The detention center was quieter than Jessica expected.There were no dramatic corridors, no visible chaos. Just controlled movement, muted footsteps, and reinforced glass separating choices from consequences.She signed the visitor log without hesitation.“Relationship to detainee?” the officer asked.She paused briefly.“Personal.”The officer nodded and gestured toward the secured visitation area.Adrian was already seated when she entered.His wrists were not restrained this time, but the room itself was confinement enough. A metal table divided the space. Two fixed chairs. A single camera in the corner.He looked thinner.Not physically diminished, but contained.“Jessica,” he said evenly.She remained standing for a moment before sitting across from him.“You asked to see me,” he continued.“I needed clarity.”He gave a faint, tired smile. “Clarity comes late.”She studied him carefully.For the first time since she had known him, there was no performance in his posture. No calc

The courtroom was controlled.No unnecessary press. No dramatic crowd. Just officials, legal representatives, and a handful of observers permitted by clearance.Adrian stood between his attorneys, hands free but posture confined by the weight of the proceedings. The arrogance that once defined him had thinned, replaced by calculation sharpened by urgency.Jessica sat several rows behind the prosecution table. Not beside him. Not beside anyone. Her back remained straight, her hands folded neatly in her lap as though composure alone could steady the past.Jasper was present as well, seated near the front with Rowan at his side. He had not been required to attend, but absence would have been interpreted. He chose visibility.The judge entered. The room rose, then settled.Charges were restated in measured tones. Financial manipulation. International fraud. Coercive destabilization attempts. Each word carried no drama, only consequence.Adrian listened without interruption.When the judge

Three months and Jasper’s name hasn't left the top of the world's wealth rankings.In a high extravagant building, walls made of glass and floor of marbles sat a man in his late thirties. The office was silent, a stack of books filled the shelf, a hot cup of coffee laid on his desk.Jasper’s eyes scanned through the stack of financial reports when his phone suddenly rang.He picked up his phone and with the corner of his eyes, saw the caller ID. He lifted a brow before answering. “Jasmine?” he called. It's been a long time since he heard from any of them. It was a big surprise that she had called now. Her voice sounded tense.“Jasper… Sophia is missing.”He blinked. Once. “What do you mean missing?” Jasper asked with a deep frown.“She hasn't been seen for two weeks,” Jasmine said. “Her apartment is empty. Her phones are off. No one has heard from her.”A dangerous silence filled the room.Two weeks.If Sophia had disappeared for even two days, someone would have reported it.But

Jasper's mind moved quickly as he continued to analyzing the situation. This wasn’t random.The kidnappers had moved too efficiently. They knew exactly where and when to strike.Which meant they had been watching Sophia.Watching her for days.Maybe longer.A slow anger began building in his chest.He replayed the footage.Again.And again.Each time, his eyes focused on different details.The way the vehicle approached. The speed at which the men exited. The precision of their movements.No hesitation. No wasted motion.Professionals.“Start investigating Sophia’s family.” Jasper said to Tiger. Jasmine blinked, “The family? Again?”She knew the family were involved in the accident last time and damaged her legs. Thanks to Jasper she could walk again. “Yes and find the car.”Tiger nodded immediately. “We’re already running the license plate through several databases. But the number looks fake.”Jasper’s jaw tightened.“Of course it is.”He turned toward the security team.“Check eve

Jasper stood quietly on a hotel's balcony in Silverlake.Just the day before he sent Elise a message to meet up with him. Elise promised to be there on time. Both hands gripped the rail before him. Sophia was still missing. There's been no clue yet. No one was saying anything. The kidnappers were calling. His system has been silent.And worst of all, Bai Zhe's statement has been in his heart of hearts.Again and again, he questioned himself. Was Sophia still alive? Is she alright? He has flown down to Silverlake from Oakridge just to have this meeting with Elise. He hasn't slept a wink nor has he eaten anything since he heard of Sophia's kidnapping. “Sophia, what were you researching on?" He wondered. The sound of heels against marble interrupted his thoughts.Jasper didn’t need to turn to know who had arrived. He saw her when she came down from her car from up there. Elise Valmont. She stepped into the balcony like she owned the entire building.Her long dark coat flowed behind