Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the curtains, casting golden streaks across the marble floor. The office was quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioner filling the room.Sitting in the magnificent CEO chair, Mella leaned back while massaging her temples. Her eyelids slowly grew heavy, and within seconds, she drifted into a light sleep, half-conscious and half-lost in a dream.Inside her dream, time seemed to turn backward, pulling her into a childhood she had nearly forgotten. It was the bright beginning of the dry season. The ground was slightly dusty, while a warm breeze swept through the large trees in the city park.There, two children could be seen, a little girl and a little boy, both around six or seven years old.The little girl, whose face was unmistakably that of young Mella, was sitting on a swing with puffed cheeks, happily biting into a chicken wing.Beside her, a little boy held an ice cream that was almost completely melted. The boy looked thin, but

Mella disliked conflict within the family, but unfortunately, that was the reality she had to face. Her grandfather had warned her that because her cousin was so arrogant and ambitious, she needed to pay more attention to her position as CEO.Felinia entered the room with quick yet polite steps."Did something bad happen, Mel?"When the two of them were alone, Felinia spoke casually as she always did. That was because they were close friends. Whenever outsiders were present, however, she would speak more formally, maintaining the relationship between superior and subordinate.Mella leaned back in her chair, looking exhausted."Felinia... my position as CEO might not last much longer. My cousin wants to take over the position."Felinia raised an eyebrow, her tone immediately turning sarcastic."Hah. After the company finally became stable and you managed to solve all the major problems? Of course... he just has to show up and collect the rewards."Mella let out a long sigh."That's why

The longer Tania talked with Jonathan, the clearer it became that the man was nothing like the "lowly security guard" people assumed him to be. The way Jonathan answered questions, his calmness when dealing with problems, his ability to speak foreign languages, and even his dislike of showing off all made Tania see him in a different light.Deep down, she thought Jonathan was the kind of man who usually only existed in novels: handsome, mysterious, intelligent, and hiding something that was impossible to figure out. She even felt a little regret and thought to herself, "Why did I only meet someone like this now?"Tania gathered her courage and started the conversation again, her voice softer than before."Jonathan... actually, there's something I want to ask you for help with."Jonathan turned toward her, his expression serious and unwavering."If a friend needs help, just tell me. If I can do it, I'll definitely help."Hearing that, Tania felt a warmth in her chest. She nodded slight

On Friday at 8:00 a.m., the area in front of the Main Gate of Vaganza University was already crowded with students arriving for their classes. Among the crowd, a shiny black Mercedes slowly stopped on the right side of the gate, attracting plenty of attention with its flashy appearance, almost like an official government vehicle.Cynthia walked out carrying her bag, her eyes searching for the Porsche her brother usually drove, but she could not find it. She was just about to send him a message when her phone vibrated."Look to your right."It was a short message from Jonathan.Cynthia turned her head, and her eyes immediately widened. The luxurious Mercedes was clearly not a borrowed car. There was no way she could have mistaken it for anything else."B-Brother?" she murmured in disbelief.Jonathan lowered the window with a relaxed smile."Come on, get in."Cynthia was still stunned as she half-ran toward the car. The moment the door opened, the scent of new leather filled the air. Sh

Inside the car, the atmosphere was quiet for a while. The Mercedes slowly drove away from the prison grounds, but Jonathan's thoughts remained behind. Several times, he glanced toward the back seat, where Salman sat quietly, looking calm yet fragile.Every time his eyes fell upon his father, his chest felt painfully heavy.His father's once jet-black hair had now turned almost completely white. The lines on his face had aged him far beyond his actual years. His skin was dry and wrinkled, like that of someone who had lived in despair for years. His body looked thinner, and his prison clothes were worn and faded, thin as though they had been soaked in rain countless times.This was not the father he remembered.The father who once stood tall and full of energy, always confident that he could handle any problem, had now become someone who seemed to have lost half of his life.All of this...Every bit of it...Was the work of the Sigoro Family.Jonathan tightened his grip on the steering