LOGINLucas raised a brow, catching the look of contentment on Philip’s face.Who would’ve thought that, even at his age, he could still enjoy this kind of attention?Timing it perfectly, Lucas rapped on the door.The sharp knock shattered the almost intimate atmosphere in the room.Philip jolted, startled.When he turned, he saw the unmistakable amusement on Lucas’ face.He cleared his throat, already knowing the boy had done it on purpose.That glint of mischief in his eyes hadn’t gone unnoticed.“You little brat, are you trying to scare me to death?“At my age, you think I can handle that kind of shock? You know my heart isn’t what it used to be. Do you still want to see me alive or not?”Lucas smiled lightly.“Your heart seems just fine to me. Not everyone your age gets to enjoy this kind of attention.”“You—what nonsense are you talking about?”A faint flush crept up Philip’s ears despite himself.He hadn’t expected Lucas to grow this bold.Beside him, Maria didn’t dare make a sound.Sh
Sometimes, it came down to whether a person could endure the demands of the work and whether they could live with it.He and the doctor had stepped onto a path with no way back from the very beginning.And once they knew there was no return, there was nothing left but to keep going.The subordinate gently helped the doctor up from the chair.“Come on. I’ll take you to the basement. For your injury, I can give you a couple of painkillers. That’s about all I can do.”Even that was something he decided on his own.Before this, anyone injured would simply be thrown into the basement, left to fend for themselves.If Edwin happened to remember, they might be brought out again for questioning.But this time, the subordinate was willing to offer painkillers—if only because the two of them had crossed paths before.At those words, something flickered in the doctor’s eyes.He understood perfectly well that this was the most the man could do.Beyond that, there was nothing else to hope for.…The
He could already imagine what came after.If this was what it meant to stay alive, then death might have been the kinder option.Edwin had no intention of granting him that.This was meant to humiliate him.What followed wouldn’t be any easier.The doctor could already see it—there would be no peace left for him.The only regret was that he hadn’t earned enough for his family, hadn’t even left them a final word.And Edwin would never let him go.No matter how much it weighed on him, he had no choice but to accept what was coming.His jaw hung dislocated, leaving him unable to speak.After Edwin left, the doctor turned pleading eyes toward the subordinate.They were both working for the same man—surely that counted for something.Edwin was a tyrant. Anyone could see that.They stood on the same side… didn’t that mean something?If the doctor could speak, he would have told him this—if he didn’t resist now, then what was happening today would be his tomorrow.Sooner or later, it would be
At those words, Edwin did something no one expected, he smiled.The expression left both the subordinate and the doctor confused.What was he planning now?The doctor felt a flicker of unease, but he had no way out.So, he forced a pleading look onto his face.“Please, sir… I’m begging you. I didn’t betray you. I just want to live a quiet life.”“I admit I failed the job, but I did everything I was supposed to.“I don’t understand what else you want from me. I’ve already told you everything. Why are you still pushing me?”He truly felt helpless now.If Edwin hadn’t been so unreasonable, he would never have laid everything out like that.Because he knew—if he didn’t speak up earlier, he might never have had the chance to expose Edwin’s actions.He had escaped one wolf’s den, only to walk straight into another.Edwin let out a low scoff. “Good.”For a split second, hope flickered in the doctor’s chest.He thought he might be spared.But before he could even finish speaking, Edwin reached
For some reason, a faint unease lingered in Edwin’s chest.It felt as though someone was watching him.And why had the doctor suddenly spilled everything so quickly?By the time Edwin tried to stop him, it was already too late.On Lucas’ end, he had already captured everything he needed.There was no reason to stay and watch any longer.All he had to do was present it to his grandfather the next day.Even if Philip favored Edwin, the evidence would speak for itself.Staying any longer would only risk exposure.Now wasn’t the time to tear things open between them.Lucas knew exactly where the line was.So, while Edwin’s attention remained fixed on the doctor, he slipped away silently, leaving the place without a trace.The subordinate, however, felt something was off.He turned his head to look but saw nothing.Frowning, he scratched his head. Had he imagined it?When he turned back, Edwin was still pressing the doctor.It was clear his boss had already made up his mind; there was nothi
Why were they still circling around the point?How long had this dragged on already?Even the subordinate couldn’t help rubbing his forehead.At times, he couldn’t help wondering if something was off with his boss.The doctor had made himself clear that he hadn’t done anything, yet they were still going in circles.Finally, Edwin cut to the point. His gaze turned vicious as he fixed it on the doctor.In his view, the man’s defenses had already been worn down.Now was the perfect moment to strike.“Tell me, did Lucas ask you anything important?”“Yes, he did.”The doctor nodded as he spoke.Even he felt a sense of relief. After all that back and forth, they had finally reached the real question.“I knew it. So, what did you tell him?”Edwin’s voice rose sharply.The sudden shift startled even the subordinate.He hadn’t expected his boss to turn like that so quickly.“He brought people with him that night. He was about to question me. But then your man showed up and got me out.”The doct
No matter what she said, he seemed to show very little reaction.More importantly, Lucas was often immersed in his own world.In Lucas’ view, as long as he grew the company bigger and stronger, that was the best answer he could give to his parents.What he did not realize was that the two of them on
But Diana’s attitude was stubborn. If he objected, she would surely be unhappy.With no other choice, Edward could only stand guard silently behind the door.If anything felt off, he could notice it immediately.That way, he could rush out and protect Diana if needed.After all, this was the wife he
“How could I not dote on my own son? I’m just puzzled that he has such good fortune to have found you.”Aurora instead felt a little embarrassed.“Mom, you’re being too kind. Lucas and I chose each other—it was mutual.”Diana smiled even more brightly.She naturally knew how outstanding her son was,
“I did all this for your own good. Do you really want the two of us to keep living like this, hiding here and there forever?”Edwin slowly clenched his fist.In his view, very little of what Maria said could be trusted.And at times, her words did not even connect from one sentence to the next.“So







