เข้าสู่ระบบEzekiel paused. "What's the matter?"Alistair swung his legs. "Well… Winter's the one who helped make this cruise trip in Borean happen. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't get to go on a vacation with you."Hearing that, Ezekiel felt a dull ache settle in his chest.For the past two years, he had been working nonstop—expanding, competing, securing footholds. He had missed too much of his son's life. He hadn't even realized Alistair was being bullied at school until it was too late.Winter had protected Alistair and given them a chance to grow closer. She had done more than enough."I want to call Winter to thank her.""Okay. Go ahead," Ezekiel said softly, his eyes warming. "Auro, you're a kind boy. Having you is my blessing."…"N-No!"A savage tearing sound ripped through the suffocating dark, shredding Winter's clothing in one violent motion. The kidnapper's grimy hands tore through her top with brutal force. Beneath the ruined fabric, her plain undergarments were all that
"Argh!"The kick landed squarely in Winter's lower abdomen.Agony tore through her body. Her organs felt as if they were being twisted apart as she doubled over, spasms racking her frame. A mouthful of blood spilled from her lips.In that moment, despair swallowed her whole.Joshua had been part of every hardship in her earlier years. Loving him had cost her more than she could count.But she had never thought Joshua would be the one to seal her fate.Panicking, the kidnapper quickly called Tom. "Boss! Is that loud-bouthed bitch really Joshua's wife? Why won't he answer when I call him from her phone?""Joshua is at an auction. He probably didn't hear it. Try again," Tom replied.The basement was so quiet it felt airless. Winter caught fragments of Tom's voice and thought it sounded familiar.She shut her eyes, forcing herself to focus."I did try! I tried countless times! It rang twice, then nothing—I couldn't get through at all!" The kidnapper stomped in frustration. "Boss,
Alistair gazed at Ezekiel with clear eyes. "Dad, I honestly think no one else could be better for you than Winter. She's the smartest woman I know. Not one bit less than you."Ezekiel smiled faintly. "Oh? Is that so?""Dad, if you marry Winter, the little brothers or sisters I get will definitely be geniuses! They'll be even smarter than Terence!""Auro, you have to remember this. Being smart isn't the most important thing in life. Kindness and integrity are." Ezekiel's gaze grew serious as his hand gently stroked Alistair's head.Alistair nodded. "Okay. I'll remember it.""Besides, I don't think Terence is that smart. He takes after his father more," Ezekiel added casually, amusement flickering in his eyes."Mr. Fulton." George walked over with his phone. "I've relayed your bid."Ezekiel lifted Alistair onto his lap and bounced him lightly, his gaze full of indulgence. "Did Joshua raise the bid?""Yes, and he seems determined." George looked displeased as he leaned in and whis
The entire hall erupted. "80 million dollars?"That number had blown past the item's intrinsic value by a ridiculous margin. Even if it was an antique from the 17th century, this was still absurd.Just who was this off-site bigshot, daring to compete with the CEO of Stroud Group?"Ha! This is getting interesting." Blake flashed a teasing smile as he glanced at Joshua's sharp, impassive profile. "Josh, if I were you, I'd buy that damn thing just to crush it afterward. No way I'd let that bastard win."Jessica looked at Joshua with concern and spoke softly. "Josh, forget it. 60 million dollars was already expensive. 80 million dollars is far beyond what it's worth. I don't want you throwing money away because of me."Blake raised a brow. "Look at that. Jessica is helping Josh save money! What a thoughtful, virtuous woman."Jessica pursed her lips, a shy blush blooming across her delicate face."I told you I'd get it for you. I'm getting it," Joshua said. A sharp, assured glint fla
Winter lowered her gaze. The corner of her cracked lips lifted into a faint, self-mocking smile.Kidnapping a man's wife might work on others. What the kidnapper didn't know was that, as a wife in name only, she wasn't the woman Joshua truly cared about.If he wanted to get rich, he should've kidnapped Jessica instead.But she couldn't say that now. One wrong word could enrage the kidnapper and provoke him into killing her.Besides, having him call Joshua for a ransom was actually a good thing for her. It rekindled a spark of hope she thought had already gone out.Even if Joshua didn't love her, they were still legally married. For the sake of his reputation alone, he would move immediately to rescue her. He'd never stand by and do nothing.…Meanwhile, Joshua had just secured the antique that Florence favored with a crushing bid of 90 million dollars.The auctioneer beamed from ear to ear as applause thundered through the hall.Blake lounged back with one leg crossed over the
"Josh, are you really bidding on it for me? Is it really for me?"Anticipation sparkled in Jessica's eyes as she asked him again and again, seeking reassurance.All these years by Joshua's side, she had seen every kind of luxury. Every year, he prepared exquisite and exorbitant birthday gifts for her. Any one of them, taken out on its own, would make countless women green with envy.But this hairpin was different.First, it was an antique—priceless. Even if one were to add up every gift Joshua had given her over the past five years, none would come close to its value. Second, this hairpin had once been a token of love exchanged between a king and queen on their wedding day. For Joshua to bid on it for her at such a formal, high-profile event tonight meant only one thing to outsiders—they would think Joshua was using the hairpin to confess his love, declaring to the world that she was the woman he cherished most, the woman he loved above all else."When have I ever gone back on m







