Connor stood calmly in front of Harris, his posture relaxed, his expression steady, as though nothing dangerous was happening around them.“There is nothing to worry about,” Connor said in a low, even voice. “Stand up.”Harris shook his head, fear written clearly across his face. His knees felt weak, his hands trembling as he looked past Connor toward the men in black robes. Zhang was already walking forward, his steps slow and deliberate, the faint sound of his boots echoing against the stone ground.“Young Master…” Harris whispered urgently. “Please, don’t provoke them. These people are not like ordinary enemies.”Connor did not answer immediately. His attention shifted to Zhang as he noticed something white lying on the floor a few steps away, slightly stained with dust. His eyes narrowed.“What is that?” Connor asked calmly, pointing toward it.Zhang followed his gaze and then smiled, a dark, crooked smile filled with arrogance. “Why don’t you check and see for yourself?” he said

Lena Montgomery sat on the edge of her bed, her back stiff and her fingers curled tightly into the bedsheet beneath her palms. Her chest rose and fell unevenly, anger burning so hot inside her that it made her head ache. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner, yet inside her mind, everything felt loud and chaotic.Benjamin sat beside her, close enough that his thigh brushed against hers. He leaned toward her gently, lifting a hand to touch her arm in a soothing manner, but Lena jerked slightly, not pulling away completely, just tense.“How?” she snapped suddenly, her voice sharp and bitter. “Tell me how that useless nobody managed to win the Jerry Wills Golden Award.”Benjamin paused, his hand still hovering near her arm. He studied her face, the deep frown, the tight jaw, the fire in her eyes. He sighed quietly, trying to sound calm.“Lena, you’re stressing yourself too much over this,” he said. “There’s no need to break your head over it.”She turned to h

The silence in the sitting room lingered long after the image on Benjamin’s phone had burned itself into everyone’s mind. Lena’s parents stood still, their faces stiff, their earlier certainty completely shaken.Mr. Montgomery was the first to recover. He straightened his back slowly, his expression hardening as shock gave way to anger.“Alright,” he said firmly, his voice low but controlled. “This is shocking, yes. Very shocking. But none of this explains one thing.”He turned his sharp gaze to Lena. “What does all of this have to do with the Golden Award that was meant for our family?”Lena felt her stomach twist. She had been expecting that question, yet it still landed heavily on her chest.She inhaled deeply before answering. “Father… the same way Connor was treated like a VIP… is the same way he was called out on stage.”Her mother frowned. “Called out for what?”“To receive the Golden Award.”The words fell like a stone.Mrs. Montgomery’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What?”Mr.

The sleek black car rolled quietly out of the Montgomery mansion’s driveway, the iron gates closing behind them with a soft clang.Lena sank into the plush leather seat and exhaled sharply, folding her arms across her chest as she stared out the window. Her jaw was tight, her expression stormy.“I don’t think I can stay in this country right now,” she said suddenly, her voice low but edged with anger. “Maybe after the engagement, we should travel. Somewhere far. I need to clear my head.”Benjamin turned slightly toward her, studying her face. “Travel?” he repeated.“Yes,” Lena snapped. “I’m not used to losing, Benjamin. Especially not to a pauper. Not to someone like Connor.” She scoffed. “I can’t even understand how he stood on that stage like he belonged there. I need space before I do something regrettable.”“How can someone completely unqualified take something that was meant for me. Me. My family’s prestige. Our name.”“I don't think they would be any need for that. Think about

The tension outside Trish Wears thickened with every passing second.More people had started slowing their steps. Some pretended to check their phones while clearly listening. Others openly stopped a few feet away, whispering among themselves as they watched Lena and Benjamin stand at the entrance like royalty denied their throne.The manager inhaled slowly, clearly reaching the end of his patience.“Sir. Ma’am,” he said evenly, raising both hands slightly, palms open. “At this point, the best solution is for you to wait outside while I go in and speak to the VIP personally.”Lena’s head snapped toward him.“Wait outside?” she sneered Benjamin let out a loud, humorless laugh. “You must be joking.”The manager maintained his calm. “If the guest gives approval, I will come back immediately and escort you both inside.”Benjamin stepped forward, his shoes scraping against the floor. “So now we need permission?” he snapped. “Permission to enter a store we can buy outright?”A low murmur