LOGINChapter 68
Morning sunlight pierced through the gaps in the curtains of the main study on the top floor of the Graham Corp building. The room, decorated in shades of grey and dark wood, felt as cold as ice. Behind his large executive desk, Darren stood gazing at the panorama of Jakarta's skyline, dimly obscured by the morning smog.
The man had not slept at all since last night. The black shirt he wore was stretched loose across his chest, his sleeves rolled up to h
Chapter 74The dimly lit auction exhibition hall was illuminated by warm spotlights directed precisely at the main stage. Dozens of distinguished guests sat neatly in rows of black satin-covered chairs, each holding an auction bidding number in their hands. The auctioneer’s calm voice echoed through the speakers, guiding the bidding for the high-value artworks displayed that evening.In the front row, Lyonna sat beside Kevin. Around her slender neck was a silver necklace featuring a delicate chain and a teardrop-shaped aquamarine pendant that reflected a soft bluish glow. The necklace perfectly complemented the emerald-green velvet gown she was wearing.“That necklace really suits you, Na,” Kevin whispered softly, lowering his head slightly toward Lyonna so his voice would not disturb the other guests. “The design is classic, and the aquamarine has such a calming color.”Lyonna smiled faintly, gently touching the cool stone at her neck with her fingers. “This was one of the first piec
Chapter 73The magnificent ballroom of the five-star hotel shimmered beneath the glow of crystal chandeliers, their light refracting into a warm golden radiance. Classical music performed by a small orchestra in the corner of the hall flowed gently through the room, blending with the clinking of wine glasses and the quiet whispers of formally dressed guests. The annual charity auction was always one of the most anticipated events among top businessmen, renowned artists, and prominent public figures.Near one of the marble pillars in the center of the hall, Darren stood alone, a glass of champagne left untouched in his hand. The perfectly fitted black tuxedo accentuated his tall figure and continued to draw attention, yet his expression remained stiff and cold. His eyes periodically swept across the crowd, as though searching for someone who had occupied his thoughts constantly over the past few days.The ballroom’s double doors slowly opened, drawing the attention of several guests ne
Chapter 72The morning sunlight filtered faintly through the gaps between the skyscrapers, casting a cold reflection across the streets that were beginning to fill with the roar of vehicles and the hurried footsteps of pedestrians. The autumn air swept through every corner of the city, carried by strong gusts of wind that brought an icy chill to the bone.Inside a thick-glass partitioned room at the temporary detention center, Viona sat behind a small wooden table with both hands tightly clasped together. Her luxurious coat had now been replaced by a rough detention uniform. The makeup that was usually meticulously applied to her face was gone, leaving behind thick dark circles beneath her eyes and a pale complexion.Across from her, a middle-aged man in a gray suit sat with an expensive leather briefcase on the table, staring at the detention documents with a deeply furrowed brow.“Money is not a problem, Marcus,” Viona whispered demandingly, her bloodshot eyes staring sharply at the
Chapter 71The red and blue lights of police vehicles spun rapidly, casting long shadows across the exterior walls of the New York City Police Department headquarters. The drizzle left behind by the heavy rain still dripped slowly from the leaves of trees lining the street. Inside the thick-walled, cold interrogation room of the Criminal Investigation Unit, the scent of strong black coffee mingled with the smell of damp paper, filling the air.Dino sat with both hands cuffed in iron restraints on top of a wooden table. His exhausted and frightened face was clearly exposed beneath the glaring fluorescent lights. In front of him, a police investigator recorded every detail of the man's confession, while stacks of brown folders containing manipulated medical records and traces of fund transfers from Viona had been marked as key pieces of evidence.Darren stood silently in the corner of the room near the window, leaning his shoulder against the wall. His expensive shirt, soaked through fr
Chapter 70Torrential rain swept across the gallery courtyard in a matter of seconds. The sound of water hammering against the tin roof and asphalt mingled densely with the roaring curses and heavy thuds from the clash between two groups in the yard. Lightning flashed across the sky, briefly illuminating the savage faces covered in black cloth.Lyonna held her breath. Her back was pressed flat against the cold concrete wall wet with rain spray. She clutched the brown folder containing Viona’s secret documents against her chest with all her strength, sheltered inside the folds of her jacket. In front of her, two of Viona’s henchmen stepped forward with footsteps splashing in the puddles. One gripped a wooden beam with stiff fingers, while the other took a stance, ready to pounce."Hand over that folder, miss! Don't make this difficult!" barked the black-masked man holding the wooden beam. His eyes glared sharply through the slit in the f
Chapter 69Late afternoon in the Kemang area was painted with thick, low-hanging overcast clouds. The air felt sultry and humid, signaling that a heavy rain would soon pour down to wash over the streets. Inside the gallery, the construction workers began packing up their work tools to prepare to head home, leaving Lyonna alone as she carefully reviewed the remaining progress reports at her portable desk.Following the heated argument at Darren’s office earlier that afternoon, Lyonna noticed that the black sedan usually parked across the street keeping watch on her had indeed vanished. The burly men under Darren's orders were no longer seen loitering around. A sense of relief crept into her chest, yet alongside it was a strange, inexplicable hollowness she couldn't quite explain.Lyonna took a deep breath, neatly stacked the sheets of paper on the desk, and locked the gallery's side door. She slung her shoulder bag across her body and stepped







