CHAPTER ONE “Ruby…” Zane called out into the dark, windy snow. “Please, open the door. It’s freezing out here. I can’t bear this cold anymore…” He cried out, but there was no response. “Mom! Edgar! Open the door and undo the chain, please! I’ll listen to you now—I won’t make a fuss about the supplies, I promise…” Zane’s voice was breaking as he struggled to speak. “Oh? Too late for you to beg now.” Madelyn—Zane’s adopted mother, appeared behind the glass door with a vicious expression. Beside her stood Edgar, her son… and in his arms was Zane’s fiancée, Ruby. Zane’s pupils constricted as he struggled against the chains binding his hands. “Ruby! What are you doing in Edgar’s arms? Move away from him and help me, please! I’m going to die…” His voice was already fading. Ruby laughed. “Move away? You must be crazy, Zane. Edgar and I are a thing. We’ve been dating unrestricted for three years now. You just didn't notice, did you?” Zane trembled violently in the snow. His lips parted

CHAPTER THREE Zane arrived at a sophisticated restaurant tucked away at the quiet end of the estate. Normally, he would never step foot into a place like this. Not because he couldn’t afford it—which, to be fair, wasn’t entirely wrong—but because of his past behavior. He had arrogantly spoken harsh words to the restaurant owner and her daughter… All because they had once spoken ill of Madelyn and Ruby. Back then, Zane believed he was defending the people who mattered to him. He thought Alina was jealous after he rejected her. He believed she couldn’t accept it and resorted to badmouthing Ruby out of spite. But now—He knew the truth. She had been right all along. Even at the moment of his death… She was the only one who rushed toward him. The only one who tried to save him. But it had been too late. He had already frozen to death. Zane’s gaze dimmed slightly. This time… He would make things right. “Welcome, please come in.” A male waiter greeted him with a polite smile and gestured

CHAPTER FIVEZane pushed the door open and stepped into the living room. The first thing he saw was Ruby, curled up beside Edgar on the sofa, her hand resting lightly on his chest. Edgar leaned back comfortably, one arm around her shoulders. They didn’t even bother to separate. Zane clicked his tongue lightly. So, they weren’t even hiding it anymore. Ruby glanced at him and smiled, indifferent… almost mocking, as if to say he no longer mattered.Zane didn’t react. He walked in slowly and stopped a few steps away. “Transfer the money.” Straight to the point. Madelyn, seated across from them, remained calm. She crossed her legs, not even surprised. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Zane’s gaze locked onto her. “You interfered with the auction.”“Oh?” she raised a brow. “So, you actually registered for the auction? The fee is ten thousand dollars. I didn’t know you could afford that.”“Drop the act,” Zane said coldly. “Send me my money.”Madelyn sighed. “Zane, you really should s

CHAPTER SEVEN Zane sat across from her, his fingers tapping the table once before going still. “The bunker…” he began, “…has already been built.” Trigger’s brows lifted slightly. “It was constructed by your company,” Zane continued, “about twenty years ago. That got her full attention. “Oh?” She leaned back, interest piqued. Zane didn’t pause. “I’ve seen the structure. It’s old, but the foundation is still solid. What I need isn’t a new bunker…” His brows furrowed slightly. “I want it restructured. Reinforced. Upgraded to the highest possible standard.” A small smile appeared on Trigger’s face. “Go on.” Zane leaned forward. “I want full environmental insulation. Materials that can withstand extreme climate changes. Internal temperature regulation—constant, unaffected by external conditions. Even if the outside drops to extreme levels…” He paused briefly. “…it shouldn’t affect the inside.” Trigger’s lips curved again. She already understood where this was going. Zane continued, “Th

CHAPTER NINE That only made things worse. Tristan’s face twisted with rage as he slowly pushed himself up. “You…” his voice trembled with fury. “You think you’ve won?” Zane didn't respond. That silence pushed him over the edge. “You shouldn’t have survived!” Tristan suddenly roared. “You should have died with them back then!” The room fell into a deadly silence. Even Madelyn froze. Zane’s expression barely changed. But his eyes turned cold. He stepped closer. “…Say that again,” he said quietly. “You should have died,” Tristan continued, his voice rising with uncontrollable rage. “All of this nonsense wouldn’t be happening if you had died with them back then! That company is mine—and it will not be sold at any cost!” Zane’s expression darkened. “…Yours?” he repeated. His brows furrowed as he stared straight at Tristan. “Why are you so desperate to keep it?” Zane asked slowly. That single question seemed to hit something. Tristan’s face stiffened. Before he could respond— “…Because