*****At this moment, Grace felt that her brain wasn’t functioning properly, her thoughts slow and disorganized, as though everything inside her had jammed at once.Her heart pounded violently in her chest, each beat loud and frantic, echoing in her ears like a drum she couldn’t silence.The question she had just asked…She already knew the undeniable truth.Knowing herself better than most people, she knew well that she didn’t have what it took to catch the interest of a first-rank family, let alone four of them.That wasn’t self-doubt… it was something she had experienced firsthand, repeatedly, painfully, and without mercy. And given everything that had happened in the past, there was only one person capable of pulling off something like this.Before Xavier entered her life, she had struggled endlessly, working herself to exhaustion for years, doing everything within her power, literally… everything legal and reasonable just to get a chance at Projects Echelon.She hadn’t ev

*****Before those words were uttered, she had been fighting sleep with everything she had, stubbornly resisting it despite her exhaustion, her mind refusing to shut down.But the moment he had said those words…Her resistance had crumbled, and her brain, as though it had grown a mind of its own, had decided on its own that it was safe to let go.And she had fallen into a deep, peaceful, and unaware sleep.Until now, she hadn’t remembered any of it, as though that moment had never existed, but now that it resurfaced…It refused to leave.Instead, it clung to her thoughts, tightening around her heart like a vice, and with it…Her guilt exploded, surging so violently that her entire body felt weak, as though the strength had been drained from her bones.‘What have I done?!’The question struck her like a sledgehammer, sending shockwaves through her entire being.Her vision wavered, her balance faltered, and for a split second, it truly felt like she might collapse right there

*****Still inside the massive living room.At this moment, David stood beside Williams, a warm smile resting on his face as he silently supported him, listening attentively as Williams spoke… marveling nonstop about how none of this made any sense to him.“I’ve watched the news for years,” Williams said, his voice still filled with lingering disbelief. “I’ve followed the power shifts, the families, the politics, and almost everything… but this?” He let out a soft breath, almost like a laugh. “Four first-rank families stepping forward like this? Not even for their own people do they act this… eager.”David nodded his head faintly, still not interrupting, his expression saying, ‘I understand exactly what you mean.’“And the Oriens…” Williams added, his tone dipping slightly, though not with anger… just pure astonishment. “For everything to turn around this quickly… it doesn’t even feel real.”David finally chuckled under his breath and muttered, “Looks like karma’s been waiting f

*****“I…” Grace blurted, her lips parting as she tried to speak, but the words got stuck somewhere between her throat and her courage, refusing to come out properly.Just then…“Alright?” Xavier asked again, his voice still low, still warm, and still carrying that same gentle firmness that didn’t pressure her, yet somehow made it impossible to refuse.Another shiver ran down Grace’s spine, slower this time, deeper, and before she could even process it, her head, seemingly having gained a mind of its own, nodded.She didn’t even realize she had agreed until it was already done.Seeing this, Xavier’s smile deepened slightly, growing warmer… quietly approving and satisfied in a way that made it even more dangerous for her already unsteady heart.Then, without another word or giving her a moment to prepare, he pulled her back into his arms.It was so smooth and natural, as though it had always been meant to happen that way.“Congratulations on the new achievements,” he added war

*****For a brief second, Little Lola looked like she might retreat entirely and pretend she never heard the phone at all. But then…She gritted her teeth, making up her mind.With that, she carefully reached out and tapped Xavier. “Uncle,” she called out gently.‘This…’It was as though someone had plugged him into an electric socket.Xavier jolted all over, his entire body reacting before his mind caught up, the moment snapping apart instantly.Almost immediately, Grace also returned to her senses, the spell breaking just as abruptly. And the moment her eyes landed on Little Lola… standing there and staring up at them with wide, serious eyes…It felt like a lightning bolt had struck her directly.In one swift, panicked motion, she tore herself out of Xavier’s embrace and jumped back as though she had just been caught committing an unforgivable crime.“Little Lola,” she called awkwardly, her voice betraying her composure as her face flushed a deep, unmistakable red.‘How c