Chapter 81: Outside The Name.

—TWO DAYS LATER, V. JEWELS— Ever since his conversation with Carlos, Ethan had been undoubtedly happy; even his colleagues at work couldn't help but notice. His smiles were bigger; he laughed at everything, even the ones that were barely funny, and he had been so effective at his projects that he even helped other colleagues do theirs.Immediately, it was lunch period; he excused himself and headed to Mr. Vale's office. He could swear he had never gone up there since he started working there, as he was trying to avoid eyes on him, eyes like Masson's.He opened the office door and slipped in. Mr. Vale sat behind his desk, eyes focused on his laptop; he looked up, and a smile appeared on his face immediately."Old man." Ethan grinned."Kiddo." Mr. Vale replied with the same expression before the two of them burst out laughing as Ethan took his seat on the couch in the office."How are you, son?" Mr. Vale asked."I'm good, Dad, and you?""Alright." Mr. Vale nodded. "What brin

Last Updated : 2026-10-09

Chapter 82: Walking Away

The V. Jewels anniversary party was already in full swing when Ethan arrived.The venue was filled with executives, business partners, guests, and employees dressed in their finest clothes. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the hall, while soft music played beneath the conversations filling the room. Waiters moved between guests with trays of drinks, and the company’s anniversary decorations stood proudly around the venue.Ethan adjusted his jacket as he stepped inside, taking a moment to appreciate the atmosphere before someone grabbed his arm.“Owen,” he said, looking at his best friend, who had attached himself to him almost immediately. “I’ve been here for less than a minute.”“And I’ve already missed you for that entire minute.”Ethan stared at him before laughing. “You’re being ridiculous.”“I’m being honest. There’s a difference.” Owen tightened his hold on Ethan’s arm, his expression turning unusually serious. “You’re enjoying yourself too much. You look like someone who has alr

Last Updated : 2026-10-10

Chapter 83: The Tables Have Turned

—A MONTH LATER—A month had passed since Ethan Vale walked away from V. Jewels, and for the first time in a long while, his life was beginning to feel like his own.The transition had not been as frightening as he had expected. His family had supported his decision without hesitation, encouraging him to pursue his passion instead of worrying about whether he was making the right choice. His father had reminded him that he didn't need to follow a predetermined path to prove himself, while Derick had offered advice whenever Ethan needed it. They had made it clear that he could always rely on them, but Ethan was determined to build something of his own without depending on his family's name or influence.That determination had led him to rent a small art studio.It wasn't luxurious, but it was everything he needed. The cream-coloured walls reflected the sunlight that streamed through the wide windows, and the wooden shelves were filled with paints, brushes, and other suppl

Last Updated : 2026-10-11

Chapter 84: Old Wounds

—AFTERNOON— The afternoon sun filtered through the wide windows of Ethan’s art studio, casting a warm glow over the canvases arranged around the room. A few finished paintings stood against the walls, while others remained on their easels, waiting for the final touches. Ethan sat before one of his unfinished pieces, a paintbrush resting loosely between his fingers as he stared at the canvas without making any effort to continue.He had been like that for a while, barely moving even when he knew there was still work to be done. His encounter with Lucien and Aiden that morning had left an unpleasant feeling in his chest, one he couldn't quite shake off no matter how hard he tried to concentrate on his painting. He had expected their visit to be uncomfortable, but he hadn't anticipated how irritating it would be to have them standing in his studio, looking down on him as though he were still someone they could dismiss whenever they pleased.The thought alone made him

Last Updated : 2026-10-12

Chapter 85: Business Purpose

Two days after Ethan had finally opened up to Carlos about his past, Carlos received an unexpected invitation from Derick Vale.The meeting was scheduled for a private restaurant, a place reserved for wealthy individuals who valued their privacy. There were no reporters waiting outside, no cameras pointed at the entrance, and no media personnel wandering around hoping to catch a glimpse of their guests. Everything about the establishment was designed to offer its patrons the privacy they paid for.When Carlos arrived, Derick was already seated at a table near the windows. A bottle of wine, two glasses, and a bottle of water had been placed on the table, but neither man had touched anything yet.Derick looked up as Carlos approached, his gaze following him until he pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down. There was something particularly watchful about Derick's expression, as though he had been waiting for this conversation long before arranging the meeting.Carlos noticed the l

Last Updated : 2026-10-14

Chapter 86: A New Milestone

—THE NEXT DAY, AFTERNOON—Carlos arrived at Ethan's art studio in the late afternoon, his hands tucked into his pockets as he pushed the door open. He had been thinking about Ethan since their last conversation, and although he had plenty of things occupying his mind, he had decided to check on him.The moment he stepped inside, he noticed that Ethan seemed unusually cheerful. The young artist stood beside his worktable, examining a document with a smile that grew wider each time he read a particular section.Carlos closed the door behind him. "What's that smile for? Did someone finally offer to pay you the amount your talent deserves?"Ethan looked up, and his face brightened when he saw him. "Carlos! You're here.""I can see that. Unless you've started seeing things."Ethan laughed, placing the document on the table. "I have good news."Carlos raised an eyebrow and walked closer. "I'm listening.""I got a major deal." Ethan could barely contain his excitement. "A big company

Last Updated : 2026-10-15