2025-11-30 23:35:31
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The cruise ship
The weekend getaway turned out to be far more extravagant than Zeke expected. The “venue” Marilyn had chosen was a mid-sized luxury cruise ship—large enough to host a wedding, but small enough for an exclusive weekend getaway. The ship wasn't setting sail into the open sea. It was a short voyage where the ship would drift a few feet from the shore, circling the coastline, then returning by sundown each day. Mei tightened her fingers around Zeke’s arm as they stepped aboard the ship. At the entrance stood Marilyn, the hostess herself—draped in a sparkling rose-gold dress that screamed ‘I must outshine everyone here.’ Beside her was her daughter, Margie, who wore a pale expression. Like someone who was forced to be there. As Zeke and Mei approached, Marilyn’s face lit up with a fake smile. “Oh, Zeke! You made it. And I see you brought Mei with you.” Mei stepped forward. “It's a pleasure to meet you,” she said warmly, opening her arms to offer a polite greeting hug. But Marilyn
The getaway
Later That Afternoon, Zeke and Anna escorted the Bakers to a Private Airstrip.Jessica Baker stood beside her father's silver private jet, her suitcase already loaded, her father seated inside waiting for her.Zeke and Mei stood with her near the boarding steps. Jessica turned to Mei first, pulling her into a tight hug.“Thank you, Mei,” she whispered against her shoulder. “For everything. For forgiving me. I don’t deserve you.”Mei smiled softly, rubbing Jessica’s back. “You do. You’re my friend now. And friends take care of each other.”Jessica pulled away slightly, sniffing. “Let’s hang out soon, okay? We have so much catching up to do.”Mei chuckled. “I’ll make out time. But for now, I’ll be buried in work. Especially now that Rockechild Group has secured the oil reserves.”Jessica rolled her eyes with a weak smile. “Same here. I have a mountain of workload to climb now that Dad has lost the license rights. This is my mess. It's only fair I clean it up.”Mei reached and squeezed h
Forgiveness
The room fell into a heavy, breathless silence. Jessica’s confession lingered in the air like smoke—raw and painful.No one dared to move. No one dared to speak.Russell Baker stared at his daughter as though he was seeing her for the first time. He had never seen this side of her before. “Jessica…” he whispered under his breath.But before he could say more, something unexpected happened.Mei stepped forward, matching right up to Jessica.Jessica squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for a slap across the face.Her breath trembled.But instead, she felt warm arms wrap around her in an embrace.Jessica’s eyes snapped open in shock.Everyone gasped.Even Zhao Long, who stood stony-faced moments ago, blinked as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.Russell froze with his mouth slightly open.Jessica stood stiff in Mei’s arms.“M-Mei?” she whispered.Mei tightened the embrace.“You know the thing I hated the most about you?” she murmured, her voice gentle. “You always bottle up y
Jessica's confession
Mei lifted her chin, her voice steady. “Last night, while everyone else slept, Rockechild Group made a power move.” “They secured the exclusive drilling rights to the offshore reserves. They purchased the key coastal staging lands and finalized the licensing agreement with the Ministry.”She paused, letting the words sink in. “As of sunrise today, every drop of that oil belongs to Rockechild Group.”Russell stiffened.But Mei wasn’t done yet. She took a deliberate step forward, her gaze locking onto Russell Baker.“And since Zhao Dynasty is funded by Rockechild, we automatically inherited priority rights. Which means we no longer need your permission, your contract, or your goodwill to enter the oil sector. We are already in it.”Russell staggered back, colour draining from his face.“T-That’s impossible,” he whispered, then more loudly, “That’s impossible!”He snatched his phone and began dialing frantically. “This can’t be happening. How did this happen without my notice? Who appro
Mei and Zeke
Zhao Long’s throat tightened.He had hoped and prayed that with Jessica’s schemes exposed, the leverage would fall to him.That Russell would back down, embarrassed, ashamed, even apologetic.But instead, the man doubled down. And now Zhao Long was slammed with an ultimatum. He either hand over Zeke and secure the once-in-a-lifetime oil contract. Or he protect Zeke and lose his family’s only door into the oil sector forever.For the first time in his life, Zhao Long's conscience became conflicted violently.Yes, he had loathed Zeke from day one. If the circumstances were different, if there was no scandal, no evidence, no risk; he would’ve handed that boy over wrapped in a bow and personally delivered him to Russell’s rage-filled hands.But Zeke had saved them.If Zeke hadn’t recorded Jessica, if he hadn’t exposed her, the Zhao family would be destroyed by dawn.Russell wouldn’t have cared. He would’ve burned them all to the ground.And then there was Mei.Mei adored Zeke so much. If
Russell Baker
At exactly 10:00 AM the next morning, the engines of a black armored luxury sedan growled to a halt in front of Zhao Long’s mansion.Before the chauffeur could open the door, Russell Baker flung it open himself and stormed out like an enraged bull.His face was red, his fists clenched, his footsteps thunderous enough to shake the tiles. Servants scattered out of his path like frightened birds.He didn’t pause until he stood in the center of the main living room, where Zhao Long waited, standing alone by the fireplace.Jessica sat to his right—silent, small, and pale. Her arrogant demeanor nowhere to be found.“Where is he?!” Russell’s voice boomed, shaking the crystal in the cabinets. “Bring me that bastard son-in-law of yours, Long! I’ll tear his throat out with my bare hands for laying his filthy hands on my daughter!”Zhao Long remained still, his hands clasped behind his back. “Russell, please. Sit down.”“DON’T TELL ME TO SIT DOWN!” Russell roared, spittle flying. “I demand answ
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