Nyla stiffened instantly, her heart pounding. Panic flashed in her eyes as her mind raced with countless possibilities.Was Damon changing his mind?Damon seemed to read her thoughts. His expression remained indifferent, though his tone was reassuring. "Don't worry. I'm not going back on my word."At this, Nyla finally breathed a sigh of relief, though her heart still raced as she followed him into the study.Damon walked to his desk and picked up a folder. He retrieved a property deed and a set of keys, handing them to her."I've already transferred ownership of this house," he told her. "You and Buddy can move in."Nyla's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the deed and keys in his hand. She instinctively recoiled.He was giving her a villa?If someone had told her this moments ago, she would have thought they were crazy. Yet, here it was, happening in the most unbelievable way.Confused, she struggled to understand his intentions. "Mr. Sumner, this is too generous. I
Nyla's eyes instantly welled up with tears as she pulled Mason tightly into her embrace. Her voice trembled as she said, "Buddy, I'm happy as long as I have you."Mason reached out his little hand and gently patted Nyla's back, speaking in a mature tone. "Mommy, I'll be good. We'll be fine in our new place."Releasing Mason, Nyla wiped away her tears and smiled. "Okay, let's go to the new place together and start a new life."Mason nodded vigorously, his expression filled with determination.They didn't have much to pack, finishing in just a morning.During lunch, Nyla shared their plans to leave with Lydia.Lydia froze, nearly spilling the soup she held. She quickly set it down, her face filled with disbelief."Ms. Kinsey, why are you leaving so suddenly? Did Mr. Sumner not let you stay anymore?" she asked.Looking into Lydia's concerned eyes, Nyla felt a warm wave wash over her. Lydia had been so kind since her first day here. Now, as she prepared to leave, she felt reluctant
Meanwhile, Clark received word that Nyla had left Damon's villa with Mason.He smirked. "Looks like Lady Luck is on my side."He had been worried about how to get into Damon's villa to abduct Mason, but now, with Nyla moving out and Damon away on a business trip, it was the perfect opportunity."When do you want us to make a move?" the person on the line asked."Tonight. We'll exchange the child for the money," Clark replied.After hanging up, Clark got up and poured himself a glass of red wine, smiling to himself. Soon, Damon would be begging to hand over his shares....As evening approached, Nyla finalized a list of potential houses to visit in person the next morning.Finally pulling her gaze from the computer, Nyla saw Mason walk over and hug her arm. "Mommy, I'm hungry."Nyla glanced at the clock and realized it was already past 6:00 p.m."I'm sorry, Buddy! I got so caught up that I lost track of time. I'll have someone bring us dinner right away," she said.She ordere
When Nyla regained consciousness, she found her hands and feet bound. She was lying on a bed, and Mason was nowhere to be seen.From the room's layout and decor, she realized she was in a bedroom. It felt strangely familiar.Frowning in confusion, she barely had time to think before the door swung open, and a man in a suit walked in.Nyla's bewilderment turned to rage as she recognized him."Clark, you kidnapped me and Buddy? Where is he?! If anything happens to him, I swear I won't let you off, and neither will Damon!" she thundered.Clark narrowed his eyes and sat beside the bed, gazing at her with an unsettling affection. "Nyla, after so many years apart, we finally have the chance to talk. Let's not bring up those party poopers.""Where is Buddy?!" Nyla demanded, her eyes blazing with anger and disgust. "I'm asking you, where is he?!""Don't worry. He's safe—for now, at least," Clark replied."Why are you doing this? Are you crazy?" Nyla questioned, her voice sharp.Clark
Clark grabbed her chin, speaking each word deliberately. "I had planned to throw a wedding after we moved abroad, but if you're eager to start the honeymoon activities now, I won't mind."The way Clark's gaze drifted down to her chest made Nyla's stomach churn."Get off me!" Nyla shouted.Clark growled, "Looks like it's time to show you what I'm capable of!"As he reached to unbutton her shirt, his phone rang from his pocket. Seeing the caller ID, he released her and straightened his clothes."I'll be back," he said.Disgusted, Nyla turned her head away, refusing to look at him any longer.Clark didn't get angry. He simply turned and left the room.Once the door was securely closed, Nyla hurriedly freed her wrists and loosened the ropes around her ankles. She stealthily grabbed the lamp from the bedside table, hiding it behind her back.Not long after, Clark returned.Seeing Nyla still sitting on the bed in the same position, he smirked and approached her slowly. "Nyla, let's
Upon hearing this, Nyla's heart lurched, and her face turned pale. Mason had actually jumped out of a third-floor window!Nyla couldn't imagine how desperate he must have felt to do that. The more she thought about it, the more her heart ached, and tears streamed down her face without her even realizing it. The person on the other end of the line noticed the silence and became alert. "Why aren't you talking?! You're not Clark?!"Nyla bit her lip hard, not daring to speak, and hung up. She rushed to the bathroom, filled a basin with water, and splashed it on Clark's head. He woke up soon, realizing he was tied up, and saw Nyla looking down at him.He paused for a moment before breaking into a smile. "Nyla, I didn't expect you to be so much smarter after five years apart."Nyla glared at him. "I don't have time for your nonsense. Where did you lock up Buddy?"Clark sneered. "You want to know? Go find him yourself. Saintornia isn't that big. If you search for ten days or half a
Nyla was frantic as she raised her voice. "I said don't worry about me! Buddy is what matters! Where is he? I'm going there right now!"Damon fell into silence on the other end."Say something!" Nyla urged."It's dangerous. I'll go find Buddy myself. Just stay put until my people arrive and leave with them," Damon instructed.Before Nyla could respond, he hung up.…Seeing Damon put his phone away, Spencer asked with concern, "Mr. Sumner, those people are armed. Shouldn't we involve the police?"Damon's eyes were icy as he replied, "Those people are desperate. If the police get involved, they might lash out and harm Buddy. You stay here and keep me informed if anything happens. I'll head over first."Spencer wanted to argue further but could see that Damon was unyielding. He simply reminded him, "Be careful!"…Clark, who had overheard the entire conversation, smirked.Damon wouldn't tell Nyla where Mason was, probably because he was worried about those armed men.Since Dam
Damon kept a poker face as he said, "I'll give you three seconds. If you don't talk, I'll personally send you abroad to collect your son's corpse."A flash of panic crossed the man's face, and his voice trembled with fear. "I'll tell you... I'll tell you... They all went up the mountain...""You better not be lying to me. Otherwise, you'll regret ever being born," Damon threatened.He left a few people behind to watch the man and led the majority of his team up the mountain.At the back of the flour mill loomed a medium-sized mountain.With deep autumn approaching, the leaves of the shrubs and trees had begun to turn yellow and fall, making the area feel desolate and abandoned.Damon's expression was grim, and he emanated a chilling aura.Meanwhile, Nyla had searched the flour mill for a long time but hadn't found Mason. Instead, she ran into Damon's subordinates."Ms. Kinsey... what are you doing here?" one of the subordinates asked."Where's Damon?" Nyla shot back."We just
"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
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