The night air rushed past Alexander as his motorcycle sliced through the empty streets. The engine rumbled low and steady, its sound dissolving into the distant hum of the city at night.
His face remained calm, almost indifferent, but inside, his thoughts churned restlessly, the candlelight dinner, the untouched steak, the phone call, and the silent house.
Each memory replayed in his mind, stirring a faint but persistent unease in his chest; the quiet felt heavier the more he thought about it, as though something was wrong, yet just beyond his grasp.
Ten minutes later, the towering silhouette of the Stellar Grand Hotel slowly emerged ahead, its bright lights cutting through the darkness as Alexander tightened his grip on the handlebars.
The hotel stood like a shining palace in the night, its golden lights illuminating the surrounding streets. Luxury cars lined the entrance, and a red carpet stretched from the main gate to the lobby doors.
Alexander slowed his motorcycle, his eyes narrowing as something caught his attention.
Parked prominently at the front entrance was a silver Rizmo Limited Edition.
His grip on the handlebars tightened slightly. He recognized it immediately. After all, he had personally arranged the customization of that vehicle.
Three years ago, when Aurelia's business was just starting to take off, he used his connections to secure the Rizmo Limited Edition for her — one of only a hundred units in existence. At the time, her face lit up with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement as her fingertips traced the smooth surface. She was happy, believing she had managed to get the car on her own — completely unaware of the effort he had put in behind the scenes.
"It suits you," he had replied softly.
That memory flashed briefly.
Now… the same car sat outside the Stellar Grand Hotel.
Alexander’s chest tightened as a quiet unease began to spread.
He parked his motorcycle to the side. Before he could even remove his helmet, a group of men quickly surrounded him. "Boss!"
Jake stepped forward, followed by several burly men dressed in black suits.
Alexander frowned slightly. "How many times have I told you?"
His voice was calm but cold. "We're legitimate businessmen now. Stop acting like gangsters."
The group immediately straightened. "Yes, Boss."
Jake scratched his head awkwardly. Despite their refined clothing, the imposing aura of the group still attracted attention. After all, they had once truly belonged to the underworld.
Years ago, when Alexander was still young, he had briefly entered that world. With his intelligence, discipline, and overwhelming combat ability, he quickly rose to prominence; even seasoned fighters found it difficult to withstand his attacks.
But his strength was never something he developed on the streets.
Alexander had been born into a prestigious and immensely wealthy clan. As the designated heir from childhood, he had undergone rigorous, high-intensity military-style training. Combat drills, endurance training, tactical simulations, these were part of his daily routine long before he ever encountered the underworld. Compared to that level of discipline, the street punks he encountered later were nothing more than disorganized amateurs.
By the time he entered high school, Alexander had gradually withdrawn from that world. His family had always enforced strict rules; he was forbidden from getting involved in gangs or participating in the power struggles of ordinary people.
As the future heir, he was expected to remain distant from such conflicts and focus on his training and education.
Alexander chose to comply with his family's wishes and slowly stepped away from the streets. However, those who had once followed him were unwilling to leave, even after he distanced himself; they still regarded him as their leader, refusing to acknowledge anyone else.
Instead, they transitioned into legitimate businesses under his leadership using family funds.
Alexander invested in the Stellar Grand Hotel. From the beginning, he enforced strict rules: no drugs, no illegal trades, no underground dealings.
The hotel quickly became known as the cleanest high-end venue in the city.
But this directly threatened the Black Dragon Gang.
They thrived on illegal activities. High-end venues like Stellar Grand refusing them entry dealt a severe blow to their income, so they chose confrontation.
Jake stepped closer and lowered his voice. "A Black Dragon ringleader already arrived. He's inside causing trouble."
Alexander nodded slightly. Then his gaze shifted toward the entrance — the red carpet, the floral arrangements, the golden banner, his brows furrowed. "What’s all this?"
Jake followed his gaze. "Oh, that. A wealthy heir returned from overseas, so the CEO of Aurelia booked the entire place for a welcome banquet."
Alexander froze. The words landed like a hammer. "...CEO of Aurelia?"
"Yeah," Jake nodded. "Big event. I heard she even invited her family elders."
Silence fell. Alexander’s hands trembled slightly.
Just hours ago, he prepared a candlelight dinner, waited quietly, held a pink diamond, secured a contract… and she booked an entire hotel for another man.
Jake noticed immediately that he had followed Alexander for years. Never once had he seen him lose composure — not even when facing enemies. But now…
Alexander’s fingers trembled faintly.
Jake hesitated. "Boss… should we still move? That Black Dragon ringleader is already making trouble."
Alexander’s expression gradually returned to calm. "Handle it." Then he walked forward.
The moment Alexander stepped inside, a loud crash echoed, glass shattered, chairs overturned, and several guests screamed in panic as members of the Black Dragon Gang began smashing decorations.
The banquet hall descended into chaos.
Alexander scanned the room, then his gaze froze. In the center of the crowd, Aurelia stood pale. Beside her, a tall man wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Nah Virel, he held her protectively, his expression calm as he shielded her from the chaos.
Alexander stared silently for a moment; everything seemed to stop, and the image pierced deeper than any blade.
"Boss," Jake whispered urgently.
Alexander slowly looked away, his eyes turned cold, he reached for a nearby mask, covered his face, then grabbed a baseball bat from a fallen guard. Without hesitation, he walked forward.
The ringleader of the Black Dragon Gang turned just in time—Bang!
The bat struck his shoulder, the man screamed before he could react— Bang!
Second strike, then another Bang! Third strike.
Each blow was precise, painful, but not lethal. The Ring leader with a scar on his face — a deep scar cutting across his eye- he collapsed, clutching his shoulder. Chaos erupted, and several gang members rushed forward.
Alexander stepped forward calmly; his movements were fast, clean, and overwhelming. A punch, a kick, a strike, each motion efficient and controlled.
Within seconds, several men fell; his combat strength was terrifying.
After all, Alexander had been groomed as an heir since childhood. Years of elite training made dealing with these street thugs effortless — like an adult crushing a group of unruly children.
Meanwhile, Nah Virel reassured Aurelia. "Don't worry. Someone's handling it."
Aurelia nodded, her gaze fixed on Alexander’s back. For some reason, it looked familiar. Her brows furrowed slightly.
Within minutes, the Black Dragon gang was defeated.
The scar-faced ringleader struggled to stand. "You'll regret this! My back…er"
He didn’t finish. Jake stepped forward, but the gang quickly retreated.
Silence gradually returned.
Alexander glanced toward Aurelia; her hand was still held by Nah Virel.
His eyes darkened, he turned to Jake, whispered something, then walked away.
Minutes later, Alexander entered a staff room, changed into a waiter's uniform, and removed the mask. When he returned, the banquet resumed. Music, laughter, champagne — everything lively.
Alexander pushed a service cart slowly, then he saw them again, Closer, more intimate, people surrounded them. "They look perfect together," someone said.
Another person spoke, "A match made in heaven."
Aurelia didn't deny it. Instead, she introduced Nah Virel to influential figures.
When drinks were offered, she stepped forward. "He can't drink. I'll drink instead."
Alexander paused. A memory surfaced, back then, she was pressured to have him drink for her. Now, everything was reversed.
Alexander suppressed his emotions. Then, he pushed the cart forward and "accidentally" bumped into Nah Virel.
Latest Chapter
Chapter 10 — The Night He Walked Away
Alexander walked into the bedroom quietly. The room that once felt warm and familiar now felt distant and unfamiliar, as though the warmth that once filled it had quietly disappeared. A faint chill lingered in the air, making the spacious room feel emptier than before.He walked toward the wardrobe and opened it slowly. Inside, most of the clothes belonged to Aurelia. Elegant dresses hung neatly in rows, alongside tailored business suits, luxury handbags, and carefully arranged shoes. Everything reflected her success and refined taste.When Alexander reached for his own things, however, he paused; there weren’t many.He slowly pulled out a few shirts, two casual jackets, one pair of trousers, a watch, and a simple wallet. He placed them into the suitcase one by one, his movements calm and unhurried.When he finished, he stared at the suitcase quietly. It wasn’t even half full.A faint, self-mocking smile appeared on his lips; the sight felt almost ridiculous in this huge room, his bel
Chapter 9 — Three Years, and an Ending
Perhaps it was true that joy could brighten one’s spirit; the brief moment of helping someone earlier had lightened the weight in Alexander’s chest, even if only slightly.As he walked along the quiet roadside, the afternoon sun gradually softened, turning golden as evening approached.For the first time in a long while, Alexander felt calm. It was not peace, but it was a rare calmness that allowed his thoughts to settle instead of constantly churning.The pressure that had been suffocating him these past few days seemed to loosen little by little; his thoughts slowly drifted toward the future, toward decisions he had been avoiding, and toward something that now felt inevitable."Divorce." The word formed quietly in his mind.For nearly three years, he had given up everything for Aurelia—his career, his independence, and his ambitions.Three years ago, when Aurelia’s company had just started, he had stood beside her through everything, they had invested together, made decisions togeth
Chapter 8 — The Man Who Was Forgotten
The café door closed behind Alexander, and the sounds of conversation, laughter, and clinking cups gradually faded as he stepped onto the street.The sunlight outside felt harsh compared to the warm lighting inside, forcing him to narrow his eyes slightly. He paused for a moment, standing quietly on the sidewalk as the cool breeze brushed past him.Only then did he realize something: he had come here in Aurelia’s car. Now, he had no ride back.He could call a taxi, but after everything that had just happened, he suddenly didn’t feel like waiting. The thought of sitting quietly in a confined space with his thoughts only made his chest feel heavier.So instead, he began walking slowly, one step at a time.The café was located in the business district, not far from Aurelia’s company, glass office buildings lined both sides of the street, their reflective surfaces catching the afternoon sun and casting shimmering light across the sidewalks.People hurried past him in suits, many with phon
Chapter 7 — The Apology That Never Came
The store manager personally led Alexander and the others down a quiet corridor. As they moved farther away, the noise of the café gradually faded behind them, replaced by a calm and insulated atmosphere.The hallway was elegantly decorated, with soft lighting reflecting off polished marble floors. Each step produced a faint echo, subtly emphasizing the contrast between this secluded space and the bustling dining area outside.Finally, they stopped before a discreet wooden door. The manager pushed it open respectfully and gestured inward. “Distinguished guests, please.”They stepped inside. The room was modest in size but exquisitely designed. Warm lighting cast a gentle glow across soft leather sofas arranged around a low wooden table, creating a private and intimate atmosphere that felt completely separate from the rest of the café.Aurelia’s best friend looked around curiously, her eyes widening with surprise. “After coming here so many times,” she said, clearly impressed, “this is
Chapter 6 — The Black Card
Alexander’s words fell quietly into the air, yet they carried an unmistakable weight. “And who said that I need help?”Nah Virel’s hand froze mid-motion, his phone still held halfway to his ear for a brief moment, his expression stiffened, and a faint trace of embarrassment flashed across his face before he quickly tried to compose himself.Aurelia frowned slightly, while her best friend blinked in surprise; neither of them had expected Alexander to speak so directly.In their eyes, he had always been gentle and accommodating, someone who rarely contradicted others, especially in public. Yet today, something about him felt different, as though the quiet man they thought they knew had suddenly revealed another side.Alexander slowly withdrew his hand and reached into his shirt pocket. His movements were calm and unhurried, as if the surrounding tension had nothing to do with him. He casually pulled out a card and handed it to the waitress.The waitress accepted it automatically, but th
Chapter 5 — The Seat That Was Never His
Alexander lay on the soft bed, staring quietly at the ceiling. The faint light of dawn slowly filtered through the curtains, painting pale streaks across the quiet bedroom. The house remained still and undisturbed, as though nothing had changed overnight.But inside Alexander, everything had changed.He had not slept at all, not even for a minute. It was the first time in his life that he had stayed awake the entire night. Strangely, his body did not feel tired. Instead, his mind felt unusually clear, as if the sleepless night had stripped away the last traces of hesitation in his heart.Because of his past experiences and harsh training, he had come to view pain not as suffering, but as a test of endurance he was meant to overcome.Alexander slowly sat up; the injuries from yesterday had mostly healed, leaving only faint bloodstains on his shirt. The torn fabric still marked the spot where the champagne rack had struck him. He glanced at his arm and found that not even a scar remain
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