Franco watched Muna closely, his brows drawn as he noticed how her gaze hadn’t left her phone screen for minutes now. Her expression had softened into something between surprise and joy, and her lips kept twitching like she was holding back a smile.Curious, Franco leaned a bit forward, trying to catch her eyes. “I guess someone just got a sweet message from her crush, huh?” he teased, voice light but probing.Muna snapped out of her trance and looked up at him, her smile widening. “No, Franco,” she chuckled. “It’s not what it seems like!”Franco raised a brow, playful suspicion in his eyes. He signaled a waiter with a small wave and turned back to her. “Oh really? Then tell me—what does the message say? Because I know you well, and that kind of glow doesn’t come from a business deal.”Muna tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear and grinned. “Well, it’s not business related at all. The message is from my old friend—Aria. She just texted that she’s finally coming back from C

Back at Otlanto General Hospital, Eddie Watson arrived with his men to visit his brother.Billy’s condition hadn't improved.The injuries he sustained during the counterattack with Franco had left his body wrecked. Franco had lifted him from a terrifying height and slammed him to the ground like a bag of bones. That day changed everything.Billy had slipped into a coma for weeks, and though he eventually woke up—that same reason Eddie could even attend the award ceremony with Adam back then—his recovery had been a nightmare. Months had passed, but his bones refused to heal. He’d been confined to a hospital bed, stuck in a wheelchair, robbed of everything he once enjoyed.He missed the wild nights. The freedom. The parties. The girls.But Franco took that from him. And now, he lay there, a prisoner of his own shattered body, watching time pass while his youth wasted away.In his VIP ward, Billy stared ahead with a twisted look of anger, frustration boiling beneath his skin.His body mi

Seeing Rehinnna’s face again—after all these centuries—filled Stone Reghas with something close to joy.A cruel, dark joy.It was as if the pieces of his life, shattered long ago, were falling back into place. The vengeance he had carried in his soul for ages burned hotter with every heartbeat. The picture Eddie sent was no longer just a job—it was the key to his true mission.Before Eddie could say another word, Stone cut in, voice sharp.“Consider the job done.”He didn’t care who this Franco Milton was. The only thing that mattered was the woman standing beside him in the photograph. Aria.Or… not Aria.No. Stone’s blood boiled as the truth struck him—it was her. Rehinnna.He walked slowly toward his private chamber, eyes locked on the glowing image in his phone. Every step seemed to stoke his rage. His mind replayed the same venomous moment over and over:> “He tried to take advantage of me! He raped me!”The false accusation. The lies. The betrayal that ruined him.And then anoth

Rita rose slowly from her chair, eyes narrowing at Edgar, who stood in the doorway holding his smartphone like it was a ticket to salvation.In her head, she was already sighing. This useless boy has started again.Ever since Edgar lost the wealth and influence he once flaunted, Rita had stopped taking him seriously. In her mind, anything he said—any “plan” he came up with—was as worthless as dust. She didn’t bother hiding her disdain.“If this is one of your stupid pranks,” she warned, her voice sharp as glass, “you’d better start packing your luggage. Because after that prank, you’re getting thrown out of this mansion. Immediately.”Edgar only grinned, as if her threat amused him.“You don’t have to worry about whether I’m joking or not,” he said. “The truth is, I’m doing everything it takes to pull not just you, but this entire family out of this stinking pit of poverty. In fact—” his smile widened “—I’m about to elevate us.”Maya, who had been slouched on the couch, sat up straigh

“Stop!” Elena roared, her voice cracking with desperation as she lunged forward, gripping her mother’s hand tightly. “Just stop this, Ma! Stop it! I’ll follow you to the Ruffian White House—just don’t hurt yourself!”The jagged bottle trembled in Rita’s grasp. Slowly, she eased the pressure against her neck, the dangerous edge lowering until it hung limply at her side. Elena pulled her into a firm embrace, her arms wrapping around her as though she could shield her from herself.One point down. One plan a success.Rita allowed herself to be held, her body softening in her daughter’s arms. Deep down, she had always known Elena would stop her—her daughter’s stubbornness had its limits when life was at stake. But even so, the thought flashed through her mind like a cold wind: What if Elena hadn’t stopped me? Would I have really… died?“I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself, Mother. I was worried sick about you,” Maya’s voice cut in, carrying a false sweetness that made Elena’s skin prickle.