*****Jason was staring directly at the captain at this moment.However, gone was the respectful, apologetic man who had greeted Nicholas only moments ago.In his place stood someone whose gaze was so cold and sharp that it resembled a blade capable of carving straight through flesh and soul.Seeing this, Captain Johnson's heartbeat directly exploded inside his chest.'Did... did I say something wrong...?' he wondered.But just at that moment…“You...” Jason finally spoke, his voice carrying enough frost to freeze the air itself. His eyes never left the captain's face. “...you didn’t just call Sir a random riffraff... did you?”The captain. “_”He stared blankly for a second, unable to react. Then… he felt the blood in his veins turn to ice, his breathing becoming even more difficult.None of the surrounding guards dared utter a sound.Then...Jason's expression darkened completely, the last trace of restraint disappearing from his face.“You stupid fools!” he exploded, his roar crash

*****From beginning to end, Nicholas's demeanor remained completely relaxed, as though everything unfolding around him had nothing whatsoever to do with him.The desperate cries, the terrified faces, the crushing atmosphere... none of it stirred even the slightest ripple in his expression.He merely gave a casual nod, and Jason immediately hurried toward the vehicle, respectfully taking the lead as though escorting someone of immeasurable status.Watching the pair walk away, every guard paled even more, all of them trembling all over, while Captain Johnson felt the last trace of strength drain from his body."Mas... Master!" he cried desperately.His voice cracked with panic, but neither Jason nor Nicholas slowed their footsteps.Seeing that he was being completely ignored, the captain's final shred of composure collapsed.Thud!He dropped heavily to his knees."Mercy, Master!" he wailed even louder, his voice filled with anguish. "I've learned my lesson! I swear I'll never judge any

*****For several seconds, only the low hum of the engine filled the vehicle.Jason's jaw locked so tightly it seemed capable of cracking a tooth, while his breathing became uneven. His thoughts were a complete mess.‘If even sir couldn't help...’ He didn't dare finish that thought.Without realizing it, his attention drifted from the road, and the steering wheel shifted slightly beneath his grip before he hurriedly corrected the vehicle again.Drawing in a long, shaky breath, he turned toward Nicholas once more, his gaze filled with desperate hope... the kind belonging to a son watching his father slip away day after day.Yet...There was still nothing.Nicholas remained reclined comfortably against his seat, looking as relaxed as someone out for an afternoon drive.His face revealed no surprise, concern, or excitement.If anything, he looked almost bored, making it impossible for Jason to tell whether the diagnosis sounded simple... or utterly hopeless.That unreadable calm tortured

*****The only response to the captain’s question was the faint sound of someone breathing heavily.Then... the grating sound of teeth grinding against each other echoed over the line.“It would have been better if it hadn’t gone well alone,” the caller finally said, his voice so dark and bitter that it made Captain Johnson’s frown deepen. “At least then I could have blamed bad luck and pushed harder.”“What happened?” the captain asked immediately, his tone turning serious.“I was humiliated,” the caller spat through clenched teeth. “No... humiliated isn’t even enough to describe it. The Palmers invited me over only to make me the biggest joke of the night. They turned me into entertainment.”Captain Johnson froze for a brief moment, his mind failing to process the words.“I... don’t think I understand,” he said slowly, his expression darkening by the second. “How would that measly C-rank family dare humiliate you?” His voice grew colder with every word. “Have they suddenly forgotten

*****“We are here, sir.”Standing before the massive twin doors leading into the patriarch's chamber, Jason finally spoke.At this moment, the man who usually remained composed, even in front of prime ministers and even the representatives from the capital city, appeared unusually anxious.His fingers twitched incessantly at his sides, and his breathing came in uneven intervals, making him look less like the CEO of a powerful group and more like a high school student waiting for the release of his entrance examination results.He swallowed hard before turning toward Nicholas, his eyes instinctively searching his face for something... confidence, curiosity, concern, or anything at all.Unfortunately, there was absolutely nothing.Nicholas remained as relaxed as ever, both hands tucked casually into his pockets, his expression calm and unhurried.He looked less like a physician about to examine a man hovering between life and death and more like someone taking an evening stroll after d