Samson took a deep breath, letting the crisp mountain air fill his lungs. He didn't answer right away, but his ears caught the sound of Rose’s shoes crunching on the gravel and a subtle, impatient huff from Clara. Both women stood frozen, waiting for an answer that seemed poised to draw the territorial lines for the night."I’ll be keeping watch at the front pavilion," Samson replied flatly, without turning around. "Gopar and the medical team need quick coordination if there's an emergency. We don't have time to drive back and forth to the city."Rose’s jawline softened slightly, while Clara crossed her arms with a faint, victorious smirk. However, before the tension could escalate, a shadow appeared from behind the villa’s glass doors. Gopar hurried out, his usually relaxed face looking tense under the dim porch light."Welcome, Boss, Ma'am Boss," Gopar greeted everyone, his portly belly leading the way as the faint aroma of grilled meat wafted from his mouth."Eating as usual, huh,

"Rose, how dare she show her face after running off with Itari!" Baskoro thought, clenching his fists beneath the table until his knuckles turned white.He never anticipated that Rose would have the sheer audacity to show up so blatantly in the middle of a general shareholders' meeting. His eyes flicked towards Samson, who still stood motionless by the door, maintaining a highly strategic position to monitor every single movement in the room."Rose, watch your tone!" Baskoro barked, scrambling to reassert his authority. "We are in a formal forum. Levelling accusations without a shred of proof only makes you look unstable, precisely what I was just telling everyone."Rose let out a faint smile—one that didn't reach her eyes. She glanced at Samson and gave a subtle nod.Samson reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small remote, and pressed a button. The massive projector screen behind Rose, which had been displaying stock charts, instantly changed. A cascade of digital documents,

The four men smirked, twirling the iron rods in their hands as if Samson were merely an easy appetiser to devour. They were mercenaries accustomed to doing dirty work, and seeing Samson completely alone made them feel they held the upper hand."Hand over the woman, and we'll let you leave without a broken bone, Bodyguard," barked the largest one among them.Samson didn't answer. Instead, he loosened his tie slightly with one hand while keeping his other hand at his side. His gaze was cold, as sharp as a newly honed blade."One..." Samson muttered quietly."What did you say?" The man took a mocking step forward."I’m giving you three seconds to leave," Samson continued. "Two...""Are you kidding us?" they jeered upon hearing Samson's words."Nobody is kidding here. I am giving you a window of time!" Samson replied calmly."Get him!" the leader shouted.The four of them lunged simultaneously. The first man swung his iron rod at Samson’s head, but with highly efficient movement, Samson d

Rose immediately ran after Samson toward the backyard parking lot, completely ignoring Clara's low chuckle behind her. She knew that her ego and guilt had almost destroyed the only pillar that had kept her standing tall all this time."Samson! Wait!" Rose shouted just as she saw Samson about to get into the SUV they had used earlier.Samson paused, his hand still gripping the car door handle. He didn’t turn around, but his broad shoulders looked rigid. The sound of Rose’s ragged breathing was distinct in the quiet night."Sam, I'm sorry," Rose said softly. She stepped closer until she stood right behind him. "I was wrong. I said those things because I was worried. I was terrified of losing the only person who truly watches over me. I was selfish to want to monopolize your time just for my own safety."Samson slowly turned around. His face remained expressionless, but the sharp glint in his eyes softened, harboring a deep wound. "You're the boss, Rose. You have every right to demand my

The car door slammed shut just as several security guards from the front gate began sprinting toward them. Samson carefully laid Bianca's semi-conscious body across the back seat, while Rose quickly climbed in and cradled the girl's head in her lap."Go, Par! Now!" Samson shouted as he dove into the front passenger seat.Gopar didn't waste a single second. He slammed his foot down on the gas pedal, causing the tires to screech loudly against the asphalt of Andrew's mansion driveway. The SUV bolted forward, narrowly missing one of the guards trying to block them at the half-opened gate."Crazy! Boss, are we officially kidnapping a rich man's kid now?" Gopar exclaimed while deftly spinning the steering wheel, maneuvering the car out onto the highway and vanishing into the darkness of the night.Samson didn't answer. His breath was still coming in heavy rasps, and adrenaline-fueled anger still lingered at the edges of his nerves. He glanced through the rearv