“Find out everything about him.”Marcellus ordered, his expression sharp.“His background, past relationships, any weakness we can use.”The subordinate hesitated.“Sir, if he really is—”“Do it.”Marcellus interrupted, his voice calm but firm.“And report back to me immediately.”After dismissing the hesitant subordinate, Marcellus turned to Vedro, his trusted bodyguard, who stood by the door with his arms crossed.“Yes, Sir!”“Handle him when Valeria is not around.”A slow smirk played on his lips.“Make sure it looks... natural.”Vedro nodded, cracking his knuckles with deliberate ease before heading to the courtyard, where Javier would soon arrive.His grin stretched wider as he thought of the entertainment ahead.Valeria took Javier to the backyard and asked him to wait while Valeria called her parents.“Wait for me. I need to call my parents.”“Take your time.”Javier inclined his head slightly, his calm demeanor unwavering, hands casually resting in his pockets.“I'll be right h

To gain support, Valeria took Javier Everhart to the home of her uncle, Hudson Cortes."I hope you know what you're getting into," Javier said.He glanced at Valeria with a raised eyebrow as they drove through the city."Your family sounds like they’d eat me alive.""Not you." Valeria smiled.She adjusted her sunglasses."Just me. They don’t like my position in the company. They think I don’t deserve it."Javier exhaled slowly, studying her expression."So, you're walking into the lion’s den, and I’m supposed to be your shield?"Valeria nodded."Exactly. If they see that I have a strong man by my side, they'll hesitate to challenge me."Javier shook his head in amusement."You do realize I’m a bankrupt veterinarian, right? I’m not exactly an intimidating force."Valeria rolled her eyes."Details, details. They don’t need to know that. Just look calm, composed, and unbothered. You’re very good at that."Javier smirked."So you’re asking me to be a very expensive, well-dressed houseplan

"Do you need my help now, Valeria?"Javier asked, his voice as calm as ever. The faintest glint of amusement flickered in his dark eyes as he watched Valeria fume in frustration.Valeria clenched her jaw, crossing her arms as she glared at the mansion’s massive iron gates."I don't need your help, Javier. Don't make trouble."The words were clipped, filled with irritation, but the way she bit her lower lip betrayed her uncertainty.Valeria, as the president of the family group, wanted to get the support of Rowen's family, but couldn't even get in, realising that her idea was naive. The guards had just refused her entry, stating that the patriarch of the Rowen family, Dalton Rowen, was only seeing Hudson today.It was an obvious power play, one designed to humiliate her.But Valeria was not one to back down—unfortunately, brute force was not an option, and she knew it.Javier sighed, rubbing his temple as if dealing with a stubborn child."I might be able to help," he said simply, his

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the grand entrance of the Rodrigo residence.The air was thick with tension as two figures stood at the gate, their intentions as clear as their animosity towards each other.Valeria, with her sharp eyes and stern expression, stood resolutely, her mind racing with the weight of the day's importance.She didn’t want Javier to come here, because she couldn’t stand to lose the support of the Rodrigo family.Beside her, Hudson lounged nonchalantly, a smirk playing on his lips as he casually leaned against the ornate iron gate.But now, as the shadows lengthened and the evening grew darker, her confidence began to waver. She couldn't afford to fail. If she didn't meet Rodrigo today, everything she had worked for could crumble.Her birthday banquet, meant to be a celebration of her achievements, would become a laughingstock.And with it, the family business, which had been in her family for generations, might spiral into decline."

In the grand living room of the Rodrigo mansion, the head of the Rodrigo family, Douglas, was hosting a distinguished elderly man.The old man exuded an aura of authority and command, and Douglas treated him with utmost reverence, assuring him that the Rodrigo family would absolutely comply with his orders.The old man, with a stern yet wise expression, reminded Douglas, "While making money is important, there are things more valuable than wealth. We must not tarnish the Rodrigo family's reputation for the sake of profit."At that moment, a security guard, having interrupted the conversation between Douglas and the old man.“Mr. Rodrigo...”Douglas was immediately furious and yelled at the security guard, “Get the fuck out!”“Get out, didn't you see I'm with Mr. Sylas?Don't bother me with anything, no matter how important!"The security guard was so scared that he didn't dare to say a word and turned around to run.He didn't breathe a sigh of relief until he ran into the yard.He cur