amora said sincerely.Noel's lips
"Mr.Volker, I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Albert stammered, swallowing hard. He could see the anger radiating from the leader of the Golden Snake, but he couldn't quite understand the reason behind it.Hearing the commotion at the stern of the yacht, Mark Carter quickly approached and saw Alejandro intimidating his colleague."Damn it!" Alejandro growled, shoving Albert forcefully, making him stumble backward.Mark rushed forward, catching Albert before he could fall."Thanks, Mark," Albert exhaled in relief.Mark remained silent, his eyes shifting to Alejandro Volker, who was repeatedly tapping his cane against the helicopter pad, his frustration and disappointment evident.Summoning his courage, Mark approached the leader of the Golden Snake. "Mr. Volker, is there something wrong? This area is restricted. I must ask you to return inside," he said respectfully.Alejandro's sharp eyes narrowed at Mark, displeased by the audacity of his words. He knew his actions had drawn attention
"What’s going on?"Several guests were startled when they saw a twin-engine helicopter landing on the helipad at the stern of the cruise ship.The helicopter was significantly larger than the usual models, as it was a multipurpose type. The ship's helipad was spacious enough to accommodate such an aircraft. This grand and luxurious vessel had been designed precisely to meet its owner's needs.The unexpected arrival of the helicopter added to the lively atmosphere at the bow of the ship. At that moment, many guests were enjoying the spectacular fireworks exploding beautifully in the distant night sky, set up to enhance the evening’s celebration.Noticing the helicopter, the guests lounging in the area began rushing toward the stern, eager to find out what was happening."Isn’t that the woman Young Master Lorenzo acknowledged earlier?" One of the guests remarked upon seeing Amora walking toward the helipad.This guest had witnessed Regis' declaration earlier and instantly recognized Amo