Derrick nodded slowly at Dora's words before slightly lifting his glass."I hope so," he murmured. The exhaustion beneath his voice remained obvious.The warm garden lights reflected softly against the crystal cup in his hand while conversations and laughter continued to drift across the garden in smooth waves. Somewhere farther across the garden, violin strings blended quite beautifully with low jazz, creating and atmosphere luxurious enough to make the entire evening feel almost unreal.Frederick leaned backward comfortably in his chair. "By the way," he said, glancing between Ivy and Derrick, "does anyone here actually know the woman Mr. Dominic Santiago was recently spotted with?"Ivy blinked."Wait," she said with genuine surprise. "Dominic has a girl?"She turned to Derrick but he looked away at once, reaching for his drink instead and pretending sudden interest in the people moving around the nearby fountain.Ivy narrowed her eyes suspiciously."Derrick?" she muttered. "Is the

Derrick almost gasped aloud.The moment he realized Pa Lorenzo staring directly toward the oak tree, instinct slammed through his body violently enough to almost freeze his heartbeat.He quickly pulled back behind the thick trunk, pressing himself harder against the rough bark while shutting his eyes tightly.For several seconds, he remained rigid.The distant music from the garden suddenly felt just too loud against the terrifying silence near the gates. Derrick focused entirely on the listening.The he heard slow footsteps coming closer. A fresh wave of panic surged through him instantly.If Pa Lorenzo found him here, everything would become all too complicated. Not just for him, but for Ivy too. The old man clearly wasn't as harmless as the Lorenzos believed. Derrick had just heard him discussing murder with frightening ease.And now he was right here hiding like some spy beneath a goddamn tree.His jaw tightened, and for one reckless second, he actually considered climbing the tre

The driver's smile remained easygoing in the rearview mirror."I don't think so, sir," he replied smoothly. "I meet too many people everyday."Moses held the man's gaze for another brief second before finally looking away and leaning back into the seat again.Maybe he was just paranoid.The last few days had wrecked his nerves badly enough already. Between losing the Lorenzo Group, the alcohol, Daniella's betrayal, and the constant fear hanging around him, it made pretty sense that his mind would start imagining enemies everywhere.He exhaled quietly and adjusted his cufflinks."Yeah," he muttered to himself. "Maybe."The driver said nothing afterward. He simply continued through the busy New York roads while soft jazz played faintly from the car speakers.Several minutes later, the taxi finally slowed before a rather luxurious café tucked between two polished corporate buildings.Blue Lantern Café.The glass exterior reflected the morning sunlight beautifully while elegant gold lette

Moses instantly got to his feet the moment Vivian approached the booth. A smile spread across his face so quickly it almost looked painful.“Good morning,” Vivian greeted softly as she stopped before the table."Good morning," Moses quickly replied. He stepped out from the booth at once and instinctively opened his arms for a hug. But Vivian gently resisted before the embrace could happen. She even took a small step backward with polite restraint.The movement was subtle, but Moses felt it. His expression flickered almost imperceptibly as he suddenly became too aware of the surrounding eyes lingering on them both. A few customers who still had their eyes on Vivian openly watched the visibly awkward interaction unfolding near the enviable glass boothEmbarrassment crept beneath Moses' skin, but he was quick to bury it with another smile.“Right,” he muttered lightly before sliding back into his seat. “Please, do well to join me.”Vivian settled opposite him gracefully, crossing one le

The men stood far too close.Moses noticed it immediately the moment he looked up from the pavement. They had surrounded him without noise, all dressed in black, their expressions empty beneath the cold morning light.Pedestrians continues walking past the café as though nothing strange was happening.Moses slowly pushed one palm againdt the pavement as he attempted to rise. But the moment he moved, one of the men calmly crouched before him.“You know,” the man said almost conversationally, “I think it’s time you saw the Maguires again.”Moses’ heartbeat stumbled.Before he could react properly, the man suddenly pressed a taser sharp against the side of his neck.The current exploded violently through his body.Moses convulsed instantly, a strangled sound escaping his throat as unbearable electricity ripped through his muscles. His vision instantly blurred.The very last thing he saw before darkness consumed him completely was the faint reflection of the café doors behind the men.The