"So I should give up my career just to avoid an ugly situation because you don't want me near Damon?" Nyla smiled, but her eyes were icy. "Ms. Hulle, don't you think your ego is a bit inflated?"Erin's expression darkened. "I didn't expect you to become so sharp-tongued after five years. But have you considered that your sharp tongue might hurt those around you?"A hint of sarcasm flashed in Nyla's eyes. "Ms. Hulle, has your romantic life made you foolish? This is Capitarnia, not Saintornia. Our lab has numerous research achievements, and any one of them would attract countless investors. Do you really think the Hulles can control everything in this country?"Nyla was baffled by Erin's audacity to claim she could easily bring down their lab. Had she even researched who was backing them?"Hah! What good is talking big? I'm giving you one last chance. If you don't leave voluntarily, whatever happens next won't be something I can control!" Erin warned."Idiot!" Nyla muttered.She di
Erin forced a smile. "I'm glad you understand, Ms. Kinsey."Nyla nodded. "I do understand, but I hope you'll think things through in the future and avoid doing something so pointless.""Of course, I'll keep that in mind!" Erin gritted her teeth in frustration, her gaze sharp and icy as she glared at Nyla.Nyla smiled and turned to Damon. "Thank you for today, Mr. Sumner. I assume you and Ms. Hulle have more to discuss, so I'll take my leave.""Let's have dinner another day as an apology," Damon replied."No need for that. I wouldn't want to be labeled as someone who disrupts other people's relationships," she said, stepping past Damon and leaving.Soon, only Erin and Damon remained in the private room.It was the best and most secluded room in the restaurant, isolated from others, allowing them to hear only faint conversations from nearby tables.Damon looked at Erin calmly, showing no signs of anger, but she couldn't even meet his gaze. She knew he was upset.After a long sil
Damon looked at Erin with a straight face, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed the credibility of her words.Erin felt her heart racing, forcing herself to maintain eye contact. Just as she thought she couldn't bear the pressure any longer, she heard Damon's cold voice say, "This is your last warning."It wasn't until his figure disappeared through the doorway that she sank back into her chair, cold sweat trickling down her back.…Damon headed straight to the branch office after leaving the restaurant.Spencer was already waiting for him at the office door. "Mr. Sumner, here are the documents that need your signature."Damon walked into the office, signed the documents, and then looked up at Spencer. "Have Luca take these back. You'll stay here in his place. Things in Capitarnia are different from Saintornia. Some matters are beyond his capabilities."Spencer lowered his gaze, hiding the complexity that flickered in his eyes. "Understood, Mr. Sumner."Once outside the o
After Luca left, Spencer put down his phone and contemplated his next move. From Luca's reaction, he could confirm that Nyla's child was Damon's.When he received the photo from his subordinate, he had initially suspected it might be fake. If the child had no connection to Damon, Nyla wouldn't have agreed to meet him after receiving his message that day. That was why he had sought out Luca, who had previously seen the child.The outcome was clear—the photo was likely a decoy from Nyla, designed to mislead him.The more she tried to hide, the more it indicated her guilt. She was afraid he would realize how much the child resembled Damon.Thinking back to how Richard had once threatened him about not mentioning Nyla to Damon, Spencer subconsciously clenched his hands at his sides.After a moment's hesitation, he dialed his subordinate's number. "The photo you sent is fake. Start following Nyla. We need a clear shot of that child's face."After hanging up, he frowned and considered
Nyla fell silent. She didn't want to let Mason go, but it was the best option she could think of for now. Lately, she had been having dreams in which Damon came to take Mason away, and the first thing she would do every morning was check to make sure he was still by her side."But… if I don't send Buddy away, I have no other options…" she muttered.Oliver paused for a moment before saying softly, "Nyla, don't rush. Damon has lost his memory, so he might not come after Buddy. What's most important now is that you stay calm and don't stress yourself too much."Nyla bit her lip and replied quietly, "I understand what you're saying, but I can't help but worry…""I'll be back tomorrow. Let's meet and discuss this. There has to be a better solution," Oliver assured her."Okay," Nyla replied.After hanging up, Oliver thought for a moment before calling his secretary. "Contact Spencer Hogg, the secretary of Prospectus Technology's CEO, Damon Sumner. I want to meet with him when I get bac
It seemed that Spencer had taken his words to heart. Oliver liked smart people. While he wasn't afraid of confronting Prospectus Technology, it would be best to resolve this matter quietly.…By the time Oliver arrived at Nyla's house, it was already past 7:00 p.m.When the doorbell rang, Nyla was helping Mason practice his writing. Upon opening the door to find Oliver, her eyes lit up with surprise. "You're back!""Yeah, I brought a gift for Buddy," Oliver replied.Nyla accepted the gift, a smile spreading across her face. "He was just saying a few days ago that he wanted this toy. I can't believe you got it for him today.""This shows that Buddy and I are in sync," Oliver said, his warm gaze on Nyla enough to melt ice.Feeling a bit flustered under his gaze, Nyla looked away awkwardly. "Have you eaten yet?"Oliver shook his head. "Not yet.""Then sit down and play with Buddy for a bit. I don't have much food left, but I can make you some egg and cheese toast."Oliver nodded
Nyla froze for a moment, her face flushing instantly. She had been so worried about Mason lately that she hadn't had time to consider her feelings for Oliver.In truth, she didn't need to think too hard—she had already decided to give things a try with him."Oliver, I've made up my mind. I want to give us a chance, but I've always thought of you as just a good friend, so I can't promise I'll definitely fall in love with you," she said.Oliver had treated her exceptionally well over the years, doing so much for her. She felt that no one else would care for her like he did, and she didn't want to deceive him. She appreciated everything he had done, but gratitude alone wouldn't be enough for a lifetime together.At her words, disappointment flashed in Oliver's eyes, but he understood that feelings couldn't be forced."Alright, let's give it some time. How about three months? If after that you still can't love me, we'll just remain friends," he said.Nyla felt a pang of guilt. "I'm s
Oliver noticed the way Nyla's ears reddened, sensing her shyness but choosing not to comment on it. He nodded. "Alright. I have a full day of meetings tomorrow. Let's plan for dinner the day after.""That depends on whether I have to stay late for experiments," Nyla replied."Okay, I know you're busy. I'll check in with you again the day after," Oliver said easily.As Nyla walked him to the door, Oliver hesitated before asking, "You don't have to see me out, but... can I give you a hug?"Before he even finished, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.Oliver froze, his eyes wide in disbelief. He had prepared himself for rejection, so her response caught him completely off guard.After a moment of shock, joy surged through him. He gently returned the embrace, treating her like something fragile and precious."Nyla, I'm really happy you're willing to respond to me," he said, his voice unsteady.Feeling the depth of his emotions, Nyla loosened her hold and replied sin