Meanwhile, Daimon remained rooted in place, his sharp gaze fixed on the operating room’s glowing red light. His hands were curled into fists at his sides, his usual composure slipping as unease settled deep in his chest.
First, the leaked video scandal.
Then, the firewall breach.
Now, confidential company information had been exposed to the business underworld.
And on top of it all, Iris—no, Enlyan—had been in a near-fatal accident. In his own car.
Too many things were happening at once. Coincidence? He didn’t believe in such things.
Someone was moving against him.
But who?
Which competitor had the audacity to set him up?
Under normal circumstances, Daimon would have relished the challenge, eager to dissect the puzzle piece by piece before delivering a ruthless counterattack. But right now?
Right now, his mind could focus on only one thing.
Her.
Time ticked by, dragging painfu
Mini's hands were shaking with fury.Daimon Blackwood—arrogant, self-righteous, insufferable. He hadn't changed at all.Five years ago, he had crushed Enlyan's spirit with his cold indifference, with his illusions of superiority. And now, here he was again, trying to dictate everything with money and power. Did he think he could buy his way into caring for Iris?Did he think a few well-placed orders made him a better man?She clenched her fists."If you don’t want money, then get out of my way," he said coldly. His gaze flicked briefly to the unconscious woman on the bed. "I’ll arrange for a professional nurse. After all, she’s a designer we hired from the UK. This is a company matter, and a kindergarten teacher like you has no business interfering."Mini sucked in a sharp breath.That bastard.Her vision blurred with rage as Daimon turned on his heel and walked away. The confidence in his stride, the po
Joxan had always been ahead of his peers—no, even adults feared his skills. Hackers from across the world couldn’t compete with him. But today, Daimon had bested him.He didn’t want to admit it, but he had to.Daimon wasn’t just a wealthy businessman. He was a dangerous opponent.The thought unsettled him.As he walked down the hallway, lost in thought, a familiar voice called out.“Joxan! I heard about your mom. Is she okay? Why aren’t you with her?”It was Oasis.Joxan hesitated. Oasis looked genuinely worried, his usual energetic demeanor dampened.For a long time, Joxan had found him annoying. Not because of who he was, but because of his father. Daimon’s son.And yet, Oasis was easy to get along with. Friendly. Loyal.That was when a plan formed in Joxan’s mind.He turned to Oasis with a mischievous glint in his eyes.“I just found a super cool anime in the computer room,” he whispered. “But I can’t let the teacher know. Wanna watch it?”Oasis’s face lit up.“Really? Of course! I
Daimon smiled affectionately as he held Oasis in his arms, but his sharp eyes never left the computer screen. With a few swift keystrokes, he uncovered the truth—this account belonged to the hacker who had just attacked his company. His gaze darkened.He turned back to Oasis, his voice gentle but probing.“Sweetheart, can you tell Daddy who was using this computer before you?”It was a simple question, asked with a soothing tone. But to Oasis, it felt like a trap. He couldn’t tell the truth, not without breaking his promise to Joxan.Pulling out his best trick, Oasis pouted and clung to Daimon’s arm.“I was alone, Daddy! I was just playing a game,” he whined dramatically. Then, with a sly glint in his eye, he added, “Why are you being so fussy? Do you not like me anymore? Maybe I should go tell Mommy you’re bullying me.”The gathered teachers and staff tensed, exchanging nervous glances. Meanwhile, Oasis doubled down on his performance—his lips trembled, his big eyes filled with fake
Daimon, however, had no patience for pleasantries. His gaze was sharp, his voice edged with worry. "How is she? I was told she was stable—why is she suddenly in danger again?"At the mention of Enlyan, Mini’s face darkened. Her simmering anger reached its boiling point. She crossed her arms, glaring at him. "And why are you asking me? Since when did I become a doctor? How would I know?"Her words were sharp, but it wasn’t just irritation—it was resentment. The moment she thought about everything Enlyan had endured, everything Iris was suffering now, she felt like she was going to explode. "If it weren’t for you, my Iris wouldn’t even be here right now!"Daimon’s jaw tensed. He exhaled sharply, trying to keep his temper in check. "Mini, don’t talk to me like that," he warned. His voice was strained, but he forced himself to remain civil—for Iris’s sake. "You think I wanted this to happen? I never wanted her to be hurt."Mini scoffed, her eyes burning with resentment. "Oh, really? How l
Daimon’s heart pounded in his chest as he took a step forward, brushing past Mini despite her resistance. He needed to be sure."Kid, what did you just call her?" His voice was sharp, urgent.Mini moved to stop him again, but Daimon barely registered her presence. His attention was solely on Joxan.Now that he looked closer, the boy’s features were strikingly familiar. Not to the current Iris, but to the Enlyan he had once known. And those eyes...A storm raged inside Daimon’s mind. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it before. If Joxan was Enlyan’s son, and he was four years old...Could he be his son?His pulse skyrocketed. "Tell me," he demanded, his voice betraying a rare tremor. "What did you just call her?"Joxan didn’t react. He didn’t even glance at Daimon.His focus remained solely on Enlyan, his voice soft but steady. "You promised, Mommy. You said when your job was stable, you’d take me and Jessica to the zoo. But now you’re lying here..."Tears welled in his eyes, but he r
Daimon’s gaze darkened, his fingers drumming against the armrest.Ertha didn’t like the tone of that message one bit. Mr. Austin wasn’t someone they could afford to provoke.And if Daimon wasn’t careful, things could spiral out of control very soon.Daimon waved Ertha away, leaning back against the cold hospital wall. His head felt like a chaotic storm, thoughts clashing and overlapping. He had never felt this lost before.His mind drifted back five years—to the pregnancy test he found too late, to the nights Enlyan quietly endured treatments, hoping to conceive. She had tried so hard, and he… he had only given her indifference. Not because he didn’t care, but because he didn’t know how to face her.Deep down, he had wanted that child. He had even restructured the company's shares, intending to leave a portion as a gift, whether it was a boy or a girl. He thought it was the least he could do. But then—Katrina appeared, claiming to be pregnant with a child from the Blackwood family.Da
Daimon frowned slightly. "Why would I do that on purpose?" He could sense the hostility in Joxan’s tone, the distrust beneath his words.The boy’s lips pressed together tightly before he blurted out, "Because you—"He stopped himself just in time. His chest rose and fell as if he were holding back something explosive."Because I what?" Daimon asked, his voice softening.Joxan suddenly turned his back to him, crossing his arms in frustration. His small figure looked stubborn but heartbreakingly vulnerable."Because you don’t like my mom, me, or my sister! You just want us to disappear, don’t you?"He didn’t say it out loud, but Daimon could feel the weight of those unsaid words hanging between them.Joxan’s jaw tightened, then he stood up and said coldly, "Leave. My mom won’t want to see you when she wakes up."Daimon sighed. "I’m her boss."Joxan turned, his eyes flashing. "Then I’ll tell her to quit."That cut deep. Daimon felt an unexpected ache in his chest. The boy didn’t just dis
Daimon’s face darkened even more. "He still hasn’t revealed who was in the computer room before him?""No, the young master insists he was alone in the room. Maybe we were wrong to suspect him?"Ertha had watched Oasis grow up, and seeing him cry so bitterly made his heart ache. Even Daimon, despite his cold exterior, felt a pang of guilt. But remembering the stolen business secrets, he exhaled slowly and said, "Tell Katrina not to punish him.""Understood. I knew you wouldn’t be too harsh on him. Should we head back and check on him now?"Daimon’s expression remained unreadable. "No, I have something else to handle."Without another word, he turned and walked away. Ertha watched him go, puzzled. Daimon had always been protective of Oasis—why did he seem so distant now?But Daimon wasn’t ignoring Oasis; he had another priority. Instead of going home, he drove straight to a secured warehouse, where the wreckage of the car was stored.Surveying the mangled remains, he crouched down, sea
Mini couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Disappointment seeped into her voice. "You’re really losing it, Enlyan. After everything he did to you, you’re willing to risk it all just to see if he might change? Have you forgotten how he tore you apart before? How many sleepless nights you spent crying over him?"Enlyan closed her eyes briefly, fighting back the memories. "I haven’t forgotten. I just... can’t live my life resenting him forever. The hate consumes me, and it hurts Joxan and Jessica too. Maybe I’m being foolish, but I don’t want to pass on that bitterness to my children. They deserve to have something good, even if it’s just a fleeting moment."Mini scoffed, folding her arms tightly over her chest. "You’re too soft. You always think about giving them what you never had, but not at the cost of your own peace. Don’t you realize that man doesn’t deserve your forgiveness? Or your children’s
Enlyan glanced around the room, noticing someone missing. "Where’s Joxan?" she asked, concern flickering in her eyes.Mini smiled reassuringly as she walked closer. "He’s outside. He’ll come in a while."Just as Daimon reached the door, he nearly bumped into Joxan, who was standing there with a hesitant look on his face."Hello," Joxan greeted him, his tone neither warm nor hostile.Daimon raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled by the boy’s attitude. "You called me?"Joxan nodded, his gaze steady despite his obvious reluctance."My name is Daimon Blackwood," Daimon replied, keeping his voice calm. "You can call me Daimon or Mr. Blackwood."He couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed by the boy’s bluntness, but at the same time, he didn’t know how to bridge the gap between them. Unlike Oasis, who had been taught by Katrina to be polite and even a little flattering, Joxan was unfiltered and direct.
Meanwhile, at the kindergarten, Joxan stepped into the classroom and instinctively glanced at Oasis’s seat, only to find it empty. A flicker of worry passed through his usually calm eyes.He approached his friend Mike, lowering his voice. "Do you know why Oasis didn’t come today?"Mike hesitated, glancing around before whispering back, "I heard his mom beat him up yesterday. He got a fever in the middle of the night, and his family asked for leave today. They said he still hasn’t woken up."Joxan's hands clenched into fists, and a wave of guilt washed over him. Oasis was beaten and got sick? His mind raced with unease, and he couldn’t focus for the rest of the day.Memories of Oasis running after him flashed through his mind—the boy’s innocent smile and eager steps trying to keep up. Despite being Daimon's son, Oasis never acted spoiled or proud. Joxan bit his lip, realizing that, deep down, he never really hated Oasis himself—just the idea of being connected to Daimon.But now, knowi
Her mind whirled with schemes and calculations. One way or another, she had to find a way to get rid of Iris for good—without leaving any trace that could link back to her.She stomped her foot in irritation, glaring at Oasis, who was still lying unconscious on the bed, his small face flushed with fever.“Useless!” she muttered bitterly. “I went through hell to give birth to you, just so you could live the life of a young master. Yet here you are, lying there doing nothing. Why can’t you think of a way to help your mother for once?”Of course, Oasis didn’t respond—he couldn’t even hear her. And even if he did, he was just a child—too young to grasp her cruel words. Katrina huffed in frustration, wringing her hands as she tried to come up with a plan. She couldn’t let Iris take everything from her.Just then, the door creaked open, and she heard the low murmur of voices outside. Daimon and Ertha had just come out of the study. Forcing a look of concern onto her face, Katrina hurried ov
Ertha paused and shook his head, keeping his tone neutral. "No, nothing about the company, Miss Katrina. I’m just here to see the boss. We’ll talk later." Without giving her a chance to question him further, he quickly moved past her and entered the study.Katrina’s heart pounded with unease as she watched him go. Something wasn’t right—Daimon’s secrecy, the doctor’s vague explanation, and now Ertha’s haste. Her instincts screamed that there was more going on than just Oasis’s health.Katrina's heart pounded as she pressed her ear closer to the study door, straining to catch every word. The hallway was empty, and she knew she was risking a lot by eavesdropping, but curiosity burned inside her.Inside the study, Daimon's voice remained calm but razor-sharp. "So, someone tampered with the car before Iris drove it that day?""Yes, sir," Ertha confirmed. "I reported it to the police. They've started investigating, and a few witnesses mentioned seeing a suspicious figure enter the garage t
Once back at home, Daimon was greeted by Katrina, who rushed toward him with tears streaming down her face. “Daimon, I didn’t mean it. I just wanted to punish Oasis a little. I didn’t think he’d be so stubborn. I’m sorry. I really am. It’s my fault.”Her tears and frantic apology irritated Daimon, but he tried to keep his composure. “I know you acted out of concern. How is Oasis? Has he seen the family doctor yet?”“He’s still being examined,” Katrina replied, her voice trembling. Her red eyes showed genuine worry, but Daimon was too focused on the situation to respond with much sympathy. He walked briskly toward Oasis’s room with Katrina trailing behind him.Inside, Oasis lay on the bed, his face flushed with fever. He mumbled weakly, "Cold..." Daimon’s heart tightened at the sight. He placed his hand on the boy’s forehead, feeling the heat radiating off him.“In the future, don’t touch the child like that again,” Daimon muttered sternly to Katrina.Katrina’s face crumpled, and she w
His words, while thoughtful, still left her feeling flustered. "I told you, I don’t need you! Why can’t you just listen to me?" Before she could finish, Daimon scooped her up effortlessly and, without another word, placed her back on the bed."If you're tired, you can rest. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m not going anywhere," Daimon said, his tone firm yet oddly considerate. He then sat down on the nearby sofa, opening her laptop and diving into his work.Enlyan lay there, feeling too embarrassed to speak as he conducted a video conference.She felt like an outsider in her own room as he casually dealt with business matters, as though she wasn’t there. But what truly surprised her was how little Daimon seemed to care about her presence. His work was on full display in front of her, with no attempt to hide the company’s struggles."Sir, the company’s confidential files have been leaked. The damage is already done, and the immediate loss is 300 million. What should
Enlyan watched the exchange quietly, her heart sinking further. She sneered bitterly to herself, the bitterness weighing heavily on her chest."See?" she thought. "This is the man you once loved with everything you had. This is the father of your daughter."Her eyes narrowed as she reflected on the contrast of Daimon's reaction to Oasis's fever. He was nervous, yes, but not in the way a parent should be. It was a far cry from the kind of care he would’ve shown if it were another child—perhaps Katrina's.How could he be so indifferent to the life and death of his own flesh and blood? Even if he did care, could he truly be as worried as he would be for someone else's child?She shook her head slightly, her thoughts spiraling with the realization that the man before her—who had once been everything to her—could never be the father she had hoped for their child.The realization left her feeling hollow and betrayed."What happened to Oasis?" Daimon demanded, his voice low and full of fury.
Enlyan scoffed bitterly, but tears prickled at the corners of her eyes. The realization hit her hard—loving him had always been a losing battle. She had loved him with everything she had, yet he had never once looked at her the same way.Even if he was good to her now, it was only because of her status and what she could offer him professionally. Men like Daimon were practical and realistic—love had nothing to do with it.A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she wiped away her tears, forcing herself to regain her composure.She whispered to herself, "Never again."Enlyan wiped the tears from her cheeks and picked up her phone, turning it back on. The screen lit up, and she hesitated for a moment before dialing Austin’s number. He answered almost immediately.“Iris, did he give you a hard time?” Austin’s voice was tense with concern.“No,” Enlyan replied softly, trying to keep her voice steady. “To him, I’m just a stranger now.”Austin let out a sigh of relief, a faint smile in his tone.