Cindy was so agitated that her words were incredibly harsh as if she were finally releasing all the pent-up emotions of the past few years.Richard was so furious that his face turned purple. He trembled as he pointed at her before collapsing.The maid was taken aback and hurriedly called for a doctor, also contacting Brandon.With Clark missing, Damon unlikely to come, and neither Cyrus nor Cindy attending to Richard, there was no choice but to summon Brandon.…When Brandon arrived, Richard was still in surgery.Cyrus and Cindy were there, their grim expressions revealing little emotion.He greeted them briefly and then turned to the maid. "What happened? Why did Grandpa suddenly faint again?"The maid glanced nervously at Cyrus and Cindy, hesitating to speak.It was easy to infer that Richard's collapse was somehow related to them.Brandon turned to Cyrus. "Uncle Cyrus, what's going on? What did you do to Grandpa?"Cyrus remained silent, his gaze dark. When Richard had
Brandon looked at him coldly. "Even if Grandpa wakes up, he probably won't want to see you.""You have no right to interfere!" Cyrus snapped.Brandon remained silent, scoffing as he turned to leave.Cyrus and Cindy followed him, standing resolutely by the hospital room door and refusing to budge. They even had their meals brought to them.…A few hours after Richard returned to the hospital room, he finally woke up.Cyrus and Cindy quickly surrounded his bedside. "Dad, you're finally awake!"Seeing their enlarged faces, Richard nearly passed out from anger again. "G-Get out... You... get out!"His face was pale, and his words emerged as whispers, lacking any authority due to his weakness."Dad, the doctor said you need to rest and can't get angry anymore. It was all our fault earlier. I promise we won't upset you again," Cyrus pleaded.Realizing he couldn't rid himself of them, Richard simply closed his eyes and pretended he hadn’t heard anything.A cold glint flashed in Cyr
Cyrus and Cindy arrived at Damon's villa, only to be stopped at the door. They tried to force their way in, but the bodyguards pushed them to the ground."Please leave immediately, or I'll call the police," one of them warned.Earlier, Damon had instructed that Cyrus and Cindy were not to be let in if they arrived.Cyrus turned livid. "How dare you stop me! Do you know who I am? I'm Damon's older brother!"The bodyguard remained expressionless. "Sorry, but Mr. Sumner has ordered that you cannot enter. Even if you are Mr. Sumner's father, I only follow Mr. Sumner's orders. If you want to get in, you'll need to contact him and have him give the go-ahead.""Fine! Just wait!" Cyrus snapped before stepping aside to dial Damon's number.It connected, but no one apoke.Beside him, Cindy was frantic, repeatedly asking if he had reached Damon. Her incessant questions only added to Cyrus's agitation.Finally, in a fit of rage, he slammed his phone to the ground and yelled, "You call him
Mockery flashed in Nyla's eyes. "You call being in his 30s young? That's more like being a man-child."If it weren't for Cindy constantly cleaning up Clark's mess, he wouldn't have become increasingly reckless, ultimately resorting to kidnapping others.Cindy continued to plead, "Ms. Kinsey… if you could just let Clark go—"Nyla interrupted her, "I won't let him off. He's currently in police custody, and kidnapping is a criminal offense that can't be dismissed.""All you have to do is write a forgiveness letter, and the judge will definitely show leniency," Cindy insisted."Would you offer that to someone who tried to kill Clark?" Nyla retorted.Cindy froze.After several seconds, she mumbled, "But… you two were once in love and married for a few years… Why act so ruthlessly? He just made a momentary mistake…""Save that for the police. Let's see if they'll believe you," Nyla said, turning away as she left.Cindy wanted to chase after her, but Cyrus stopped her. "It's pointles
Soon, Nyla noticed a person wearing a baseball cap and a mask, both items obscuring their face. The individual left a bouquet of roses at her doorstep and walked away.Nyla frowned and called Oliver, asking if he had sent her the flowers.His voice came through with a hint of laughter. "I've been busy with a merger lately. Looks like I have a rival."Nyla couldn't help but chuckle. "Rival? It might just be a prank.""I'm starting to feel the pressure," Oliver teased."Well, if you're feeling pressured, you should come over for dinner tonight. Buddy and I miss you," Nyla invited."From now on, you should split that last sentence into two," Oliver suggested.Nyla paused, then raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I miss you, and Buddy misses you too."There was silence on the line for a few seconds before Oliver's deep voice replied, "Alright, I'll be there at 6:30 p.m."After hanging up, Nyla's smile gradually faded. If it wasn't Oliver who had sent the flowers, then who was it? Or had the
Nyla was silent momentarily before saying softly, "Mr. Sumner, I need some time to think about this. I'll contact you once I've made a decision."After hanging up, she let out a soft sigh, her expression complex.Mason's safety was very important, but she didn't want to have any more interactions with Damon. Ever since the kidnapping incident, she had found it difficult to feel calm whenever she thought of him.She decided the best course of action was to distance herself from him.After pondering for a while, Nyla made up her mind.…In the evening, Oliver arrived just as she finished cooking."I could smell the ribs as soon as I stepped out of the elevator! Have you ever thought about opening a restaurant?" Oliver asked.Nyla smiled at him, raising an eyebrow. "With a way of talking like that, I should reward you by making sure you finish all the ribs without leaving a bite."Oliver nodded. "Deal!" Hearing the voices, Mason ran out of his room. When he saw Oliver, he immed
After dinner, Oliver suggested that Nyla take Mason to the living room to rest while he cleaned the table and washed the dishes.Nyla instinctively declined, "You don't have to. You're a guest.""I'm also your boyfriend," Oliver replied, raising an eyebrow. "As your boyfriend, it's only right that I wash the dishes after dinner. I can't let you do everything."Reluctantly, Nyla nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you."Oliver tidied up the table, washed the dishes, wiped down the kitchen counters, and mopped the floor before heading to the living room.Nyla was playing with Mason, competing to see who could stack the blocks faster.Mason was quick, nearly finishing with no blocks out of place, while Nyla's stack was a chaotic mess, teetering as if it could fall at any moment.Oliver watched them with a gentle gaze. He asked, raising an eyebrow, "Nyla, do you want me to help?"Nyla looked up and met Oliver's smiling eyes.Just as she was about to respond, a loud crash interrupted
Nyla pressed her lips together before replying softly, "Mr. Sumner, please come in."Damon entered, holding Mason, and glanced at Oliver, who was standing in the middle of the living room."Mr. Raynor, I hope I'm not interrupting," he said.Oliver met his gaze without hesitation. "Not at all."Their eyes locked, and although both were smiling, the atmosphere felt tense, as if the air had thickened around them.Nyla placed the watermelon on the table and broke the silence. "Mr. Sumner, Oliver, have a seat."Oliver looked at her warmly. "Is it okay for me to be here while you and Mr. Sumner talk? If it's not a good time, I can step out.""It's fine. There's nothing to worry about," she replied.As Damon listened to their conversation, bitterness swelled in his heart, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on Mason.Mason exclaimed, "Daddy, you're holding me too tight!"Nyla and Oliver turned to Damon, who quickly loosened his grip on Mason and said apologetically, "I'm sorry,
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