Connor sat at the small dining table, waiting. He had cooked lunch and set everything up for their wedding anniversary, but the food had already gone cold.He checked his phone again and again, but there was no message, no call from her.When the door finally opened, Lena walked in wearing a black gown, looking calm and distant, like she’d just come from somewhere far more important.Connor’s face brightened instantly. “You’re home,” he said softly, taking a step toward her. “I made lunch. I know you’ve been busy, but… I thought we could celebrate.”Lena glanced at the two plates, the candles, and the small cake on the table. Her expression didn’t change. “What is all this nonsense.”Her tone was chilling, but they hurt more than if she had shouted.Connor hesitated, trying to keep his voice calm. “I just wanted us to have a moment together. It’s our anniversary.”“I remember,” she said, slipping off her earrings. “But I have somewhere else to be. It is important.”“I understand,” he

Connor lay propped against the pillows, a dull ache running through his arm as the tube siphoned his blood away. He could feel it draining into Benjamin’s body in the next bed.His vision blurred at the edges, but he clenched his jaw and forced himself to sit upright. Sweat dotted his forehead, but he stayed silent, watching Lena stand at Benjamin’s bedside like a hawk.When he finally spoke, his voice was low and weak. “Lena, that’s enough. You’re draining me dry.”She didn’t turn, her eyes glued to the monitor.“I’m serious,” Connor said, his tone sharper now. “Stop this before it kills me.”At last she turned with an icy gaze. “Stop? Listen to yourself, Connor. Always weak, always complaining. You can’t even do this one thing without whining.”He stared back at her, unflinching. “I’m not whining. I’m telling you a fact, my body can’t take more.”“You’re nothing without me,” Lena snapped. She stepped closer, her voice dropping, as cold as ice. “Do you think anyone would know your na

The silence in the grand room was heavy after Connor’s question. Harris stood frozen, his lips pressed tight as if weighing the right words.Finally, he sighed deeply. “You deserve to know the truth, young master,” he said slowly. “But it’s not an easy truth to hear.”Connor’s voice was calm but sharp. “I’ve heard enough half-truths for one lifetime. Just tell me, Harris. What incident happened when I was fifteen?”Harris took a deep breath, his eyes filled with the kind of pain that only comes from memories long buried. “You were attacked.”Connor frowned, confusion spreading across his face. “Attacked? By who?”“By your father’s enemies,” Harris said gravely. “A powerful and ruthless organization known as The Black Lotus.”Connor blinked, the name unfamiliar and strange on his tongue. “Black Lotus? What’s that supposed to mean? Some kind of gang?”Harris gave a slow nod. “You could call them that, but they are far more dangerous than common criminals. The Black Lotus isn’t just one

Connor didn’t say a word after Lena’s mockery. He didn’t even look at her again.All he wanted was his phone. That was it.After taking his phone, he still remained silent.Then he turned toward the door to leave.But before he could take another step, Lena’s cold voice rang out behind him.“So that’s it?” she said mockingly. “You’re just going to pick up your phone and walk out like nothing happened?”Connor stopped but didn’t turn around. His voice was calm when he finally spoke. “Yes. That’s exactly what I came here to do. Get my phone and leave.”Lena scoffed loudly. “Oh, really? So that’s the story you’re going with now? You came all the way here just for your phone?”Connor finally turned his head slightly. “Yes, Lena. I came for my phone. I didn’t come to beg you. I didn’t come to argue. I’m not here to crawl back into your life.”Her lips curved into a cruel smile. “Of course. Because that sounds so believable.” She took a few steps toward him, folding her arms. “You expect m

Connor looked around the store again. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the scene near the counter, yet nobody dared to speak up. Phones were out. Some people whispered to each other, pretending not to care but clearly enjoying the drama. The whole place was filled with murmurs, camera clicks, and that awful, heavy silence that comes when people watch something wrong happen and decide to do nothing.He watched as the man kept shouting at the young woman. His voice echoed across the store like a warning bell. The girl stood with her head down, trembling, her hands tightly clutching the edge of the counter. Her cheeks were red from the slap, her eyes swollen with tears that just wouldn’t stop falling.Mr. Brandon sneered, his lips curling with arrogance as he pointed down at his shoe. “Look at this! Just look at this, you stupid woman! Do you even know what this is? This shoe is worth more than your entire life! You think a tissue and your sorry voice can fix it?”The girl sobbed harder. “P