“Clean this up soon and go serve the customers waiting, you worthless punk!” the manager of Dush Restaurant barked, throwing a soaked rag straight at Vincent’s face.The rag slapped his cheek with a wet thud, leaving behind a cold smear of milk. Vincent flinched slightly but didn’t say a word. He only bent down, wiping up the puddle on the floor, his hands trembling slightly—not from anger, but exhaustion.“Let's endure it,” he reminded himself. “One more shift. One more paycheck. Then I can finally buy Jenny her birthday gift. She’ll love it... she has to.”The cold floor met his knuckles as he scrubbed the tiles, the sour smell of milk stinging his nose. Despite the humiliations, the snide comments, and the long hours juggling part-time jobs and late-night study sessions, Vincent never once complained.He did it all for love. For Jenny.She was everything to him. The girl who smiled at him during freshman orientation. The one he spent every dime on. Her phone, her clothes, her spa a

Moments later, Vincent arrived at the place. He stood frozen in front of the towering Grand Fidel Hotel, neck craned, eyes wide in awe. The building shimmered beneath the evening light, its mirror-glass exterior casting reflections of the city like a dream. It was the kind of place he’d only seen in magazines—too pristine, too luxurious, too out of reach.“I can’t believe I’m here,” he whispered, swallowing hard as he stepped forward. His sneakers squeaked on the polished floor as he passed through the golden revolving doors and into the grand lobby. The chandeliers sparkled above his head, the air conditioned cool and scented. Every inch screamed luxury, and every step he took reminded him he didn’t belong.He barely made it to the center of the lobby before two security guards approached him. One crossed his arms while the other sneered, glancing down at his simple clothes.“No job vacancies here, kid,” one of them said dryly, waving him off like a stray dog.“I’m not here for a job

Macul cleared his throat gently, his tone still warm with excitement. “Young Master Vincent, I believe it’s time you come with me to Maxine Corps. You need to be properly introduced to the board and the major employees. They deserve to meet their true CEO.”Vincent nodded slowly, his mind still reeling. “I will. But… I want to see my sister first.”A light smile curved Macul’s lips. “I had no doubts you’d say that. You two were so fond of each other. I believe when she sees you—when she feels your presence—it will spark something within her. A miracle might happen.”Vincent’s heart clenched. Just the thought of having a sister lying in a hospital bed, in a coma, sent a wave of protectiveness through him. “Then I’ll see her soon.”“Of course.” Macul reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a golden card. It shimmered beneath the suite's crystal chandelier. “In the meantime, please accept this. It’s the access card to this entire suite. You can stay here comfortably until I arrange t

“This is a mistake! I’ve run this place for twenty years! I demand to speak to the board!”One of the guards answered flatly, “The board says you’ve been relieved, sir. You no longer have access to the hospital premises.”Billy straightened the moment he saw him. “Uncle Cornell!”Cornell looked at his nephew like he’d just swallowed poison. “What did you do, Billy?! Who did you offend?!”Billy gave a casual shrug and laughed. “Don’t worry about it, Uncle. The pauper’s just playing dress-up. This is all some misunderstanding.”Cornell’s eyes narrowed. He turned to Vincent. “You. What’s going on here?”Vincent didn’t move.“I didn’t do anything,” he said simply, voice smooth, tone unreadable.But his silence said everything.His calm.His stillness.His presence.Cornell saw it. Felt it.His stomach twisted.He turned back to Billy, grabbing his nephew by the sleeve, voice low and shaking with fury. “You arrogant fool… Do you have any idea what you’ve done?! Because of you, I’ve lost ev

Vincent stepped into the hospital hallway, his steps slow, silent, heavy.Everything around him looked too clean. Too quiet. Too expensive.The private wing smelled like antiseptic and money. No nurses. No patients. Just glass, gold trim, and cold air.He stopped in front of Room 101. Heart pounding. Palms sweaty.He pushed the door open.There she was.Aria.His sister.Lying on the bed like a ghost wrapped in silk.Machines beeped. Tubes ran from her arms. Her eyes were closed. Her lips pale. Her chest rising, falling, like she was breathing in a dream.Vincent stepped closer. Every part of him shaking.She looked nothing like the little girl in his memories. But he knew it was her. He could feel it in his bones.He sat beside her. Swallowed hard. Tried to speak. Couldn't.Then the door opened.A man walked in, tall and sharp in a navy suit. Silver watch. Shiny shoes. Eyes cold.He didn’t even look at Vincent.He walked straight to the bed and stopped.Stared at Aria.His jaw tighte