Seeing the two large trucks filled with gifts, Damon raised an eyebrow in surprise. "How much did you buy?""I bought all of his birthday and holiday gifts until he turns 20," Nyla answered. "I also labeled and categorized them by year. When the time comes, you can just pick one and give it to him."Damon was at a loss for words.After the service staff moved everything into the designated room, Nyla finished organizing the gifts.When she turned around, she found Damon leaning silently against the doorframe.Sensing something was off, she asked, "Damon, what's wrong?"He pressed his lips together, meeting her gaze. "You prepared all these gifts for Buddy... What about me? Don't you have something for me to keep? Are you really planning to just leave like this?"Nyla stepped closer, standing directly in front of him. "Buddy is the most precious thing I'm leaving for you. And I'm not disappearing forever. One day, the three of us will be together again."Damon pulled her into hi
Damon paused mid-step and turned back to look at Nyla. "Alright."Seeing him walking toward her again, clearly about to pick her up, she quickly stopped him. "No need, I can walk on my own."Afraid he'd insist on carrying her anyway, she immediately stood and hurried toward the stairs, taking the long way around the couch.Watching her flee, Damon couldn't help but smirk. But as the smile lingered, a shadow of sadness darkened his gaze.Unaware of his emotions, Nyla quickly returned to the bedroom.Mason was already awake, sitting on the bed, groggily rubbing his eyes.When he saw her, he asked in a soft, sleepy voice, "Mommy, when did you carry me here?"His messy bedhead and drowsy little face were so adorable that Nyla couldn't resist reaching out to pinch his cheek. "After you fell asleep last night. Now that you're up, go back to your room and change, okay?"Mason nodded and was about to climb out of bed when he suddenly noticed something. "Mommy, I can't find my slippers.
"I don't believe you! You're lying! Are you sick?" Mason cried."No…" No matter how much Nyla explained, Mason refused to believe her.Eventually, she had no choice but to call Damon over. It took both of them a long time to convince him.Even then, Mason was still sniffling. "Mommy... are you leaving because you don't want me and Daddy anymore?"Nyla was rendered speechless. How was she supposed to explain such a complicated situation to a five-year-old?She could only keep it simple. "No, Mommy's just going away for work. When I finish, I'll come back. And in the meantime, we can still talk on the phone.""Mommy... are we out of money?" Mason's little fists clenched. "I can make money too!"He had written code for his master before, and his master had given him lots of money. If he kept working, he could earn even more."No, Mommy's not leaving just for money. One day, when you're older, you'll understand," Nyla replied gently."I don't want to understand!" Mason suddenly ju
After a long pause, Alexander finally spoke to comfort Mason. "Buddy, don't be sad. Your mom probably has something important to take care of, but she'll definitely come back to you one day."Mason wiped his tears. "How long is 'one day'?""Well... I'm not sure. You'll have to ask your mom," Alexander replied."Okay..." Mason muttered.Alexander continued to console him for a while before ending the call. He set his phone down, walked over to the window, and let out a quiet sigh as he gazed into the night.Nyla was leaving for Meristate, and who knew when she'd be able to return? It might be years before Mason could see her again.…Nyla paced anxiously around the living room, constantly glancing up at the second floor. Worry was etched on her face as Mason still refused to leave his room.Seeing her restlessness, Damon walked over, gently took her arm, and guided her to sit on the couch."Nyla, worrying won't help. Buddy needs time to process this. If he still won't come out
"Can't she just take me with her?" Mason asked.Damon hesitated. The kid was too smart for his own good."If you go with Mommy, what about me? I'd be all alone in this big house. Would you really leave me here by myself?" Damon asked."You still have Lydia and everyone else," Mason answered."But they're not the same as you and Mommy. You and Mommy are the most important people to me," Damon explained.Mason thought for a moment. "Then why don't you come with us?"Damon sighed. "I can't. I have to run the company. If I leave, thousands of people will lose their jobs. Would you want all those families to go hungry?""I don't... but I don't want Mommy to leave either," Mason replied."I don't want her to leave either. But she has to. So why don't you stay here with me and wait for her to return, okay?" Damon asked.Mason wanted to refuse, but seeing his father's sad expression, he couldn't bring himself to say no.Although Mason was more mature than other kids his age, he wasn'
Lydia froze for a moment, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Mrs. Sumner, where are you going?""I'm going abroad, and I'll be gone for a long time. Please take care of Damon and Buddy for me," Nyla said.It took Lydia a moment to process what she had just heard.When she finally did, she hurriedly reassured her, "Don't worry. I'll take good care of them."Nyla smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Lydia."After their conversation, Nyla turned and walked toward the door, where Damon and Mason were waiting to take her to the airport.…The drive was silent.Over an hour later, the car pulled up to the airport entrance.Nyla took a deep breath and turned to Damon. "Damon, while I'm gone, please take good care of Buddy and yourself. Your health is the most important thing."Damon nodded. "I will. Once you arrive in Meristate, the people I've arranged to protect you will contact you. If you're ever in danger, reach out to them. They'll make sure you're safe.""Okay," Nyla replied, then l
Nyla didn't spare them another glance as she walked toward the security checkpoint.Emerald's expression darkened, but she controlled her temper. She decided she would deal with Nyla properly once they reached Meristate.After passing through security, the three of them waited in the lounge.Alexander occasionally initiated small talk with Nyla, while Emerald rested, her eyes closed.Before long, an airport staff member announced that boarding was beginning.They boarded the plane, and after a long, exhausting flight, they finally landed in Meristate.As soon as they disembarked, a chauffeur approached to take Nyla's luggage.She followed Alexander and Emerald to a car.Another hour’s drive brought them to a grand estate on the outskirts of the city.The towering iron gates, adorned with intricate carvings, stood at least four or five meters high—majestic and imposing.As the gates swung open, the car drove inside.The estate slowly came into view. Its gothic spires pierced
The girl smiled at Alexander. "Alexander, you're finally back! Do you know how much I missed you while you were gone?"Alexander raised an eyebrow. "If I remember correctly, you told me you hoped I'd never come back when I left."The girl stuck out her tongue playfully. "You must've misheard! How could I ever want you to stay away? Oh, and by the way, did you bring me a gift?"As she spoke, she stepped up to Alexander, holding out her hand expectantly.Alexander chuckled. "Don't worry. I brought you something. I'll have the service staff send it to your room later.""It better be something I like! If I don't like it, I'll just have them return it to you," the girl warned."Alright, alright," Alexander replied. "By the way, let me introduce you—this is Nyla Kinsey. She's your elder sister."The girl's smile faded slightly, and her gaze toward Nyla was tinged with hostility. "Oh? Elder sister? If I'm not mistaken, I only have one elder brother. Where exactly did this 'sister' come
Nyla looked at Valarie. "What do you mean, giving each other looks? Just eat. I made your favorite—spicy chicken."Valarie nodded. "Okay."As they ate, Damon glanced at Brandon. "When are you going back to the company?"It had been nearly a month since Brandon left the Sumner Group. If he stayed away much longer, the people he had trained might start siding with someone else.Brandon paused mid-bite, instinctively glancing at Valarie across the table. She didn't even look his way.After a brief silence, he lowered his gaze. "In a few days.""Alright." Damon didn't press the issue.Brandon was the CEO of the Sumner Group. Damon couldn't keep treating him like a subordinate.Halfway through the meal, Brandon's phone rang.Seeing Jayden's name on the screen, he frowned and ignored it. But the phone rang again. And again.After declining multiple calls, he realized the others at the table were all looking at him.He picked up the phone. "It might be urgent."Stepping aside, he
"I just wanted to see if you'd tell me the truth. Now I know—you don't trust me," Jayden said.Michelle cried, "Fine! I admit it. I sent Stefan after Valarie. I wanted him to ruin her relationship with Brandon! Go ahead and tell Brandon if you want! I don't care!"She stood, ready to leave.Before she reached the door, Jayden's voice echoed behind her."I won't tell Brandon," he said. "But I won't help you anymore, either. There's still time to stop this. You can walk away now."Michelle's footsteps faltered momentarily, but she didn't turn back. She had never regretted her choices—why would she stop now?As long as she could have Brandon in the end, she wouldn't give up.If Jayden refused to help, she'd just have to figure it out on her own.…That evening, as Valarie got off work, she received a call from Nyla."Valarie, come over for dinner tonight! Oh, and by the way, I sent you a thank-you gift last night. Make sure you accept it," Nyla said.Valarie had seen Nyla's mon
"Whether or not you're having me followed, who I choose to spend time with is my business. I hope you'll stop prying into my private life," Valarie said.Brandon grabbed her wrist, his voice low and firm. "Valarie, the month is almost up. Don't forget the promise you made."She pulled away. "There's still a week left. We'll talk when the time comes."With that, she turned and left.Brandon watched her go, frustration darkening his face.The anonymous photos he'd received that morning were still fresh in his mind, making his expression even stormier.Forcing himself to stay calm, he pulled out his phone and called his assistant. "Find out who sent those photos to my email this morning."After hanging up, his mood remained grim. It was time to give Stefan a warning.Just as he was about to leave, his phone rang again.His eyes flickered with annoyance at the unfamiliar number. Without hesitation, he rejected the call and blocked it.Ever since he'd cut off Michelle, she'd been
Valarie turned to the couch and saw Stefan sitting there, watching her with concern."You stayed here all night?" she asked, surprised."Yeah." He nodded. "You drank too much last night. I was worried about you, so I stayed to look after you.""That must've been exhausting," Valarie remarked.Stefan shook his head. "It wasn't. How do you feel now? I bought you breakfast and made you honey water this morning. If your head hurts, the honey water should help.""I'll wash my face first." Valarie got out of bed and went to the bathroom.While freshening up, she noticed several faint red marks on her neck and chest—suspiciously like hickeys. She frowned slightly.When she stepped out, Stefan was still on the couch, looking especially well-behaved.Valarie sat across from him, pointed at her neck, and asked bluntly, "Did you do this?"The moment the words left her mouth, Stefan's face turned bright red. He lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. "I... I couldn't help myself. But I swear
After placing Valarie on the couch, Stefan stepped out of the private room to answer the call.Michelle sneered. "Stefan, tomorrow is the deadline for your mother's medical bill, and you haven't made any progress."Looks like you really don't care about the money. Or… have you gotten close to Valarie and don't need it anymore?"What a pity. Valarie still doesn't know you have ulterior motives. Do you want me to help tell her?"Stefan lowered his head, his eyes dark with emotion. "I'll send the photos in a bit."He hung up without hesitation.Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he didn't return to the private room immediately. Instead, he leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette. The swirling smoke obscured his features, making it impossible to read his expression.It felt like his entire life had been shrouded in darkness since birth. No matter how hard he fought, he could never break free.His phone buzzed with a new message from Michelle.Michelle: [Stefan, your mo
Nyla continued. "And Buddy?""Mr. Mason has already gone to bed," Lydia reported.Nyla nodded, then turned and made her way to the study.She gently pushed the door open and saw Damon fast asleep on the couch. Quietly, she stepped inside.The couch wasn't very big—perfect for her to nap on while reading. But for someone as tall as Damon, it looked rather cramped.As she moved closer, she noticed he hadn't even loosened his tie before falling asleep. A flicker of distress crossed her eyes. He must have been exhausted from all the wedding preparations.Carefully, she reached out, loosened his tie, and unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt. Then she grabbed a blanket and draped it over him.After making sure he was comfortable, she left the room as quietly as she had entered.Since she wasn't sleepy yet, she decided to sit in the living room for a while.Just as she settled on the couch, Lydia approached with a shawl. "Mrs. Sumner, the temperature drops at night. Keep warm.
Nyla was momentarily stunned but reached out to accept the gift."Can I open it now?" she asked.Alexander nodded. "Of course."She lifted the lid and found a stunning ruby necklace inside, surrounded by diamonds that shimmered like a star-studded sky. It was breathtaking—impossible to look away from."It's beautiful. Thank you," she gasped."As long as you like it, that's all that matters. By the way, where's Buddy?" Alexander asked."He's probably in the main hall," Nyla answered.Alexander chuckled. "Alright. I'll go look for him."As soon as he left, Valarie let out a gasp of amazement. "Nyla, who was that guy? I just saw this necklace on the news a while ago. It was auctioned off for 20,000,000 dollars to a mysterious buyer! And now, I see it in real life—right here!"Nyla was taken aback. She hadn't expected the necklace to be that valuable.She examined it again. Aside from its beauty, it didn't seem all that special."Are you sure it's worth so much?" she asked.Val
Opening the food container, Nyla found it filled with all her favorite snacks. She couldn't help but smile."Valarie, you barely ate anything earlier. Want some?" she asked.Valarie glanced at the food, raised an eyebrow, and replied, "I'm already full—from all the PDA I've been force-fed today."Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was already 2:00 p.m.Valarie led Nyla out of the dressing room, where Harrison waited at the entrance, seated in his wheelchair.The moment Nyla saw him, her eyes welled with tears. "Dad."Harrison's voice thickened with emotion. "I'm here to walk you down the aisle."Nyla squeezed his hand as they descended the stairs together.At the entrance to the grand hall, Nyla held her bouquet with one hand and her father's hand with the other, her heart racing with anticipation.The doors swung open.Damon stood at the end of the aisle, dressed in a sharp white suit. His eyes locked onto Nyla's, filled with nothing but love and tenderness.E
At that moment, Nyla finally understood what Damon had meant by a "surprise."Her eyes welled with emotion as she turned to Valarie. "Where is he now?""I'm not sure, but he's probably still handling the wedding preparations. Try on the dress first and see if it fits!" Valarie said with a grin.Nyla blinked back her tears and nodded. "Okay."With Valarie's help, she slipped into the wedding dress.It fit her perfectly—just as she had imagined.Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she felt a bit dazed.It had been so long since she'd last worn a wedding dress—so long that she had almost forgotten what it felt like.Beside her, Valarie admired the sight. "You look gorgeous! My best friend never disappoints. Oh, wait—there's still this!"Nyla turned to see Valarie holding a diamond-studded tiara. She couldn't help but smile."Let me put it on for you," Valarie offered."Okay."Valarie carefully adjusted the tiara on Nyla's head, making sure it sat just right."Perfect," sh