*****Ronan sat there for a long moment before forcing out a quiet sigh.If Helena, Rael, and Joren had accused him, he wouldn't have cared. Those three had already done far worse to him.But Celeste...His appetite vanished.Just as he was about to ring the bell for the waitress, his phone rang again.For a moment, Ronan assumed it was Celeste calling back to continue from where she had stopped.But the number was private.He frowned at the screen before answering.It was Kade.Ronan's expression immediately brightened.‘That was quite fast.’“So... what's the conclusion?” he asked.There was a brief pause."You're certain every position has at least a sixty percent chance of turning a profit?"Ronan smirked. “We both know I wouldn't risk my life for nothing.”“The company has accepted your condition.”Ronan wasn't surprised.“We'll forward the membership once the call ends,” Kade continued. “When should we expect you to fulfill your end of the agreement?”“Once the membership has bee

*****Ronan opened the door, still half-asleep. The moment he saw who was standing outside, however, every trace of drowsiness vanished, replaced by unmistakable displeasure.“What?”Selene stared at him with a complicated expression.“They said you brought me here,” she said, still somewhat groggy from her hangover despite having already washed up.After everything she'd put him through the previous night, Ronan wasn't particularly happy to see her.“I did what I had to do.”It was a polite way of telling her to leave.Selene understood the message but didn't take offense. Instead, a grateful smile touched her lips.She remembered only scattered fragments of the previous night, but they were enough. Ronan had saved her… and despite every opportunity, he hadn't taken advantage of her.“Thank you.”She bowed sincerely.“I didn't do anything for you,” Ronan replied coldly.Several people passing through the corridor glanced at them. ‘What kind of man speaks to such a beautiful woman like

*****Ronan had mentally prepared himself for what one million units of preserved food would look like, but even that couldn't have prepared him for the sight before him.Boxes filled the warehouse from end to end, stacked so high and densely packed that he couldn't imagine anyone ever depleting the stockpile.His grin stretched from ear to ear. For a brief moment, he thought it was more than enough, but he quickly remembered that he had no idea how long the apocalypse would last… or whether it would end at all.“The production facility?” he asked, glancing at Selene.Her mood had been gloomy ever since they entered the abandoned factory. Only weeks ago, the facility had been bustling with workers. Now, dust covered the equipment, and cobwebs filled the corners.She forced a smile and nodded.Together, they toured the production facility, and Ronan's delight only grew as he inspected the machines.Every piece of equipment required for production was still intact. More importantly, the

*****“I thought you'd have the decency to disappear from the face of the earth after daring to lay your filthy hands on me and steal my mother's priceless jewelry!” Rael spat, his voice filled with venom and hatred.Joren and Helena stood beside him, their faces twisted with rage.“For three whole years, our family fed you, housed you, and clothed you!” Helena roared. “And this is how you repay us? By attacking my son and robbing me?”“This is unforgivable!”Joren charged forward like a beast unleashed.“I'll break every limb you have!”Varek hurriedly grabbed him.“Easy, Uncle. I think we should actually commend him for finally showing his true self. Perhaps he finally became comfortable with the Frosts and realized he no longer needed to hide his nature from us.”His tone was calm and seemingly reasonable.But his words only poured oil onto the flames."If thieves like him aren't beaten to death, decent people won't sleep peacefully!""A thief today, a murderer tomorrow!""Kick him

*****Ronan had convinced himself since his rebirth that Celeste no longer mattered. Yet watching her hold another man's hand dragged an old humiliation back to the surface.In his previous life, she had never even allowed him the slightest physical contact. Now she was holding Varek's hand right in front of him.His jaw tightened.‘So this is how she always saw me...’A bitter laugh escaped him.Inside the car, Celeste glanced through the window.The instant she saw Ronan laughing, her heart sank.The laughter sounded painfully forced, as though he were using it to hide how badly her actions had wounded him.Guilt tightened around her chest once more.Her fingers tightened around the seat.For a moment, she considered getting out and making things right.But admitting she had been wrong suddenly felt impossible.“Let's go.”Varek watched her from the corner of his eye.The guilt on her face made his heart ache, while his hatred for Ronan burned beneath the surface.“Don't you think t