"I'm sorry, Karvel. I can't go through with this marriage."In the president's office of Carter Group, Mariya, the CEO, stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, her expression as cold as her words.Dressed in an elegant dress, she looked every inch the aloof beauty the tabloids loved to praise.Across from her sat a man—handsome but plainly dressed."Mariya, what are you saying?" Karvel's voice trembled slightly. "We agreed on this, didn’t we?"They had. The plan was clear: the day Carter Group went public; they would end their three-year relationship and finally get married. But now—"I'm going to be honest with you.""Karvel, the distance between us… it’s just too big now. Don’t you see?""It’s like heaven and earth. And to me… it’s just a burden."A burden?Karvel stared at her, stunned.He hadn’t expected Mariya to say that.The woman whose company he’d helped save from bankruptcy.Carter Group’s success today? His doing.Mariya’s achievements? He'd been there every step of

Mariya’s expression changed dramatically. “What did you just say? He stole it? The Heart of the Ocean?”That jewel was legendary among the upper class.Mariya had done her own research on it in secret. She had even dreamed that if she ever got married, wearing that gem would be the ultimate fairy-tale moment.Vincent doubled down. “Exactly. I saw it with my own eyes. If you don’t believe me, ask the employees who were there. That guy’s gone completely insane, stealing a national treasure just to win your heart. He’s finished.”Mariya looked uncertain. “As far as I know, Karvel may be poor, but he’d never stoop to something as low as theft.”Vincent sneered. “That’s exactly why he stole it, because he’s poor. Think about it, Mariya. If he didn’t steal it, how else could a guy like him possibly have the Heart of the Ocean?”Isabelle chimed in, backing him up. “He definitely stole it. No doubt about it.”She was fuming inside. Who would've thought that plain black box Karvel had been ho

Markos pulled the car over onto a quiet street.The auction was starting in ten minutes.“Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you off right at the entrance?” Markos asked.“No,” Karvel replied. “I’m not looking to make a scene like some nouveau riche. Just park in that alley up ahead.”Markos nodded, turned the wheel, and guided the Maybach into a narrow alleyway.Karvel reached for the door handle.But just then, a commotion up ahead caught his attention.At the far end of the alley, a sleek black luxury car was boxed in by two bulky SUVs.A group of eight or nine men surrounded the vehicle, all wearing black jackets.Karvel narrowed his eyes.Markos gently tapped the brakes. “What’s going on here?”Karvel muttered, “What do you think? Looks like a carjacking.”He opened the door.“I’ll go see what’s happening.”Markos grabbed his arm. “Boss, let me call in the bodyguards. No need to take risks.”“No need,” Karvel said as he stepped out. “Not worth making a fuss over a few street

Night had fallen, and the city lights sparkled to life.In front of the orphanage, the plaza had been transformed. A red carpet stretched across the ground, and the air buzzed with elegance—suits, gowns, perfume, and laughter. Successful elites strolled in with their partners, ready to mingle.“Miss Sophia, welcome!”The orphanage’s director personally greeted Sophia Yale at the entrance.Just as Sophia opened her mouth to respond, the elderly man adjusted his glasses and noticed the man standing beside her. His eyes lit up.“Dr. Karvel? You came too? Oh my, the children have been waiting for you!”Several children from the orphanage rushed over, calling out “big brother” as they surrounded Karvel excitedly.Sophia blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected that even as the heiress of the prestigious Yale family, she’d be overshadowed by a young man.As she stood there slightly dazed, a few high-profile guests walked by and politely greeted her.Sophia smiled back, thinking, Finally, so

She looked at Karvel coldly. In her eyes were disappointment, anger, and a trace of jealousy—even if she herself hadn’t realized it yet.“Karvel, we just broke up, and you already found someone new? How ridiculous. I was still feeling guilty about how things ended between us. Turns out, I was just being naive!”Karvel shot back sarcastically, “When it comes to finding someone new, I could never compete with your efficiency!”“You… Fine! I can’t win an argument with you—you’re always right!”Mariya was at a loss for words.Sophia’s beauty, her alluring curves, and her commanding presence all made Mariya feel deeply threatened.If the woman beside Karvel had been plain or ordinary, Mariya might’ve brushed it off with a sneer.But Sophia was different. She wasn’t inferior to Mariya in any way.She was a stunning woman—irresistibly seductive. The way Vincent ogled her said it all.And now, this breathtaking woman was nestled beside the man Mariya had thrown away.Mariya couldn’t deny it—i