LOGIN"I can't even get into my own apartment. And it's all because of your filthy scheme! All my belongings are still in there, damn it! Are you happy now, Tara?!"Tara remained silent."I don't care. Give me access to that apartment, Tara. You have no right to own it. I'm the rightful owner!"A faint smile appeared on Tara's lips."Are you listening to me? Why aren't you saying anything? Feeling guilty, huh?!" Kara shouted. "Give it back already. It's mine, Tara! Aren't you ashamed of being a thief in your own family?"This time, Tara laughed at Kara's endless rant. "Me? A thief?""Yes!" Kara snapped. "Oh, my God! I never imagined I'd have a sister like you, Tara!"Tara merely shook her head in disbelief. She turned her gaze to the streetlights flashing past outside the window. Deliberately, she let Kara vent every last bit of her anger and energy over the phone before saying anything."Where are you right now?! Don't make me get v
Next day, Ashbourne Group was once again bustling with activity that had been delayed by the audit that had shaken nearly every level of the company. Since early morning, Victor's office had hardly been quiet for a moment. With Ashbourne Group's CEO entangled in a complicated legal case, Victor personally stepped in to review countless reports and approvals to ensure that the company he had built over the past decade continued to operate as normal.One by one, the division heads arrived carrying reports that needed immediate attention, while the legal team and investigators took turns requesting additional documents to complete Adrian's case file.The same was true for Tara, who barely had a moment to catch her breath.Several folders still lay open across her desk. Some contained documents related to the Neo Group partnership that was about to be officially launched, while others were financial records requested by the investigators to ensure there were no rema
"Sorry to interrupt your meeting, Mr. Adrian," Jimmy's voice sounded hesitant and extremely cautious on the other end of the line."Get straight to the point, Jimmy."Jimmy took a slow breath before continuing his report. "I just received the latest information from our contact in the legal department."Adrian frowned. "What information?""The apartment where Miss Kara is currently living..." Jimmy paused for a moment, as though weighing the impact of what he was about to say. "It was sealed by court bailiffs tonight."The faint smile that had been on Adrian's face only moments earlier gradually disappeared, replaced by a tense expression. "What did you say?" he hissed sharply."The investigators have determined that the apartment is suspected of having been purchased with funds from the project currently under investigation. The court issued an emergency seizure order this afternoon, Mr. Adrian."Jimmy continued speaking on the other
"This can't be happening."Leonard had lost count of how many times he had repeated those words on the way home. He couldn't believe what Helena had told him over the phone. Several times, he urged the driver to go faster so they could reach his house on the outskirts of the city center as quickly as possible.The moment they entered the upscale residential neighborhood that had symbolized the Valmont family's success for decades, the sight before him sent a chill down Leonard's spine. The lights inside the house were still brightly lit, but the massive iron front gate, which was usually kept tightly shut, now stood wide open.A vehicle marked Court Bailiff was parked across the driveway, while several uniformed officers were busy documenting every corner of the exterior of the house.Leonard tightened his grip on the handle of his cane until his knuckles turned white. The uneasy feeling that had been weighing on his chest ever since he left the law firm had now become reality.The mo
Adrian remained silent, realizing the truth in those words.In the silence that settled over the room after the attorney's sharp analysis, Leonard's phone, lying on the table, suddenly vibrated against the wooden surface. The screen lit up, displaying Helena's name.Leonard answered the call, but after listening to the voice on the other end for only a few seconds, the expression on his face gradually turned tense and pale. "What?"He even rose to his feet, unable to believe what his wife was telling him."All right, I understand. I'll be there right away," Leonard said before abruptly ending the call.He immediately reached for his walking cane and hurried toward the door. "I have to go home now," he said without explaining the situation.The senior attorney from R&H, recognizing the urgency, simply gave a brief nod and began gathering the documents. "Very well, Mr. Leonard. We'll continue discussing our strategy tomorrow morning."Before walking out, Leonard stopped directly in fron
"Tell me exactly what got us into this mess, Adrian," Leonard said in a warning tone.Ever since they had been in the investigators' office, they hadn't spoken to each other. Leonard's gaze had remained fixed sharply on Adrian. The resentment weighing on his heart wasn't just because he had been dragged into the case surrounding Adrian.It was also because of Kara's pleading and the tears of his beloved daughter."I know," Adrian replied shortly.The night grew later as they stepped into the private conference room of R&H Law Firm. The room was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a stark contrast to the immense tension hanging in the air.On the long table lay several thick folders neatly arranged, containing copies of the case files, the external audit report, and numerous important documents their legal team had gathered over the past few days. Yet not a single stack of papers drew Adrian's attention.His gaze remained fixed on Leonard, who had already taken a seat at th
The room was once again seized by a suffocating silence. Adrian could hear the ticking of the wall clock as though it were echoing inside his head."And?" the senior director from earlier asked, urging Keith to continue."We did not find a single invoice matching the one Mr. Adrian described," Keit
Victor sat calmly in the back seat, as though the conversation that had just taken place between him and Tara had been nothing significant. But for Tara, it had taken immense courage, along with the sacrifice of her pride, to say those words aloud.For a long moment, she watched him through the rea
The road stretched ahead, quiet and almost eerily calm. Tara drove at a steady pace, the traffic lights shifting from red to green as cars moved along in an orderly rhythm. The afternoon sky was clear—bright, almost indifferent.Nothing likes her.Inside the car, it felt as though a storm had settl
“Mm… slow down, Adrian.”The voice stopped Tara in her tracks just as she reached the door to her husband’s study. It was familiar—far too familiar. For a moment, she wondered if she had misheard.“…There’s no way I can go slow when it’s you.”Tara’s heart seemed to stop. That voice… Adrian?She di







