"What kind of tycoon drops forty million dollars on clothing in one sitting? And why choose Belmont Rousseau of all places? Armani is clearly superior, more refined, more exclusive!" Diane complained bitterly, still staring across the street in disbelief.A bystander nearby laughed under his breath. "Ha, you really don't know? He came to your Armani store first. Word is your people threw him out. That's exactly why he ended up walking into Belmont Rousseau instead."The moment those words registered, Diane went completely still, her mind racing in circles. A tycoon like that? Impossible. I'm not careless. There's no way I would have driven someone like that away without realizing it. She genuinely could not recall doing anything of the sort. True, the store had been hosting a promotional event today, which meant far more foot traffic than usual, and yes, she had personally turned away several people who clearly didn't fit the store's image. But the only person she distinctly remembered

"Well, well, Nathan, you actually think you qualify to attend this banquet?"A cold, sharp voice cut through the air from behind him. Nathan turned toward the sound, his brow furrowing slightly at the sight of a young man dressed head to toe in a flawlessly tailored Armani suit, undeniably handsome, yet radiating an arrogance so thick it practically hung in the air around him like cologne."Oh no, it's Trevor Quinn," Ethan muttered, visibly startled.Trevor was the son of one of the city's most prominent real estate developers. Nathan's company had once occupied a prized piece of land, and Trevor had made repeated attempts to purchase it for a housing development, only for Nathan to refuse him every single time. Nathan had built his research institute on that plot personally; there had never been any chance he'd simply hand it over.But after the company's collapse, that same land had somehow found its way into Trevor's hands. The institute hadn't been demolished yet, though it seemed

"If Young Master Quinn likes her, then she's all his," Preston agreed without a single flicker of hesitation, handing Vanessa over as casually as one might discard an unwanted coat.Vanessa raised no objection whatsoever. She'd always been the type of woman who climbed the social ladder rung by rung using whichever man happened to be standing closest, and Preston's recent performance had proven disappointingly underwhelming. I should start cultivating someone with real power, she thought coolly. Trevor seems like the obvious next step."Ha, at least you know where you stand," Trevor chuckled, before immediately scanning the crowd again, searching for Serena. "Where did that woman disappear to?""No idea," Preston admitted, equally baffled. Serena had been standing with Nathan and Ethan just moments earlier. How had she simply vanished into thin air?"That little witch. Sooner or later, I'm going to enjoy breaking her completely," Trevor snarled through gritted teeth.The entire gather

"Take your time reviewing these documents," Serena said, her smile carrying an unmistakable edge of finality. "Once you've finished, the truth will be entirely clear to everyone here. And for what it's worth, I've already forwarded a complete copy to the relevant regulatory authorities."It's over. It's completely, irreversibly over.Preston collapsed back onto the floor a second time. The massive screen continued displaying evidence after damning evidence. He had no idea how the Whitfield family had managed to acquire any of it, but he knew with absolute certainty that his family was finished. Smoothing this over would cost the Cole family dearly, likely more than they could realistically afford to lose."So Nathan really was framed this entire time?""The Cole family is utterly shameless.""But what exactly is going on between Nathan and Miss Whitfield? Why would she go to such extraordinary lengths on his behalf?""No idea, but it's becoming increasingly clear this Nathan isn't som

"Well, well, look who actually decided to show up."Derek stepped out of the office, his voice dripping with false bravado. This time, the security guards made no move whatsoever to block Nathan and Ethan, allowing them to walk directly into the compound without resistance. It was immediately obvious that some kind of ambush had been carefully arranged in advance."Of course I came," Nathan said, his expression completely unreadable. "What, you still haven't bothered clearing out the factory? It seems what I told you yesterday genuinely didn't sink in at all, did it?""Who exactly does this tough guy think he is, daring to tell me, Marcus Cole, to vacate my own factory? You must have a genuine death wish."Following the arrogant declaration, Marcus emerged into view, flanked by roughly a hundred men who came pouring in from every direction, swiftly encircling Nathan and Ethan entirely."This is bad. I told you there'd be trouble," Ethan said, forcing out a bitter, nervous smile."Rela