To Matt's surprise, Austin was seated in front of his computer just like he had been yesterday. He gazed at the real-time data feedback, emotionless and calm."Austin…" Matt called out in a low voice. "You can confide in me. It's bad for your health if you shoulder everything alone."Obviously, Matt didn't think that things were the same for Austin as it used to be. In the past, Austin already had a plan in mind, so he behaved very calmly.But now, Austin was behaving like this just to reassure his employees, and he suppressed everything alone."We only have 10% left."Pointing at the screen, Austin smiled bitterly.Matt said in determination, "It's alright, Austin. If push comes to shove, we can just start over. I'll follow you wherever you go!""What nonsense are you saying?" Raising an eyebrow, Austin pointed at the chair beside him. "Sit there and play on your phone or something."Matt was bewildered.He wondered if Austin had suppressed his feelings so much that even his
Cecily Enterprises was a huge international company.It also dealt with international trade and major infrastructure projects.But Austin never expected Cecily's dad to be the chairman of Cecily Enterprises!Also, he didn't think that Edward had decided to invest out of nostalgia like the news had claimed.Edward had kept Yandell Corp around, which was already a nice enough gesture toward his hometown.If Edward truly intended to invest in this city, with how huge Cecily Enterprises was, he would have done it a long time ago.Also, there were many better plots of land in this city. With the scale of Cecily Enterprises, if they wanted to invest, they could've gotten any of those lands in this city.Why would they settle in west city, which was just beginning its redevelopment?They were clearly trying to support Dominion on purpose!They did what Wirtucon couldn't do.Also, Cecily Enterprises could definitely raise the west city's value."Safe! We're safe now!"Unable to rei
At that moment, Reginald suddenly understood what Ezra had said during his last visit.He waved, gesturing for his assistant to leave.Reginald rubbed his face, smiling bitterly in sorrow as he mumbled, "We rise and fall together. I really am bound to Austin, huh… Life is so unpredictable."Meanwhile, in another huge office, Jacob stared at the computer screen with a grave look on his face, unmoving.But his wavering gaze had betrayed the fluctuating emotions in his heart.The news of Cecily Enterprises entering the west city was displayed on the screen.With his keen senses, of course, he knew what this meant.A while later, Jacob picked up a cigar and slowly lit it. After taking a puff, he felt that the smoke in his mouth was too bitter.He lowered his cigar, mumbling in a low voice, "Wirtucon was gone, but Cecily Enterprises came in instead. It's like a deity has appeared in our midst. Austin, you have the Campbells, and now, Cecily Enterprises backing you… How many guardian
When Austin went home, there was a happy atmosphere in the house.Everyone had smiles on their faces.Raquel and Dahlia had prepared a table full of delicacies and wine. They obviously wanted to celebrate."You guys knew?"Austin had hurried back because he wanted to draft Dominion's plans for the future, and he also wanted to tell his family the good news."The whole city is talking about it. Of course, we already know."Smiling, Dahlia said, "Austin, you're so lucky to have survived the most dangerous situation. Come on, don't just stand there. Go and wash your hands.""That's right, sir. Madam Emerson and Raquel have worked hard all afternoon," Aldus echoed.Austin had just had dinner, but faced with his family's joy, he didn't decline. He smilingly walked into the kitchen. After washing his hands, he joined his happy family at the table.Ezra raised his glass, smiling as he said, "A toast to celebrate this double fortune!"Everyone was about to clink glasses when Austin r
"Sir, what's the connection between you and Cecily Enterprises?" Ezra suddenly asked.Normal people might not know about this, but he was very well aware.A huge international company suddenly announced that it would be investing in this city just because of its chairman's nostalgia?That was pure nonsense!Cecily Enterprises was clearly doing it to help Dominion!Austin chuckled, saying in his drunken stupor, "It's so nice… to depend on my girlfriend.""Cecily?" Ezra was shocked. Then, he smiled and shook his head. "Ah, what a mistake… I never thought that this woman would come from such a prominent background!"…While Austin and the others were enjoying the breeze on the balcony, as the evening news ended, the whole city was taken by storm once again.It was like a huge earthquake that spanned the whole city!Everyone was stunned.No one had expected Wirtucon to change its mind after shelving the project and re-enter west city.What exactly was this huge company playing
"Urma, let go of Nancy right now!"Furious, Derek tossed his cigarette away and dashed into the bathroom.Then, he slapped Urma across the face, shouting angrily, "Look what the family has turned into! It's all because of you! If it weren't for you, our family wouldn't have turned out like this. Nancy is already pitiful enough, but as her mother, how could you still bear to hit her?"Urma and Harvey were shocked by the sudden scene.Derek had always been a timid and meek guy who would hold back."What are you shouting at me for?" Urma was stunned for a moment. Then, she covered her face and suddenly wailed."Stop crying! I swear I'll kill you!" Derek raised his hand to hit Urma, startling the latter so much that she shrunk away.Noticing that something was off, Harvey hastily said, "Dad, why did you hit Mom?""She's going to beat your sister to death. How can I not step in?"With reddened eyes, Derek turned around and glared at Harvey.Harvey gulped. Then, he hastily dragged
"As expected of Austin!" Matt thought. "He planned every step well, and he's always so confident!"At that moment, Matt's impression of Austin rose tremendously. Austin seemed quite glorious and majestic to him.He didn't wonder why Austin would have connections to Wirtucon and Cecily Enterprises. As an employee, this wasn't something he should think about. His thoughts were solely focused on his determination to follow Austin without fail!When Austin arrived at the company, he smiled when he saw the joyous looks on the employees' faces.The sound of clapping attracted everyone's attention."Mr. Campbell!"The employees shouted in unison.Raising an eyebrow, Austin smiled. "You know what happened yesterday, right? Let's start working and do our jobs!"The employees laughed. Then, they enthusiastically started working.Meanwhile, after a night of thinking about the news, everyone in the city was almost losing their minds.They were even crazier than when Wirtucon first announ
After Austin received the call from Nancy, he couldn't focus on work at all. He kept zoning out a little.He didn't even know how he left the company building.By the time he came to his senses, he was already standing outside Blue Fairy Dining.It was a familiar sight, but so many things had changed now.He put on a faint and bitter smile.Austin walked into the restaurant. He could spot Nancy sitting in a corner by the window right away.There was a slight breeze, and the sun was warm. Everything was just right.Nancy was wearing a long white dress as she sat there quietly. Her long hair was draped across her shoulders, and she looked quiet and calm."You're here."Nancy smiled when she saw Austin.Austin nodded. After taking his seat, he asked calmly, "What's the matter?""I'll be moving away today."Nancy stretched. Then, she smiled. "I'm leaving this city. There are too many sad memories here.""That's not a bad idea. You can change your lifestyle when you move away,"
Austin never expected that Nancy would come back.As he returned to the Tetra Club, he remained sullen, his eyes dark with unresolved anger.Seeing Austin like this, Cecily felt a pang of sadness.She gently tried to comfort him, "It's all in the past now, isn't it? I'm here with you, and we have our baby on the way.""I can't just let it go," Austin shook his head."The best I can do is not seek revenge against them, but to truly forgive and forget—I can't do that."The actions of Nancy's family were still fresh in his memory.Austin wasn't someone who sought revenge for every slight, but he was far from the kind of person who could simply forgive and forget, moving on with a carefree "Hallelujah."Dahlia's despair as she lay in bed, the arrogance and cruelty of the Welch family…In the eyes of the Welch family, Dahlia's life wasn't worth as much as Harvey's wedding.Even when the time had passed and he was about to finally be happy with Cecily, the Welch family not only dem
After leaving this city, Nancy put in a tremendous amount of effort to "rebirth" herself.Meeting Ethan had shown her a different side of life.While he wasn't part of the uppermost echelons of wealth and power, he had enough. Most importantly, he treated her with the utmost respect.She understood Ethan's background, which made that respect all the more valuable.A man of his stature could have any woman he wanted in his bed the same night.Yet Ethan had shown her incredible patience, making her question whether the rumors about him were true.Tonight, returning to this city was her way of bidding farewell to the past and embracing the future.After all, people need to look forward, don't they?Meanwhile, Ethan was feeling more dejected than he'd ever been.Lying in his luxurious bed in Brook Villa, he couldn't sleep, tossing and turning restlessly.He had hoped to establish a connection with Austin. A figure like him would be incredibly valuable to have on his side.He tho
The river breeze was cool, and the lights reflected on the water flickered softly.The figure in front of them wore a long black coat, standing quietly by the railing. Her fair, delicate profile, partially obscured by a few strands of windblown hair, carried a hint of melancholy."Sir, Mrs. Campbell, is something wrong?" Aldus noticed the change and quickly stepped forward to inquire."Let's go home," Austin suddenly said, his previously cheerful expression now somber, with a touch of disdain.Go home? They had just arrived.Aldus was surprised and quickly followed Austin's gaze. When he saw what Austin was looking at, he immediately understood.Without a word, he turned to leave with Austin.But a soft hand gently grabbed Austin's arm."It's been so many years, aren't you going to say hello?" Cecily asked."I have no desire to greet her," Austin said, his disdain clear and unhidden.Three years of marriage, filled with nothing but pain.Even when Dahlia was gravely ill, Nan
After a busy day, just as Austin was about to finish up, a new invitation appeared on his desk."Who delivered this?" Austin asked."Ethan," Wolf replied.Austin chuckled, didn't bother opening the invitation, and instead tossed it directly into the trash."I've got to get home to Cecily."When he returned to the Bamboo Parlor at Tetra Club, Raquel had already prepared a delicious dinner.The dishes were beautifully presented, with vibrant colors and enticing aromas.After dinner, Austin and Ezra stepped out into the courtyard."Mr. Lockwood, any news from the Campbells about my dad?" Austin asked, the text message from Walter still weighing heavily on his mind.Considering the Campbells' efforts to find Walter, and given their intelligence resources, they should have been some leads by now.But Ezra shook his head. "Nothing, Not a trace.""The Campbells' intelligence network has never been this weak, has it?" Austin frowned, speaking in a low tone.Ezra gave a wry smile. "
"Childhood?"Austin stopped his workout, wiped the sweat from his face, and smiled bitterly.His childhood had been bleak.Only Dahlia had brought some light into the darkness.Seeing Austin's pained smile, Aldus immediately realized his mistake.He quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Sir. I spoke without thinking. You don't need to answer that.""It's fine," Austin replied, gesturing towards a nearby bench, and inviting Aldus to sit with him.Once they were seated, Austin slowly began to speak. "There's not much to tell about my childhood. It was mostly just being called an 'illegitimate child' and living day to day, never knowing where my next meal would come from."If it weren't for my mom fighting tooth and nail to raise me, I'd probably be dead by now."With just a few simple words, he conveyed a world of suffering.Aldus felt a wave of guilt. He had only been trying to find clues from Austin's past that might explain his exceptional combat instincts and incredible physical
Austin's gaze softened as warmth flooded his heart.Who hasn't longed for a light left on just for them in a sea of lights? But in reality, how many actually have that?Cecily did that for him.Given her background, the fact that she went to such lengths truly surprised Austin.In the three years he spent in the past, he had never experienced something like this.His nose tingled with emotion as he pulled Cecily into his arms, speaking softly, "Thank you. Marrying you is the greatest fortune of my life.""Alright, alright, I asked Raquel to prepare breakfast earlier this morning. You go to the dining room, and I'll have her bring it over," Cecily said as she gently slipped out of Austin's embrace, her graceful smile lighting up her eyes."Doesn't Bamboo Parlor have a kitchen?" Austin asked, curious.Cecily gave him a playful look. "The chairs in the living room are so hard, and you spent the whole night on one—how could you have slept well? If Raquel had been clattering around
The room fell into a heavy silence."Deactivating the phone number… was Dad trying to prevent me from tracking his location?" Austin murmured with a frown.Ezra pondered for a moment, his voice low and serious. "Perhaps he was more concerned about someone else tracking him."Austin's eyes widened in realization.Of course—if Walter could send him a message to let him know he was safe, he wouldn't be worried about Austin tracking himDeactivating the phone was likely to prevent others from tracing his location."But who is he trying to avoid?"Ezra shook his head, remaining silent.Having followed Walter for many years, he knew the man's temperament and habits. But this time, he was truly baffled.He couldn't even begin to piece together a clue.Taking a deep breath, Ezra forced a bitter smile. "I'm afraid I'm at a loss this time, sir. There's no sign of anything unusual from the Campbells either."This statement only deepened Austin's confusion.If there were anyone who cou
Austin knocked softly on the door.Almost immediately, he heard the sound of shuffling from inside.Ezra opened the door, his face full of curiosity. "Sir, what's going on?"Austin quickly made a shushing gesture, worried about disturbing Cecily.Then he gently pushed Ezra back into the room."Sorry to bother you so late, Mr. Lockwood," Austin said.Ezra smiled. "It's no trouble at all. The older you get, the less you need. I was just reading."Austin glanced at the book on Ezra's bedside table and couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated.This old rascal!Ezra blushed and quickly shoved the book under his pillow.Austin sat on the bed and pulled up the text message from Walter, showing it to Ezra."I just received this message."When Ezra read the text, his eyes lit up with a sharp gleam, and he was overjoyed. "This is from Mr. Walter!"Austin nodded, his expression serious. "But I've sent several messages back, and there's been no reply. I called twice—once it was immedi
"The underground king of Eastbrook bows down."This news swept through Eastbrook like a storm.Ethan knew that by doing this, he would become the laughingstock of the entire city. But he also knew he had no choice—he had to do it!Even if he became a joke, he would remain the underground king. But if he refused to lower his head, he would end up a dead man.He understood the situation perfectly.In fact, that very night, a message was released from Brook Villa.No one is to compete for the land!This is a clear warning to all real estate companies in Eastbrook. It was also a gesture of goodwill toward Austin.But Austin didn't pay it much mind.If not for Derrick's involvement, he had no idea how Ethan would have responded—but Austin knew his response would have been much tougher.A mere city's underground king? He didn't even compare to the richest man in Basin City or the capital—he wasn't even worthy of carrying their shoes!After leaving Brook Villa, Austin didn't linger