The next moment, Nyla felt a soft touch on her forehead, like a feather gently brushing against her skin, tickling her heart.Damon pressed a light kiss to her forehead before pulling back, his gaze betraying a hint of guilt."Nyla, I'm sorry. Thinking about how much you were willing to give up for Clark made me uncomfortable, but that wasn't fair to you," he apologized.When he decided to be with her, he knew he should accept her past and not hold it against her.Nyla was momentarily stunned. Then, she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against his chest as she murmured, "Okay."Her body felt soft in his arms, and her fragrance was intoxicating.Damon's gaze darkened with desire. "Nyla, if you keep holding me like this, I can't guarantee what will happen next."The restrained desire in his voice sent a shiver through Nyla, a warm tingle spreading across her body as her cheeks flushed slightly.She quickly pushed him away, her eyes flashing with a mix of mock anger an
Hearing the annoyance in Nyla's voice, Damon chuckled and let her go. If he kept teasing her, she might actually get mad.Nyla took a few steps back, smoothing her hair that had become tousled during their playful scuffle. She shot Damon an irritated look."Alright, don't be mad. I might have to work late tonight, so I'll have the driver take you home first," Damon said.Nyla frowned. "Your wounds need to be dressed. How late are you planning to work?""Not sure yet. As for the dressing, I'll have Spencer take care of it," he replied.Nyla grew more frustrated due to Damon's casual demeanor, her face turning cold as she remained silent.Damon sighed. "It's really nothing, just minor wounds. They'll heal in a few days.""I'll come by after work to change your bandages, and then I'll head home," Nyla said.When the elevator doors opened, she stepped out, leaving no room for Damon to protest.Watching her hurry away, Damon couldn't help but smile.…Meanwhile, Clark returned ho
Damon's tone carried a hint of grievance.Nyla looked up, startled. "I was planning to finish up the experiment and then come to you.""Since I'm already here, why don't you do it now? I've got another meeting soon," Damon said."Alright, take off your shirt," Nyla instructed.As she prepared the fresh bandages and medication, she glanced up to find Damon's bare torso before her. Her grip on the bandages tightened involuntarily.His upper body was defined with perfectly sculpted abs, and his muscular back appeared both raw and masculine.Noticing Nyla's gaze fixed on his abs, Damon cleared his throat. "If you want to look, I can take it all off for you tonight. You can admire it all you want."His teasing tone made Nyla's face flush instantly.How embarrassing! She had actually zoned out while looking at his abs!There was no way she was going to admit to something so mortifying, so she denied, "I was just thinking about something. I've seen plenty of men with abs. I wouldn't
Nyla pursed her lips and entered the hospital room."Dad, I'm planning to send you abroad for treatment. The doctor has already agreed. Once your health improves and everything is arranged overseas, I'll buy tickets for you and Wren to go," Nyla announced.Harrison interrupted her, "I'm not going. I'm staying in the country."Nyla frowned. "Dad, the medical facilities abroad are better, and you need time to recover…"Harrison cut her off, "After you send me and Wren abroad, what are you planning to do next? Are you going to fight the Sumners alone?"Nyla lowered her gaze and replied flatly, "No. Didn't you tell me before not to continue?""Then why are you still involved with the Sumners?" Harrison slammed his hand on the table, his eyes filled with anger as he stared at Nyla."When have I been involved with the Sumners?" Nyla asked, bewildered."Don't lie to me! You just divorced Clark, and now you're entangled with his uncle. What exactly are you trying to do?!" Harrison dema
After saying that, Nyla turned and quickly left the room.Harrison wanted to call after her but ultimately couldn't make a sound. He covered his face in anguish, regretting everything he had done and said. He had intended to protect her, but his words had caused so much pain.Wren sighed and said softly, "Harrison, don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault… It's mine. If I hadn't said those things, your relationship with Nyla wouldn't be like this…"Harrison hung his head in silence, unsure of how to respond.Outside the hospital, Nyla wiped the tears from her eyes, questioning her actions for the first time.Why was everyone against her? Should she really give up?But when she thought of Cyrus and Clark's schemes against her, and what Cyrus had done to her family, she couldn't bring herself to let it go. There was no turning back now—she had to stay with Damon and use him to deal with the Sumners.…When Nyla returned to the villa, it was already past 9:00 p.m.Damon was ho
Just as Nyla was about to get up, Damon's hands gently pressed down on her shoulders."Don't move. Wait here," Damon instructed.Meeting his firm gaze, Nyla bit her lip and instinctively nodded.Damon patted her head with a smile. "Good girl."Nyla was left speechless.Damon worked quickly, and soon the kitchen was filled with the aroma of food.Nyla couldn't help but swallow as she headed to the kitchen. She hadn't eaten dinner and was now quite hungry.Just as she reached the kitchen door, Damon emerged, carrying a plate of sandwiches."Why did you come over?" he asked.Nyla was captivated by the sandwiches in his hand. It was a simple creation—vegetables and eggs topped with melted cheese. The green vegetables and crispy-edged fried eggs looked especially appetizing under the light.Noticing that all her attention was on the sandwiches and she had completely ignored him, Damon couldn't help but smile. "Go get your cutlery."At his words, Nyla quickly went into the kitchen
Wren sighed. "Don't even mention it. She divorced Clark, and on top of that—"Before she could finish, Gabriel interrupted, "She got divorced?"Wren, oblivious to his agitation, continued with a frown. "Yes, it's complicated. I'll explain everything once I get to Meristate.""Alright…" Gabriel replied.After a few more words, Wren ended the call. Thinking about reuniting with her son in Meristate, she couldn't help but smile.Once she and Harrison were in Meristate, whatever Nyla did here wouldn't affect them. All she needed to do was focus on taking good care of Harrison and Gabriel.As for Nyla, Wren had never considered her part of the family. The courtesy Wren had shown in the past was merely out of respect for Harrison. Now that Nyla no longer respected her, Wren felt no need to curry favor with her.At the Sumner residence…Damon's decision to move Nyla into his villa had left Richard fuming."Outrageous! Does he really want to drag the Sumner name through the mud?!" Ric
Noticing that Richard hadn't assigned him the task, Parker stood up and said, "Mr. Richard, I need to find more information to see if there's a way to bail out Mr. Cyrus. I'll be going now."Richard nodded. "Go ahead."After Parker left, Richard turned to Cindy. "You should go too. Whether Cyrus can be released depends on whether you can convince Nyla."With that, Richard left the room.As Cindy watched him leave, she couldn't help but grit her teeth, her eyes filled with resentment. It seemed Richard wasn't reliable either, and only she cared about Cyrus' fate.After leaving the Sumner residence, Cindy called Clark and recounted the night's events in detail."Clark, if we want to get your father out, it's up to us now. I'll wait downstairs at Prospectus Technology tomorrow. I refuse to believe I can't find a way to see her!" Cindy declared.There was a brief silence before Clark's cold voice came through. "Alright. I'll also find a way to create some trouble for Uncle Damon's c
Under Tim's leadership, the Westcott Group maintained its position as one of the top four families in Capitarnia, leaving the other three far behind.After reading the file, Gabriel closed it and asked coldly, "I asked you to arrange a meeting with Mr. Westcott. What's their response?"The secretary hesitated. "Mr. Hackett, Mr. Westcott's secretary hasn't responded. It seems they aren't interested in meeting with you."Gabriel wasn't fazed. The document made it clear that Tim was proud and highly selective in his dealings. Such a person wasn't easily approached.For Damon to even gain the Westcott Group's consideration, he must have put in significant effort.Still, there was an opportunity as long as the contract wasn't signed."No need to wait for a reply. I'll go to the Westcott Group myself tomorrow morning," Gabriel said."Understood, Mr. Hackett," the secretary replied.…At 7:00 a.m. the next day, Gabriel was already standing outside the Westcott Group. The sun hadn't f
Damon nodded. "Got it. Have the PR department continue contacting major media outlets to remove any negative commentary about Prospectus Technology. We can't let this situation escalate further."In the business world, public opinion could be lethal. Most people were naturally inclined to follow the crowd. Without knowing the full picture, they could easily be misled.If the narrative that Prospectus Technology's chips were faulty spread too far, restoring their reputation later would require monumental resources. It was critical to stop this from snowballing now."Understood, Mr. Sumner. By the way, how's the deal in Capitarnia coming along?" someone asked.Upon hearing that, Damon's previously tense expression relaxed slightly. "Progress is decent. Barring any unforeseen issues, we should be able to sign the contract in a couple of days."The group on the call let out a collective sigh of relief.Once the deal was signed, Prospectus Technology would recover some of its losses
"We can sign an agreement if you're still worried. I promise never to challenge your custody of Wilhelm in my lifetime," Jane assured.Seeing her determination, Gabriel remained silent.Noticing his hesitation, Jane gripped the armrests of her wheelchair tightly. "Gabriel, you're already hesitating, even though you haven't remarried yet. How can I believe you'll treat Wilhelm fairly in the future?"Gabriel's gaze turned cold. "No matter what, Wilhelm will be better off with me than with you. When and how much of the shares I give him is my decision, not yours."With that, he turned to leave.As he reached the doorway, Jane's voice echoed behind him. "If you don't transfer half your shares to Wilhelm, I won't leave the country!"Gabriel paused, then glanced back at her mockingly. "Whether you leave or stay means nothing to me. And why would you think your refusal to leave is a threat to me?""Gabriel, you're a bastard!" Jane shouted.Gabriel smirked and left without another word
Wilhelm froze for a moment, his eyes welling up with tears as confusion and hurt clouded them."Mommy, do you really not want me anymore?" he asked, his voice trembling.Jane's gaze flickered with a brief trace of pain as she looked at Wilhelm sitting pitifully on the floor. But the softness in her eyes vanished as quickly as it appeared.She stared at him coldly. "That's right. I never wanted you. I hit you to try and get your father to come back."The other day, when I took you out for steak, I deliberately let you eat that hazelnut cake. You started itching later because you're allergic—that was intentional, too. I wanted you hospitalized so I could force your father to see me."Her tone grew harsher. "Now that Gabriel and I are divorced, you're of no use to me. You're just a burden. Taking you with me would only drag me down."And I hate your father. Naturally, I hate you, too. Don't show up in front of me again!"Wilhelm sat frozen, her words cutting into him like shards of
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