Nicholas seemed to have decided that he trusted her again, and Nora didn't know what to do with that. Did that mean that she'd passed the test? Could it really be that simple? She tried not to let him notice her wary gaze as their private jet approached its destination. He didn't look bothered enough for someone who was going to confront the most powerful founding father in the Belford family. In fact, from what she could see, he was texting Natalie.She was about to blow a fuse over here, yet he was so relaxed.It was unsettling."Are you sure about this?" she asked. Just to put an end to this weird atmosphere."I wouldn't be going if I wasn't," he replied."But there could be traps," she said. "This is Harold we're talking about.""You think I'm not prepared for that possibility?" he retorted. "Besides, you said it yourself. Harold doesn't reveal the location of these meetings to anyone, not even his own cohorts. Who would be lying in wait to implement such a trap?"Nora had to admi

"There are two factions that call the shots at Familia," Harold began. "I'm sure that by now you've figured out that Familia isn't just an orphanage. It's an organization. One more of the many run by the Belford family.""I'm aware of that," Nicholas confirmed. "It seems farfetched, though, that there would be factions tussling over an orphanage. Organization or not.""The orphanage was one of the patriarch's greatest gold mines," Harold said. "It's one thing to hire goons. It's an entirely different thing to raise them. Nurture them. What's going on in that place isn't just training. It's architecture. Those children are being constructed into weapons. You've met them, haven't you? What was your impression?"Nicholas thought of them. Of those teenagers slinging guns like war veterans, their eyes devoid of any emotion."If they are raised to adulthood like that," he said, "they would be an unstoppable army.""Exactly," Harold replied. "And who wouldn't want control over that unstoppab

Natalie's life was in Jerome's hands, which was the only reason Nicholas allowed himself and Kabuto to be handcuffed and taken to a room upstairs. He and Kabuto were forced to kneel while Jerome sprawled on a chair like it was his throne, looking pleased with himself. Behind him stood Nora. This time, she was the one pressing the gun to Natalie's temple. Natalie's hands and feet were bound, her mouth gagged. She blinked furiously, trying to hold back tears. She couldn't let herself cry. She had to be strong, for Nicholas."So," Jerome said, "I don't believe we've been properly introduced, Nicholas Belford.""Cut the act, 'Belling de Nor'," Nicholas snarled. "What the hell do you want?"Jerome chuckled."So you figured it out," he said. "And here I thought my disguise was perfect. Oh, well. It's not like knowing that is going to help you now.""You must love the sound of your own voice," Nicholas said. "Seeing as you said everything but the answer to my question."Jerome rolled his eye

After destroying his family and taking full control of everything they owned, the male lead’s life changed completely. He became the head of a vast business empire. The Belford family that once looked down on him, was gone now and so every company, estate, and asset they once controlled was now under his name. He rebuilt their empire with his own principles replacing corruption and deceit.His public image boomed overnight. The media called him a “self-made heir,” but few understood the blood and loss that came with that title. Investors sought his attention. He led board meetings commanding absolute obedience. Employees respected him. He continued to live in the family’s main mansion, though it was no longer recognizable. The halls were transformed to suite his taste. Expensive art replaced family portraits, modern furniture stood where old relics once gathered dust, and wide glass windows replaced the heavy curtains. This was his way of reclaiming not just a house, but his peace.Fin