“Finally…” Drake exhaled deeply as he wiped off the bead of sweat on his forehead.He had just finished cleaning a section of the big house his mother-in-law had instructed him to clean. His stomach cramped painfully and he winced, remembering that he hadn't eaten a single meal since morning. Kelly, his mother-in-law had locked the kitchen doors while insisting that a lazy man would never eat her food.His knees buckled and he sighed, about to continue mopping when his phone suddenly buzzed. With a frown, he whipped his hand inside his pocket and brought out the phone. “I thought I told you not to call? I'm busy–”“Young master, I have news!” The male voice said urgently, breathless with excitement. “It's done. The documents have passed the final review and your wife's company have been approved for listing. She's live on air right now for the press conference,”Drake smiled, pride bubbling inside him. Then a frown crossed his face. He had sent tons of messages earlier to Lydia, his w

The sound of the opening door jerked Drake from sleep and he groaned, straightening his stiff neck. He had fallen asleep on the coach while waiting and hoping that Lydia would somehow return. Lydia closed the door, whistling as she stepped inside. When her eyes landed on him, she stiffened, the sound abruptly drying from her throat. But then, she quickly masked the surprise with a brief cough and frowned at him. “Why're you sleeping on the couch?”Drake didn't answer. He could only return her stare.When he didn't respond, she let out a tired sigh and walked over to the sofa opposite him, leaning back with a grunt. “God, I'm so exhausted,” she said. “Come here. Come massage my shoulders,”Huh? Drake blinked, refusing to believe what he had just heard. Was she kidding him? That the first thing she said to him? No explanation, no remorse, no nothing and she needed a massage just like that? What kind of joke was that?“Didn't you hear me?” Lydia said curtly. When he still wouldn't move,

In the quiet hotel, Drake took a deep breath and wore his gloves carefully as he stared at the woman on the operating table. She was barely conscious, energy drained completely from her face. He had to act fast or she would die.Bloodletting was an old treatment method, but it worked. It would draw the toxins from her body before it spread any further. He began the procedure, creating a small cut in the veins on her arm. A tiny bead of blood welled up and he carefully collected it in a small container.The burning determination in him fueled him to push past his limits, and as he worked, he moved with precision, his face calm and his mind focused. Occasionally, his eyes lingered to her sleeping face and he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked —like a walking goddess.How had she fallen victim to those bad guys?Finally, he finished and he released a sigh of relief. He wiped off the sweat that had gathered on his forehead and waited anxiously. But then realizing that he ha

Drake frowned. Bumping into his mother-in-law and her two gossipmongers was the last thing he wanted. He rubbed his forehead, wishing there was a way to completely blot them out of his sight. Already he was having a nice time with Aria, but these women decided to show up here and ruin his day?What were they even doing here? To stir up trouble?However, he greeted them out of curiosity and added plainly. “It's nothing, I was about leaving,”“Leaving to where?” Kelly scoffed, blocking his path. “Stop right there. Did I say you could leave?” She snickered. “How did a thieving bastard like you even get access to a luxurious apartment like this in the first place,”Annoyed at her commanding tone, he snapped. “I don't think you have the right to order or speak to me like that again. Didn't Lydia tell you we finished discussing divorce? I'm not a part of your family anymore, so wherever I go is none of your business and has nothing to do with you,”Kelly snorted loudly. When did Drake get t

Downstairs, Aria looked at Drake. No matter how composed he looked, she could feel the hurt and years of maltreatment vibrating all over him. She hesitated, wondering if or not to go back to the penthouse.Before she could say something, Drake's phone rang and he took it out. He excused himself and walked a few meters off, communicating with the person at the end of the phone. When he returned, his expression was sharp. “I have to be somewhere,”He pressed a key in his hand and his car beeped as the doors unlocked. “Get into the car, Aria,”A confused frown crossed her face. “Where–”“Just come with me. It's important,”The frown remained on her face as she looked at him, trying to understand what was going on. But before she could stop herself, she opened the door and slid into the car. Drake started the engine, his gaze fixed on the road. Her eyes drifted to the window and she took in the moving road and cars while trying to focus her thoughts.When the car finally stopped and she