“Please… just a little money,” Karvel whispered into the phone, his fingers trembling as he gripped it tight. “Mom’s in critical condition. The doctors said she won’t make it without the surgery. I—I have no one else to turn to.”For a moment, there was silence. Then came the sound of water running.He sighed in relief. She’s home… She’ll help, right? It’s our anniversary, she wouldn’t…But then a voice—a male voice—chuckled darkly on the other end.“She’s busy, puppy. In the shower,” the man said, drawing out every word with lazy cruelty. “Can’t talk right now. And even if she could, you think she'd waste shampoo on a mangy mutt like you?”Karvel’s breath hitched. He knew that voice. Vincent Langford.The entitled heir of the Langford family. A peacock in human form—loud, obnoxious, and strutting like the world owed him admiration.“What the hell are you doing in my house?” Karvel growled, voice shaking with fury. “Why are you answering her phone?”“Oh, I’m much more than a houseguest

Karvel blinked in disbelief. The elegant woman before him had just brought a battalion of bodyguards and bowed to him. Now, she was calling him—“The young master,” she said clearly, her voice echoing through the stunned hallway. “There’s no mistake. We’ve finally found you.”“W-What?” Karvel stammered, rubbing his temple as if it would knock the nonsense out of his ears. “I think… you’ve got the wrong guy. I’m no master. I’m just—”“A man born to be more,” the lady interrupted gently, with a look that made the blood drain from every arrogant staff member watching. “Everything will be explained later. Right now, your mother needs immediate care. And we’re not losing her.”Karvel’s chest seized. “She’s still alive?”“She is. Barely, but we can save her.” the lady turned, her tone suddenly clipped and businesslike. “Bring the portable unit. Transfer her to the convoy—now.”“Yes, ma’am!”As her team rushed to action, Dr. Crane, lying on the floor with blood still dribbling from his nose,

Karvel stared down at his phone, her voice still ringing in his ears. Cold. Dismissive. As if nothing had happened.The woman who had likely betrayed him... was now reminding him not to embarrass her in public. Unbelievable.He took a deep breath and redialed. She picked up with an annoyed huff.“What now?” she snapped. “You’re not still sulking, are you? This isn’t the time.”Karvel’s voice dropped several degrees. “What were you doing earlier? Who were you with?”A pause. Then, she laughed—dry and condescending. “Excuse me? Unlike you, I actually work. Sorry I wasn’t sitting around begging for charity or playing stray dog outside the hospital.”His jaw tightened. “You weren’t at work. I called you, remember? And a man answered the phone.”Silence. Then a sharp inhale. “Are you really trying to pick a fight over that? I was busy. That’s all you need to know.”“Busy… in the shower? With him?”“Enough!” she barked. “You want to throw tantrums? Do it after the banquet. Right now, grow

Elena stared at Karvel as if he'd just grown a second head. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air."A... a divorce?" she stammered. "Are you insane?""I'm being practical," Karvel replied calmly. "This marriage has been a cage for both of us. Now you can be free.""Free?" Elena's voice rose an octave. "You think this is about freedom? You jealous, paranoid mutt! You see me arrive with Vincent once and suddenly you're throwing a tantrum like a rabid chihuahua!""I'm not throwing a tantrum—""Yes, you are!" Elena's eyes blazed. "I already have enough stress on my plate without you acting like a wounded puppy! Do you have any idea what I'm dealing with right now?"Karvel looked at her flushed face, confusion flickering in his eyes. Why does she seem... upset? Shouldn't she be relieved?"Isn't this what you want?" he asked quietly. "To be with Vincent without any guilt? I won't stand in your way anymore."Elena's face turned crimson. "You... you think I... with Vincen

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife when suddenly, a calm voice broke through the chaos."I'll repay the money on Elena's behalf."Every head turned. Karvel stood in the doorway, his torn clothes and bruised face making him look like a warrior returning from battle.The table erupted in laughter so loud it could wake the dead."Oh my God!" Sarah wheezed, clutching her stomach. "Did the homeless mutt just say he'd pay millions?""What's he going to use, bottle caps?" Richard cackled. "Or maybe he'll bark at the bank until they give him a loan!"Patricia shot to her feet, her face red with rage. "Karvel! What are you doing here? You're embarrassing us even more than usual!""Sit down and stop making a fool of yourself," Robert hissed. "Haven't you caused enough trouble for one day?"Even Elena looked mortified. "Karvel, please don't—""I'm serious," Karvel said quietly, his eyes focused only on his wife. "I'll handle the money. But right now, I'm here for someth