Penny clung to Connor’s hand like a lifeline, mumbling affectionately and refusing to let go. It took a long time—until her energy gave out—for her to finally fall asleep.
Connor gently extracted his hand the moment she quieted, inwardly relieved. Finally, he could be done with this charade.
Harvey turned to the door and called his assistant. “Bring in her attending physician.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Connor’s brow furrowed slightly, eyes lowered to hide the chill behind them.
Mrs. Sawyer, eager to maintain her position, pasted on a flattering smile.
“Mr. Ledger, you really care about Penny. On her behalf, thank you.”Harvey didn’t show emotion—his voice remained indifferent.
“She’s to be the future Mrs. Ledger. Naturally, I take this seriously. Also… Mrs. Sawyer, your voice is rather shrill. Do be mindful not to wake her.”“Ah&md
"Mom? How did it go? Did the key copy work?"Paige had waited anxiously all day for Mrs. Sawyer to come down, not daring to enter Emmet's room without permission. She’d been waiting in the living room since he left for work.It wasn’t until dusk that Mrs. Sawyer finally descended the stairs, radiating satisfaction. Breakfast and lunch had been delivered upstairs—she hadn’t left her room all day.The moment Paige saw her, she nearly jumped with excitement, immediately ordering the servants to leave.Mrs. Sawyer looked glowing tonight, like someone freshly… well-cared for.“Relax! Your mother nearly passed out from exhaustion, but I managed it! I waited half an hour, made sure the scanner showed success, and sealed everything back in place,” she said, patting Paige’s hand proudly before slipping her a box no bigger than a key.Paige grinned ear to ear, as if she already held the world in her han
Her fingers slid across the bookshelf—nothing.Briella narrowed her eyes slightly, mind whirring.She turned toward the massive desk—easily twice the size of the one in the office—and tapped her fingers against its polished surface with lazy rhythm.The desk was neatly arranged. A few tasteful ornaments, several unassuming documents.She pulled her hands back and shoved them into her coat pockets, tilting her head thoughtfully, lashes low.Then, after a long pause, she moved to the other side of the desk. Her fingers brushed against a specific corner of the wood.With a slight flick of her nails—sharp and precise—the panel shifted.Click.A hidden section revealed itself: a digital screen with a numeric keypad embedded beneath.Briella licked her lips, a faint glimmer of excitement in her eyes. A touch of pink flared at the corners.She stared at the panel for a moment&hellip
Briella dragged a chair over and sat down, propping her head up with one hand.Her eyes glinted playfully as she pointed at him with a lazy smile."You—do you want to be my student?""Me? Are you talking about me?" Alan blinked in disbelief, first nodding, then shaking his head.“What’s that supposed to mean? You don’t want to?”“No, no, I do! I absolutely do!”Alan flung his book aside, hands flailing excitedly like a child. He looked like he wanted to grab her hand but didn’t dare.“Skye…”“Still calling me Skye? Change that. Call me ‘teacher.’”Briella reached out and took his hand, lips curled into a gentle smile.“Yes, ma’am—Teacher!” Alan beamed. “Does that mean you’ll bring me into the lab now?”“I will. Since I’ve taken you as my student, I’ll
"Mr. Preston, Miss Winona has arrived."Preston's assistant spoke softly, standing at the door.Preston closed his laptop with a click and nodded. "Let her in."The assistant had just turned to leave when the door swung open on its own, and a clear, confident voice chimed in—"No need, Mr. Preston. I'm already here."Winona Windsor entered with a smile as harmless as an angel’s. Her sapphire blue dress glimmered like a fairytale, making her look like a princess who had just descended from the clouds.The assistant gave her a respectful bow before silently retreating and shutting the door.Preston remained seated but wore a mild smile. “Her Highness the Princess has come all this way—please forgive me for not receiving you personally. Would you like something to drink?”He sounded apologetic, but his eyes betrayed no sincerity.Winona waved a hand lazily and dropped into the nearest chair, gr
“...I didn’t say anything, alright?” Red Rose rolled her eyes with mock innocence. “Don’t start with me, Austin.”“Girl, your mouth never stops running,” Iron Blade said with his arms crossed, smirking like a devil.Red Rose marched over, heels clicking like a death sentence, and stomped down on Iron Blade’s foot with her six-inch stilettos.Hard.Then she tossed her curls dramatically and snapped, “Mind your own damn business, dumbass.”Austin winced just watching. That looked painful.Iron Blade calmly pulled his foot back, acting like it didn’t hurt one bit.Austin glanced down and caught sight of the veins bulging on Iron Blade’s hand.‘Oh? So he’s pretending it doesn’t hurt. Gotcha.’‘I knew it! No way anyone takes a stiletto like that and walks away smiling.’“Waa
“Oh? The little one made progress?” Briella teased with a smirk, though she was genuinely impressed.The response came with an angry squeak—her signature baby voice cracking in protest.“Who are you calling a kid?! I’m already twenty!”“Oh? If you can beat me, I won’t call you that again.”“Bring it on! I’m not scared!”Then another voice chimed in—low and gruff. “You? Beat her? Get real. I can’t even win, and you think you can? She’ll smash your face in with a single punch.”The baby voice went quiet.“…Okay. Never mind.”Briella burst out laughing, her eyes crescent moons of amusement.“Alright, alright. Let’s do it. It’s been a while since I tested your skills. We’ll go one-on-one tonight. Ten minutes to prepare. See you online at 8.”Silence.Three seconds la