LOGIN“No boyfriend, dude.” She retorted. Daniel looked genuinely surprised. “None?” Almost instantly, Prisca’s cheeks flushed red. The reaction alone answered everything. Daniel nodded knowingly. “A secret crush? Who is he?” Having her thoughts exposed so directly, Prisca immediately slapped his shoulder. “That’s rude to say to someone who has been waiting so patiently for your return.” Her embarrassed expression only made the others inside the room burst into laughter. “Enough, both of you.” The one who spoke was Dalton. A fair, exceptionally handsome young man with amused brown eyes and an easygoing aura. He rose from the couch with a grin while shaking his head helplessly at their childish exchange. “You two are still exactly the same.” He knew perfectly well where that discussion was headed, and he had absolutely no intention of allowing it to continue. Tonight had already taken too many unexpected turns, and the last thing he needed was unnecessary emotional drama ruining t
Albert’s expression stiffened instantly. His gaze darkened as he stared at Daniel across the table. “You…” Daniel leaned back slightly in his chair, completely relaxed despite the heavy tension filling the room. “I truly wonder whether Altman Drake is aware that you scare away investors and business partners with this arrogance of yours.” He paused deliberately, allowing every single word to settle heavily inside the silent room before he continued. “With a personality like yours, do you genuinely believe you could ever replace the heir?” Albert’s fist clenched tightly beneath the table. The veins along the back of his hand bulged faintly while a terrifying coldness spread across his face. At that exact moment, if circumstances had allowed it, he genuinely wished he could bury a bullet straight through Daniel’s forehead. Yet Daniel remained entirely unbothered. The threatening atmosphere around Albert did not affect him in the slightest. Calmly, Daniel lowered his hand and st
An hour later, Daniel King’s car pulled into the executive parking lot of the Dragon Club. The Dragon Club was one of the most exclusive establishments in Cortland City, a high-end haven that catered only to the wealthy, influential, and politically connected figures of society. Access into the club was strictly regulated, and becoming one of the Dragon’s patrons came with privileges ordinary people could only dream of. Among those privileges, the most valued was confidentiality. The identities of its members were carefully protected and hidden from the public eye. The moment Daniel’s sleek black car came to a halt, a uniformed valet hurried forward and respectfully pulled the rear door open. “Welcome, Mr. Kings,” the valet greeted with a curt bow. Daniel responded with only a faint hum as he stepped out of the vehicle. His tall figure straightened effortlessly, radiating an oppressive elegance that naturally commanded attention. His cold gaze swept calmly across the parkin
Over the years, Alicia had unknowingly played one of the biggest roles in helping him climb through the ranks at Kings Group. Rising from a mere assistant to an executive within one of the most influential corporations in Cortland was not something easily achieved. Kings Group had always been known for its strict principles and uncompromising corporate standards. As one of the most powerful families in the city, the Kings family maintained discipline within the company to an almost ruthless degree. At the same time, however, the company was also regarded as one of the best places to work. Employees were rewarded generously for exceptional performance, and hard work rarely went unnoticed. Whenever the company planned a new expansion project, opportunities would be opened to high-ranking officials within the organization. Every executive interested in participating would submit a detailed proposal. The proposals would then be reviewed carefully by a special committee made up o
Daniel exited the hospital and released a long breath of relief. The cool evening breeze washed over him gently and, for the first time in hours, the heavy smell of antiseptic slowly faded from his senses. The atmosphere outside felt entirely different from the suffocating tension inside the emergency ward. The faint sounds of passing cars echoed from the distance while the dim lights surrounding the hospital compound cast long shadows across the pavement. He lifted his wrist slightly and glanced at the watch strapped around it. The night was already far gone. The investor meeting he had carefully arranged earlier had already been canceled. For a brief moment, Daniel did not know whether he should feel grateful or irritated about Alicia’s sudden disruption. Before returning to the country, he had spent weeks arranging schedules and organizing meetings with extra care. Every detail had been planned carefully because he knew he could not afford mistakes during his first few w
The nurse hesitated briefly before answering honestly. “It’s difficult to say for certain. It depends entirely on how her body responds to both the surgery and the trauma.”Daniel’s gaze returned to Alicia.Even while unconscious, exhaustion was written all over her pale face. She looked like someone who had been carrying burdens far heavier than her body had been built to endure long before the accident ever happened.“Please, sir,” the nurse added respectfully, “keep an eye on the air conditioner and adjust it if the temperature becomes too cold.”Daniel offered no response. His silence was default acknowledgement. With that, the nurses quietly excused themselves and left the room one after another, allowing silence to settle heavily around him.Daniel remained standing beside the bed for several moments.He simply stared at her without moving, his expression unreadable.Then slowly, almost unconsciously, his eyes drifted toward her hand resting weakly against the sheets.There it







