The Lancasters’ mansion glowed at nights. The LED landscape lights illuminate the exterior of the building. The swimming pool glowed like an ocean of led lights. Madam Ann sat by the pool, sipping her Aged Tequila Elixir. The world was beautiful, her life was beautiful. She was now working with the big dogs. She would have loved to say thanks to Gary, but her pride was way bigger than her sense of gratitude. As a matter of fact, Gary had said it himself; he was just a messenger. And really, what else could he be? A loser, a live-in son-in-law who could not afford to find a proper job to pay for his dying grandmother. It was clear: all Gary knew how to do best was be a loser and nothing more. So, Madam Ann could rest assured that Gary would not and never be a rival, or competition. But she would keep him, he seemed to have good luck, a lucky charm. Still, truth kept gnawing at the back of her proud mind. How? “Gary, how? What are you hiding? How could someone as powerful as Mr.

“Why would you call me in the middle of the night, Serena? What could be so important that you could not wait till tomorrow?” Gary asked, adjusting his tie as he walked down the hallway of his company, Serena walking ahead of him. “Its um… you… you’ll see, Master,” she said, walking hastily as if she had seen a ghost and it had tried to kll her. Gary sighed and followed. They kept walking until they got to the boardroom. The boardroom was not the usual quiet, empty hall at night. There were more than two persons standing there, more than five men. All security guards, fully armed and ready to strike. “Serena, did you call me here to watch the city at night with these guys? Cause if you did, I swear to God I will make sure you don’t get to see that movie next weekend. Trust me!” Gary said, his eyes feeling heavy. He had left Evelyn on hold, dashing out of the house for an ‘emergency’. He had simply told Evelyn an emphatic ‘NO!’ And really, what else could he say? That he forgave

Gary flinched, standing fast, wiping it off with his sleeve as Calvin’s cracked lips parted. “Tāmen yào lái zhuā nǐ,” he rasped, voice low and jagged, Chinese words tumbling out like a curse. “Nǐ táo bù diào, xiǎo yáng.” Then he went quiet, head dropping again, a smirk twitching on his bloody mouth. Gary froze, the spit still stinging his skin, his mind racing. It was disgusting. But Gary did not charge. Instead, one of the security guards rasied the end of his gun and smashed Calvin at the back of head. How dare he spit on Master Wang’s face?!” “What’d he say?” Gary asked, turning to Serena, who’d gone pale, her hands fidgeting. One of the guards—a wiry guy with a buzz cut—spoke up, hesitant. “Uh, sir, I know a little Mandarin from my cousin. Think he said… ‘They’re coming for you. You can’t escape, lamb.’ Like, sacrificial lamb, you know?” The guard shifted, uneasy, glancing at Calvin like he might sprout fangs. “Lamb?” Gary muttered, a cold knot twisting in his gut. He looke

Evelyn’s eyes widened, her hand over her mouth, staring at Gary like she’d never seen him before. Madam Ann’s jaw dropped, her arms unfolding, tequila glass forgotten on the table behind her. The staff—maids, a cook peering from the kitchen—froze, whispers starting. “Did you see that?” one muttered. “Guy’s got hands—where’d that come from?” Kage clutched his face, stumbling back, shock mixing with his usual sneer. “You… I knew it, you’re not just some bum,” he rasped, voice wobbly but still digging, that envelope’s promise—Find The New Heir—flashing in his head. It couldn’t be, could it? That Gary was actually the heir. “First Wolfe bows, now this? Who the hell are you, Gary?” Gary let go, stepping back, his face blank but eyes steady. “Nobody,” he said, slow, shrugging like it was nothing. “Just sick of your noise. Keep your hands off her, or I won’t stop next time.” His voice stayed low, but it carried—years of taking hits had taught him how to throw them, too. Nobody clocked

“Mother, why did you…” Slap! “Don’t you dare! You will speak of no such nonsense to me ever again. Gary is a lucky bastard who managed to meet some wealthy guys. He is nothing but a lucky bastard and I won’t let my daughter be with a lucky bastard. I want my daughter to be with a man who buys he luck. So, tomorrow, you will go to the best hair stylist in this country and get the most pretty dress for the party and You Will Get Married To Edmond, or I’ll make sure you regret it!” Madam Ann’s voice sliced through the dining room, sharp enough to cut glass. Evelyn went quiet. Gary, pressed against the foyer wall, held his breath, his fingers brushing the ring in his pocket—cold, heavy, like it heard every word. His legs still shook from the drive, Lola’s warning ringing: “Your grandfather’s alive. That ring means he’s close.” He’d meant to slip upstairs, avoid this mess, but Madam Ann’s screams hooked him. Now he stood frozen, eavesdropping, heart thumping loud enough to give him aw