A stunned silence gripped the ballroom, followed by a wave of frantic whispers. “Did he just say one and a half million?” “He’s a delivery driver! It must be a joke.” “This is embarrassing. He’s going to ruin his wife.” Xavier’s composure finally broke. “This is absurd!” he barked, his voice ringing with anger. “There is no world where you have that kind of money! What are you trying to prove? You can’t outbid me!” Zeke remained perfectly calm. “I can, and I am. I definitely have the money.” “Prove it!” Xavier demanded, jabbing a finger in Zeke’s direction. "You're just a broke delivery truck driver who can't boast of a measly $50,000. Show us the colour of your money if you have it!" Mei, her face pale with worry, gently pulled on Zeke’s sleeve, her voice hushing in an urgent whisper. “Zeke, please, stop. There’s no need for this. If you can’t, it’s okay. Let’s just go. It’s not worth the humiliation.” Xavier heard her pleading and saw an opportunity to disgrace Zeke and pres

Later that evening, back in their home, Zeke held the newly acquired painting against the living room wall. "Where should I hang it?" Mei sank onto the sofa, kicking off her heels with a weary but happy sigh.“Anywhere you like,” she said tiredly, then chuckled under her breath. “What a night. My father wouldn’t believe his ears if I told him what happened. I’m just glad you managed to clear your name—otherwise, I’d probably have had to divorce you for cheating.” Zeke laughed it off, shaking his head as he adjusted the picture frame. "I have a feeling your father would have been secretly pleased over the divorce. He'd finally have the perfect excuse to be rid of me for good.""Just give him time," Mei said, standing up and stretching. "He'll come around eventually. I'm going to head over to the main estate to fill him in before he hears an opposite version from someone else."Zeke watched her gather her things. "I doubt it," he muttered under his breath as she disappeared into the ha

The morning sun was warm and bright as Zeke steered the company car down the boulevard. Mei hummed softly in the passenger seat, a small smile lingering from their quiet breakfast. Today was her day off. It felt good to take a break from boardrooms and meetings for a day. She’d decided to treat herself to a trim and a new style.Zeke pulled up outside her favorite salon, a tidy shop with frosted windows and potted orchids by the entrance. Mei leaned over, kissing his cheek before slipping on a light jacket.“Could you pick up a package for me after?” she asked, swinging her bag over her shoulder. “It’s at the courier two blocks away. I’ll be quick.”“Of course,” Zeke replied, returning her smile. He brushed a quick kiss on her temple. “I’ll be right back.”She waved as she stepped inside. Zeke waited a few moments, watching through the glass until the doors closed behind her, then backed the car into the street and drove off toward the courier’s office.What he didn’t notice was t

The world was darkness and the scent of damp, rotting wood. A coarse cloth was tied tightly over Mei’s eyes, and her wrists ached from the ropes binding her to a cold, metal chair. She had lost track of time, her mind racing through a fog of fear."Hello?" she called out, her voice trembling. "Is anyone there? Please, help me!"The only answer was the distant, hollow drip of water and the creak of the old building settling. It had been over an hour since she’d been dragged out of the salon and thrown into some vehicle. She didn’t know where she was or what was going to happen to her. The fear clawed at her chest.Suddenly, a heavy door groaned open, and the sound of slow footsteps echoed on the concrete floor. She flinched, straining against her bonds."Who are you?" she demanded, trying to sound brave despite the quiver in her voice. "What do you want from me?"The footsteps stopped directly in front of her. She felt a hand at the back of her head, and then the blindfold was pull

Zeke finally moved, reaching up with two fingers and gently pushing the barrel of the gun away from his head.“Now, Xavier,” Zeke said gravely. “Shall we play the game?.”Xavier’s eyes darted to the armed men still holding him at gunpoint, a bitter laugh escaping him. “Why bother? You’ve already won. You have the men, you’ll get your wife back. What’s the point of this stupid game?”“The game was never about freeing Mei,” Zeke clarified. “It’s to settle this between us. Once and for all. A clean end to all your troubles.”Xavier’s expression hardened. “You scheming bastard. You think you’re so clever, don’t you?”“I’m offering you an opportunity,” Zeke replied calmly. “A real second chance to defeat me and claim the rings, with no tricks, no hired guns. Just luck. Isn’t that what you truly want? To beat me fairly?”Xavier stalked forward until he was inches from Zeke, his teeth bared in a snarl.“Fine. You want to play? I’ll play,” he hissed. “But I’m adding one final term to your li