That evening, Dave and Anne went to visit Anne's house—the place where Dave's mother was also currently staying. The house was warm and inviting, filled with the aroma of home-cooked food and the sound of laughter even before they entered.As they stepped inside, they found the two women—Mrs. Kit and Mrs. Lucy—sitting together in the living room, deeply engrossed in conversation. It was clear that they had been enjoying each other's company immensely during the time Dave and Anne had been away. They had grown remarkably close in such a short period, sharing stories, meals, and experiences together. They talked and laughed endlessly about different things—childhood memories, funny incidents, observations about life. Their bond had blossomed into something beautiful.And while they were at it, they had also been visiting places together during the day—markets, cafes, parks—exploring the city and building their friendship. They were already becoming besties, their connection deepening wi

They remained like that for a long time, lying side by side in each other’s arms. The quiet of the room wrapped around them like a soft blanket, making everything feel calm and distant from the outside world. There was no rush, no urgency—just the steady comfort of being together.They spoke about different things, letting their conversation drift naturally from one topic to another. Some of it was light and playful, while other parts carried a deeper tone. Yet through it all, there was an ease between them, a kind of understanding that didn’t need effort. It was the kind of moment where even silence felt meaningful, and words only added to the connection they already shared.After a while, Anne shifted slightly in his arms, her expression thoughtful. There was something on her mind, something she had been considering for some time now. She hesitated briefly, as if deciding whether or not to bring it up, before finally speaking.“So… how’s the plan going?” she asked softly. “The plan

Mr. Yale knew very well that Mr. Dan was not just any client. He was a man of immense influence—someone who could bring far more than just money. A connection like that could open doors, elevate status, and secure long-term benefits that went beyond immediate gain.Because of that, there was no way Mr. Yale could afford to lose him.Not like this.Not over something as simple as Dave’s absence.The moment Mr. Dan made it clear that he was willing to leave if Dave was not present, a wave of urgency passed through Mr. Yale. His mind began racing, searching quickly for a solution—anything that would keep this valuable client from walking away.He needed to act fast.And so, without wasting another second, he stepped forward slightly, his expression shifting into one of reassurance.“No, please—don’t leave,” Mr. Yale said quickly, forcing a polite smile onto his face. “I think you may have misunderstood what I meant. I didn’t say that Dave has left. I only meant that he isn’t around at th

Anne simply smiled, clearly impressed, and gave a light round of applause as Dave finished explaining the details of the plan to Mr. Simon and outlined what he needed to do.“Wow,” she said, her tone filled with genuine admiration. “It’s perfect. Honestly, it’s hard to see how this wouldn’t work out well.”Dave smiled at her reaction, though his expression remained calm and measured.“Hopefully it does,” he replied. “That’s the goal.”There was a quiet confidence in his voice, but he didn’t allow himself to sound overly certain. He knew that even the best plans could face unexpected turns. Still, everything so far seemed to be aligning exactly the way he had predicted.The three of them continued their discussion, going over the plan in more detail. They revisited each part of it, breaking it down step by step to ensure there were no gaps or weaknesses. Anne contributed her thoughts where necessary, pointing out small areas that could be adjusted or improved. Mr. Simon also added his

The treatment proceeded.Inside the operating room, everything had begun in an orderly and controlled manner. The atmosphere was focused, with each member of the medical team carrying out their role with precision. The equipment was set, the environment sterile, and all attention was directed toward the patient lying on the table—Mr. Dan.Mr. Yale stood at the center of it all.He was in charge.Dressed in his surgical attire, with his mask properly in place, he carried himself with confidence. His movements were steady, his tone firm, and his presence commanding. To anyone watching, he appeared to be fully in control of the situation.“I know what’s wrong with him,” Mr. Yale said, his voice calm and assured. “Hand me the instrument—I’ll handle it.”The doctors assisting him immediately responded, passing him exactly what he asked for without hesitation. There was no delay, no questioning. They trusted his authority in that moment.Mr. Yale began working on Mr. Dan.From the very star