Ten empty glasses were scattered across the table in one of the private rooms of a bar tucked away in the corner of the city. Jaxon swayed unsteadily before collapsing to the floor.“Mom… I still haven’t found your killer…”His murmurs sounded, a groan escaping him as he clutched at his shirt.The VVIP room door suddenly swung open. A woman in a black uniform, a name tag reading Callie, stared at him in shock. Seeing Jaxon lying on the floor left her momentarily frozen.“My goodness, sir!” she exclaimed, rushing forward.She slapped his face gently, trying to wake him.“Sir, wake up!”But before Callie could pull her hand back, Jaxon suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. Their breaths caught for a moment as the distance between them disappeared.Impulsively, without any explanation, Jaxon lowered his head and pressed his lips to Callie’s. A jolt ran through her body, but before she could protest, the kiss deepened, urgent and overwhelming, shaking them both.Their bodies p

Silence swallowed the twenty-seventh-floor hotel room. Jaxon stood by the wide window, his eyes fixed on the glittering lights of Sanbergh—a city that never slept.In his hand, a glass of wine. Dark red, almost the same shade as the blood that had stained his memory for the past twenty years.He took a slow sip, not out of pleasure, but because its bitterness felt more honest than the world around him.His steps shifted toward the sofa. He sat, head bowed. Memories dragged him back, pulling him into the darkest night of his life.Sanbergh, Twenty Years AgoThat night, the family villa glowed with warmth. Candles flickered across the long dining table, the scent of roasted meat filling the room. Seven-year-old Jaxon sat between his mother and father. Rare moments like this were precious—his parents were always consumed by business.“Eat up, Jax,” his mother said gently, placing a slice of meat onto his plate. Her smile had always been his comfort.“I’m full, Ma,” Jaxon replied innocent

Callie descended the escalator at PiCon Elite Mall, the heels of her stilettos tapping rapidly against the polished marble floor. The crowd’s chatter, soft music drifting from luxury stores, and the scent of expensive perfume blended into a dizzying background.Her hazel eyes scanned the people around her. But in the middle of her distracted observation, her phone buzzed in her bag. Her father’s name flashed on the screen.“Callie, you need to get ready tonight. I’ve arranged a dinner with Vincent Russo, the son of an old associate. Don’t embarrass me, understand?”Callie swallowed, her lips tightening. Vincent Russo. The man always annoyed her—arrogant and insufferable. She furrowed her brow and stared at the mall ceiling.“Yes, Daddy… I understand,” she replied flatly, trying to sound obedient.But inside, she was already plotting. I’m not going to let myself be stuck with that guy. There has to be a way.Her mind suddenly went back to the one-night fling she had last night, her hea

Jaxon sat on a chair slightly higher than the sofa, surrounded by Frans and some of Callie’s father’s business associates. The atmosphere started calm, but tension slowly crept in.“So… who are you really, Jaxon?” Frans asked seriously. “Where are you from? Family, education?”Jaxon took a deep breath, meeting Frans’s gaze calmly. “Actually… I’ve been living in an orphanage since I was a child, sir. I don’t have any close family. I learned a lot there, and now… well, I just want to work hard, learn, and be useful.”For a moment, the room went silent. A few of Frans’s colleagues exchanged glances, trying to gauge whether Jaxon was telling the truth or hiding something.One of the colleagues, a middle-aged man in a neat suit, raised his eyebrows. “Hmm… interesting. So, what kind of business ideas do you usually think about, Jaxon? If you don’t mind, do you have a different perspective?”Jaxon nodded. “Of course. For instance, family business diversification. Many focus too much on a sin

Sunlight streamed through Jaxon’s bedroom window, casting light on the black suit he had laid out on the chair. In his hand, he held a cup of coffee, his mind busy calculating the strategy for the day.“Mr. Jaxon, there’s news,” Axton’s voice broke the silence. He stood at the doorway, his face slightly tense. “The shooter who attacked Callie… has been caught.”Jaxon looked at him, expression calm but eyes sharp. “Good. Make sure the police officers you’re working with secure him immediately. Don’t leave any gaps.”Axton swallowed hard. “Sir… are you sure you want to step into the Moretti family like this? The risks are huge, especially with Vincent…”Jaxon gave a thin smile, emphasizing each word. “Why worry, Axton? This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. I want my mother’s killer revealed. I can devise a new strategy, and if it works… at the very least, my ideas will make Frans comply. I’ll gain access to everything I need. Trust me—this is part of my plan.”Axton bowed his head