In the main boardroom of Pacific Maritime, Dominic Haughland sat at the head of the long oval table, clad in a charcoal grey suit custom-ordered from London's finest tailors."The North Sector Port project has reached 95% efficiency, sir. Our new logistics integration has successfully slashed loading and unloading times significantly," reported one of the operational directors.Dominic nodded slowly. "Good. I want every new contract to go through rigorous verification.""One more thing, sir," a member of the financial audit team interrupted with a tone of pride. "Since the official acquisition of the Montgomery Group was announced, our company stock has surged by 12% in the last week. Your personal net worth is skyrocketing far beyond this quarter's targets."The report was met with a thunderous round of applause. Dominic's wealth continued to grow, and to him, that meant one thing: unlimited access to the best medical technology in the world.After the meeting adjourned, Dominic walk

The dust at Sector 4 seemed to freeze as Dominic Haughland stepped toward the crowd. The aura radiating from him was so suffocating that it felt as if the very oxygen around the warehouse had been vacuumed out by his cold fury.Johnny remained knelt beside Dylan's battered body. "Sir... forgive us, sir... we didn't know. We truly didn't know he was your brother," Johnny whimpered, his voice nearly failing him.The other laborers, who had been cheering and jeering moments ago, simultaneously dropped to their knees. A haunting silence took over. Mathew, Mickey, and Rico—the three who had led the assault on Dylan—bowed their heads low, their bodies trembling violently. They had only just realized that the boy they called a 'mommy's boy' was the kin of the man who held the leash on their livelihoods.Dylan lay on the ground, trying to prop himself up on scraped elbows. His head throbbed, and he winced, clutching his chest where a sharp kick had landed. He looked at Dominic with a dazed, b

Dominic sat in the VIP waiting lounge, his fingers interlaced so tightly that his knuckles were bone-white. Every second felt like an hour, and every footstep of a passing nurse made him jump. After nearly five grueling hours, the doors finally swung open. Dr. Adrian emerged, sweat glistening on his forehead. Dominic stood up immediately, his heart hammering so hard he felt short of breath."The surgery was a success, Mr. Haughland," Dr. Adrian said, pulling off his surgical mask. "We've successfully relieved the pressure on her brain, and the initial nerve stimulation showed positive responses. Now, we simply wait for the critical recovery phase."Dominic's knees nearly gave out from the overwhelming wave of gratitude. "Thank you, Doctor. Thank you so much."...Two days later, the doctors finally allowed Dominic to visit Luna inside the recovery suite. Dominic stepped toward the bed. There was a faint pink flush in her cheeks, and her breathing sounded more rhythmic and natural wi

The moment the engine died, Clarissa hopped off, desperately trying to reclaim the dignity she had lost somewhere on the seat of that beat-up bike."We're here. I'm grabbing my car, and you... go wherever you want, as long as you turn yourself in tomorrow," Clarissa said, smoothing out her now-crumpled dress.But before Dylan could restart his engine to leave, three black SUVs suddenly roared into the lot and boxed them in. The doors flew open in unison, and six burly men in dark tactical suits swarmed Dylan."Hey! What the hell is this?! Let me go!" Dylan yelled, struggling as his arms were locked behind his back and his face was pressed hard against the gas tank. He shot a look of pure hatred and betrayal at Clarissa. "Clarissa! You traitor! You promised you wouldn't call them! You're just a lying snake!"Clarissa froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She realized her security team—a team she had trained herself—had worked too efficiently. They must have tracked her phone's si

"COUGH! COUGH! WATER! I NEED WATER!" Dylan gasped, clutching his throat as if it were on fire.Clarissa burst into laughter. She laughed so hard she had to double over and hold her stomach. "How is it? Good? That's a special recipe for spoiled brats who threaten adults! That'll teach you!"Dylan scrambled inside his boarding house, desperate for something to drink, while Clarissa continued to enjoy her victory outside."Don't you dare be insolent with me again, Dylan! If you whine like that tomorrow, I'll make you something even worse!" Clarissa shouted through her giggles.Dylan returned a minute later, his face still beet-red and his tongue practically hanging out from the heat. "You're evil! That was attempted murder!""That was a life lesson!" Clarissa shot back.Dylan was still coughing violently, his face darkening to a deep purple, reaching all the way to his ears. He stared at Clarissa—who was still laughing on the sidewalk—with a glazed, desperate look. But suddenly, his expr