LOGINPetra lifted her trembling gaze toward Oscar, her eyes red and glossy, silently pleading with him without a single word needing to be spoken. She shook her head slowly, a desperate refusal written plainly across every line of her face.Then she turned toward Pete, her lips pale and bloodless, her voice barely holding itself together under the strain."Pete, don't push it," she said weakly, each word costing her more than the last. "Please."Pete's brows slammed together instantly, his expression darkening. "Why are you so agitated?" Pete snapped fiercely, his voice echoing loudly across the open space between them.The words had barely left his mouth when Petra's strength finally gave out completely.Her knees buckled violently beneath her, and she bent forward, coughing uncontrollably, the sound tearing raw and painful through the surrounding silence, frightening everyone within earshot.Oscar reacted instantly, wrapping one arm firmly around her waist and pulling her against his c
"Petra, shut up."Pete's voice cut through the hall like a blade, sharp and utterly merciless, slicing through the tension that had been building around them for what felt like an eternity. Every murmur died instantly, as though the very walls themselves had been ordered into silence. His eyes were cold, fixed directly on Petra with a sternness that carried absolutely no patience, no compassion whatsoever."I get that you don't like Zoe," he continued, his tone rising steadily with restrained irritation simmering just beneath the surface, "but can you not treat her life as a joke? This is a life-saving medicine for her."Those words struck Petra harder than any physical slap ever could have managed.For one long, agonizing moment, the world tilted beneath her feet. Her fingers curled slowly into a tight fist at her side, nails digging deep into her palm as though the sharp pain was the only thing still keeping her grounded to reality.Beside Pete, Zoe lowered her head slightly, as
Pete walked out of the auction hall with long, decisive strides, his fingers interlocked tightly with Zoe's, moving with the kind of purposeful certainty that dared anyone to question him. The bright lights spilling from behind them poured onto their backs, casting long shadows that stretched across the polished marble floor like unfinished accusations waiting to be spoken aloud.Around them, murmurs rose and fell in waves, confused, indignant, endlessly curious. The very air itself seemed unsettled, as though the auction hall had not yet recovered from what had just unfolded upon that stage only moments before.Zoe leaned slightly toward Pete, her lips curving into a smile she tried, and utterly failed, to hide. Behind them, Petra staggered forward, her legs unsteady beneath her."Pete, stop right there!"Her voice cut through the hall, strained and hoarse, carrying more raw desperation than actual volume. The chatter around them died down almost instantly. Heads turned in uniso
Minutes later, a hush gradually swept across the grand hall, spreading from table to table like a slow tide pulling back before a wave, as a lady dressed in a fitted usher's uniform stepped onto the stage with quiet, practiced grace. She carried a small white box cradled carefully between both hands, holding it against her body as though the smallest jolt might shatter whatever lay inside. When she finally reached the table positioned at the very center of the stage, she lowered the box down with exquisite gentleness and slowly lifted its lid.Inside, resting against soft white lining, lay a small glass vial filled with a red liquid so vivid it seemed to catch every beam of light pouring down from the chandeliers above, glowing faintly, almost hypnotically, like liquid fire trapped inside glass.A murmur rippled instantly through the crowd of guests, rising and falling like wind moving through tall grass.The usher straightened her posture and turned gracefully to face the sea of fa
"Mocking guests like this?" Oscar Wesley repeated, his voice controlled yet sharp as a scalpel's edge. His gaze swept across Zoe Fox and the cluster of women behind her, measuring each of them from head to toe.Every eye within earshot had already begun to turn, drawn by the unmistakable scent of confrontation.Zoe scoffed, stepping forward with the confidence of someone accustomed to getting her way.Her chin lifted defiantly, her designer heels clicking against the floor with each measured step. "Mr. Wesley, here's some friendly advice," she said, her voice dripping with false concern that fooled no one. "This woman is nothing but trouble. Anyone who gets close to her will suffer. It's practically guaranteed."She paused for effect, letting her words sink in before continuing."She's trying to seduce you, can't you see? She's looking for her backup plan now that Pete has finally abandoned her. You're just the next target."The words echoed louder than she'd intended, bouncing off
The white SUV rolled to a smooth stop in front of the Chapman Auction House, its polished surface reflecting the towering glass façade of the building. The place looked exactly as it always had: grand, intimidating, and carefully designed to remind everyone who stepped inside that power and money ruled here. This was a place where influence determined value, and status opened doors that money alone sometimes could not.The rear door opened.Oscar Wesley stepped out first, adjusting his tailored suit before immediately turning back toward the vehicle. Without the slightest hesitation, he reached inside and carefully helped Petra out of the car, supporting her with steady hands as she slowly stepped onto the pavement.She was dressed in a simple white dress that flowed gracefully around her figure. There was nothing extravagant about it, yet its understated elegance drew attention naturally. Unfortunately, the pure white fabric also made the paleness of her face even more obvious.A
The two staff members remained standing beside the desk, watching the dark screen of the computer as though hoping it would suddenly come back to life on its own. The entire office had grown unusually quiet, the earlier sounds of packing fading into a dull background noise. The tension in the roo
Pete walked into the company building that morning with long, impatient strides, his face already tight with irritation from the moment he stepped out of his car.The events of the past few days had not gone the way he expected, and the tension had been building quietly inside him like a storm wait
Elizabeth had marched halfway into the grand hall in a storm of fury, but the moment she reached the center and noticed the cluster of reporters standing only a few steps away, she halted so abruptly that Kevin almost bumped into her from behind.The microphones stretched toward her like thin black
The glass doors of Chapman Corporation headquarters reflected the bright morning light as Petra stepped out of the black car that had just pulled up in front of the building.The place stood tall and proud in the middle of the business district, its polished structure shining like a monument to pow







