Chapter 1

After making up his mind, Jovian no longer hesitated. He instructed the driver to make a U-turn and head straight to the meeting place.

The meeting location was in a restaurant not far from the castle. It was only a ten-minute drive from where they had turned back.

When Jovian and Boston walked inside, they found the place nearly empty. There were no guests in sight, just a few receptionists. It looked like the restaurant had been cleared out just for them.

“Sir, please follow me. Sir Prescott is waiting for you upstairs,” the restaurant owner personally greeted them and led them to a private room on the second floor.

Warrick, Huxley, and Percival were leisurely drinking tea inside the room. The three chatted and laughed, but their conversation stopped the moment Jovian and Boston entered. All three turned their attention to Jovian.

They were quite curious about him. He had been privately invited by Austin and even stayed for dinner at the castle. It was a privilege none of them had ever received. However, upon seeing Jovian in person, the three were somewhat disappointed.

Jovian was of average height and had an unremarkable appearance-nothing about him stood out at first glance. But there was something about the way he carried himself. Back straight, shoulders squared -he looked like a man who didn’t bow to pressure.

“You’re here. Sit down,” Warrick said dryly as he gave Jovian a once-over.

He didn’t stand or offer a greeting. Instead, he remained seated with an air of complete indifference. It felt less like a dinner invitation and more like a superior addressing a subordinate. He gave off an air of cool detachment.

Huxley and Percival wore similar expressions, like Jovian wasn’t worth acknowledging. It seemed like they were purposely trying to show who was in charge.

Boston noticed the power play and frowned slightly, but he didn’t dare voice his frustration. Instead, he forced a smile and tried to ease the tension in the room.

“Sir Prescott, this is the third son of the Ballard family, Jovian Ballard. As soon as he heard you wanted to meet for a midnight snack, he rushed over without hesitation,” Boston said, trying to smooth things over.

He subtly hinted that Jovian had come to honor their invitation, so it would only be polite for them to return the favor with a little courtesy.

“Okay. This doesn’t concern you anymore. You can leave now.” Warrick waved him off like he was nothing more than an annoyance.

A low-ranking assistant general with no power or influence had no place in their conversation.

“Sir Prescott, this...” Boston glanced around and looked uneasy.

It was one thing to talk in public, but being shut out behind closed doors was another matter entirely. Without him accompanying Jovian, there was no telling if the latter could handle the three “old foxes”.

If anything went wrong, Boston would have to answer for it-not just to the Ballard family, but also to Austin.

“What’s wrong? My orders don’t count anymore? Do I need to repeat myself?” Warrick shot him a cold, impatient look.

“Since when did a mere assistant general get so arrogant that he think he can defy Mr. Prescott’s orders? Do you have a death wish?” Percival suddenly chimed in.

“Boston, you can wait outside. I’ll talk to these gentlemen. With their status, I’m sure they won’t make things difficult for me,”

Jovian said with a smile.

Boston nodded reluctantly. “Okay. I’ll wait outside.”

Before leaving, he discreetly glanced at Jovian and signaled him to stay alert. The two had already agreed that they would immediately notify Austin for help if anything happened. Since the castle was nearby, the backup could come quickly.

As the door to the private room closed, the atmosphere became more tense. But Jovian seemed unfazed and sat across from Warrick, Huxley, and Percival.

His calm demeanor maChapter 1 It was past nine at night when Charlene Ross landed at Goldland Airport.

It was her birthday. As soon as she turned on her phone, it lit up with a barrage of birthday wishes. All were from colleagues and friends. But not a single word from Thorne Henderson.

Charlene’s smile faded slightly.

When she got to the villa, it was well past ten.

The housekeeper, Latonia, was stunned upon seeing her. “Mrs. Ross, what... what brings you here?”

“Where are Thorne and Minnie?”

“Mr. Henderson hasn’t come home yet, and Miss Minnie is up in her room, playing”

Handing her luggage to Latonia, Charlene went upstairs. She found her daughter, cozy in pajamas, totally wrapped up in whatever she was doing at her little table, too absorbed to even see her mom come in.

“Minnie?”

Jasmine Henderson looked up with a bright smile, “Mommy!” Then, she quickly turned back to what she was doing.

Charlene wrapped her in a hug, only to be pushed away gently. “Mommy, I’m busy now.”

It had been two months since Charlene last saw Jasmine, and no amount of hugs seemed enough. She was eager to catch up with her.

Seeing her so focused, Charlene didn’t want to dampen her spirits. “Are you making a seashell necklace, Minnie?”

“Yes!” Jasmine perked up. “It’s for Ms. Hawkins‘ birthday next week. Dad and I picked these shells and polished them ourselves.

Aren’t they pretty?”

Charlene felt a lump in her throat, but Jasmine excitedly continued before she could speak, “Dad also ordered some other gifts for Ms.

Hawkins. Tomorrow-”

Charlene felt a sudden pang in her chest and couldn’t hold back. “Minnie... do you know what today is?”

“Huh? What?” Jasmine glanced up briefly before making her necklace again, “Mom, please, I mixed up the order of the beads now.”

Charlene, let go, standing in silence for a long moment. Seeing Jasmine not even bothering to look up, she left the room without a word.

Latonia saw her distressed look. “Mrs. Henderson, I called Mr. Henderson earlier. He said he’s tied up tonight and asked you to rest.”

“I understand.”

After remembering Jasmine’s words, Charlene dialed Thorne’s number.

It took a while before he answered, his voice distant. “I’m still busy. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

“Thorne, who’s that so late?” It was Vesta Hawkins‘ voice in the background.

Charlene’s grip on the phone tightened.

“It’s nothing.”

Before Charlene could get a word in, Thorne had hung up.

It had been months since they last saw each other. Charlene had made the trip to Goldland, but he couldn’t manage to come home or even stay on the phone long enough for a proper chat.

Their marriage had always been cold, distant, and impatient like that, and she had grown accustomed to it.

Usually, she would have called back, patiently asking where he was and if he could come home. But perhaps too weary, she couldn’t muster the energy to do so.

The following morning, she gave Thorne another call after some thought. With the time difference between Goldland and back home, it was still her birthday in Goldland.

She came hoping to see Jasmine and Thorne, wishing they could spend this special day together as a family and have a meal.

That was her birthday wish for the year.

Thorne didn’t pick up.

Much later, he sent a message. [What’s up?]

Charlene: [Are you free for lunch? Can you bring Minnie? Just the three of us.]

Thorne: [Alright, let me know where.]

Charlene: [Will do.]

07:31 After that, Thorne went silent.

de the three men uneasy. Was his boldness a sign of reckless confidence or just plain arrogance?

“Sir Prescott, may I ask why you have invited me here?” Jovian broke the silence.

“I heard you went to the castle today,” Warrick said.

“Yes, I did.” Jovian nodded.

“I also heard that you had dinner with Sir Austin.”

“That’s right.” Jovian confirmed with another nod.

“Good.” Warrick smiled approvingly. “You seem like a smart man. I do enjoy talking with those who are sharp.”

If Jovian had tried to play dumb, he would have had to resort to more drastic measures. Fortunately, the answers were clear and straightforward, which saved him some effort.

“I want to know if Sir Austin had said anything during dinner,” Percival interjected.

“His Highness said many things. Could you specify what you’re referring to?” Jovian smiled as he redirected the question back at him.