로그인Lucas 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
Edwin found it oddly laughable.“I’ve treated you this well, and you’re still not satisfied?”Yvonne did not know how to answer that.Did Edwin think that being “good” meant applying a bit of medicine and sweet-talking her into letting her guard down?If that were the case, were women really that ea
Aaron was stunned.So, Aurora had come today to take sides—she had never intended to help him in the first place.And if this matter reached Lucas’ ears, who knew how badly it would blow up.Still, if this could be smoothed over and turned into something minor, that in itself would be a blessing.“A
In his view, since things had already come to this, why should he and his mother keep pretending?These issues were not something that could be resolved overnight.He had always wanted his mother to enter the Carter family because he believed she was pitiful.But what she was doing now was something
Thinking of this, Edwin felt even more pleased with himself.And after Edwin left, Maria was still immersed in the joy brought by the news he had just delivered.Once he had completely disappeared from her sight, she sprang to her feet in one swift motion.“Mary, hurry and go buy some corns for me—m







