After parking his car, Bright entered the "Heart of Sweets" shop. The shop floor was busy, handled by Nora, Stofia, and a few employees.
"Bright, go inside," Nora instructed, her eyes worried.
Bright went straight to the small apartment connected to the shop. Stella had already been discharged from the hospital.
"Momma! You're home already!" Bright rushed to her bedside and gave her a gentle hug. Since her paralysis, she could only communicate with her eyes. Bright carefully interpreted her look. "You're asking about the job, Momma? It's fine! I'm a very strict officer," he said proudly, forcing a smile.
At that moment, Levis emerged from the shower, the last traces of the Stuar office tension washing away.
Stella's eyes shifted, her expression suddenly urgent. When will you marry my son? her eyes seemed to plead.
"Ah, you're asking about marriage now?" Bright chuckled nervously. "That's all up to Levis, Momma, not me."
Levis went silent, busying himself in the small kitchen.
Stella's eyes conveyed a heartbreaking message: Marry him before I die.
Bright went silent, his cheer draining.
"Mom!" Levis suddenly called out from the kitchen, his voice tight with raw hurt and anger. "Are you serious? I fight every day just to get you to speak normally, and you talk about dying? See, I'm going to be mad at you!"
Levis finished preparing a dish. He brought a plate, a bowl of soup, and a towel, and went directly to his mother. He carefully adjusted her pillows.
"See, Mom," Levis said gently, "Your favorite chicken soup. I made this for you. Let me feed you one spoon, and then you tell me how it is."
Stella's eyes widened with joy as Levis carefully fed her the soup. Ummm... ummm... she expressed with her limited movement, signaling that it was amazing.
"Oh, really?" Levis asked, his face alight.
"It's true, Chef. It's delicious," Bright complimented from the doorway.
Stella looked at Levis, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Mom, what happened? Is it too hot?" Levis asked. "Is it Bright?"
"No, it's perfect," Bright answered quickly. Momma "Are you crying because of the situation?"
Stella slowly bowed her head, confirming his suspicion.
"Mom!" Levis scolded, his voice full of love. "You are not my mother; you are my daughter! Taking care of you isn't a duty—it is my love! I am happy to do this for you!" He hugged her gently. Bright joined the hug, burying his face in the blankets.
In the high-rise Stuar World Group office, Robert was conducting a critical meeting with international clients. Suddenly, Steven burst in, ignoring all protocol.
"Prince!" Steven rushed toward him.
"Steven, what is the urgency?" Robert asked, his voice low but sharp, aware of the clients staring.
"Prince, it's about Levis," Steven whispered quickly.
The name instantly changed Robert's demeanor. He shot up from his seat. The international clients immediately followed suit, rising out of respect for the rising King.
"Sir, is there a problem?" the lead client manager asked, concerned.
Ignoring them completely, Robert walked out of the boardroom. Steven followed.
"Ah, the Prince has a personal emergency. I'll join the meeting in his stead," Steven apologized to the clients before closing the door.
Inside Robert's cabin, the air was thick with tension.
"Tell me. You found out something," Robert demanded.
"Sir, I... I don't know how to say this, but..." Steven stammered.
Robert picked up his gun from the table and placed it down again.
"Speak!"
"Sir, Bright Aro and Levis Heart are childhood fiancés."
"WHAT?!" Robert screamed, his voice shaking the glass walls.
Robert pressed his hand against his chest, as if physically containing his heart. The raw frustration, the sense of ultimate betrayal by fate, snapped his control. He swung his fist in a blur of motion, slamming it straight into the front of his antique glass desk, which instantly shattered into thousands of sharp pieces.
"Sir! Sir, I was so afraid to tell you! I'm extremely sorry!" Steven backed away, terrified.
Robert held up his hand, now covered in blood and glass shards, silencing Steven. "Get out!"
Steven hurried out of the cabin.
Robert stared at his bloody hand, his breathing ragged. Fiancé? No matter what happens in this life, Levis is my life partner. He should marry me only!
In a sleek apartment, a beautiful woman emerged from the shower, wrapping herself in a silk robe. Her phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered smoothly.
"Lilly?" a deep, muffled male voice came through the phone.
"Yes, Sir."
"Tomorrow, you will go to Robert Stuar's office. Do exactly as I instructed."
"Oh, Sir," the woman, Lilly, purred, her voice dripping with familiarity. "You haven't called me for so long. You truly are a hard player whenever you here. Anyway, I understand the assignment. I will ensure this creates a massive international news scandal—that the country's underworld Mafia Prince tried to sexually harass an international model. It will guarantee Robert Stuar never becomes the upcoming King of the Stuar World Group."