LOGINHow is your day dearest??
Leo’s expression instantly froze. The excitement drained from his face. Slowly, he placed his tablet on the bedside table, turned away, and pulled the covers over his head, ignoring his father completely.Regret hit Lucas the moment the words left his mouth.Leo was unnaturally mature for his age. Lucas had tried dating before, but Leo had rejected every single woman mostly because they either mocked his muteness or sneered at his lack of childhood playfulness. Truth be told, Lucas was genuinely glad Leo liked Victoria; after days of trying to talk sense into his son, he had never said a single negative thing about her until tonight.Leaning down, Lucas kissed his son’s forehead and whispered, “I’m sorry, son.”On the other side of town, Victoria sat on her couch watching a series, her phone resting in her hand. It wasn't like she was waiting for a message, and yet, she found herself constantly checking the screen.She wondered if it was too late to call. Leo was probably already asle
Standing by the side of the road, Victoria spotted the little boy from the other day.What is that puppy doing out here alone? she thought.She decided to mind her own business, but it was too late. The boy had already spotted her, waving his tiny hands enthusiastically.Victoria couldn't help but smile. How can a child be this adorable?As she walked over, the boy held up his arms, asking to be picked up. She lifted him into her arms and pinched his chubby cheeks. “Where is your father?” she asked.She was tempted to kiss his cheeks, but stopped when the little guy pouted and held up his small writing tablet.I got lost, he had written.“Oh, no. Have you eaten yet?”The boy shook his head.“Okay, let’s go eat. We’ll find your father after.”Across from the building, she found a restaurant, walked in, and set him gently into a chair before ordering noodles and vegetables.“What’s your name, baby?” she asked, leaning in.He scribbled on his tablet and turned it toward her with a bright
"Victor! Long time no see!" they shouted over the engine roar. "The last two people to the finish line have to kiss each other!" Victoria shouted back. The group roared with laughter, joined the race, and cheered as they sped down the open road together.“Hey, you always win; give someone else a chance to shine!” someone shouted.“Never,” Victor replied.“I’m heading out,” she said, speeding off before anyone could answer.She had always slipped away to the countryside whenever a mission brought her into town; that's how she’d met these bikers in the first place. But now that she was back as Victoria, keeping her distance was the only smart move.Lying on the couch, she switched on the TV only to be met with Cordelia’s advertisement.Watching how glorious Cordelia had become left her completely numb. In the past, she would have thrown a tantrum at her father and taken it out on everyone. Now, looking back at that naive girl, her heart just felt blank.Well, I’ll be seeing you soon,
Lucas Blackwood stared down at the fragile woman who looked entirely confused by his sudden presence. He adjusted the cuff of his dark charcoal suit, his tone remaining businesslike and absolute. "Name your price for saving my son," he repeated, his deep voice carrying a heavy, transactional weight that left no room for sentiment.Victoria blinked, staring up at the billionaire tycoon in sheer disbelief before looking around the sterile luxury of the room. She forced her throat to relax, keeping her voice even. "No, Mr. Blackwood, I think there has been a misunderstanding. I just happened to be locked in the same room as your son," she said, her defensive guards firmly sliding back into place. She didn't want his money. She wanted her anonymity. "Okay, just pay my hospital bills," she added flatly.Lucas didn't argue. He gave her a single, curt nod, scooped his son back up into his arms, and turned on his heel. Without a single backward glance, his broad shoulders squared as he strode
"Leo, please. At least eat something."Lucas Blackwood—the most unyielding, cold presence in the entire country, a man feared by corporate boards and military factions alike—was currently down on one knee by the bedside. The nation's most elusive, powerful bachelor was reduced to softly pleading with a stubborn five-year-old.Leo didn't even look at his father. His small face remained set in a defiant pout as he pulled his blanket higher. Instead of touching the food tray, the boy reached for his tablet, his small fingers typing with rapid, furious urgency. He turned the screen toward his father, the bright digital letters displaying a single question:Where is the pretty lady?Lucas let out a heavy, defeated sigh, running a hand through his hair. Standing just a few feet away, his best friend and trusted ally, Roman, was grinning like an absolute idiot, thoroughly enjoying the rare sight of the great Lucas Blackwood losing a negotiation to a toddler."She's in another room, Leo," Luc
Both women worked executive roles in her father's entertainment industry. Maria was Cordelia's personal manager—a ruthless woman who had helped orchestrate the golden child's rise—and Luisa was nothing more than a pathetic dog blindly following her master's footsteps."Well, look who decided to crawl back," Maria started, her voice dripping with venom as she arrogantly sized Victoria up from head to toe, taking in her slim, athletic new silhouette."I honestly thought you were dead," Luisa followed up, a disgusting, smug smirk spreading across her face. She leaned in closer, her eyes scanning Victoria’s refined facial features. "So, you went abroad and did plastic surgery, huh? Trying to look pretty?"Victoria’s hands subtly clenched into fists inside her pockets. Every ounce of her mafia training screamed at her to break their jaws right here in the lobby, but she knew better. She couldn't fight them in public. Doing so would expose her presence to her father and Cordelia before her







