ANMELDENThe white SUV rolled to a smooth stop in front of the Chapman Auction House, its polished surface reflecting the towering glass façade of the building. The place looked exactly as it always had: grand, intimidating, and carefully designed to remind everyone who stepped inside that power and money ruled here. This was a place where influence determined value, and status opened doors that money alone sometimes could not.The rear door opened.Oscar Wesley stepped out first, adjusting his tailored suit before immediately turning back toward the vehicle. Without the slightest hesitation, he reached inside and carefully helped Petra out of the car, supporting her with steady hands as she slowly stepped onto the pavement.She was dressed in a simple white dress that flowed gracefully around her figure. There was nothing extravagant about it, yet its understated elegance drew attention naturally. Unfortunately, the pure white fabric also made the paleness of her face even more obvious.A
Petra was wheeled straight into the operating room, the wheels of the gurney screeching faintly against the polished hospital floor.Every passing second seemed to carry her farther away from the people desperately praying she would survive.Malcolm and Oscar rushed after the medical team, their footsteps uneven with panic and their breathing ragged as fear pushed them forward faster than reason.Just as they reached the entrance, a nurse stretched out her arm firmly, stopping both men before they could take another step."Only authorized medical staff are allowed beyond this point," she said firmly, refusing to yield despite the desperation written across their faces.Neither man appeared willing to accept her words as Oscar instinctively moved forward while Malcolm stepped beside him, both staring past her toward the operating room as though determination alone could carry them inside.The nurse immediately shifted into their path once more before speaking with even greater authorit
"Even the renowned businessman, Mr. Wesley is close with you. Ms. Chapman, don't you think it's shameful to be flirtatious?"That final question from the reporter sliced through the cold night air like a blade. The accusation was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, and several other reporters immediately turned their cameras toward Petra, waiting eagerly for her reaction. Their flashing cameras illuminated her pale face over and over again, making it impossible for her to escape the public humiliation.Before Petra could even flinch, Oscar stepped forward, pushing past microphones and flashing cameras.His arm shot out like a shield in front of her."Enough!" he thundered, his voice vibrating through the tense atmosphere. "Don't spread rumors if you don't know the truth."His gaze didn't shift from the reporters, but the firmness in his jaw said he wasn't acting. Something deep inside him had reacted purely on instinct. At that moment, protecting Petra mattered far more than h
"The summit is over and everyone is leaving." She said, looking boldly into his eyes. "I suggest you do same."It was a business summit that had brought together some of the country's biggest business elites under one roof. CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs, and influential personalities had spent the entire day discussing investments, partnerships, and the future of the business world. The event had just ended, and guests were gradually making their way toward the exits when Pete Jordan finally approached Petra Chapman.She didn't wait for him to reply. She turned sharply, ready to leave, ready to end this scene, end this chapter of her life, end every suffocating moment tied to him, when Pete stepped in front of her again, blocking her path with his arm like a wall."Wait right there!" he barked. His voice shook, not from strength, but from panic. "Even though we're divorced, you're still literally mine. You can't leave. You're going home with me.""Home?" Petra's laugh cut through th
Oscar stared at the doctor as though he had suddenly stopped understanding the English language.His mind refused to process what he had just heard.The doctor's words echoed repeatedly inside his head.A history of kidney transplantation.Slowly, he turned toward Malcolm.His face was filled with disbelief.Malcolm, on the other hand, looked far calmer than Oscar expected.The surprise on his face wasn't nearly as intense.Instead, he looked as though an old memory had suddenly resurfaced.Malcolm shifted his gaze back to the doctor before giving a slow nod."Yes," he answered quietly. "She does."Oscar's eyes widened. "What?" His voice came out almost as a whisper. "How?"He looked from Malcolm to the doctor before turning back again."Wait... are you saying Petra donated one of her kidneys to someone..."He paused, struggling to arrange his thoughts. "...or someone donated a kidney to her?"Malcolm released a tired sigh.There was no way to explain something so enormous in the midd
One week later...The grand conference hall of the Imperial Convention Center was filled to capacity with some of the biggest names in the business world. CEOs, investors, government officials, startup founders, and financial analysts occupied every seat, while dozens of journalists lined the back of the hall with cameras pointed toward the brightly lit stage.A massive digital screen behind the podium displayed the summit's theme."Leading Innovation in a Rapidly Changing Economy."Standing confidently behind the podium was Petra Chapman.Dressed in a navy-blue business suit that perfectly reflected her position as the Chief Executive Officer of eCloud Tech, she carried herself with the confidence everyone had come to associate with her name.Her voice echoed clearly throughout the hall."...Innovation is no longer about creating products that simply impress customers. Today's market rewards companies that solve real problems consistently. Technology should simplify life, improve pr
The music inside the bar played loudly enough to drown out most conversations, yet Zoe still felt completely alone.She sat in a corner booth near the far end of the establishment where the lighting was dim and the attention of strangers rarely lingered.The air smelled of alcohol, cigarette smoke,
The court's decision spread across the city faster than anyone expected.Before the afternoon was over, local news websites had already published articles covering the outcome of the custody dispute.By evening, social media platforms were flooded with discussions about the ruling.Some praised the
The courtroom was already crowded by the time the hearing began.Rows of seats were occupied by observers, legal assistants, journalists, and curious members of the public who had managed to gain access.The custody dispute had attracted far more attention than an ordinary family court matter, and
Elizabeth remained seated in her study long after she finished reading the contents of the confidential envelope.The house had become completely quiet around her. Nicole had already retired for the night, and the baby was asleep upstairs. Yet Elizabeth remained motionless behind her desk, staring







