Carl arrived at the secret house he owned—a secluded refuge hidden deep within the mountain he also secretly possessed.No one knew about this place except him and the few people he trusted enough to live there. Not even Jasmine, the woman he’d been married to for three years, had any idea it existed.He knocked on the heavy wooden door. It opened immediately, and he stepped inside.A young woman quickly approached him, her face lighting up in surprise.“Carl!” Anna greeted him with a bright smile. “You’re here! You should’ve told me you were coming—I could’ve prepared something.”Carl gave a faint smile. “It’s fine, Anna. Where is he?”Her smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet sadness. She sighed.“He’s inside. He’s been asking for you, Carl. We thought… you weren’t coming back.”“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I had to stay away for a while because of my mission.”“I’ll go to him now.”Anna nodded. “Alright. I’ll prepare dinner.”Carl walked deeper into the house, heading for the r

Michael burst out laughing, nearly spilling his wine.“Pay? You?” he scoffed, half-choking on his amusement. “Are you serious right now? You’re saying you’ll pay for our meal?”He couldn’t stop laughing, as though Carl had just cracked the world’s funniest joke. The others at the table joined in with skeptical smiles. To Michael, it was ridiculous—absurd even. He knew for a fact that the total bill for their lavish dinner would easily climb past a million dollars. Carl, a man who had just been released from prison, didn’t even look like he had a dollar to his name.Carl frowned slightly. “Why? Is that wrong?”James sneered. “Oh, come on, Carl. Just admit you didn’t bring a gift for Grandpa. You don’t have to pretend you can pay for this place. Still trying to impress my sister, huh? Keep dreaming.”Ophelia crossed her arms. “He’s right. We wouldn’t be surprised if you came here empty-handed. You’ve been nothing but a leech—dragging my daughter down with you!”Carl’s jaw tightened, but

Manuel was midway through his meal when one of his men burst into the hospital room.“Master!” the man shouted.Manuel nearly dropped his spoon. “Finally! Why did it take you so long?” he snapped, irritation flaring. He’d been waiting for his crew—his father hadn’t shown, nurses and doctors had been avoiding him, and something felt wrong.“I’ve been waiting ages! Where is my father?” Manuel demanded.The messenger’s face fell. They’d tried to get into the hospital again, but police were still posted outside. Almost every Smith Gang member they could see was being arrested. The man even had to hide his marks with concealer just to slip in.“I’m sorry, Master, but the boss can’t come to the hospital,” he said.Manuel’s brow knotted. “What do you mean he can’t? Don’t we control this hospital? Are you making fun of me?”The man swallowed and kept talking. “He’s in jail right now. No matter how we tried to get him out, there was no bail.”Manuel went pale. His father—the man everyone in Ve

The Garcia family arrived at the luxurious Emerald Hotel, drawing immediate attention the moment they stepped out of their cars. Cameras flashed. Guests whispered.“Is that Ms. Jasmine Garcia? She’s even more stunning in person!” one woman gushed.“And look who’s beside her—that’s Mr. Michael Montez of the Montez Group! They look perfect together!” another added.Michael’s lips curved into a confident smile as he caught the murmurs from the crowd. This was his moment. Tonight, he was determined to make Jasmine his girlfriend—no, his future wife.“Wow! This place is amazing, Jasmine!” James exclaimed, wide-eyed at the elegant ballroom filled with chandeliers and velvet drapes.Ophelia, their mother, nodded with pride. “Of course, James. You’d better get used to events like this. Your sister’s a big success now.”Michael, ever the charmer, leaned in slightly. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Garcia. After tonight, Jasmine will be even more successful,” he said with a polished smile.Ophelia gasped, h

Michael stormed into the banquet hall, his anger still simmering from earlier. No matter how much he tried to calm himself, the image of Carl standing beside Sophia Carson burned in his mind. He clenched his jaw. In his head, he kept telling himself he was better—richer, more refined. But deep down, he knew the truth: Carl had something he didn’t—an undeniable charisma that even envy couldn’t erase.“What’s with the long face, Michael?” James asked, noticing the deep scowl etched on his features.Michael dropped into his seat beside Jasmine and grabbed a glass of wine, downing it in one gulp.“Nothing,” he muttered. “Just saw some trash outside.”Ophelia chuckled delicately. “Don’t mind it, Mr. Montez. Trash isn’t worth your attention.”Michael exhaled sharply through his nose, trying to steady his temper. “Yeah. You’re right.” He looked around. “Has Ms. Carson arrived yet?”“I heard she just did,” Jasmine replied. “The event will probably start any minute now.”The hall was already c