Marla spat on the ground.“Phtui! Ardenne, You have no right bringing that little bastard here and calling her family. If Emma pushed my son, then she deserves to be punished. Even if she dies.”Ardenne held her small girl tighter in her arms.“That’s enough, Marla! You’re going too far. What, your son is made of gold? And my child is just dirt?”Marla laughed. It was not a nice laugh.“Shut up! How can that dirty child even be compared to my son? My son is the pride of the Sylver family. Your daughter… she’s the child of a madman.”She stepped closer, her eyes full of cruelty.“Everyone knows it. Six years ago you married some crazy man from a mental hospital. Who knows what kind of bad blood he had? Maybe your daughter will become crazy too. Maybe one day she’ll run away and abandon you, just like her father did.”The words hit Cassian hard.A madman!Cassian suddenly stopped walking.Six years ago…While enemies were were after him , he hid inside a psychiatric hospital. He pretend

The Sylvers thought… finally… maybe the Mayor would fix this. Maybe he would put that man, Cassian, back in his place.But when the Mayor stepped into the hall, everyone froze. Quiet. Calm. Steady. He cleared his throat.“I’m here today to give Mr. Cassian Vale the Certificate of Valor—for his bravery… and everything he’s done for S. City.”The room went silent. Just for a second… then whispers, gasps, murmurs exploded.One cousin blinked. Stupid look on his face.“Wait… what? Did I hear that right? An award? For him?”Another scoffed, voice shaking like they were scared.“An award? Him? Are you serious?”Scot Sylver, the oldest cousin, jumped up, face red, veins popping.“Mr. Mayor! W-with all due respect—this must be a mistake! Cassian… he’s… he’s not… stable! How could he… do something brave? Um… um…”The Mayor’s eyes narrowed. Cold. Sharp. Didn’t move.“Are you saying I have bad judgment, Mr. Sylver? Or that our officers are dumb? That we can’t see bravery when it’s right in front

Cassian had spent the night on the cold doorstep. Before dawn he slipped out, bought a bag of warm fried dough sticks and two little cartons of milk. He came back to the iron door where Ardenne and Emma slept. The room smelled of damp, of old rain, and a faint bleach from the public restroom nearby. No table, no chairs, nothing that felt like a home. So, they carried breakfast to the park bench outside, huddled close to share the tiny warmth of the meal.Ardenne attacked the dough sticks like a tiny tornado. Three sticks vanished before Cassian could blink. She gulped down the milk cartons, one after the other, then threw her head back and squealed. “Woo—Mummy! This is the best ever! My belly’s so full!” Her laugh was wild, pure, and Cassian felt like his chest might crack from it.Ardenne watched her, smiling softly. Cassian’s throat tightened. He wanted to scoop them both up and never let go, feel them safe forever. But he just sat still, letting the park bench be enough for now.Th

Julan’s entire body shook, knuckles white around his cane. He hadn’t expected Sebastian to be so firm, so unyielding.Why… why was this man so determined to back Ardenne?He didn’t understand it. And now was not the time to question. Right now, securing that contract meant everything.Forcing a stiff smile, Julan turned toward Sebastian, voice tight, slightly trembling. “Mr. Sebastian… there must be some misunderstanding,” he said hurriedly. “Ardenne has always been part of the Lannister family… and an employee of the Lannister Group. She’s not going anywhere.”Sebastian raised an eyebrow, casual but sharp, his tone cutting through the tension. “Really? That’s not what I heard. Someone told me Ardenne was already fired.”Julan’s smile froze. His face darkened, veins standing out along his temple. His cane slammed against the marble with a crack that echoed through the hall.“Who the hell dismissed Ardenne?!” Julan roared. “Kneel!”The shout shook the room. Violet’s face drained of col