The main board meeting at Sterling Group that afternoon proceeded with absolute smoothness. The precise figures corrected by Raymond left the senior commissioners without the slightest opportunity to corner Natalie. Elena walked out of the meeting room wearing a victorious smile, while Natalie finally breathed a sigh of relief after enduring hours of relentless pressure.As the sun gradually drifted westward, casting the warm golden glow of late afternoon across the city, Raymond and Natalie stepped out of the Sterling Group headquarters. Yudha had already prepared the black sedan in front of the main lobby, greeting the couple with his usual humble friendliness."Shall we head straight to the art district, Raymond?" Yudha asked as he opened the rear door for Natalie."Yes, Yudha. To Laras Art Studio & Coffee House," Raymond replied with a faint smile.Sitting beside Raymond, Natalie looked at her husband with growing curiosity."An art studio? A coffee house? What kind of place is it

The night grew later at the Sterling family's main residence. The magnificent colonial-style mansion was illuminated by crystal chandeliers that cast a warm yet formal ambiance throughout the house. After returning from the art studio, Raymond and Natalie attended a family dinner at the sudden invitation of Grandpa Sterling.Inside the main dining room, surrounded by mahogany-paneled walls, the long dining table was filled with a variety of nutritious dinner dishes. Yudha waited faithfully in the outer sitting area with the family's bodyguards, while Raymond sat calmly beside Natalie at the main dining table, directly across from Grandpa Sterling, who occupied the seat at the head of the table.Grandpa Sterling, a man in his seventies with neatly combed silver hair and sharp eyes, set his spoon and fork down on his porcelain plate. The soft clink of porcelain immediately made the atmosphere around the dining table fall into silence."Natalie," Grandpa Sterling called in his deep, auth

Night descended upon North Sector City, enveloping the magnificent Granria Ballroom in the glow of golden decorative lights. Hundreds of luxury cars from various renowned brands were neatly lined up in the VVIP parking area. The Young Entrepreneurs Association's annual gala dinner that evening was attended by business elites, local conglomerate owners, and high-ranking regional officials. On the ballroom's main floor, the clinking of crystal glasses and the soft melodies of classical music accompanied the warm conversations of the invited guests. Kevin Sanjaya stood in the middle of a circle of young entrepreneurs, wearing a custom-made suit worth hundreds of millions of rupiahs, a champagne glass in his hand. His face radiated overflowing arrogance as he basked in the admiring gazes and praise of those around him. "Sanjaya Corporation has just secured a major investment project with Sterling Group," Kevin announced in a deliberately raised voice so that the people around him could

Weeks passed, wrapped in the tranquil rhythm of mortal life. Raymond's days were now filled with simple activities that brought peace to his soul: sipping the warm coffee Natalie prepared in the morning, accompanying his wife at her art studio, and overseeing the preparations for the inauguration of Aetheris Global Consortium together with Yudha. There were no longer any glimmers of magical energy, nor tactical calls that shattered his concentration. Raymond was truly enjoying his role as an ordinary human.That afternoon, light rain drizzled over the Northern Sector. The sound of raindrops striking the second-floor windows of the art studio created a melodious rhythm. Natalie was sitting in front of her large canvas, applying pastel-colored oil paint with her nimble fingers. In the corner of the room, Raymond sat on a wooden chair with a cup of chamomile tea still releasing wisps of steam.「How does the background color look, Raymond?」 Natalie asked without turning her face away from

Morning rolled in over North Sector City beneath a thin veil of mist. The morning sunlight filtering through the gaps in the curtains of the master bedroom bathed the cool white sheets.Natalie woke up, her fingers instinctively reaching for the side of the bed beside her.Empty.The pillow beside her was still neatly arranged, without any warmth or wrinkles indicating that someone had slept there the previous night.Natalie’s brow furrowed slightly. She slowly sat up, smoothing her disheveled black hair.“Raymond...?” she called softly, breaking the profound silence of the bedroom.There was no answer.Natalie pushed the blanket aside and climbed out of bed, her bare feet carrying her through the corners of the house.The bathroom was empty.Raymond’s study was neatly arranged, with stacks of Aetheris Global documents organized in perfect order.The kitchen was quiet as well, with on