ANMELDENThe bidding with Solara Energy had finally come to an end, and now Barney was reaching out to her. Could he possibly be looking to cause trouble?"Khloe… I—I'll be leaving Goldmont City in a few days. I don't know if you have time these next couple of days… or even today. I'd like to invite you to have a meal with me," Barney's voice was gentle, tinged with hesitance, almost timid. It carried an unexpected air of humility and sincerity.Khloe was momentarily taken aback. Nick, standing beside her, had heard him too, his eyes reflecting a flicker of complex emotion."Barney, I don't think we need to have a meal together," Khloe replied cautiously."Khloe, I know what I did in the bidding wasn't entirely aboveboard. You may not want anything further to do with me or Solara Energy, but speaking for myself personally, I sincerely want to apologize."Barney's words didn't feel like empty pleasantries.But surely Solara Energy was still busy—he wouldn't have taken the time just to refl
When Angela noticed that the coldness in Barney's gaze had finally softened, her breathing gradually steadied after the storm of anger.Tears slid from the corners of her eyes, streaking down her pale face, leaving behind nothing but helplessness and pitiful vulnerability."A sister you've never even known—does she really matter that much to you?"Barney neither confirmed nor denied it. He said nothing."So just to please Khloe, you're going to throw me away like garbage and send me overseas to fend for myself?" Her voice trembled. "You might as well kill me. Maybe that would make Khloe happier."Barney was rendered speechless by her words.After a long pause, he finally spoke. "As long as you stay away from Khloe from now on—don't provoke her, don't show up—she won't do anything to you.""You're wrong." Angela stared straight into his eyes. "Even you know it—you can't have Khloe as your sister and still be with me… Do you really think Khloe would forgive you?""Whether she for
"You should go."Barney's voice was cold, cutting Angela off before she could speak. His mind was in chaos, tangled with anger and grief, and he had no desire to hear anything more.Yet, out of a lingering sense of responsibility—both from the promises he had made to Angela and for the pain she had suffered because of him and Solara Energy—he proposed a form of compensation."I'll provide you and Pete with a sum of money. Leave the country. Your parents are reaching retirement age. Solara Energy will ensure all proper procedures for their pensions in Jayelle City. Of course, if you want, you can take them with you."Angela froze. Slowly, comprehension sank in. He was sending her away.She couldn't stay in Goldmont City, couldn't stay in Jayelle City, and now… not even the rest of the country offered her refuge.All she had sacrificed… was it all for nothing? Another cruel joke?Because of Khloe, she had already lost her family… and now, because of Khloe, even her last hope of ha
Barney's assistant and the detectives both jumped in shock."Mr. Lemont—""Out!" Barney snapped sharply.The assistant dared not speak again and immediately gestured for the detectives to leave the room first.Silence fell, thick and heavy, like the air itself had been sucked away.Barney remained alone on the sofa. After a long while, he picked the report back up, eyes fixed rigidly on the printed words.He had found his sister. And yet… it felt like he had already lost her.At that moment, Angela arrived at the doorway. Her eyes immediately fell on the assistant and the detectives, who were murmuring among themselves."What's going on? What does Mr. Lemont mean? Didn't he say he'd pay the remaining fee today?""Mr. Lemont isn't going to owe you this small amount. There must be an issue with your investigation. Do you even know who Khloe Roswell is?""Khloe Roswell… who's that?"The assistant was speechless. Didn't these people even follow the news?Before he could answer,
Barney hadn't expected it—his sister had really been found.It was incredible.After everything that had gone wrong lately, this one piece of news alone seemed enough to wipe it all away."I'll go get it right away!" His assistant froze for a moment before rushing into the study to fetch the report.The detectives relaxed slightly as Barney finally reacted. One of them smiled nervously. "We knew you've been busy, Mr. Lemont. We were worried you might question our findings."Barney waved a hand, his mood buoyant."We've traced this thoroughly—there's almost no chance of error. Here's her contact information. The final DNA verification, of course, will require you to reach out and collect the evidence yourself.""Of course," Barney said, still radiating joy. "You've all worked hard. Once I contact her, the remaining payment will be sent today. After the final report comes in, I'll also provide a bonus to thank you for your effort."Hearing their client speak so generously, the de
When Charlotte returned to the living room, Ethan had already finished eating. He was slouched against the sofa, eyes closed, breathing even, looking almost asleep.Sunlight fell across his pale face, and the long lashes cast a faint shadow. Perhaps it was just her imagination, or perhaps Ethan's current weakness made it so, but the usual arrogance and roguish charm were gone. In their place was a rare stillness, almost docile—a calmness that made him less off-putting than usual.Charlotte carefully picked up a thin blanket and draped it over him.Suddenly, Ethan reached out and grasped her wrist. His hand was hot, and his eyes, tinged with fatigue, carried a complicated gleam."If you're tired, go rest in your room. I'll help you," she murmured.Charlotte felt a twinge of discomfort but didn't pull away. Ethan hesitated. He had the instinctive urge to pull her closer, the kind of impulse he usually acted on without thought. But today, the way she looked at him—with less defensi
Angela had been furious back in the luxury store. Blood seemed to rush backward through her veins, her legs went weak, and darkness crept at the edges of her vision.But fainting? That was partly intentional.Seeing Trey groveling to coax Khloe calmed her in no way. She could hardly bear it—she fe
Khloe felt a sudden warmth stir in her chest.She'd invited Nick out on Valentine's day — would he misunderstand?The table she had booked was in the most luxurious private room on the top floor, three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an unobstructed view of the city's dazzling nightsca
Nick let out a low hum. He had just finished a meeting and had left a few minutes later than planned. He had intended to take the highway and make up time, but a few rear-end collisions caused a traffic jam, and his car had been caught in the mess.His injuries were minor—mostly superficial—but the
Nick's presence was overwhelming. Even from across the room, the sheer authority he exuded made anyone uninvited hesitate. It was the kind of air that seemed to say, keep your distance, stranger. Only someone like Khloe—poised, unflinching, with a heart as steady as her composure—could stand besid






