Harold paused for a moment before continuing, "I really admire you. You've left school for five years, yet you still have the courage to participate in the toughest competition in the county."Elara smiled, but her dark eyes remained as cold as a still lake."I admire you as well. In just five years, you've risen smoothly through the ranks to become a candidate for dean."Harold shook his head modestly. "Not at all. I have no real interest in the race for dean. My name is just there to fill the list.""Your journey ahead may not be as smooth as before," Elara reminded him.Facing the man who had stolen her academic achievements, Elara was far less composed than she appeared on the surface. She wanted to tear him to pieces.One day, she would make him erase every word that did not belong to him in front of the judiciary.Harold looked at Elara with an expression of innocent surprise. He loved using that look—staring straight at people, projecting an image of pure harmlessness. He
In the Fisher Corp president's office, Cyrus held his iPad at his side after finishing his report. After a moment of hesitation, he finally couldn't resist bringing it up to Harvey."Mr. Fisher, today is… Today is the final day of the ALI Group Mathematics Competition."Harvey sat in his office chair, having just signed a document. A Montblanc pen worth millions spun lightly between his fingertips. His sharp, chiseled features showed no trace of emotion. "You're very concerned about my ex-wife."The moment he spoke, a chill ran down Cyrus's spine. Under Harvey's pressure, he lowered his head."Every year, after the ALI Mathematics Competition, Fisher Corp extends offers to the top 20 finalists. If Elara happens to make it into the top 20..."Cyrus dared not imagine what it would be like for Elara and Harvey to work together. If Elara really did enter Fisher Corp, he would have to warn the entire company in advance to ensure no one accidentally offended her.Harvey's tone was in
Harvey had never spoken up for any woman before.Ethel was furious. "How could you speak to me in such a manner? Has that vixen Luna bewitched you so badly that you don't even recognize your own mother anymore?"Before Ethel could finish her sentence, Harvey hung up. He tossed his phone onto the desk. His handsome face looked so cold that it could freeze water. It would have been fine had Ethel not brought up Luna. The moment she did, suspicion surged through him.Previously, on Clockwork Mountain, he had told Luna to pick up the car from the Fisher residence. However, three days had passed, yet she never showed up. Other than Theodore, no one had been able to reach her."Sell my Bugatti La Voiture Noire and Aston Martin Valkyrie from the garage!" he commanded his secretary.Cyrus was at a loss. "Mr. Fisher, why are you suddenly selling your cars?"Both were top-tier, limited-edition supercars. Even just seeing them in the garage had left Cyrus awestruck.Harvey's expression r
After that reporter spoke, the ones with the biggest reactions were other journalists."You guys from Platinum 818 are pretty impressive! You actually managed to interview Ms. Jones' son?""Ms. Jones has a son? I thought she only had a daughter."The reporter with yellowed teeth and a sunken face let out a malicious laugh. "Not only do I know that Ms. Jones has a son, but I also dug up the identity of her ex-husband! Who would have thought that her ex-husband is none other than Harvey Fisher, the president of Fisher Group!"That single sentence struck the crowd like a thunderclap, sending the reporters into an uproar."Holy shit! Is that true?""Harvey? You mean the Harvey Fisher, the Fisher Group president, one of the three most powerful heirs in the Capitol?" Upon hearing this explosive revelation, the reporters' gazes toward Elara changed completely."Ms. Jones, have you really divorced Harvey? Why would you give up the life of a wealthy wife?""Ms. Jones, why did you divo
On the recorder, the reporter was heard asking Beau, "Why do you think your Mommy participated in the math competition?""She wants to be famous and wants money! She wants to fight Daddy for me and use me to threaten him into giving her more money!" Beau's voice rang out. His innocent and childish voice pierced Elara like a thousand needles, causing her pain. For a moment, Elra was somewhat at a loss. He was her son—her weakness and her armor. He was the boy who once shared her heartbeat. He was, after all, her flesh and blood. As such, he could cause her great pain and easily defeat her just by lifting a finger. The color drained from Elara's face, and her pupils dilated. From the recorder, the reporter could be heard asking again, "Beau, is there anything you'd like to say to netizens?""Don't be fooled by her! She's just a selfish and awful woman! I'm her biological son, so I know what kind of mother she is better than anyone else!"Once Beau's voice faded away, the repor
Under the escort of more than a dozen bodyguards, Elara finally managed to leave the academic building. However, the reporters were like a restless swarm of mosquitoes as they trailed closely behind her."Who are you people?""Who sent you?"The reporters chattered incessantly, shoving microphones toward the expressionless bodyguards' faces.Along the way, many students were drawn to the commotion. They glanced curiously at Elara's direction.The bodyguard who was at the end of the group showed his credentials to the reporters who were persistently harassing them.When the reporters saw the Southshore Security on the badge, they abruptly stopped in their tracks.The bodyguard warned them, "You should know what can and cannot be reported. If you publish something you shouldn't, you will bear the consequences!"The crowd of reporters instantly fell silent. Several quick-thinking cameramen immediately lowered their shoulder-mounted cameras and even covered the lenses. Now that th
Leonard pressed the button next to the door, and the car door was closed once more. The reporters stood outside, and none of them dared to step forward again.After the bodyguards had left, Alex Wick, the reporter from Platinum 818, turned around and made a call immediately. "Hey, Niamh, you didn't say that Fisher guy was protecting Elara! If I've offended him today, then I won't be able to stay in this industry anymore!"Leonard had already left, but Alex was still feeling shaken. Hearing what he had said, Niamh said from the other side of the call, "What? The Fisher guy? Who are you talking about?""Leonard Fisher! He came with some bodyguards and took your sister away.""No way!" she blurted out. "Did you see him pick her up with your own eyes? Harvey and I grew up together, but I had only seen Leonard a few times myself. He's a busy academician at Hawke University, and he was even invited by the government to work on a classified project. How can he possibly…""It really was L
Elara said respectfully to Leonard, "I'll move with Merida next month, and I've already arranged a place for her to study. The final results for the ALI Math Competition will be announced next week, and I'm confident we can get into the top three. As for my job…"She paused for a moment and looked up, and her eyelashes fluttered slightly like a butterfly. "Can I…" She looked into Leonard's eyes and couldn't bring herself to say the words. Then, she picked up her courage and asked him, "Can I work at Dragonheart?"Her voice felt like a pebble falling into a river, causing ripples in the peaceful water. After hearing her question, Leonard glanced at her with his sharp gaze.Elara had an idea about his job. Leonard had a huge responsibility as he was the man in charge of Dragonheart Research Center, one of the top ten research centers in Eucon. It was so important that its location wasn't even shown on any maps.Elara looked determined as she continued to recommend herself. "Our count
If one word could describe Theodore, it would be "insatiable!"The spasms emanating from Elara's abdomen made her aware of the unusual sensations in her body. In the warm early summer afternoon, even the air in the office seemed to grow heavy and humid.She felt as if an electric current had struck her, sending a tingling sensation up from the base of her spine. Her lips parted slightly, and she couldn't help but feel an intense curiosity about Theodore."Why would someone like you be interested in someone like me?" Elara's voice fell from above him."Hmm? Someone like me? What kind of person am I?"Theodore looked up at her with an expression that seemed completely vulnerable, as if offering himself to be commanded by her.Seated in her office chair, Elara lowered her gaze. As she looked down at this man, a strange and subtle thrill arose in her chest.She finally understood what it meant to gaze down from a position of power. It felt as though butterflies were dancing wildly i
Harvey was annoyed by Ethel's interference in his love life. Elara's decision to divorce him undoubtedly had something to do with Ethel's meddling."I recall that Uncle Leonard has been looking after the Shelton family. Didn't the Sheltons' daughter go abroad to study with Uncle Leonard's letter of recommendation?" Harvey asked."That's ancient history," Ethel replied. "I hear she has done quite well for herself in Melcina. She's returned and taken a position at Quantum Tech under Price Nation."Harvey was about to leave, but he stopped in his tracks when he heard a certain phrase from Ethel."What position does Ms. Shelton hold at Quantum Tech?"Ethel was delighted—Harvey was showing interest in Angie.She described enthusiastically, "I heard she's highly regarded by Priscilla. Since she's joined Quantum Tech, she must be in a top position.""Isn't Elara the one in charge?" Harvey thought. He quickly realized this meant Elara's position at Quantum Tech wasn't secure.Harvey re
Perhaps it was because he had spent recent days shoveling manure for fertilizer, cleaning pigpens, and herding cattle and sheep, but Harvey's germaphobia seemed to have been cured.He crouched down and began searching through the pile of garbage.Seeing Beau standing idly nearby, he sternly commanded, "What are you standing around for? Help me look! If we don't find the stethoscope, you won't be eating dinner!"Beau finally understood the gravity of the situation. With fear and trepidation in his heart, he looked at the garbage scattered on the ground with a miserable expression."Daddy, can I at least have a pair of gloves?""Look!" Harvey roared. "If we don't find it, I'll throw you in the trash can!"For the first time, he had completely lost patience with his son. Flames seemed to shoot from his eyes, and the features of his face were tense and sharp.Beau trembled, held his breath, and crouched down. With a disgusted expression, he began searching through the garbage while
Harvey froze in shock. He pulled back the covers, finding nothing on the bed. He spun around and darted out of his room, leaving a sharp, cold breeze in his wake.Outside his room stood a bodyguard assigned by Leonard. Harvey then grabbed the bodyguard by the collar."Where's my stethoscope? Who told you to touch my stethoscope?" he demanded.The bodyguard was bewildered. He gripped Harvey's hand in displeasure. "Mr. Fisher, please calm down. I don't know what you're talking about."Hostility flashed in Harvey's eyes as he breathed heavily and questioned, "My stethoscope that I put under my pillow—who took it?"The bodyguard thought for a moment. "I did see Mr. Beau playing with a stethoscope this morning. I'm not sure where he got it from."Harvey's pupils constricted sharply. Beau had entered his room and taken his stethoscope?That little brat!Beau, dressed in a gray monk's robe, was surrounded by visitors who had come to the chapel to pray. These past few days, he had been
This time, Harvey very clearly saw Elara's face deepen from a light pink to a rich, blooming rose—visibly, and in real time.Her beauty blossomed like a peony in full bloom. Her long lashes trembled several times, and her dark eyes shimmered as if brimming with tears.She looked as if… She was lovestruck. The moment that phrase crossed Harvey's mind, he was so stunned that his eyes widened in disbelief.Was Elara suddenly getting shy because of him?A strange flutter rippled through his chest. He sat at his desk, staring at the high-definition monitor in front of him, where every detail of Elara's face—even each individual eyelash—was crystal clear.He shifted his gaze to the upper-left corner of the screen to glance at the small preview of himself.After Leonard had driven him up to the mountains, the priest at Atkina Church had given him a haircut. Since he was neither a monk nor formally ordained, it was just a close-cropped cut, not a full shaving of the head.He looked at h
Theodore's eyes gleamed like sunlight shimmering over a lake. He looked like a large dog trapped in a cage, gazing at Elara with unwavering intensity. If he had a tail, it would have been wagging wildly like a windmill spinning at full speed.Elara screamed internally. This had gone a little too far! Her eyes then dropped to the tip of her own shoe. The place she had kicked… had grown!"Oh!" She quickly jerked her foot back, only to feel her body tip backward uncontrollably.Just as she was about to fall, Theodore reached out and grabbed her ankle.The moment his fingers touched her skin, her heart skipped a beat. Theodore pulled her back toward the desk.Elara froze in place like a statue. Her entire body was tense, her eyes were wide, and her pupils were unfocused."Elara, what's wrong?"Harvey had seen her suddenly lose her balance and fall backward. It startled him so badly, he looked as if he wanted to jump through the screen.A wave of helplessness washed over him. Luckil
Elara looked under the desk. What on earth was going on?Meanwhile, Harvey observed Elara in her formal women's suit on the computer screen—an attire he'd never seen her wear before.Her hair was pulled back into a bun secured by a simple ebony hairpin. A few strands, gilded by sunlight, curled against her porcelain cheeks.Though she appeared to be looking down at something, Harvey's gaze and thoughts remained completely captivated by her face. Only months had passed since their divorce, yet seeing her now felt like encountering someone from another lifetime.Had time stretched endlessly during his days at Atkina Church?"El—" Harvey's throat tightened as if stuffed with paper.But he quickly regained his usual composed tone. "Elara—no, I should address you as Ms. Jones now. Had Sam not called me, I wouldn't have known you'd assumed Quantum Tech's CEO position."His voice carried that innate condescension of the privileged, laced with unmistakable mockery."Why are you hiding
Elara stood still as she gazed at the tall, distinguished man before her. Meanwhile, Theodore looked up and smiled at her against the light."Why are you so far away?"Elara stepped toward him, teasing lightly, "I wanted a good look at you.""Then you'll need to come closer." Theodore leaned forward, closing the distance between them.Though she stopped a step away, their faces nearly touched. Elara instinctively held her breath as her eyes locked on him."Can you see clearly now?" Theodore asked."Mm," Elara replied."And?""So handsome." Elara praised him sincerely. "You're one of the most attractive men I've ever seen!"She truly meant it. Theodore chuckled through his nose. She'd seen plenty of handsome men in her life—Finnegan, Harvey, and Leonard. Especially Leonard, whose looks even made Theodore feel somewhat threatened."My face is the least remarkable part of me." He declared confidently.Images of those shirtless photos Theodore had sent flashed through Elara's mi
Harold smiled as he explained, "Of course, they're talking about the most prominent figure in all of Capitol."Although Angie had lived in Melcina for years, she still kept up with the major gossip surrounding Capitol's elite families.And when it came to the most famous heir of the Snapp family, none other than Theodore came to mind. His reputation was practically legendary—everything he touched turned to gold. It was as if, with just a flick of his fingers, he could rise to the top of any industry."Does he have any business dealings with Quantum Tech?" she asked.Harold replied, "Ms. Price is interested in having Mr. Snapp's firm, Polaris Law Firm, take over Quantum Tech's legal affairs."The moment Harold said this, Angie understood that Priscilla clearly had an ulterior motive. She must be looking to shift her business focus back to Eucon, and using Quantum Tech to pull Theodore into her orbit was the first step."So, that means Mr. Snapp's visit is to discuss a legal partne