2025-08-21 19:44:49Tyler sat in silence, his chest tight, his pulse thundering in his ears. He watched as Blake slid a hand into his pocket and pulled out a photograph. Without a word, the old man extended it to him.
“Take a look at this,” Blake said, his tone carrying a weight that made Tyler’s palms damp. Tyler accepted the photo, his eyes falling on the face of a stunning young woman. She was in her Mid-twenties, had a model’s frame paired with a smile that could undo even the strongest resolve. Her soft lips and radiant features pulled something from deep within Tyler—something he hadn’t felt in years. For the first time since his marriage, his eyes lingered in admiration on another woman. He stared longer than he should have, and Blake’s voice broke through the moment. “That woman you’re holding in your hands is Ariana Acosta,” Blake announced, his voice proud, almost reverent. “She is my granddaughter… and the current temporary supervisor, the supreme overall seer of ABC Companies.” Tyler lifted his gaze, confusion flickering across his face. “And what about her? How is she connected to my… fortune?” Blake chuckled lowly, pacing toward a mirror at the far end of the room. He stood there, his back to Tyler, hands clasped behind him. “She isn’t just connected to your fortune, Tyler" Blake said, his reflection smirking back at him. “She is your real fortune. Ariana is the reason I am offering you everything. My wealth, my empires, companies, villas.. She is the reason I am handing you all these!" Tyler’s mouth went dry. His voice cracked as he forced out, “Re… really?” Blake turned, his expression hardening into something deadly serious. “Yes. She is the reason I want you to inherit all that I own.” Tyler’s brows furrowed, the photograph trembling faintly in his grasp as Blake continued. “When I first met you, I saw a lot of potential. Then I dug into your life… and what I discovered astonished me. You’ve remained loyal to your wife, even when she hasn’t shared a bed with you for years. Do you realize how rare that is? That loyalty, Mr. Hudson, is exactly what I’ve been searching for.” Blake clasped his hands behind his back and stepped closer. His voice dropped, grave and sharp. “My Ariana is my treasure. But she is surrounded by wolves—people who smile at her only because they think she will inherit my fortune. They circle her, waiting to strike, to drain her dry. Ariana is soft-hearted, too easily swayed. She needs someone who will shield her, someone who will open her eyes to the true nature of those around her.” Tyler squinted, his mind racing, trying to piece together the unspoken truth. Blake tapped the armrest of his chair, his tone final and absolute. “And that someone is you. You, Tyler Hudson. That is why I chose you.” The air grew heavier. Tyler blinked, his throat tightening, though he already understood where this was heading. Still, he needed to hear it aloud. He raised his eyes, locking them on Blake’s cold, calculating gaze. “So… in summary, you’re telling me that if I marry your granddaughter… you’ll give me everything you own?” Blake’s lips curved into a chilling smile. He nodded. “Exactly!" "I will grant you wealth beyond measure. Mansions, empires, political power, control of armies, partnerships in every corner of the globe. Everything, Tyler. The only condition is that you marry my granddaughter… and give her the protection this world cannot.” Tyler froze, the photo trembling in his hands. He glanced at Ariana’s captivating smile, then at Blake’s unwavering stare. For a moment, he seemed ready to refuse. Blake leaned back into his chair, crossing one leg over the other with calm precision. His eyes gleamed with dangerous patience. “The details are laid before you. The ball is in your court now. So tell me, Tyler—will you marry Ariana and claim the riches and power I offer? Or will you refuse… and live the rest of your life in poverty?” Tyler’s breath quickened. His gaze fell back to the picture. That smile, that innocence—it called to him. Yet another image forced its way into his mind: Becca. Her image flashed on his head. He remembered their wedding day. He remembered the moment he slid the wedding ring onto her finger. Kissing her lips with vows of forever echoing in his heart. The war between memory and temptation tore at him... Finally, Tyler lifted his head, meeting Blake’s piercing stare. And with his voice low, steady, and heavy with the weight of choice, he answered. "....
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200. Status Battle!
Everyone stared in awe, their eyes fixed on Mrs. Brett, all of them waiting to see what she would do next.Would she really do what they expected? Would she obey Chloe and take back the blessing?Many already believed she would. After all, Chloe had clearly reminded her of the promise she made earlier.As these thoughts lingered in the air, Mrs. Brett stepped forward. She blinked slowly at Chloe, her gaze sharp and unreadable.“You repeated that?” she asked calmly. “That I should take back my blessing, yes?”Chloe nodded without hesitation, her chin lifted proudly.“Yes. Take it back. Take back your damn blessing. Wasn’t that what you promised to do earlier if I did what you asked?” she snapped. “Now that I’ve played my part, how about you go ahead and play yours?”At that moment, Mrs. Brett burst into laughter.It came suddenly and loudly, cutting through the silence like a blade. Did she really hear that right?Chloe wanted her to take back the blessing she had given to Tyler and Ar
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The moment those words t escaped Mrs Brett's lips, Everyone was intensified. One of the great intensifiers was the members of the Winters and Aisha. For Aisha, her reason for one thing the old lady to take back the blessing shall be given to Tyler and his wife was still hidden as she couldn't help but comprehend not nothing to see Tyler marry Aria. But as for the Winters, their own reasons were clearly written on their faces. Especially on the face of Becca. Her anger was clearly for written on her face all over this it was calling that she was deeply angered by the fact that tyler boss marrying a rich woman someone that is with someone that is inflation on someone that is way higher than her in some ways. Even when Mrs Brett came out to speak in defense of Aria, she didn't take it to be very hefty thing. She just took it that she was angered and jealous of Aria's success. But seeing now? That Mrs Brett was giving them all the blessings that she has inside of her? That was some
198
“That’s not even supposed to be a question, Mr. Leonard,” the doctor said firmly.Previously, Zack had asked where they could find a good Divine Doctor, and that was the doctor’s immediate response.“In my eighteen years as a medical doctor and surgeon, I’ve met many people. Many patients like your mother who couldn’t be saved medically but survived through the help of a Divine Doctor. The doctor continued. “Getting one is not easy, though. Only your money and influence will count. But seeing the kind of person you are, Mr. Leonard, a rich man with plenty of connections, a Divine Doctor shouldn’t be a problem for you.”Zack agreed. The doctor was right.He was an influential man, and normally, getting a Divine Doctor wouldn’t be difficult for him.He had even worked with many of them in the past, but all the ones he knew lived outside the country.They were international Asian Divine Doctors, none from Sarto.That was the exact reason he asked where he could find one. He had no local
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Zack couldn’t believe what he was hearing.His mother had developed End-Stage Dilated Cardiomyopathy.But how? How could she develop DCM?The only thing he remembered was that Patricia, his own mother, had always been on high-ranked rare Elixirs of Life. Those were strictly designed to protect against heart diseases. Yet right now, the doctor was telling him she had Dilated Cardiomyopathy.He stared at the doctor, disbelief tightening his jaw.“Are you sure of what you’re saying, Doc?” Zack asked, needing confirmation. “My mother has no reason to be sick to the point of having only two days left. She has been on an Elixir of Life and strong medications that have kept her fit for years. So why now? Why DCM?”The doctor adjusted his glasses. “Some medical terms can be quite confusing, Mr. Leonard,” he replied calmly. “But what you must understand is that some medicines are not life-assuring. They may be effective, yes, but that doesn’t mean they guarantee someone’s continued existenc
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The moment Mrs. Brett showered her abundant blessings upon the newlyweds, the entire lounge was struck with sheer disbelief. Everyone wondered how on Earth the old lady could extend her approval so easily. As far as they could remember, Tyler came from a very poor background, and people of Mrs. Brett’s stature—wealthy, influential, and accustomed to a certain class—would never associate with someone like him. More than that, they would never allow any family member, not even an enemy, to marry someone from a lower social class.And yet, here she was—not only speaking in favor of her heirs but also openly approving the marriage and giving her heartfelt blessings.Among everyone present, Chloe was the most shocked. What astonished her even more was that Mrs. Brett had extended her blessing to Tyler and Aria so freely, without hesitation. It was a moment that left her utterly speechless.After everything that had happened, the last thing Chloe expected was for that woman to hand out her
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Anger surged through Chloe the moment Aria spoke. It was like fire coursing through her veins, sharp and uncontrollable. The giggles from the guests, their slow, low murmurs, and the subtle yet audible whispers all made it clear how much support Aria was receiving.This only fueled Chloe’s fury. She had once believed that this marriage would give her the power to ruin Aria in countless ways. She had thought she could manipulate, provoke, and sabotage her so easily. But when she discovered the family’s inheritance rules, she had thought she had found the ultimate leverage—a way to destroy Aria completely.Chloe had convinced herself that all it would take was a few carefully chosen words to trigger hatred and resentment toward Aria. She believed that people who had once admired or loved someone, especially someone influential or wealthy, would never allow that person’s name to be dragged through the mud. She had been certain her plan would succeed. Yet now, seeing the unwavering suppor
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