After a bit of small talk with Kael, Vincent finally spoke politely but with authority, “Now, please have a seat, everyone. Let’s begin the meeting.”Kael walked first and casually took the seat immediately to Vincent’s right—a move that made Agatha’s eyebrow twitch. Mariana let out a cold sigh, and Hector straightened up uncomfortably.This bastard... he’s got guts.Still, since Vincent didn’t say anything about it, none of them dared comment. They just gave Kael a cold stare.Evelyne sat next to Kael, while the three others took the seats across from them.Once everyone was seated and the room fell quiet, Vincent placed both hands on the sleek black marble table. He glanced around the room before finally speaking—his voice calm, deep, and clear.“I’m sure you’ve all heard… about the sudden collapse of the Armand family.”The room was immediately filled with hushed murmurs. Some investors exchanged looks, others waited for further explanation. Vincent didn’t rush. He kept his gaze st

Vincent took a final sip of his wine, then gently placed the glass back on the table. His eyes swept across the room—from the faces of the investors to the still-beaming members of the Laurent family, clearly pleased with Evelyne’s decision.“Thank you all for being here today,” he said calmly, with an air of quiet authority. “I hope that after this brief meeting, we can all return to our work with fresh focus and renewed drive.”His gaze sharpened slightly, though his polite smile never wavered.“A month from now, I want us to gather again. But that time, we’ll talk about results—no pleasantries, no masks, just data and progress.”The guests exchanged glances and gave subtle nods, some of them straightening in their seats as if to brace themselves.Vincent then slowly stood up, adjusted his jacket with a light tug, and turned toward Evelyne.His smile was warm, yet his eyes held a depth that wasn’t easy to read.“I’ll see you in two days, Evelyne.”Evelyne nodded politely. “See you t

Later that night, on their way back…Rain drizzled softly against the car windows, turning the city lights outside into a blur of slow-moving abstract art. Inside the soundproof luxury limousine, silence filled the space.Vincent leaned back on the black leather seat, his fingers tapping irregularly on the armrest. Across from him, Thorne sat with his usual calm, though his eyes remained sharp and alert.After a long pause, Vincent finally spoke.“Any updates from the shadow team about Kael?”His tone was calm, but loaded with expectation. Vincent wasn’t the kind of man who tolerated half-baked answers—everything presented to him had to be clear, thorough, and satisfying.Thorne shook his head slowly, his face unreadable. “Nothing, sir.”Vincent looked straight at him, one brow lifting slightly.“Nothing?”“None of the infiltration units could dig up anything beyond the public record: son-in-law of the Laurent family, unemployed, no notable academic background, and socially irrelevant

The Next Evening – Laurent Residence.The smell of nearly-burnt butter and roasted meat drifted through every corner of the house. The main dining table—long and covered with an ivory white tablecloth—was already crowded with lavish dishes: lobster thermidor in their shells, medium-rare grilled wagyu with red wine sauce, heirloom tomato and basil salad, steaming cheese soufflés, and a towering three-layer strawberry tart for dessert.Crystal glasses had been polished until they sparkled, porcelain plates were arranged with surgical precision, and every fork and spoon lined up like a military parade. Even the chandelier had been replaced the night before—all for the arrival of one man: Vincent Albrecht.Agatha sat at the head of the table, brushing her neatly styled white hair like a British aristocrat. Beside her, Grace was fussing with the placement of scented candles, insisting they "needed to create a relaxed atmosphere." Meanwhile, Mariana paced back and forth, nervously checking

Vincent took another sip of his wine before setting the glass gently back on the table. This time, he turned—not to Evelyne—but directly to Kael, his gaze sharp but smiling, like a velvet-wrapped blade.“By the way,” he said casually, as if it had just crossed his mind, “how did you end up marrying Evelyne, Mr. Kael?”He glanced briefly at the Laurent family, who suddenly stiffened.“I’m just curious,” he continued smoothly, “because… from what I can tell, you’re not exactly welcomed warmly by this family.”Like a silent alarm, those words brought a sudden hush over the entire table. Even Mariana, who was usually the loudest, looked down and started fidgeting with her silverware.Evelyne opened her mouth to speak, but Agatha’s cold, raspy voice cut in first.“Because it wasn’t our choice,” she said with a forced, bitter smile. “My late husband, Edmond Laurent—Evelyne’s grandfather—forced this marriage to happen. He insisted… as if Kael was someone of great importance to him.”She turn