Mag-log inThe reagent bag lay quietly inside the box.Nick glanced at it, then handed the box back to her."Khloe.""Mm?""Don't go out alone these days."Khloe looked at him.His expression was calm, but his tone was serious."Lacuna members are in Swinterland," he said. "They wouldn't appear here without a reason."Her heart sank slightly."You mean…""I'm just telling you to be careful," Nick cut her off. "Nothing else."Khloe said nothing. She leaned back into his embrace, the small box still in her hand.Night deepened outside the window.…Two hours later, after spending an entire evening in the kitchen, Khloe finally brought out four dishes and a soup.Nick sat at the dining table, looking at the full spread, the corners of his lips faintly curved."Are you sure we can finish everything?""If we can't finish it, we'll heat it up tomorrow," she said, sitting across from him. "Try it."Nick picked up his fork and took a bite."How is it?""Good."Khloe smiled. "You say
Everything looked normal.But that feeling of being watched still lingered.The bodyguard crouched beside the elderly woman and forced the pill into her mouth. The woman convulsed and struggled weakly before finally managing to swallow it.Nearby, her assistant was still on the phone, calling for an ambulance, speaking quickly in accented French.Khloe watched the scene unfold, and a thought suddenly flashed through her mind, 'Too coincidental.'The moment she stepped out, the old woman had an episode. The moment she tried to approach, she was stopped by the bodyguard. Everything seemed perfectly logical, seamlessly arranged.But something still felt off.Her gaze shifted again to the man in gray. He was still there, head lowered, staring at his phone, completely motionless. Two minutes had passed. He hadn't turned a single page.Khloe's heart sank slightly."Madam," another bodyguard approached her. "The ambulance will arrive soon. Should we wait in the car first?"She nodde
Khloe quickly packed her belongings into her bag, then called over a waiter to order a dessert. Only after finishing it did she stand up and leave.She had asked Lucas to investigate the research project on T7 that Nick's attending physician had mentioned. It was indeed a new extract developed in Naraida that could reverse the spread of cancer cells. The clinical data looked impressive.However, the source of the extract had been deliberately erased. Using all available channels, Lucas had only managed to uncover two words: Biological extraction.Khloe stared at that reply for a long moment, a faint unease creeping up her spine.A biological extract—what kind of organism required its information to be hidden so thoroughly?But she didn't have the mind to think further about it now.As she stepped out of the café, that same feeling of being watched returned.She turned back.The bustling street behind her showed no one paying her any attention.The bodyguards and assistant wait
Her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and froze for a few seconds.Michael, standing beside her, asked, "Who is it?""The foundation," Winnie said.Michael nodded. "Answer it."She took the call.The voice on the other end was extremely polite—so polite it felt like they were talking to a VIP guest."Winnie, regarding your mother's inheritance, we'd like to meet with you in person to discuss it."Winnie's grip on the phone tightened."Discuss what?"There was a brief pause on the line."Restitution," the person said. "Everything that belongs to you will be returned in full."Winnie hung up. She stood there, frozen, for a long time.Michael walked over and gently wrapped his arms around her from behind."You heard that?" he asked.Winnie nodded. She still didn't speak. But her shoulders trembled slightly.Michael turned her around to face him.Her eyes were red, but she hadn't cried."Winnie," he said softly.She looked at him."You got it back," he said. "Your
Ariana looked up at Trey."What are you smiling at?"Trey took a slow sip of wine."You don't see it?" he asked.Ariana said nothing, still watching the screen.Trey set down his glass and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window."That girl, Winnie," he said lightly, "doesn't have the brains for this."Ariana frowned."You mean…""Khloe." Trey cut her off. "This is her work."Ariana paused—then smiled as well."Isn't she in Swinterland with Nick?""So what if she's in Swinterland?" Trey turned back. "That doesn't stop her from meddling."Ariana fell silent.Trey studied her, a faint light flickering in his eyes."Think about it," he said. "The rhythm of the public opinion shift, the timing of the evidence release, the foundation's reaction speed—every step hits perfectly. That's not something Winnie could pull off."Ariana nodded."So what now?"Trey's lips curved slightly."So," he said, "the more Khloe does this, the happier I am."Ariana looked at him."Why?"He
"It's fine. You should head back first. I can handle the rest myself," Winnie said."Did you already forget what we just discussed?""But your dad…""Dad asked me to assist you."Michael didn't say much more. He simply showed her his chat with Oscar.Indeed, Oscar had told him there was no need to stay by his side. He had enough medical staff and assistants around him, and Michael and Winnie should focus on their own matters instead."So why did you…"Winnie still looked doubtful. If that were the case, Michael wouldn't have needed to step out to take his call earlier.Michael pinched her cheek lightly. "Dad already acknowledges you as his daughter-in-law. Stop overthinking. We were just discussing how to use tonight's situation to get you your inheritance as quickly as possible."Winnie was surprised. Ever since Clarice had fallen from power, cooperation between the Morrison and Olson families had been cut off.Now that Michael and Winnie were married, Oscar naturally knew w
So it seemed, Michelle's public welfare work had reached the national level.Lenny had thought Michelle had finally moved past everything…But who could have guessed? The world was full of unexpected paths, and danger lurked everywhere.Nick studied Michelle for a moment, his brow furrowing so de
Michael didn't respond to Winnie. "I'll drive you home. I'll explain today's events to Mr. Olson as well. You won't get any complaints."Hearing this, Winnie's expression softened just a little.The drive was silent. Winnie kept glancing at Michael as he drove, noticing how he occasionally rubbed
The shareholders had heard that all of the Fox Group's key projects had originally been won by Khloe. This time, after Morrison Group pulled its investment, half the company's projects were at risk. Khloe had been invited back to save the company."Khloe, what you're doing… even if you have persona
Nick didn't respond to Khloe's words immediately. His gaze was so deep it almost made her uneasy, as if he were lost in thought. She could sense that something weighed on him."Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked softly."Trey is downstairs."His lips moved slightly as he gently brush







