One month.
Two months.
Three months.
Six months later.
His assistant knocked on the office door nervously. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lewis, but we still don’t have any leads.”
Rip-
Jayden’s hand froze mid-signature, leaving a jagged mark on the document.
Each day was the same.
Hope, followed by disappointment.
“Get out!”
The assistant’s chest tightened when he heard the faint, desolate tone. Over the months, he had seen Jayden go from hopeful to hollow, as if all light had vanished from his world.
He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then quietly turned and closed the door behind him.
Thud.
Jayden swept the documents from his desk in one motion, his hands clenched tight and his eyes burned with unresolved pain. He didn’t understand it. How could two living people disappear without a trace?
He was not prepared to give up.
Victoria was wiping a photo with a handkerchief in Seabreeze Gardens, a nearby city, when fresh tears spilt onto the picture before she could finish. “Wyatt, do you see? Mom avenged you!”
She clutched the photo to her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Her child, who had never had the opportunity to grow up, was gone forever.
Luka reached out to wipe her tears, but instead rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Victoria, it’s done. Wyatt has been avenged. Let’s take solace in that. I’ve made sure everything’s taken care of. Jayden knows what Jane did, and he won’t let her get away with it.”
“It’s not enough!” Victoria’s voice wavered as she pointed to another photo on the table, her tone harsh. “Wyatt’s death is avenged, but I still need justice for my father. I won’t let them escape this. I’ll make them pay, with interest!”
Her voice was filled with chilling determination, like a dark force had been unleashed.
Luka’s hand paused, his eyes filled with concern. “Alright, Victoria. I’m with you.”
She shook her head, clearly exhausted.
Luka held her shoulders, saying, “Please, let me help you. If not for you, then for the kids. Don’t push me away.” Victoria tensed up as laughter filled the living room. For a brief moment, she was unable to refuse his offer.
On the plane, Nora tugged on Victoria’s sleeve, her soft voice breaking the silence. “Mom, where are we going?”
Victoria looked down at Nora, her eyes twinkling like stars, full of warmth and confidence. That expression warmed Victoria’s heart.
Nora had already accepted Victoria as her mother, but each time she called her ‘Mom’, it felt like the first time.
Victoria smiled as she stroked Nora’s soft hair. “We’re going abroad, to a place where no one knows us. From now on, it will be you, me, and your little brother. How does that sound?”
“Will we ever come back?”
Victoria’s hand stilled, and she replied softly, “Yes. We will definitely return someday.” Six months later, outside a city hotel, flashbulbs flashed nonstop as reporters crowded around the entrance.
Suddenly, a sleek silver sports car approached, and the reporters rushed forward.
“Mr. Lewis, how confident is your company in winning this bid?”
“Mr. Lewis, there are rumours that Lewis Corporation plans to fully enter the real estate market after this bid. Is that true?”
“Mr. Lewis, there are allegations of internal corruption related to this bid, with claims that certain individuals have exploited their positions for personal gain. How do you respond to that?”
“Mr. Lewis…”
“Mr. Lewis…”
The reporters tried to get closer, but a wall of bodyguards in black suits stopped them. An elegant leg emerged from the car, followed by a striking face, which elicited shrieks from the crowd.
“Jayden Lewis! He’s just so handsome! I wish I could take him home!”
“Dream on. Do you really think Jayden Lewis would even notice you? He’s way out of your league.”
“Can’t I daydream a little? Plus, just look at that face. He’s way better than any other guys!”
Jayden stepped out, a slight frown on his brow as he scanned the crowd with a steely gaze before entering the hotel.
In the conference room, a woman with sultry makeup and a seductive demeanour stood behind the podium. She was presenting her slides and casting flirtatious glances at Jayden, who was sitting across from her.
Jayden sat at the head of the table, casting her a dismissive glance before dismissing the proposal. “Next,” he said calmly.
The woman’s face tightened, her expression twisted with embarrassment and frustration. She didn’t dare to protest, but she gave Alice Dickson a venomous glare as she stepped up to take her place.
Alice raised her eyebrow. “So she’s taking it out on me because she thinks I’m an easier target than Jayden, huh?” she said quietly.
But she had bigger things to think about, particularly Jayden, who was sitting directly across from her.
She stepped confidently up to the podium, ran a finger through her hair, and smiled professionally. “Good afternoon, Mr Lewis, everyone. I’m Alice, the project lead from Pioneer Corporation. Regarding our proposal for the Brainstorm development, I’d like to point out that our company has consistently been at the forefront of innovation and technology in this field…”
