Chapter 21: The Returning ShadowThe Los Angeles night sky hung quietly over the exclusive five-star restaurant. Inside the classic-modern designed dining room, the Harrison family dinner unfolded with a warmth laced with caution.Andreas Harrison sat in his usual seat, occasionally sipping red wine from a crystal glass. Alicia sat beside him, listening attentively. Ethan, clad in his elegant black suit, appeared relaxed but remained ever vigilant.Beside the table, a bespectacled man stood upright. Smith. Ethan’s trusted assistant."There’s someone I’d like to introduce," Smith said in his professional tone before gesturing toward the restaurant entrance.A woman stepped inside.Vanessa.She wore a sleek black suit that accentuated her tall, athletic figure. Her sharp eyes scanned the room as if reading the situation in a single glance. Her long hair was neatly tied back, adding to her enigmatic aura."Vanessa will be your personal bodyguard, Ethan," Smith announced. "She’s the best

The conference room lights cast sharp shadows on Gabriel’s face as he stared at the two people before him. Valeria sat upright, her fingers intertwined on the table, her expression calm despite the storm lingering in her eyes. Beside her, Max Miller leaned back slightly, his jaw clenched, his right hand tapping the table as if counting down time. “I don’t care what happened between you two,” Gabriel’s voice was low, but heavy with pressure. “Haroldson Construction and Macora are both on the brink. We have a common enemy, and I need assurance that you can work together.” Valeria took a deep breath, then nodded. “I’ll do whatever it takes for Haroldson.” Max let out a quiet scoff, his gaze flicking briefly to Valeria before settling on Gabriel. “And I won’t let Macora sink any further.” Tension hung in the air, but none of them backed down. They all knew this wasn’t about past wounds or lingering emotions. This was about bringing down Harrison Company, and none of them had any inte

Vanessa sat at the edge of the bed, studying Ethan’s exhausted face.“You look like someone who just lost his mind,” she said, her voice soft but piercing.Ethan gave a crooked smile. “Maybe I have.”Vanessa let out a short laugh, then stood and walked toward the window, stopping beside him.“I know you’re not stupid, Ethan. You’re just… too kind. Or too blind?”Ethan turned to look at her. Vanessa met his gaze with an expression full of quiet attention. There was something in her eyes that made him feel more at ease than with anyone else—even Alicia.“I just don’t want to judge anyone without proof,” Ethan said, half-defending himself.Vanessa smirked, casually picking up the empty glass on the table and twirling it between her fingers.“But you know, some people don’t need evidence to show who they really are. Sometimes, the way they speak, the way they smile after getting what they want—that’s all the proof you need.”Ethan sighed. “I don’t know who to trust anymore.”Vanessa’s exp