At that moment, Ethan didn't offer any further elaboration. He simply nodded his head with the quiet confidence of someone who had already made his decision and saw no need to justify it. "Don't forget my instruction," he said, his voice steady and deliberate. "You need to transfer that one billion as soon as possible."The words carried the weight of finality, of a command given by someone who expected—no, knew—it would be obeyed without question or delay.Megan bowed her head once more, this time with a grace that seemed almost reverent. "No problem at all," she replied, her voice clear and unwavering despite the profound responsibility that had just been placed upon her shoulders. "I will do exactly as you have requested, Master. It will be done before you even leave the premises."With that understanding established between them, Megan and Ethan began the journey back through the labyrinthine corridors of the vault system, retracing their steps toward the entrance. The treasures t

At that moment, Ethan looked at Damian slowly, deliberately, his gaze traveling from head to toe in an assessment that somehow managed to be both dismissive and threatening at once. When he spoke, his voice was calm, almost conversational, but there was steel beneath the surface."Don't actually push me," Ethan said quietly. "Just don't push me and don't get me annoyed, because it's not going to end well for you. That is the utmost truth. And that is the blunt truth about it all."The words hung in the air like a promise—or perhaps a warning.Hearing what Ethan had just said, Damian's jaw tightened even further, the muscles in his face contorting with barely suppressed rage. He couldn't believe it. He simply couldn't believe that Ethan was literally challenging him, going toe to toe with him as if they were equals. As if Ethan had any right to stand there and speak to him like that.This was something Damian hadn't been expecting, something he'd never imagined in his wildest nightmare

Immediately, Damian pulled out his phone from his pocket, his hands still trembling slightly from the adrenaline and humiliation coursing through his system. Without wasting a single second, he scrolled through his recent calls and tapped on the first number—the one at the very top of his call log.The phone rang once, twice, and then Victoria's voice came through the speaker.But before Damian could even get a word out, before he could begin to explain what had just happened to him, Victoria cut him off with sharp, preemptive precision."We need to get something straight at this moment," she said, her tone clipped and businesslike, devoid of any warmth or familiarity. "Something we need to establish right now, without wasting another second."Damian opened his mouth to respond, but she barreled forward."Damian, I know you must have heard the news already. I know you must have heard about the divorce I had with Ethan. So there's no need for you to call me to confirm it or console me

At the sound of Victoria’s laughter, Damian’s frustration quickly turned into irritation. His fingers tightened around the phone, and his expression darkened as he listened to her laugh at the very situation that had left him humiliated, furious, and completely confused.He could not believe it. After everything he had just told her, after describing the way he had been treated at Sky Bank, Victoria still found the matter amusing.“Stop laughing,” he snapped, his voice rising. “I’m serious. I’m seriously serious about this. You needed to be there. You needed to see it with your own eyes. You needed to witness what happened before you started laughing at me.”Victoria’s laughter gradually faded, though a trace of amusement remained in her voice. “Damian, I’m not laughing at—”“Yes, you are!” he interrupted. “You’re laughing as if I just told you some ridiculous story. But I’m telling you the truth. I saw everything with my own eyes. I watched Megan bow her head ninety degrees toward tha

His words were casual, almost careless, but Victoria heard the satisfaction behind them.Damian had never hidden his contempt for Ethan. He had always found small ways to undermine him, to laugh at him, to speak over him at gatherings, and to remind everyone that Ethan lacked the wealth, influence, and pedigree Damian believed made a man worthy of respect.Back then, Victoria had not stopped him.Sometimes, she had even agreed.That thought made something uncomfortable twist inside her chest.“Damian,” she said quietly, “be careful with how you speak about my past.”“What?” he asked. “I’m only being honest.”“No,” Victoria replied. “You are being cruel and calling it honesty. There is a difference.”For a moment, Damian did not answer.Then he laughed lightly, as though she had misunderstood him. “You know I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just saying that you deserve better. You always deserved better.”Victoria leaned against the wall, her eyes narrowing.“And what exactly does that hav