"You'll understand once you read it, Ms. Jayston," Pete said.If what he had discovered hadn't been significant, he wouldn't have met with Nyla in person.As Nyla opened the file, her expression quickly turned grim. She asked, "Are you sure this information is accurate?"Pete nodded confidently and replied, "Of course, Ms. Jayston. I wouldn't charge such a high fee if I weren't certain of the value of my findings."Closing the file, Nyla inquired, "Can you find concrete evidence that Cyrus orchestrated the accident?"The documents Pete provided revealed that after the bankruptcy of Harris Pharmaceuticals, Godric received a large sum of money and died mysteriously within a year. Before his death, he had contacted Cyrus.While these connections implicated Cyrus in the accident six years ago, there was no direct evidence linking him to it. For Nyla, direct evidence was crucial."I can, but it will take some time. The Sumner family's influence in Saintornia is substantial. If we inv
Meanwhile, Nyla couldn't believe her bad luck. As she left the private room, intending to cross the hall and exit, a drunk man suddenly grabbed her halfway there."Hey, pretty lady, here alone? Hic..." The man hiccuped, his alcohol-laden breath making Nyla nauseous.She yanked her arm free and quickly walked away. However, after just a few steps, several men blocked her path."Hey, lady, ignoring Ty, our boss? You've got guts."Nyla sensed their hostility, and her expression turned cold. "I don't know any 'Ty'. If you don't get out of my way, I'll call the police."The next time she met with Pete, she needed to avoid bars. While they were good for discreet information exchanges, they also attracted troublemakers."Hahaha, call the police? You think we'll give you that chance?" one of the men said as he stepped forward and snatched her phone.Mockingly, he added, "Go ahead, make the call. What are you going to use now?"Nyla remained silent, her mind racing for a way out. They w
It was not unusual for such incidents to occur in a bar, so the surrounding patrons did not react much. Even if some noticed, they were intimidated by Tyler and his men and dared not intervene. After all, playing the hero required some backing.Nyla's mind raced as she sought a way out. She did not want to be taken away like this.Suddenly, several uniformed men stepped in front of Tyler and his crew. "Ty, you can't take this woman."Tyler looked at the manager, Kash Daly, who was leading the group. He removed the cloth from his bloody forehead and sneered. "Kash, see this wound on my head? This woman did it. And if you stop me, you'll have to answer to Big Jin."Tyler's influence in the area made him brazen.Normally, Kash might have given him some leeway. However, in the presence of those higher up, Tyler was insignificant.Kash advised, "Ty, she's someone you can't afford to mess with. I suggest you let her go, or else—"Tyler interrupted with a cold laugh, "Or else what? The
Nyla nodded and said, "Yes, I know."Nathaniel was about to respond when Damon suddenly turned to Nyla, his eyes cold. He asked, "Do you know me that well?"Nathaniel was taken aback, frowning at Damon. He couldn't understand why Damon was deliberately making things difficult for Nyla. Did he dislike Clark so much that he extended that hatred to Clark's wife?Nyla bit her lip and lowered her gaze. "No, thank you for tonight, Uncle Damon. It's late, so I'll be going now. Enjoy your evening."Damon sneered. "I helped you, and you think a simple thank you is enough?"Nyla paused, then turned back to him and asked, "What do you want as thanks, Uncle Damon?"Damon looked at the woman pouring him a drink and said, "Teach her how to repay a life-saving favor."Nathaniel frowned, feeling that Damon was being too harsh by having an escort from a nightclub teach Nyla how to repay a debt of gratitude.The woman smiled, looking up at Damon with a flattering gaze. "Mr. Sumner, if you saved
"Why did you come back so late tonight?" Clark asked."Had some things to deal with," Nyla answered.Clark didn't press further and simply nodded. "By the way, we've found a kidney donor for Dad. If everything goes well, he can have the surgery in a month."Nyla paused mid-action while changing her shoes, looking up at him in disbelief. "Really?"Clark felt his breath catch at the sight of her excited expression and bright eyes, which reminded him of when they first got together."Yes," he replied."That's great! Thank you!" Nyla exclaimed.Her gratitude was heartfelt. If they hadn't found a match, her father's health wouldn't have held out much longer."We're husband and wife. It's my responsibility," Clark said dismissively.Nyla pursed her lips and remained silent. To her, they had long ceased to be husband and wife. They were just two strangers bound by a piece of paper."Regardless, I really appreciate it," Nyla reiterated.Noticing the distance in her gaze, Clark felt
When Nyla woke up, she blinked at the white ceiling above her and took a moment to recall what had happened."You're awake! Do you feel any discomfort?" Nyla turned her head to see Damon, who looked worn out, standing by her bedside. She shook her head. "Aside from some pain in my abdomen, I'm fine. How long was I out?""A full day," Damon replied.Nyla frowned. "That long?""Yes, the stab wound damaged your spleen," Damon explained.The doctor had said that if the wound had been a centimeter deeper, Nyla could have bled out and might not have survived.The more than ten hours Damon had spent waiting outside the operating room had been the most agonizing of his life, each second stretching into eternity.Pale and weak, Nyla slowly sat up. "Did they catch the attacker?"Damon nodded, his voice icy. "Yes. He was the son of the owner of a rival company to Prospectus Technology. After their bankruptcy, he was pursued by creditors and chose to take revenge on me."He lowered his
Damon's expression was grim, and his voice was icy. "I suppose I was just being delusional."With that, he turned and left.Clark glanced at Nyla, his eyes burning with anger. "What was that about the bar? Why wasn't I aware?""Was there a need to tell you? Could you have gone back in time to protect me?" Nyla retorted.Clark gritted his teeth. "Nyla, you know I don't want you getting involved with my uncle!"Just the thought of Nyla getting hurt because of Damon, and potentially ruining his own plans, made Clark's anger boil over.Nyla's expression remained indifferent. "I don't want you getting involved with Jordyn either, but you still sneak off to see her, don't you?"Clark's face darkened, but he couldn't refute her.Seeing his face turn red, Nyla let out a small laugh. "Enough. Just go. I really don't want to see you right now."Clark stared at her in silence for a long time, his eyes cold. "Don't forget, with just one word from me, your father's kidney transplant might
Leaving the hospital room, Clark saw Damon standing not far away. He approached with a stern expression. "Uncle Damon, did you wait here just to say something to me?"Damon's eyes were cold. "I'm the one who has feelings for her. If I find out you're making things difficult for her, I'll ensure you lose everything you have."Clark sneered. "You're quite the romantic, Uncle Damon. If you loved someone other than my wife, I might even be touched."The thought of Damon coveting Nyla made Clark wish Damon would disappear from this world. If Nyla hadn't intervened, the one in the hospital bed would have been Damon!"You two will get divorced eventually," Damon stated flatly.Clark glared at Damon. "Even if I die, I won't divorce her. If you have the courage, go ahead and kill me.""Do you think I wouldn't dare?" Damon scoffed.Damon's oppressive aura felt like an impenetrable wall, closing in on Clark. His hands clenched tightly at his sides, as fear began to creep in despite his out
If Wilhelm stopped wanting to see Jane, the bond between them would naturally fade over time."No! I don't want food!" Wilhelm cried, hurling Gabriel's phone onto the car seat.He began pounding on the car door, trying to open it. "I want to see Mommy! I want to live with her, not you!"Gabriel, his patience wearing thin, locked the doors with a sharp click and turned to Wilhelm, his expression darkening."Your mother doesn't want you. Even if you find her, she won't take you. I'm the only one you have now," he said."I hate you! I don't want to be with you! I don't want you as my dad!" Wilhelm screamed.Gabriel's restraint, already fraying after days of tantrums, finally snapped. He stared at his son and said coldly, "It doesn't matter whether you want me or not. No one wants you now except me."Jane didn't want Wilhelm. The Wilkies wouldn't want him either."That's not true!" Wilhelm sobbed uncontrollably. "Mommy wants me. Mommy's just mad. If I'm good, she'll take me back! S
Lydia nodded. "Okay, Ms. Kinsey."Shortly after, Lydia returned with Mason by her side.When Mason saw Gabriel and Wilhelm standing at the door, he frowned and turned to Nyla. "Mommy, why is Wilhelm here?"Nyla patted his head gently. "He's here to apologize to you.""Oh." Mason's response was wary, clearly unconvinced.Gabriel observed Nyla's affectionate interaction with Mason, his eyes flickering with a trace of emotion. He turned to Wilhelm. "What did you promise me before we came?"Wilhelm's reluctance was evident. He had agreed to apologize, but only under the threat of losing his chance to see his mother."Mason, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you yesterday. I hope you can forgive me," Wilhelm said, his voice subdued.Mason didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked up at Nyla, silently seeking her guidance."Buddy, this is your decision to make," Nyla said softly. "I'll respect whatever you decide."Mason lowered his head, thinking for a moment.Finally, he s
Brandon sighed and placed the items on the desk. "Aunt Nyla, this crisis is unlike anything Prospectus Technology has faced before. If things go wrong, the company can go bankrupt."Uncle Damon prepared these after finding out Buddy is his son, but he hadn't found the right time to give them to you."Keep them for now. If Prospectus Technology collapses, he'll need this to start over."After a moment's silence, Nyla nodded. "Alright, I'll hold onto them. Is this the only reason you came?""Yes, I need to get back to work," Brandon replied."I'll see you out," Nyla offered.After sending Brandon off, she returned to the study and placed the documents and bank card in the safe upstairs.The next morning…As Nyla was getting dressed, Lydia knocked on the door."Ms. Kinsey, there's a man outside who says he's your brother," Lydia informed her.Brother?Thinking it was likely Gabriel, Nyla's expression turned cold. "I don't know him. Tell him to leave.""Understood," Lydia said
Damon put the file down and sat across from Nyla.Noticing two portions of breakfast on the table, he asked, "You haven't eaten either?""No," Nyla replied as she opened the packages and handed one to him. "I came to eat with you. Spencer told me he brought you breakfast this morning, but you didn't touch it.""I was too busy," Damon said."Being busy isn't an excuse to skip meals. I saw your assistants running around like crazy, and I heard they barely got any sleep last night. Is the issue with the company that serious?" Nyla asked."It's significant," Damon admitted. "Our chips might be causing malfunctions in our partner's machines. If that's confirmed, the company will face a massive compensation payout."Nyla frowned, worry flashing in her eyes. "I can't help much with work, but the least I can do is keep things in order at home. By the way, are you coming home tonight?""Probably not," he replied. "There's still a lot to handle.""Alright. Finish your breakfast. I'll hea
Gabriel took the document, skimmed its contents, and his face darkened."What is it?" Tom asked.Gabriel tossed the document onto the table with a cold laugh. "Nothing important. Damon's just trying to catch me off guard."The document contained evidence of Nyce Tech hiring paid posters to smear Prospectus Technology, but Gabriel wasn't worried.Soon enough, those allegations would become the truth.Tom glanced at the papers and grinned. "As long as it's not a big problem. Anyway, I should get going.""Fine, but don't forget your part in this," Gabriel said pointedly.There was a cold glint in Tom's eyes, though his smile remained. "Relax. I won't let you handle Prospectus Technology alone."After Tom left, Gabriel drained his wine in one gulp.As he prepared to head to his study, a maid approached with a concerned expression."Mr. Hackett, Mr. Wilhelm still refuses to eat," the maid informed him.Gabriel had brought Wilhelm straight back to the villa instead of letting him
Damon's expression was icy as he spoke. "I've already sent the head of R&D with a team to investigate. Let's wait for their findings before jumping to conclusions."He added, "The Agihop 6th Gen isn't out yet. If the issue does lie in the Agihop 5th Gen, we should prepare for the worst—compensation payouts and the possibility of... bankruptcy.""What?!" A collective gasp echoed through the room, disbelief etched on everyone's faces."All this over a single batch of faulty machines from the Longbow Company? Isn't that a bit extreme?""Exactly. If the problem is with the Agihop 5th Gen chips, wouldn't paying compensation suffice?""Mr. Sumner, aren't you exaggerating?"The notion that Prospectus Technology could face bankruptcy over a single chip seemed absurd.Meeting their skepticism with a calm demeanor, Damon elaborated, "The news about Longbow Company's machines breaking down after using our chips has already spread.They're attributing the issue to Prospectus Technology's p
Damon's expression remained unmoved. "As I said, we'll investigate thoroughly. Asking us to accept responsibility before the investigation is complete seems unreasonable, doesn't it?"Jeffrey let out a cold laugh. "Fine, Mr. Sumner. But I hope you act quickly. Every day of delay costs us millions. The longer this drags on, the more Prospectus Technology will have to pay."With that, Jeffrey turned and stormed out of the room.Damon, his expression as icy as ever, summoned the head of the R&D department to his office."Take two of your team members to the Longbow Company and investigate the root cause of the machine failures. Determine whether it's our chips," Damon instructed."Mr. Sumner, it can't be our chips! We've invested so much in their development, and they've been on the market for over three years without a single issue. The problem must be elsewhere," the department head replied.Damon's tone sharpened. "I want accurate results based on the investigation—not assumption
Upon noticing Nyla's flushed cheeks, Damon's eyes darkened further."Nyla, need some help with your bath?" he asked, his voice low and enticing.Nyla snapped out of her daze, quickly pushing him away. Her wary gaze made him look like some kind of dangerous predator."No need, I'll do it myself," she replied.If she let him help, they might not come out of the bathroom for two hours.Disappointment flickered in Damon's eyes. "You really don't need help?""Mm-hmm. Now go. If you have nothing to do, play with Buddy downstairs. I'm going to shower," Nyla said, grabbing her pajamas.She darted into the bathroom as though something was chasing her, locking the door behind her with a sharp click.Hearing the lock, Damon chuckled softly, shook his head, and left the bedroom.Downstairs, Mason was playing with toys in the living room. He didn't even glance up at the sound of Damon's footsteps, already able to distinguish between Damon and Nyla's steps. Just as Damon reached the sofa,
Damon raised an eyebrow and said flatly, "It's not about my approval. It's about ensuring the safety of the other children."Gabriel kept his gaze low, anger flickering in his eyes. What else could he say?"Understood. I've learned my lesson today, Mr. Sumner," he gritted through his teeth.The crowd began to disperse.Most parents hurriedly took their children and left, keeping a noticeable distance from Wilhelm and Gabriel as they passed, still wary that Wilhelm might lash out unpredictably.Before long, only Damon, Nyla, and Mason remained at the gate with Gabriel and Wilhelm.Gabriel turned to Damon with a cold expression. "If there's nothing else, Mr. Sumner, I'll take Wilhelm and leave now.""Mr. Hackett, shouldn't your son apologize to Buddy?" Damon asked.Gabriel's expression hardened.Taking a deep breath, he looked down at Wilhelm and said sternly, "Wilhelm, apologize to Buddy."Wilhelm lifted his chin defiantly. "I won't! I didn't do anything wrong!""Wilhelm, beh