Chapter 2

The operator hesitated.

“Mr. Miller… shouldn’t we check what’s inside first?”

My gaze turned sharp.

“Didn’t you hear what I said?

“The cargo inside is extremely valuable.

“If we don’t lower the temperature immediately, it’ll spoil.”

The operator shivered and didn’t dare argue again.

“Rumble—”

The massive compressors roared to life.

On the temperature display outside the container, the bright red numbers began dropping rapidly.

25°C… 15°C… 5°C… 0°C…

The floating comments exploded across my vision.

[They’ve completely lost it! They don’t even have clothes on. They’re fighting the cold naked!]

[Holy crap! This is wild. Mandy is already clinging to Jonas and screaming from the cold!]

[Doesn’t matter. Jonas is freezing too!]

[They’re practically biting each other just to stay warm. I can’t even imagine what that looks like!]

[Won’t their skin stick to the metal? If they pull away, it’ll rip a layer right off!]

Patrick, who had been thrown to the side earlier, stared at the falling temperature on the display.

His eyes nearly popped out of his head.

He collapsed onto the ground, struggling desperately as he tried to shout something.

But a security guard clamped a hand over his mouth. All that came out were muffled whimpers.

Inside the container, the pounding grew even more violent.

Now and then you could even hear the harsh scraping of fingernails clawing against metal.

But with the thunderous roar of the compressors, it all blended into what sounded like ordinary mechanical vibration.

Anyone else would assume it was just the machinery running.

I dragged a chair over and sat down gracefully in front of the container.

Watching the temperature continue to drop on the screen was strangely relaxing.

On my phone was the last message Jonas had ever sent me.

“Jeff, thank you for supporting me all these years. I’ll repay you someday.”

He’d even added a polite little bowing emoji.

Repay me?

Sure.

Then repay me with your life.

I’ve always been the type who never forgets a grudge.

If you did it, don’t be afraid of me finding out.

Because once I do—

you’d better be ready to die.

Half an hour later, several luxury cars sped into the harbor and screeched to a stop.

The doors opened.

Vincent stepped out wearing an elegant jacket, absently adjusting his vintage watch as camera flashes went off around him.

Several financial reporters followed behind.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think a president had arrived on tour.

“Jeff! Where’s Mandy?”

Vincent scanned the area. When he didn’t see his precious daughter, his expression darkened immediately.

“She said she prepared some kind of surprise for me. Where is she?”

I stood up at once, looking troubled as I sighed softly.

“Mandy said she went to prepare the final part of your surprise gift.

“She asked me to keep an eye on things for her.

“She said this project is her biggest contribution to the family business, and she wanted you here personally to witness it.”

Hearing that, his expression softened slightly.

He immediately turned toward the cameras and put on the smile of a proud father.

“Mandy really is thoughtful.

“She’s always trying to make me happy. Doesn’t matter how much work it takes.”

Then he glanced at me, his eyes still full of criticism and dislike.

“Look at you. Always dressed so stiff and serious. Cold as ice. No warmth at all.

“No wonder Mandy always prefers going out instead of staying home.

“A man should be more like Jonas. Gentle and considerate. Knows how to treat his woman right.”

In front of all the reporters, he didn’t bother giving me the slightest bit of respect.

I forced down the nausea rising in my chest and walked over, respectfully holding his arm.

“You’re right.”

My voice sounded obedient, almost flattering.

“I’ve been too busy with work and neglected Mandy’s feelings.

“She always tells me that you understand her best and care about her the most.

“That’s why she said this time she wanted to dedicate the entire achievement to you.”

I pointed toward the massive container behind me, white frost vapor drifting from its sides.

“This shipment uses Mandy’s newest ‘Rapid Fresh-Lock’ preservation technology.

“She said only you starting the system personally could bring good luck to the company.

“And she also said the inspiration for the name came from something you always say—keeping love fresh.

“She and Jonas came up with the name together. They thought it would make the perfect gift for you.”