The harsh demand cut through the cool garden air, but instead of quieting down, the poor young lady broke down completely. Her fragile composure shattered into tiny pieces beneath the weight of his cruel threats against her family. "Please... please don't do this..." she sobbed out, her small voice choking on her tears as she cried even harder than before. Her slender shoulders trembled violently inside her sparkling silvery dress. Hot tears poured down her flushed cheeks without stopping, dripping off her quivering chin and soaking into the neckline of her gown. She was shaking so much that the two men holding her arms actually had to tighten their rough grip just to keep her standing upright on her heels. The sheer terror of watching her father get ruined by these merciless people was crushing her heart. She couldn't control her sobs, even when she knew it was only making the young heir angrier. Standing in the deep shadows of the cypress trees, Elijah watched her cry, his hands

​The cool coastal wind drifted across the private island’s gardens, carrying the faint scent of crushed leaves, spilled red wine, and the salty breeze of the ocean. Across the stone patio, twelve grown men lay scattered in total defeat. Some were clutching fractured arms, others were groaning into the dirt, while the rest were knocked out cold, completely motionless under the dim fairy lights.​Young Master Vance remained sprawled on the ground, his maroon trousers stained with dirty water and wine, his face pale as paper. He scrambled backward like a frightened crab, his hands trembling violently against the gravel, terrified to even meet Elijah's icy gaze.​Standing behind the safety of the thick marble pillar, the young lady in the sparkling silver dress slowly peeked out. Her wide brown eyes were flooded with utter shock and disbelief. She looked at the groaning thugs, then looked at the tall, steady figure of the young man who had just dismantled an entire circle of violent bulli

​Mia’s voice cut through the air like a razor-sharp whip, echoing violently off the surrounding marble pillars!​The raw, explosive fury in her tone made Steward Thomas freeze mid-sentence. His flattering smile froze on his face, his jaw dropping open in utter bewilderment.​Mia stepped directly into his face, her chest heaving with cold, suffocating fury. She didn't look at the battered goons or the broken wine glass. Her eyes bored straight into the trembling old steward, radiating an aura that made the air feel twenty degrees colder!​"Who gave you the audacity to raise your dirty voice in this garden?!" Mia scolded with venomous precision, each word landing like an iron hammer. "Do you think Master Caleb's private island is a pigsty where low-class bullies can run amok?! Do you think our estate is blind to what happens under our own roof?!"​She pointed an accusing finger straight at the trembling Young Master Vance, her voice dripping with absolute disgust.​"You dare to corner a

​The grand gala downstairs was slowly winding down, but the atmosphere inside the top-floor master study of the island estate was quiet, solemn, and strictly serious. Thick velvet curtains blocked out the moonlight, and the faint hum of centralized air conditioning filled the room.​Master Caleb stood by the heavy mahogany desk, having removed his formal suit jacket. His sleeves were neatly rolled up to his forearms, revealing weathered wrists marked by decades of hidden battles. He looked across the desk at Elijah, who sat in the high-backed leather chair, his plain white shirt slightly creased, his bruised face calm and thoughtful.​The old man poured two glasses of warm herbal tea from a steaming porcelain pot, placing one gently in front of Elijah with both hands.​"Mia informed me of everything that took place in the lower gardens, Master," Master Caleb said softly, taking a seat opposite him. "You handled those arrogant insects with remarkable restraint. Vance is a reckless pig,

The cold sea wind blew across the wet concrete of the secluded dock, rustling Elijah’s dark windbreaker. The captured operative lay pinned beneath his knee, trembling in pure agony from his fractured wrist and dislocated shoulder. His face was pressed into the puddle, his eyes darting frantically toward the poisoned dagger embedded in the wooden planks just inches from his nose.​"Please... I told you everything!" the operative wheezed out, his teeth chattering in terror. "Jordan Langford paid me half upfront! The rest was due upon delivery of Master Caleb's cardiovascular formula! Don't kill me! I was only following orders!"​Elijah looked down at the trembling man with cold, calculating eyes.​A few days ago, the sheer mention of Jordan Langford’s name would have made his blood boil with uncontrollable fury. He would have remembered the rain-slicked alley, the dirty dumpster, the heavy kicks cracking his ribs, and Kathy's cruel, mocking laughter as she threw his wedding ring into th