Thinking that Leonard would be joining them, Elara just sat in front of Niamh and her parents with Merida.Abel put on a napkin on Daphne's chest, and she said coyly, "Let's dig in now! I'm hungry!"He looked at Harvey before coaxing her, "Prof. Fisher isn't here yet…""Oh…" Daphne felt aggrieved, and she clenched her fists to wipe the nonexistent tears on her face.Elara took a deep breath when she saw Daphne acting like that. After all, anyone would want to punch the latter in the face after seeing how she acted.Suddenly, the waiter came into the room and said, "There was a Mr. Fisher calling earlier, and he said he would be late due to some emergencies. So, he suggested for everyone to eat first and not wait for him."Hearing that, Harvey said to the waiter, "In that case, bring in the dishes."Merida noticed there was a kid's plate in front of Beau, and she didn't have one. However, there was another one in front of Daphne. That was when she realized her grandmother had sna
Harvey's brows furrowed. He had asked Cyrus to handle the dress. According to the assistant, it was custom-made based on Elara's measurements. As for when those measurements were taken, Harvey never bothered to ask. To him, Elara was just a placeholder—a wife in name only.They hadn't shared a bed in a long time. He had zero interest in her body. So, Harvey didn't care if she was skinny or fat. It didn't matter to him in the slightest."If the dress doesn't fit, have it altered until it does," Harvey said flatly. He already felt like he was indulging her enough. Elara picked up the document that had been placed on top of the dress box. "So, Fisher Corp wants me in the tech department?" Harvey replied, "I want to place you in the Chief Secretary’s Office as my personal secretary."Elara blinked, then let out a short laugh. "So, after seven years of being your unpaid nanny, you're finally willing to pay me? And for what? To keep me by your side?" Harvey's expression
Harvey leaned back in his chair. Elara sat across from him yet the weight of his presence made it clear—he looked down on her. Before Harvey could say another word, Abel shot up from his chair. "Do you even hear yourself? Are you talking about not bowing to a man? A woman like you, acting so defiant—you must be out of your damn mind!" Abel kicked his chair aside, storming around the table toward Elara. Niamh bit down on her lower lip, trying to stop herself from laughing. Merida, who had been quietly eating, set down her spoon, her sharp eyes tracking Abel's every move. Just as Abel reached for Elara's collar, a voice rang out—deep, authoritative, cutting through the tension like a knife. "What the hell is going on here?" All heads snapped toward the entrance. "Grandpa!" Merida was already on her chair, gripping Abel's outstretched hand before he could touch Elara. The atmosphere in the private dining room grew razor-sharp, a fight ready to break out at
The sheer weight of Leonard's presence crushed Abel, making it nearly impossible to breathe. In front of Leonard, he was too scared to say a single word."But…" Abel started, his voice weak. How the hell did it feel like Leonard was more of a father to Elara than he was? "You only need to answer me with one thing—do you understand?" Leonard's voice was calm, almost indifferent, yet it carried the force of a command. Abel's survival instincts kicked in. His throat bobbed as he struggled to force out the words. "Y-yes… I understand." Leonard's gaze lingered on him for a second longer before he turned away. Oliver pushed his wheelchair forward until he reached the head of the table. His eyes swept over the table, landing on a gift box carelessly tossed aside. A manila envelope with Fisher Corp's logo had slipped out onto the table. "What's this?" Leonard demanded.Harvey answered, "An employment offer for Elara." Leonard tilted his chin slightly, and Oliver immediat
Harvey's grip tightened around the contract document, his fingers pressing hard enough to leave deep creases in the paper. Leonard's voice remained calm, his tone level—but it carried a weight that crushed any resistance Harvey might have had. "Your father didn't raise you right." The words hit like a hurricane, tearing down every bit of Harvey's pride and self-assurance. He was the head of Fisher Corp. He had been in charge for years. Everyone followed his lead without question. He saw himself as a ruler above all, his word absolute. But he never imagined that a higher power would one day bring him to his knees.But now, standing before the true power above him, he realized just how easily a god could pass judgment. His breathing grew shallow, the weight of it all pressing down on his chest. "Mr. Leonard, we're not just 'random people.' Don't you remember me? I met you at the Fisher residence when Dawn and I were kids…" Niamh tried to find common ground, reaching
Harvey's jaw tightened, the muscles along his neck tensing as his Adam's apple bobbed slightly. Leonard's voice remained steady and calm—almost like a teacher correcting a stubborn student. "If you understand, then answer me with a simple 'okay.'" A sharp, tingling numbness crept over Harvey's scalp. For the first time in his life, he lowered his head. "…Okay." His broad shoulders, usually squared with authority, now sagged under an invisible weight. Defeat clung to him like a shadow. Leonard, satisfied with the response, turned and left. …Elara walked beside Leonard as they exited the restaurant. "Prof. Fisher, thanks for having my back in there," she said. Still in awe, Merida said, "Prof. Fisher, you were amazing!" Her head was still reeling from what she had just witnessed. For the first time ever, she had seen Harvey completely shut down. Her wide eyes shone with admiration as she looked up at Leonard. To her, he was someone from an entirely
Hearing the waiter's report, Harvey's brows furrowed into a sharp crease. Were Leonard and Elara that close? As far as Harvey knew, Leonard had never even spoken to Elara before. But he quickly reasoned it out—Leonard valued talent. That had to be the reason he was looking out for Elara. Besides, Leonard was an old-school traditionalist. Even though Harvey and Elara were divorced, Merida was still a Fisher by blood. Leonard was just taking care of the mother of a Fisher heir. That was all. Still, something about it didn't sit right with Harvey. He pulled out his phone and made a call. "Follow my uncle's car. I want to know exactly where he's taking Elara." Just then, a familiar voice called out. "Mr. Fisher." Abel had returned. After seeing Leonard's car pull away, he turned back toward the restaurant with Daphne and Niamh in tow. Spotting Harvey alone in the private dining room, Abel hesitated before asking, "Why did Prof. Fisher leave so soon? And
Oliver had a laptop resting on his lap. The moment he detected the tail, he activated the SkyNet system, running a trace on the vehicle following them. Elara sighed in exasperation.What the hell was wrong with Harvey?Leonard's dark eyes held a flicker of amusement, his expression unreadable. "Your ex seems very… interested in you." He said it so casually as if Harvey wasn't even his nephew but just some random stranger. "He's insane." Elara clenched her fists, forcing herself not to curse Harvey out in front of Leonard. Leonard didn't seem the least bit concerned. "Let him follow us if he wants." The sleek black luxury sedan continued its course, entering where Leonard lived, Oakread estate. The moment the vehicle crossed into the three-mile perimeter surrounding the estate, satellite surveillance locked onto all movement. Within that perimeter, security checkpoints were stationed at regular intervals. Within a half-mile radius of the estate, there were gu
Theodore was truly a frightening man! Yet Elara didn't find this off-putting.Wasn't this exactly the sort of thing he would do? She had sensed this man's calculated advances from the moment he began appearing frequently in her life.Soon, Cassie left, and Elara sat in her office chair, moving back slightly."You can come out now," she commanded.Her voice had regained its composure. "You should have recovered by now, right, Mr. Snapp?"Theodore emerged from under the desk, which had been relatively cramped for someone of his size. He blinked at her, his eyes brimming with amusement as he asked, "Was that fun?""I almost fell for you," Elara blurted out, her voice carrying a more teasing tone.The man looked slightly disappointed. "So, you didn't fall for me after all?"Persistent, he leaned forward and lowered his voice to ask, "Did it feel good when you touched me earlier?"Elara's bright eyes sparkled with light as she had to admit, "I didn't expect you'd feel so nice to to
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