เข้าสู่ระบบJessica looked at Logan with open disgust. "You dared to cheat. The only reason you still have your hands and feet is because my Dom is merciful."When you gamble, you accept the loss. That is the most basic rule. You have 24 hours. If the money has not arrived by then, you will bear the consequences. When you return, think it over carefully. Which matters more, 400,000,000 dollars or the Pierces' business?"Her words struck like a heavy hammer and left Logan's expression frozen.Jessica had made herself perfectly clear. If he refused to pay, the Pierces could prepare for bankruptcy.The Hales possessed that kind of power, and it would not even be difficult for them. Moreover, Jessica had said this in public. Whether the threat aligned with the Pierces' interests no longer mattered. To preserve the Hales' dignity, the family would face a devastating blow if Logan failed to comply.After she finished speaking, Jessica's gaze swept over Benedict and Zachary.Their hearts instantly
The entire banquet hall fell silent.Stephen's expression changed. He quickly stood and said, "Jessica, you're here. Come sit down."Their family had some ties with the Hale family. They had even visited the capital before, and when Jessica came from the capital, she had told him to look after her.Of course, calling it "looking after her" was generous. It was closer to a notice.In simple terms, it meant the Hale family's princess had arrived.Jessica's eyes were cold. She swept her gaze around the room and asked flatly, "Where's Autumn?"What had happened earlier had been witnessed by many people. It had never been a secret, and Jessica learned about it quickly.When she heard that Dominic had been bullied like that, anger nearly overwhelmed her. She brought people with her and came straight over.This time, she did not call Autumn "Miss Garcia."'Dominic came to attend your birthday party, yet you allowed him to suffer such humiliation. Autumn, you can't escape responsibili
Zachary and Benedict sat at the same table.Logan still looked ashen. The table overflowed with delicacies from land and sea, yet to him everything tasted like wax.Benedict glanced at him and smiled. "Logan, no need to look like you're at a funeral."Logan let out a long sigh. "If I take that money out, my dad will kill me. I was asking for it, provoking Dominic for no reason."Anyone could hear the resentment in his voice.A trace of displeasure flickered in Benedict's eyes. He spoke lightly. "If you can't afford it, then don't pay for now. What's there to fear about owing a debt?"Logan froze. "Ben, what do you mean?"Zachary chuckled. "You still don't get it? Benedict means you acknowledge the debt, but when you repay it is another matter. Drag it out for eight or ten years. That's not impossible."They had also lost tens of millions of dollars, but for families of their standing, such losses meant little.Logan's eyes lit up at once.Benedict spoke calmly. "Even if Mr. G
A mischievous glint flashed in Dominic's eyes as he teased, "Autumn, what else could you possibly need as a gift? When I went in earlier, there were so many presents they could barely fit."Inside the villa, dozens of exquisitely wrapped boxes were stacked in every corner.Autumn froze. Disappointment flickered across her eyes, but she withdrew her hand and forced a smile. "You're right. I don't need a gift anyway. Haha."Dominic only smiled. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a neatly folded sheet of drawing paper, and handed it to her.Her fingers trembled as she took it and unfolded it with quiet anticipation.The moment she saw the drawing, she gasped and covered her mouth.A peach tree filled the page. A young version of Autumn lounged on a branch, lazily nibbling a peach. Beneath the tree, her grandmother stood with a cane, pretending to scold her down. The older woman's face carried equal parts irritation and resignation, yet her eyes revealed unmistakable affection.
Jewel froze and turned toward him. "Dominic, are you saying all this money is going straight into the company account? But you won it. It's your personal money."Dominic waved her off. "Since when did you become so fussy? If I tell you to handle it, just handle it. Why so many questions?"'You were willing to give up JewelMed to save me. Why would I care about a measly 200,000,000?' he groaned inwardly.His tone was sharp, but Jewel did not take offense. Instead, a faint, captivating smile curved her lips. She met his gaze through the rearview mirror on the center console, her eyes bright. "Don't worry, Dominic."Autumn watched the exchange, envy stirring with a quiet sting in her chest.She tightened her grip on Dominic's arm. "Dominic, I always thought I could control my own life. Today I realized I'm just a small creature trapped in an ivory tower, unable to direct my own fate. What do you think I should do?"One word from her mother had been enough to drag her into a room, po
'Why is Autumn crying?'Startled, Dominic hurried toward her. "Hey, Autumn, what's wrong?"Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls, sliding over her delicate cheeks. The sight was painful to watch.Without a word, she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably.Jewel felt a sharp pang in her chest. She had assumed a brief hug would be harmless, but Autumn showed no sign of letting go.Unable to stand by any longer, Jewel gently pulled her away. She cleared her throat and said in a steady voice, "Autumn, try not to cry right now. Let's talk this through calmly."Unaware of her aunt's hidden motives, Autumn took the gesture as comfort. She wiped her tears and choked out, "Dominic, please don't leave, okay?"Jade had locked her in her room, and she had only regained her freedom after calling her father. When she saw what had happened and realized Dominic had left without attending her birthday party, it felt as though her heart had been split open. S







