ВойтиLate at night, Khloe's phone began to vibrate.Before leaving, Barney had deliberately placed her phone outside the bedroom to charge. In the darkness, the screen lit up again and again before fading back into black.…Bang! Bang! Bang!Violent pounding echoed through the silent villa, finally jolting Ethan awake in irritation.He sat up abruptly in bed and pressed hard against his temples before squinting at the time.It was three in the morning."Did she take stimulants or something? It's been three days, and she still won't stop!"Cursing under his breath, Ethan quickly threw on a coat and headed next door."Khloe, is this really all you're capable of? Trey was right about you—you're vicious, poisonous, and completely heartless!"Ethan shoved open the door and flicked on the wall lamp with a sharp click. Inside, Ariana sat by the doorway with her hands bound, still hurling insults at Khloe.Ethan had been the one to abduct her, but the order had indeed come from Khloe.D
Nick's voice remained calm and even, as though he were stating something utterly ordinary. The way he looked at Lenny carried the same gentle concern an older brother would show a younger one.Lenny's eyes reddened instantly. For a long moment, he couldn't find the words to speak.Although Nick had always treated him well, Lenny knew better than anyone that Nick kept strict boundaries in all matters. Work was work—he never mixed business with emotion.Even though Lenny had long since made Nick the center of his entire life, Nick had rarely shown him such open care.He had never imagined that, in Nick's heart, he held this much trust… this much importance.After a long silence, Lenny suddenly lifted an elbow to cover his face, his voice muffled. "Sir… how could I possibly deserve this…""Do you not want to be part of my family?" Nick asked with a soft chuckle."I do! Becoming your family is something I could only dream of!"Lenny shook his head frantically, sobbing so hard he co
"Something good…? Why do you ask, sir?"Lenny froze for a moment. Michelle flashed through his mind, and he immediately lowered his head."How old are you?""Sir, I'm twenty-seven this year.""Mm. A good age. It's time you thought about dating and starting a family."A faint smile surfaced in Nick's deep gaze as he lightly patted Lenny on the shoulder.Startled, Lenny blurted out, "Sir, Michelle and I haven't reached that stage yet—"Halfway through, he realized he'd just given himself away.Nick hadn't even asked anything. He shouldn't have known much about what was going on between him and Michelle."Dating someone you like isn't something to hide," Nick said in a low, gentle voice, one that carried quiet reassurance. "Khloe once told me you two were well matched. I found it hard to believe at the time. Now it seems women really are more perceptive."Lenny's expression turned serious. "Sir… you already knew?"Nick nodded.Even before he and Khloe left for Swinterland, he
Michelle was caught off guard by Lenny's sudden confession.She had always been at ease in matters of love, but when faced with someone like him—so earnest and innocent—she found herself completely at a loss.None of her usual tactics worked.When a sincere person lost control, it was far harder to resist.Just then, her phone vibrated. It was her mother calling.A flicker of nervousness crossed her face, but even as she answered, she didn't let go of Lenny."Mhm… I got it. I'll head back right away."Her voice carried a light, cheerful tone as she spoke, hanging up soon after.On the other end, her mother was momentarily baffled.She knew something had happened on Nick's side, and Michelle's mood shouldn't have been good. She had called her to come home out of concern—but from her daughter's tone, Michelle sounded… surprisingly happy."Was that your mom?""Yeah. She told me to come home for dinner."After a brief moment to cool down, both of them grew a little shy. Even Mi
"Yes, I did send you that message—telling you to pretend nothing had happened."Michelle lifted her brows, speaking as if it were nothing."Then…?"Lenny grew even more confused."But I sent that message to treat you the same way you treated me."Michelle could hardly stand how slow he was.That night, Lenny had been thoroughly drunk. After their moment of passion, he'd fallen into a deep sleep.But Michelle hadn't been able to sleep at all. After things had gone that far, she had to be sure of how he felt about her.She had shaken his arm, asking again and again if he intended to take responsibility for her. Even in his sleep, his subconscious had answered obediently.No matter what she asked at first, his responses were almost all affirmative.But in the end, she asked him—if the Keller family disapproved, and being with her would bring him immense pressure, what would he do?And Lenny had answered, quite seriously, "Pretend… it never happened."Her heart had gone cold on
Lenny's ears were already flushed red. He clenched his teeth and continued, "It wasn't because I lost control from drinking—it was… because feelings for someone can't be controlled."I even thought it through. If you were willing, then even if your family wanted my life, it would be worth it…"I never dared ask for anything. That night was the first time I lost my head… I couldn't bring myself to let go of someone I liked."Michelle felt a jolt in her chest. Light flickered in her eyes as a smile slowly surfaced.She had really thought this man was a block of wood… turns out, push him a little, and he could speak quite well.Just as she was about to respond, Lenny spoke again."But when I woke up the next morning, I knew I was wrong. What was beautiful to me… was just a mistake to you. I know I was overthinking it."His voice carried a trace of self-mockery. "If you find me unpleasant, Miss Keller, I can stay out of your sight from now on. Once the boss recovers, I can disappear
Winnie parted her lips, drawing a shaky breath. "It's good that you know that."The atmosphere cooled once more. She didn't want to linger in the awkwardness and quickly stepped into the bathroom.The next afternoon, on the way back, Michael and Winnie were seen off by diplomats from Naraida who h
Ethan's tone was unusually soft as he spoke, patting HR lightly on the shoulder. She nearly went weak at the knees, barely able to stay standing.Why did it have to be her handling this mess? Truly, she'd drawn the short straw."I—I didn't mean anything by it, Mr. Morrison… Actually, I think this
It seemed Ethan's judgment of Charlotte had been entirely off.He turned his gaze slightly, trying to study her expression. Charlotte lowered her head and nodded, calm and composed in a way that was rare for her."So… how long do you want? Could it be… you want to be my wife?" Ethan's voice drifte
Clarice was still fuming. Once Ethan got home, he'd probably end up kneeling at the door all night. But the things Khloe had said to him today left him utterly unsettled. He didn't know how to process it, only that he needed a place to be, someone to keep him company.He knew a lot of people, but







