Mag-log inThe atmosphere inside Xander's private office on the upper floor of the majestic Vanguard Holdings building that morning felt peaceful. Xander sat behind his spacious desk, focused on reviewing several important cooperation contract files displayed on his laptop screen.Suddenly, the door to his office was knocked on frantically from the outside. Before Xander could even reply, his personal assistant barged in out of breath and with a face as pale as a sheet."Mr. Xander! This is bad, sir!" his assistant reported in a panic, nearly tripping over the carpet. "Downstairs, some people from the tax authority have arrived together with law enforcement officers! They are looking for Mr. Charlee, and... and they brought an official arrest warrant!"Xander jolted in shock. His office chair rolled backward with a loud squeaking sound."What did you say?! Uncle Charlee?!" Xander blurted out in disbelief, instantly jumping to his feet. "How is that even possible?! Lead the way to Uncle's office
That afternoon, Irish intentionally carved out a little time to soak in the quiet at a minimalist cafe tucked away in a corner of the city. Sitting near a glass window while sipping an iced americano, she felt like her life had never been this peaceful. The heavy weight that had been crushing her chest for so long seemed to slowly lift away."Ah, today is so peaceful," Irish murmured, breathing in deeply.Tring!The phone on the table suddenly rang out loud. Joey's name flashed across the screen. Irish answered it casually."Hello, Joey? Calling me out of the blue this afternoon, what's up?" Irish greeted calmly. "Is there a problem at the office?"On the other end, Joey's voice sounded frantically out of breath. "There is a problem, Irish, but not at the office. Irish! Where are you right now?! Open the business news portal right now! Hurry! How did this even happen? Gosh, I don't even know anymore."Irish frowned in confusion. "Business news? What are you even talking about, Joey? D
The exact moment the car carrying Irish and Drake pulled into the TV station basement, the two of them hurried straight into the lobby. Drake handed a folder containing today's latest news broadcast materials over to Irish, followed by a stack of wedding invitations meant to be handed out to close colleagues around the office."Here is the draft for the news script, Miss Irish. And I've already separated the invitations for a few of the senior producers," Drake reported briskly while tidying the folders in his hands."Great, Drake. We'll hand those out right after the broadcast," Irish replied as she walked quickly.There were only minutes left before airtime. But the moment they reached the elevator lobby, a long, snaking line of people waiting to head up blocked their path."Ugh, the elevator line is taking forever, Miss. If we wait, we're going to be late getting into the studio," Drake fretted, glancing down at his wristwatch.Irish shot a quick glance at the elevators, then waved
The main front door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, cutting off Irish's countdown and stopping the bodyguards dead in their tracks.A middle-aged woman dressed in elegant attire with a powerful, aristocratic aura walked in gracefully, flanked by a row of black-suited bodyguards right behind her. Madam Juliette."Stop!" Madam Juliette snapped sharply, causing all the Ryder family bodyguards to instinctively release their grips.Uncle Edward snorted in annoyance, glaring daggers at her. "Madam Juliette? What on earth are you doing barging in here in the middle of the night to meddle in our family affairs?! Do yourself a favor and leave before I do something that makes you look foolish. We are currently dealing with private family business.""Meddle?" Madam Juliette repeated with a cold snort, marching purposefully closer to the crowd. "What you people are trying to hurt right here in front of me is Sterling family blood! My future grandchild!"The entire room jerked in shock. Tuan
The atmosphere on the ground floor of the main Ryder family residence that night felt suffocating and thick with tension. Tuan Arthur and Madam Elena were pacing back and forth anxiously in the living room, worried sick because Chloe's shadoas nowhere to be seen since yesterday evening.The moment the front door swung open and Chloe stepped inside, Madam Elena rushed forward and threw her arms around her daughter. She hugged Chloe tight while sobbing hysterically out of pure relief."Chloe! Where on earth have you been, sweetheart?! Mama couldn't even sleep, I was so worried sick about you!" Madam Elena's sobs broke against her daughter's shoulder.Tuan Arthur hurried over with a relieved breath, but right at that second, his internal guilt shifted. The middle-aged man suddenly thought of Irish. Why had he never offered her the same warmth and hugs he was showering on Chloe right now?Instead of feeling guilty or apologizing, Chloe just giggled without a single ounce of remorse, actin
As Irish stepped out of the television station lobby, a luxury car emblazoned with a silver lion emblem was already parked neatly at the curb. Xander himself stepped out to open the door for her, while Drake stood at attention right beside Irish, holding an armful of folders and a tablet."Tired, hmm?" Xander greeted softly, smoothing back a stray lock of Irish's hair before pressing a quick kiss to her forehead.Irish smiled tiredly yet warmly. "A bit. But the second I see you, all the fatigue just vanishes.""In that case, brace yourself, future Mrs. Wilson," Xander teased, leaning his back against the car door. "Starting right now, we are officially entering the panic buying phase and racing the clock to get married next week."Right then and there, the whirlwind of a rushed wedding prep officially kicked off.Their first stop was the most elite Wedding Organizer (WO) office in downtown. The owner nearly dropped dead on the spot upon hearing the timeline they dropped."Wait? Next w







