LOGINMark did not dare say a word. He stepped aside at once and made the calls.Gideon had not finished his coffee when Mark returned, pale and visibly shaken. "Mr. Prescott, I reached all three of them, but..."Gideon fixed him with a hard stare. "Get to the point."Mark swallowed. "They said the contracts have already been fully processed. The partnership is locked in. Tomorrow's signing is just a formality. And they also said..."Gideon's temple throbbed. "Said what?"Mark was sweating through his shirt, and his legs trembled beneath him. "They said that if you formally object, they would rather have their association memberships revoked than walk away from the Riverrun deal."Riverrun's design work is recognized throughout the industry as exceptional. Securing this partnership is an honor. They won't give up a long-term agreement like this."Gideon stared at him in stunned silence. He had never expected this.Just a short while ago, these three CEOs had called him a close friend
"That assignment Otto was on was a classified national project. He had no freedom of movement. Besides, Otto and Lucille both have far too much integrity to ever—"Rayne clutched her head in despair. "My God, Gideon. This is where things stand, and you're still talking about their integrity?"The two of them are practically public at this point, and you still can't see it? Lucille is a partner at Riverrun Architectural Design Studio, and now Otto has gone out and bought her a luxury car. It couldn't be more obvious. Are you blind?"And I heard Riverrun Studio is holding a grand signing ceremony tomorrow. Three of the world's top 100 real estate firms will sign long-term agreements with them. Lucille and Otto will attend together as co-partners."We both know Otto never blurs professional lines unless he means it. If he had no feelings for Lucille, would he really go this far for a junior colleague? I'll say it plainly. Lucille's design skills aren't even on my level."That last cl
Gideon's hands clenched into fists at his sides. Every trace of warmth vanished from his eyes. "Is what you're saying true?"Michelle pulled up the digital purchase contract on her phone and shoved it toward him. "Look at the signature yourself. Who else could it be?"Gideon took the phone and stared at the name in the lower-right corner. His pupils contracted. Something seemed to explode inside his head.Otto was not the kind of man who bought women expensive gifts. He never had been. Growing up, girls had constantly chased after him, yet he had never shown a hint of interest in any of them.Now, even though Otto was single, Lucille was still married. Yet he had openly given her something like this.This was not a gift. It was a direct challenge and a blatant show of force.The realization struck him, and the last of Gideon's restraint shattered. He slammed his fist onto the desk. "How dare they."Rayne saw the fury finally blaze in his eyes and let out a short, contemptuous la
The face on the screen disappeared for a moment.When it returned, his voice was thick with emotion. "Soon, Mom. Once this big project wraps up on my end, I'll come home and see both of you."Lucille's eyes had already turned red. She covered her face with one hand and fought to keep herself together, barely succeeding.Then she smiled through tears that shimmered in her eyes. "Then hurry home, okay? Mom and I can't wait to see you. And thank you for the new car, and for sending us two incredible people to help. I've been doing really well lately. You already know all about it, don't you?"His face never reappeared on the screen, but his voice came through clearly, warm with affection. "I know. You've done well. You and Mom have had a hard time these past few years. From now on, your brother has your backs. Nobody is ever going to push you around again."Lucille nodded vigorously, and the tears she had fought so hard to hold back finally spilled over.Beside her, Joanne's eyes ha
Lucille's heart leaped. She nearly stopped breathing. "A new car?"Her little Smart car had been with her for seven years, ever since she bought it with her first paycheck after graduating. Lately, it had begun to show its age.The memory of Otto driving it only to have it stall in the middle of the road was still fresh. She had been so embarrassed that her face burned, and she had mumbled something about buying a new car soon.Had Otto actually remembered that? And told her brother?The thought filled her with warmth. She grabbed her mother's arm, unable to contain her excitement. "Mom, let's go look!"They hurried downstairs. From a distance, a brand-new white Maserati GranTurismo came into view, parked quietly along the road, as elegant as a work of art.The car had been Lucille's quiet dream for years. She had followed every update and every new release, secretly planning to buy one for herself as a thirtieth birthday gift. She had never expected it to arrive like this, as a
Lucille's eyes reddened. "Mom, the nights are going to be exhausting. Even with Nancy there, the baby will cry, and you'll be up all night. Besides, I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone with Nancy..."Joanne shook her head. "I've raised children before. I brought up you and your brother on my own. Trust me, and go after what you love with everything you have. If you're going to do something, make it count."Those words untied the last knot in Lucille's heart. The biggest question weighing on her mind finally disappeared.A parent's love would always be a child's deepest source of strength.Warmth surged through her. She nodded, then rested her head against her mother's shoulder. "Mom, we haven't been this close in years."Joanne stiffened for a moment. She had never been entirely comfortable with hugs from her grown daughter.Even so, her hand rose instinctively to stroke Lucille's back, and her eyes grew misty. "Forgive me. I spent all those years running as fast as I coul
Lucille drove back to Blossom Court, the villa she shared with Gideon.When she pushed open the front door, Grace Lewis, the elderly housekeeper, and Nancy Wells, the maternity nanny Lucille had hired, were playing with the baby.The moment they saw how pale she looked, both women were startled."Ma
Inside the banquet hall, Lucille kept her eyes fixed on Gideon.He looked flushed and in high spirits as he moved from table to table with Rayne, raising his glass and offering toasts. "My buddy Otto is overseas right now on a confidential infrastructure project. He won't be back for a year, so I'l
Holding her swaddled daughter, Lucille Sandwell kept her voice steady, though a hint of hope slipped through. "Gideon, today is our daughter's one-month milestone. Can you come pick us up?"On the other end, Gideon Prescott's voice remained even and unreadable. "Something came up. I'll have the driv
Inside a clothing store in a large shopping mall in Coasthaven, Lillian slept soundly in her stroller, clean, full, and completely out, while Nancy pushed her slowly along the aisles.Gwen stayed close to Lucille as she tried things on. Her body still had not fully recovered after the birth. Her ol







