“I’ve made everything crystal clear, haven’t I? But since when have you ever trusted a single word out of my mouth?” Alex snapped.“You should’ve laid it all out for me, at the very least! How am I supposed to believe you when you never treat anything with real seriousness?” Sophia fired back, her anger seething.“So it’s my fault again,” Alex muttered, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him.“I’m always in the wrong, no matter what I do. And you? You’re forever right. Fine. Have it your way—you’re right.”“Of course I’m right,” Sophia retorted in a sharp burst, then instantly regretted her words.“I’m done caring,” Alex growled, jerking his arm away from her grip with deliberate force.“We’re finished here. Let go of me.”His eyes bore into her as though she was a complete stranger.No—she was staring at a man who’d been pushed too far, who’d had enough.She sensed that if she let him go, he might never return to her side again.“What do you want from me, Alex? Can’t you quit act

The days that followed felt eerily calm, the kind of hush that settles after a tempest.Jasmine Kingston’s iron will now reigned over the streets of Vancouver.Under her genius leadership, the city rose to unprecedented heights, surpassing anything it had witnessed before.Alfred Kingston held sway over the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles.Even Kelly had carved out her domain in the rugged territory of Vermont.Though her claim was recent and largely untested, the backing from both Vancouver and L.A. was enough to keep any potential challengers at bay.Guided by the Kingston family’s teachings, Kelly’s skills blossomed with startling speed, like a flower flourishing under a midday sun.During that time, Alex had transformed a decrepit building at the edge of a slum into a humble clinic—and a refuge from the world.He kept his true identity concealed, operating the clinic for a mere two or three hours each day to provide free treatment to those who had nowhere else to go, particula

“Finally, Owen is here!” Bella let out a delighted laugh, her eyes shining with relief.“Bella! Scarlett! Are you alright?” The tall, broad-shouldered man rushed toward them, completely ignoring Alex as though he were invisible.He stood with a commanding presence, sharp-eyed and radiating an unmistakable air of nobility that set him apart from common folk.“We’re fine,” Bella answered, her voice bright with gratitude, “all thanks to Alex, who saved us.”“Oh, really?” Owen Whitman’s tone dripped with skepticism as he raked his gaze over Alex.“Bella, a man’s face doesn’t reveal his true character. You’d do well to steer clear of strangers.”Suddenly, Owen’s expression twisted. “Wait. I know you—aren’t you the Alex who had the nerve to slap Bella?”His eyes blazed with fury. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you after what you did to her.”Bella darted between Owen and Alex, her movements frantic.“Owen, stop it! It was my fault, and we’ve settled it already. My father forgave the wh

Alex looked at Bella and let out a weary sigh.He picked up a small glass bottle with a single pill inside and held it out to her.“If something happens to you,” he said quietly, “use this pill. But mark my words—this is just a temporary measure. You really do need help…and maybe I’m the only one who can provide it.”Bella’s heart fluttered, her breath caught in her throat, and before she could think twice, the words just tumbled out:“I believe in you.”Alex blinked, stunned. “…What?”Bella’s eyes widened. “I-I mean—yes! I… I have a heart condition,” she stammered, her cheeks turning a soft pink, like the sky before sunrise.“And I think… only you can fix it.”There was a long, awkward pause.Then, trying to recover, she waved her hands a little too fast.“N-not like that! I mean… not the mushy, love-struck kind of heart thing…”She looked away, biting her bottom lip, her voice dropping to a whisper.“I mean the real kind. The one that’s actually broken.”“A real, serious heart disea

As Alex and Josephine crossed the threshold of the Kane estate, he spotted a semi‑circle of white coats—Vancouver’s medical aristocracy—clustered like ravens in the marbled foyer.“You’re finally here, young man! Come in, quickly!” Lidia cried, her smile nearly swallowing her face.A ripple of unease crawled down Alex’s spine before he forced it away.“You claimed you could cure my daughter,” Jericho said, his baritone iron‑hard. “If you can’t, admit it now.”“I stand by my word,” Alex answered, a calm smile cutting across his face. “But the Heaven Root is my price—yes or no?”Jericho possessed the Heaven Root, a relic‑rare herb.Fortune and patience had handed him a single piece, and only recently had it ripened enough to be swallowed.He guarded it for Bella’s future years, because every powerful family in the province would claw for it if they smelled the chance.“Fine,” Jericho said, frost edging each syllable. “Heal her, and the Heaven Root is yours. Fail, and God help you.”“You