* 2nd * Chapter 421 : You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.

Serena was about to turn away when she saw Blizzard’s massive frame barrel straight into Chiara.The collision made a sharp thud—Chiara, already frail and pale from her health, staggered back several steps, clutching at her chest for balance.Serena froze, caught between irritation and disbelief. Seriously? Blizzard had been Chiara’s pet for weeks—how could he still be this unruly?Then she remembered who Blizzard truly was: a proud, temperamental dog who recognized only one master—Alexander Vanderbilt. Everyone else, in his cold canine eyes, was merely an inconvenience. Besides, Blizzard probably still remembered Alexander’s anger from the night before.Chiara’s expression hardened. Her delicate fingers curled into a tight fist by her side. It took all her self-control not to snap at Serena then and there. Patience, she reminded herself. They would be living under the same roof for the next few days—there would be plenty of time to get even.As Serena led Blizzard past the group, she

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-11-27

* 2nd * Chapter 422 :

When Alexander entered the grand hall, the low murmur of voices died down almost immediately. Over twenty people were already seated around the long mahogany table, the air carrying the scent of wood polish and freshly brewed coffee. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation—an undercurrent of excitement laced with tension.Alexander strode to the head of the table, his posture sharp, his expression coolly composed. In his hands was a large, meticulously folded map. He spread it out across the table, its creases catching the light of the chandelier overhead.“Here,” he said, his deep voice carrying through the room. “This section marks our main route. These two points”—he tapped the paper with a gloved finger—“hold our reserve supplies and medical kits. They’re hidden outposts. If anyone gets hurt, those are your safe zones.”Everyone leaned in, studying the topography. The crackle of paper and the scrape of chairs were the only sounds that followed his words.In the front row sat Chiar

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-11-29

* 2nd * Chapter 423 : As you just mentioned—out of care

The night was thick with silence until the blinding glare of headlights sliced through the darkness, scattering shadows across the gravel path.Chiara’s eyes lit up instantly. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward the low-profile black Bentley Mulsanne that had just pulled up, its engine purring like a restrained beast.“Renzo!” she cried, throwing herself into his arms the moment he stepped out. Her perfume—light and sugary—mixed with the scent of the cool night air. “Why are you so late?”Renzo, tall and impeccably dressed in a charcoal coat, rested a hand on her head with a faint sigh. His tone carried that familiar blend of authority and affection. “I called you several times, Chiara, but you didn’t pick up. You know this trip takes two full days, and your health isn’t suited for it.”His rebuke was gentle but firm. It turned out Chiara had ignored his calls on purpose, throwing one of her little tantrums—she knew Renzo would worry and eventually come after her. And indeed, he h

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-11-29

* 2nd * Chapter 424 : Only people close to me call me that.

Serena paid no attention to Chiara’s smug little performance. She quietly finished her meal, her movements composed and deliberate, as though the entire dinner existed only between her and her plate.Across from her, Alexander didn’t spare a single glance for anyone else at the table. Propped casually on one elbow, he watched Serena with an easy grin curving his lips — amused, fascinated, entirely captivated. It was as if the simple act of her eating entertained him more than any lavish banquet could.When Serena reached for another piece of king crab, Alexander’s long fingers brushed over hers, gently pressing her hand down.“Don’t overdo it with the king crab,” he said softly. “You’ll get a stomachache.”Serena blinked at him, caught between irritation and reluctant amusement, before obediently setting the crab leg aside.Without a word, Alexander took a wet wipe from the table, unfolding it with care. He took her hand — slender, pale, and delicate under the warm light — and began t

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-11-30

* 2nd * Chapter 425 : What am I going to do with you?

Back in her room, Serena lay awake, her thoughts a restless tide that refused to settle. The faint hum of conversation drifted up from downstairs, carried through the cracks of the old villa’s walls. She turned on her side, then the other, replaying the phone call in her mind, every word echoing in the darkness.Downstairs, the evening had slipped into a quieter rhythm. Soft jazz music flowed through the grand hall as the waitstaff began serving drinks. Crystal glasses clinked. The faint scent of oak-aged wine mingled with candle wax and perfume.Chiara, dressed in a silk champagne gown that shimmered with every step, was particularly animated. Her laughter was too bright, too practiced. She flitted between the men, one moment asking Renzo what he’d like to drink, the next leaning toward Alexander, her eyes soft with feigned innocence.“Red wine,” Alexander said tersely, loosening the tie at his neck. His face was drawn with fatigue and irritation, shadows deepening around his eyes.“