The night air hung heavy with tension as Zach sat in his car, fingers tapping impatiently against the steering wheel. He’d called Ryder repeatedly, desperate to reach him, but his brother remained stubborn. He knew the reason behind Serena’s sudden decision to call off the engagement—the truth that only she had confided in him.

Serena’s father, Hector, had never approved of Ryder as a potential son-in-law due to his political career, which didn’t align with the business industry. Hector feared Ryder would bring misfortune to Serena’s future. Hector had once favored Zach, the CEO of Pierce's Enterprises, but Zach had rejected his offer. Hector’s ultimatum forced her to leave Ryder or face dire consequences. She’d kept the truth from Ryder to avoid further conflict.

He had once harbored feelings for Serena, but he’d buried them for the sake of their happiness. He'd treated her like a sister, watching helplessly as their relationship unraveled. She begged him not to reveal the truth to Ryder, and Zach reluctantly agreed. Now, he is frustrated and desperate to fix everything.

You've been staying at Ryder's penthouse, and today, as you heard the door open, the man in the black suit was standing in front of you with a firm expression. His eyes met yours, and for a moment, you felt like you were staring into eternity. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, throwing it at you with force.

"You're Ryder's lover? You're after wealth, right? If this doesn't satisfy you, I'll give you more. Leave my brother and come with me." He grabbed your wrist and yanked you out of the penthouse. He took you to the hotel.

You were tossed into the bed and pulled his tie off. You could see the anger in his eyes, but there was also a sense of exhaustion. As if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He stepped toward you and growled, "If this is all you want, I can give it to you." His voice was low, but his words were sharp, like the blade of a knife. You knew what might happen next.