Beau opened his mouth wide, his wails echoing through the empty basketball gym. He clutched the container of oranges Elara had given him, but he looked like a small, abandoned animal."Mr. Beau!" The bodyguard hurriedly tried to comfort him, but had no idea how to stop Beau's crying.Harvey walked over. "Beau Fisher, why are you crying?"He was annoyed by his son's sudden emotional breakdown. "You're five years old. What's there to cry about?"Earlier, Harvey had seen Elara give Beau the container of oranges. As soon as Elara left, Beau started crying. Harvey now reached out to take the takeout box from Beau's lap."No!" Beau shouted.He immediately leaned forward to shield the oranges with his body, as if they were his most precious treasure.Harvey's expression turned cold as he warned, "Stop crying!"He didn't know how to comfort a child; he was just frustrated that Beau was crying in front of so many people.Afraid that Harvey would take the oranges away, Beau quickly grab
"Mr. Snapp, congratulations on acquiring Jones Group.""Mr. Snapp, does this acquisition mean that things are getting serious between you and Ms. Jones?"The moment news broke of Theodore and Elara's relationship, it caused a stir across all of Capitol's elite circles. Many business figures attended the event not just for appearances, but in hopes of catching some firsthand gossip.Theodore stood with one hand in his slacks pocket, the hem of his suit jacket creased slightly from the gesture."If Elara and I have any good news to share in the future, we'll be sure to inform you all right away."At that moment, the crowd immediately sensed how close he and Elara must be. They clearly really were dating!"Fantastic! We'll be waiting for your announcement!""Ah, Ms. Jones and her luck in love! Anyone who sees it can't help but say—what a blessed life she leads!"As the crowd buzzed with teasing remarks about Theodore and Elara, a portion of the chatter suddenly fell silent. The pe
Elara had pinned her dark hair into a sleek bun at the back of her head. A crescent-moon-shaped enamel hairpiece held it in place, secured further by a hairpin with black tassels that blended seamlessly into her hair.She wore a light gray tailored suit with a cinched waist, paired with loose, comfortable trousers. Her black low-heeled shoes clicked steadily against the floor with every step—each one firm, and assured.The employees of Joss Tech were already used to seeing Elara in her sharp, capable form."Morning, Ms. Jones," they greeted her warmly as she passed.However, for many of the other guests—figures from the business world invited to the event—it was their first time encountering the woman who now sat at the helm of Joss Tech. Quite a few stood at a distance, scrutinizing her with appraising eyes."Who would've thought someone who got married before even finishing college could become a company's vice president? She spent seven years as a pampered wife in the Fisher fa
Yet at some point, Harvey stopped needing Elara to do those things for him. He began to reject any affectionate gesture she made toward him.The disappointment and loneliness in Elara's eyes had been plain to see, but he ignored it completely. The woman he once dismissed so casually—he could never have her again.The love he had personally discarded was now given to someone else without hesitation. He simply watched as Theodore lowered his head and flashed Elara a brilliant smile.In that moment, Harvey felt an unbearable emptiness crack open in his chest, a black hole that no feeling could ever fill.He forced himself to look away and kept repeating to himself that it's just a brooch. Elara had given him more than one brooch in the past. He wasn't jealous of Theodore—not at all.After all, he had received so many gifts from Elara before: brooches, ties, watches. But now, he couldn't even remember where he had put any of them. He couldn't recall a single design she had chosen.We
Elara sensed something was wrong. She lifted her head and looked toward Theodore. His smile had turned razor-sharp, unreadable. No one could tell what he was thinking at that moment.Then, Theodore raised the speech folder in his hand and showed everyone the blank pages inside."I have no idea which bastard handed me an empty speech folder," he said coolly.Gasps rippled through the guests seated below."How could the folder be blank?""Who would pull something like that?""This is Joss Tech's turf. Could someone from Joss Tech have done something this childish, hoping to provoke Mr. Snapp?"Several people shifted their gaze toward Elara, their expressions now laced with suspicion.Theodore placed both hands firmly on the table and leaned forward, casting his gaze downward toward Harvey, who sat in the first row."Whoever tried to trip me up during this signing ceremony clearly doesn't want Snapp Group to successfully acquire Joss Tech," he declared.Elara reached for the bla
Niamh's eyes sharpened as she suddenly shouted, "I know that man! He's an employee at Joss Tech!"She raised her voice, trying to convince everyone that the speech folder switch had nothing to do with Harvey.But just then, the footage on the screen shifted, showing the same employee meeting with Harvey alone in a hallway. The entire exchange was caught on video.Gasps rippled through the crowd as Niamh's expression changed instantly, her voice catching in her throat. She turned, stunned, and stared at Harvey in disbelief.Was Theodore's speech folder really swapped out because of Harvey? But how could Harvey stoop so low?He had bribed a Joss Tech employee to swap the folder—yet still dared to meet with the guy inside the company building? And he actually went and did it right under a security camera?Niamh's face paled as she looked at Harvey in growing panic. But the man being publicly exposed sat calmly in his seat, completely unbothered. It was like the man caught on camera
When Theodore said the word "break up", a flash of triumph flickered in Harvey's eyes.He knew Theodore was putting on an act, but since the man had gone that far, Harvey was more than happy to see how he'd walk it back."Theodore Snapp, since you've said it, then stand by it!" Harvey declared.Now he was going to force Theodore and Elara to split—right here, right now."I never intended to break up with Mr. Snapp," Elara spoke up.Her hand remained wrapped in Theodore's larger one as she solemnly addressed Harvey. She continued, "And I certainly won't end things with him just because you're trying to stir up trouble between us."Harvey's expression darkened instantly, as if someone had hurled his heart into a pit."Elara…" Theodore called her name gently.Elara tightened her grip on his hand. "He's the one causing a scene at the Snapp-Jones acquisition ceremony. The person who should leave isn't you—it's Harvey!"A smile tugged at the corners of Theodore's lips, while Harvey
"Did Mr. Snapp fall for Ms. Jones back when she was still Mrs. Fisher?""I knew there was a reason Mr. Snapp stayed single all these years—turns out he was pining for another man's wife!"The guests were buzzing with excitement, completely immersed in the drama. Many were now too restless to stay seated."Could it be that Ms. Jones and Mr. Snapp were already involved before her divorce from Mr. Fisher?""It's no wonder Mr. Snapp managed to win her over so quickly! They must've been eyeing each other in secret for a while!""Are you saying Mr. Fisher divorced Ms. Jones because she cheated on him? Damn!"The speculation flew wild, even among high-society elites. The juicier the gossip, the more excited they became.Harvey's black eyes burned with fierce intensity. If Theodore wanted to ruin his reputation, he'd gladly drag him into the dirt with him.Theodore wouldn't get away clean. If he dared covet Harvey Fisher's woman, he would tear him down from his pedestal!Faye, the jou
Theodore spoke calmly, "I'll count to three. Decide by then, or neither of you gets the antidote."With a smirk, he looked at Harvey and began, "Three…"A vein pulsed visibly beneath Harvey's forehead. Theodore was clearly toying with them by offering the antidote."Give it to Niamh!" Harvey's voice was ice. He refused to let Niamh take advantage of the drug's effects to maul him freely."Give it to Harvey!" Niamh shouted.Harvey felt his nerves throbbing beneath his skin, as if his blood pressure might burst through."Why the hell should I take it? So I can stay conscious while you assault me?"Niamh flinched at his harsh words; that was exactly what she'd been thinking.After berating Niamh, Harvey turned his fury on Theodore. "You're the one behind this! You had Elara's assistant lure me here using her name!"His voice was firm, convinced of his accusation. Sweat dripped down Harvey's face as he panted heavily, like a caged beast growling at Theodore.Theodore smirked and
Niamh stood up and moved toward him. Sensing her approach, Harvey whirled around to face her with a guarded expression."Don't bother." His voice was hard, his entire body radiating wariness toward her.Niamh didn't understand his refusal. "Let me get your phone! Then we can call for help!"Harvey didn't believe a word she said—he'd already seen the desire in her eyes. He knew Niamh had feelings for him.This woman would gladly use the drug as an excuse to devour him whole. His phone was in his pants pocket. If he let Niamh reach for it, who knew what lines she might cross?Harvey pressed his back against the door. "Stop! Don't move!"He tried to command her with his voice. "Stay away from me!""Harvey! Are you afraid you won't be able to control yourself?" Niamh couldn't suppress a smirk.She pretended to reassure him. "Don't worry about hurting me. If you keep holding back, you'll only hurt yourself!"Before she could finish speaking, the drug's effects surged through her, d
The moment he heard the name "Elara", Harvey's eyes widened in shock. That name pierced his heart like countless tiny needles, sending waves of pain through his entire body.Niamh cupped his face in her hands. "Harvey, I want to save you! Please, I'm begging you—save me too!"Harvey tried to lift his leg, but with Niamh straddling him, he couldn't shake her off."Get off!" he roared as Niamh's face loomed closer in his vision.With a sudden twist, Harvey rolled violently, sending both of them crashing to the ground."Ahh!" Niamh screamed in pain while Harvey scrambled up in a panic, his body writhing as he desperately put distance between them.Niamh lay on the floor, writhing. "Harvey! How could you do this to me? It hurts!"Harvey glared down at her with an icy gaze. She was barely covered by scraps of fabric. Then, his heart lurched violently, pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from his chest.His vision blurred. As Niamh cried out in pain, her face twisted—and for
Harvey staggered back several steps, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. Beads of sweat rolled down his brow, pooling in the hollows of his eyes. The moisture blurred his vision, yet the window remained intact, without even a hairline crack.Suddenly, Niamh wrapped her arms around him from behind. Her hands roamed freely over his body."Harvey... I can't take it anymore..." she said as she reached for his suit jacket, trying to peel it off.Harvey twisted violently, attempting to shake her off. "Let go!"He growled through clenched teeth, but with his hands restrained behind his back, Niamh easily stripped off his outer jacket.The suit jacket caught around his wrists as Niamh slithered like a snake to his front, looping her arms around his neck. She wore barely any clothes now as she stood on tiptoe to reach his jawline.As she pressed closer, Harvey's stomach churned with overwhelming nausea. He stumbled backward in panic, but Niamh clung to him like a leech as her entire b
"Don't touch me!" Harvey shouted.Nonetheless, Niamh only intensified her efforts, leaping onto him in an attempt to pin him down."Harvey! I'm trying to help you! I'm already undressed! Why won't you take yours off?""No! Let me go!"The more he resisted, the more excited Niamh became. "Why are you making that face? Are you afraid I'll devour you?"Niamh fumbled with Harvey's suit buttons but couldn't undo them.Growing impatient, she snapped, "Ugh! Stop squirming! If you keep wriggling like this, I can't promise what I might do!"Harvey's scalp prickled with alarm as warning bells blared in his head. With a powerful kick of his legs, he sent Niamh tumbling off the couch."Ahhh!" Niamh crashed to the floor with a pained cry.Harvey lay panting on the sofa, staring wide-eyed at Niamh sprawled on the ground. "You've gone absolutely mental!"He even began suspecting Niamh might have orchestrated this trapped-in-a-room scenario. But then reconsidered as Niamh wasn't clever enoug
Niamh's eyes went wide. It wasn't until Harvey said it out loud that everything finally clicked for her. Still stunned, she asked, "Harvey, why are you even here?"Harvey's face was grim as he forced himself to calm down. He laid it out step by step. "Elara's assistant told me she wanted to speak with me alone and asked me to wait for her here."Niamh's gaze dropped to his hands, which had been cuffed behind his back. "Harvey, your hands… Why are you handcuffed? Did Elara order someone to do this?"His expression darkened like scorched iron. He was so agitated and felt like a complete idiot!He didn't even want to think about what had gone through his mind—why he'd believed Elara might still be into that kind of thing. He'd walked right into her trap!The more he thought about it, the more flustered he became. Flames of humiliation and anger seemed to blaze through his chest and gut.He looked around, searching for the key, and urged Niamh, "Help me find the key!""Oh—okay." Nia
Harvey looked up toward the door. His vision blurred around the edges, as if shrouded in mist. Why couldn't he see clearly?He blinked hard. The woman who entered was already standing right in front of him."Harvey." Niamh's legs gave out as she collapsed onto him.Harvey tried to push her away, but his hands were bound behind his back—he couldn't move them. All he could do was scoot his body backward.As if her bones had melted, Niamh slumped against him like a pile of limp clay with her weight dragging downward."Niamh Jones! What the hell are you doing?"Harvey growled, but Niamh's eyes were glazed. She clutched her chest, panting as she looked at him with flushed cheeks."I'm so hot… my body's all tingly."Harvey's gaze turned icy. "Did you take something you weren't supposed to?"Niamh's head was foggy. "I just had a little drink...""Who gave it to you?" Harvey asked sharply."A waiter at the reception," she murmured, sniffing as she looked up. "This room smells really
Someone approached and leaned in close to Harvey's ear, speaking in a low voice. "Mr. Fisher, Ms. Jones would like to speak with you privately."The person delivering the message was Cassie. Harvey froze for a moment. He glanced around the room, only to find that Elara was no longer there."Where is she?" he asked.Cassie replied, "Ms. Jones is waiting in the office outside. Please follow me."Harvey then followed her out.Just moments ago, Elara had barely spoken to him in front of all those people. In fact, she hadn't even spared him a glance. And now, she wanted to see him alone?His breathing grew heavier. So, she really was a fickle woman, juggling both sides! She was ignoring him in front of Theodore, then summoning him in secret?Elara's behavior when it came to men completely shattered Harvey's expectations. She had probably divorced him just to throw herself into total freedom.How could she act like this—flirting left and right? Both Theodore and Lesley had clearly fa
"I didn't!!" Harvey was nearly driven mad with anger—how dare Theodore insult him like that? What a vicious man!"Elara, you have to believe me!"Harvey had never begged anyone like this before. For the first time, he felt the sting of being unable to defend himself. He stood there, feeling completely isolated.Behind Elara, the wealthy elites began whispering among themselves."Did Mr. Fisher even get hurt? He looks totally fine. Meanwhile, Mr. Snapp looks like a wreck.""Obviously, Mr. Snapp's the one who got bullied here.""This isn't the first time Mr. Fisher targeted Mr. Snapp. I saw him throw a punch at him once.""I heard Mr. Fisher even poured a whole bottle of hand soap on Mr. Snapp in the restroom before. He must've done the same this time, dumping wine on him just because he doesn't like him.""This is clearly about Ms. Jones. Mr. Fisher's just trying to steal her back from Mr. Snapp! And now he's trying to get her alone in a room to 'show his injuries'? Please—he's