Chapter 1

Kaleb Monroe had always lived recklessly, doing whatever he pleased.

As the only child in three generations of the Monroe family, he was born prematurely and nearly died. His parents had him later in life and treasured him above all else.

Growing up with that kind of privilege had taught him that the world was supposed to revolve around him.

So, when he was nineteen, he rescued Khloe Allen from drowning and fell in love with her at first sight. He used every means at his disposal to force her into marrying him.

Only after the wedding did Kaleb learn that Khloe had a first love she couldn't let go of. It came as no surprise, then, that he began targeting Diego Dougherty.

Chapter 1

First, Kaleb Monroe destroyed Diego Dougherty's entry in an art competition.

Then he paid the media off to turn Diego's return to the country after his divorce into an entertainment headline portraying him as a discarded husband from a wealthy family.

And now, he secretly reported Diego's gallery for tax violations.

For forty-eight straight hours, Khloe Allen had tried everything she could to get Diego released on bail, but nothing worked.

Finally, she reached the end of her patience and confronted Kaleb Monroe.

"Have you gone crazy?" she demanded, each word deliberate. "What did Diego ever do to you? Whatever you have against someone, take it out on me."

"Take it out on you?" Kaleb laughed, but there was no warmth in it. "Khloe, get one thing straight. I'm your husband. Diego hasn't done anything wrong. You're the one who's wrong because he's the man in your heart."

He lifted his chin. "Don't forget, you're the one who owes me. You'll never be able to repay me for what you owe, not in this lifetime."

The moment he finished speaking, Khloe snatched the box cutter off the desk and plunged it into her chest without even blinking. Blood quickly spread across her clothes.

Her face visibly paled, but she still managed to ask in a hoarse voice, "If I give you my life in repayment, will that be enough?"

Kaleb froze.

When he didn't answer, Khloe pulled out the blade and raised it to stab herself a second time. Only then did he snap out of it and press his hands against her wound.

"Have you lost your mind?!"

Warm blood seeped through his trembling fingers. At some point, tears had begun falling from his eyes.

Khloe lost consciousness and toppled backward. Kaleb failed to catch her in time, and they both crashed to the floor.

His back struck the corner of the desk, sending a flash of pain through him so intense that his vision darkened. Yet his hands remained clamped over her wound.

"Someone! Call an ambulance!"

The lights in the hospital corridor were a blinding bright white. The red light above the operating room had been on for two hours.

When Khloe's mother, Jeannie Allen, heard what had happened and rushed over, she slapped Kaleb hard across the face.

"How far are you going to push Khloe before you'll finally leave her alone?!" Her voice trembled with fury. "Do you have to watch her die right in front of you before you'll be satisfied?!"

Kaleb slowly turned his head. His cheek burned, but he paid it no attention. He only lowered his eyes to his hands, which were stained with Khloe's blood.

How had things ended up like this?

In the beginning, all he wanted was for her to talk to him a little more, to care about him just a little more.

Their wedding seven years ago had been so lavish that the entire city had heard about it. But on their wedding night, Khloe had simply told him, "I need time to adjust," before retreating to the guest room.

When she accompanied him to visit his parents, she chatted happily with them. At home, however, she treated him as if he weren't there, sitting in silence whenever they ate together.

When he fell ill, she arranged for the best doctors, but she wouldn't offer him a single word of concern.

Her anniversary gifts were always the latest luxury watches from auction houses, yet she had never once chosen a gift for him herself.

Still, he told himself it was only a matter of time. He had plenty of time and patience.

Then, five years ago, Diego returned to the country after his divorce, bringing a daughter with him.

Khloe abandoned Kaleb to meet Diego at the airport. When the paparazzi sold him the photos, he smashed everything in his study that night. By the time Khloe returned, the room was in complete disarray.

She looked at the mess for a few seconds and then asked, "Do you need me to have my assistant contact a renovation company?"

Her calmness was more devastating than anything else could have been.

Later, when Diego opened an art gallery, she invested in it. When he fell ill, she stayed by his hospital bed. On his birthday, she personally selected a gift and attached a handwritten card.

Kaleb saw all of it, and so he began making things difficult for Diego.

Until now.

Perhaps he had been wrong from the very beginning. He believed that if he persisted long enough, he could get what he wanted.

But feelings didn't work that way.

Khloe was a perfect wife. She came home on time, remembered every anniversary, and fulfilled her marital obligations.

But that was all.

"Fine." Kaleb heard his own voice. "I'll leave her alone."

Jeannie stared at him in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Kaleb raised his head and repeated himself. "I'll divorce Khloe, just as you all wish."

With that, he turned and walked away without looking at anyone's reaction.

At the far end of the corridor, Diego arrived. The moment he saw Kaleb, he stopped and awkwardly began to explain himself.

"Kaleb, Khloe listed my number as her emergency contact, so the hospital called me..." He bit his lip. "If that bothers you, I'll leave right now."

Kaleb's steps faltered.

Khloe had only been forced to save his number in her phone, yet she'd had no problem listing Diego as her emergency contact.

But this time, Kaleb neither cried nor made a scene. He simply walked past Diego. "There's no need. Stay and take good care of her."

By the time he left the hospital, it was completely dark. He didn't call his driver. He simply wandered aimlessly along the streets.

The city was enormous, yet he couldn't think of anywhere to go.

Before he knew it, he returned to his own home. The living room lights were still on.

Kaleb pushed open the door. His parents had been talking about something, but when they saw him return in such a sorry state, they both jumped to their feet in shock.

"Kaleb? What happened to you?" His mother, Corrine Monroe, hurried over. The moment she saw the handprint on his cheek, her voice began to tremble. "Who hit you? Where's Khloe?"

His father, Waylon Monroe, looked grim as well. "I'm calling the Allens right now!"

"There's no need." Kaleb stopped him. "Mom, Dad, I'm planning to get divorced."

The living room fell silent.

Corrine was the first to react, her eyes instantly reddening. "You've suffered so many indignities at her hands over the years. Your father and I have seen it all. We wanted you to divorce her, but we were afraid you'd be unhappy if you did."

Waylon remained silent for a long time before finally asking, "Have you really made up your mind?"

"Yes."

"Then get divorced." Waylon patted him on the shoulder.

Looking at his father's once-straight back, Kaleb couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed several financial reports and draft contracts spread across the table.

He picked them up and turned through the pages one by one. Gradually, his fingertips grew cold.

A major project had been snatched away from them. Their cash flow was strained. Waylon had tried to establish a partnership with the Allen Group, but the terms required his parents to dilute their ownership stakes.

No wonder. No wonder they were still awake so late.

Kaleb closed his eyes. "Khloe has been deliberately making things difficult for you..."

Waylon forced a casual tone. "It's not that serious. It's just a minor problem. I can handle it."

The dense columns of figures and clauses stung Kaleb's eyes until they burned.

When he married Khloe, everyone in their social circle had said she was marrying above her station. His parents had worried that she might feel inferior, so they'd spared no effort to help her over the years.

The Allen Group had grown stronger step by step. Yet now that Khloe had become powerful enough to stand on her own, the first thing she'd done was turn around and strip his parents of their say in the business.

They had been afraid he would worry or feel caught in the middle, so they never mentioned any of it.

The gray at his father's temples and the wrinkles on his mother's face concealed years of exhaustion and worry that he'd chosen not to see.

For the sake of his marriage, which he had forced into existence, how many smiles had they worn, how many grievances had they swallowed, and how much had they shielded him from behind the scenes?

Fortunately, it wasn't too late.

He took a deep breath. "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. I've been so immature. It won't happen again."

Kaleb didn't sleep at all that night.

He sat in front of his computer and went through the files one by one, piecing together the parts of his family's affairs he had neglected over the years.

Two days later, Khloe was transferred to a regular hospital room. Kaleb arrived at the hospital with a drafted divorce agreement.

Chapter 2

Standing outside the hospital room, Kaleb looked through the glass window.

Khloe was propped up against the headboard while Diego fed her broth. The woman who was usually so cold and resistant toward him was now allowing someone else to get close to her.

When Diego saw him, he hurried to his feet. "I'll go get some warm water."

"There's no need. The caregiver can take care of that." Khloe stopped him, her gaze settling on Kaleb's face. "What are you here for? If you don't think I've suffered enough this time, I can always do it again."

Kaleb heard the sarcasm in her voice but showed no expression. He opened the folder in his hands. "Besides being your husband, I'm also a director of the company. These projects need your signature."

Khloe hadn't expected that response. Frowning, she took the pen from him.

Diego tried to mediate. "Kaleb, Khloe was just being childish. The doctor said she's out of danger, so there's no need for you two to keep fighting."

As Khloe signed the last page, Kaleb took back the documents and curved his lips into a faint smile. "Then I have you to thank for taking such good care of her. I'll have my assistant pay you double the caregiver's wages."

Khloe's expression darkened. "You!"

Kaleb didn't look at her again. He turned and walked away.

There was too much to handle at the company, and he practically lived in his office, surrounded by pages of figures and contractual clauses.

It wasn't until a sharp pain shot through his back and the base of his neck that he couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath.

That day in the study, when he caught Khloe, his back had struck the corner of the desk. At the time, he had felt only a dull ache. Then one thing after another happened, and he completely forgot about the injury.

His phone vibrated once on the desk. A message from Jeannie appeared on the screen.

[Khloe is being discharged today. Where are you? What kind of husband doesn't even show his face? What will people think?]

Scrolling up, he found plenty more accusations of the same kind.

[You've been married for years without a single sign of a child. What kind of husband are you?]

[Your own wife doesn't even like you. Being a man and ending up like this is truly pathetic.]

In the past, whenever he read messages like these, he would feel wronged and complain to Khloe. All he would get in return was a dismissive response.

"She's my mother. Just put up with a few comments from her. It'll pass."

Kaleb turned off the screen, placed the phone facedown on the desk, and returned his attention to the computer.

The Allen Group was holding a celebration gala for its newly completed commercial complex.

Kaleb hadn't intended to attend, but several influential figures in the industry would be there. It was a good opportunity for the Monroe Group.

Yet the moment he entered the venue, he saw what looked like a family of three. Khloe was holding Diego's daughter, Lilah Dougherty, her expression unusually gentle.

Someone who didn't know the situation approached them with a wineglass and a smile.

"Ms. Allen, is this your husband? You're a perfect match. You two look wonderful together, and your relationship is enviable."

Diego looked surprised and repeatedly waved his hands, but he only pressed his lips together without explaining anything.

Khloe didn't respond to the assumption. She simply introduced him naturally. "This is Diego Dougherty, the owner of Riverbend Gallery. He's highly accomplished in the arts. If any of you are interested in art investments or collecting, you can speak with him."

The man immediately understood and began showering Diego with compliments.

Kaleb, however, remembered the unfair contract terms he'd seen at his parents' house and let out a quiet scoff.

The sound wasn't loud, but it made the atmosphere suddenly awkward. Diego instinctively moved half a step closer to Khloe.

Kaleb's gaze met hers. He quickly looked away, turned, and walked over to several senior figures in the industry who were already deep in conversation. He joined them.

The influential executives were very interested in the Monroe Group's latest experimental data and asked him several questions.

In the past, whenever Khloe was present at an event, he would either cling to her to make it clear she was his wife or seethe privately when she ignored him. He had never realized there could be any other kind of enjoyment to be had at such gatherings.

After a lengthy discussion, Kaleb secured the preliminary terms of a potential partnership. They agreed to discuss the details later. He nodded politely and prepared to step out onto the terrace for some air.

He had just turned around when he nearly bumped into someone. Khloe had appeared behind him without his noticing.

"Is something wrong?" Kaleb looked up.

His two cool words left Khloe momentarily at a loss for a response. After a pause, she said, "Diego's gallery is still in its early stages. He needs resources right now."

And what did that have to do with him? Was she trying to explain herself to him?

He gave her a puzzled look, murmured an acknowledgment, and prepared to leave.

But she spoke again. "What's wrong with the back of your neck?"

Kaleb stopped as if her words had pinned him in place.

How unusual.

That was the first thought that came to him, and it made the situation feel all the more ironic.

For seven years, when he sprained his ankle and limped along behind her, she hadn't even glanced his way.

Now that he had finally given up and turned to leave, she had suddenly deigned to notice the small bruise peeking out at the back of his neck.

Kaleb closed his eyes, unwilling to say anything more. Just then, Diego came running over in a panic.

"Khloe, Lilah is missing!"

Chapter 3

Khloe immediately ordered people to search for Lilah, then asked Diego when he'd last seen the kid.

Kaleb had no intention of staying any longer. He headed straight for the elevator.

In the quiet space, that tearful cry inexplicably kept echoing in his ears.

"Khloe, Lilah is missing!"

Diego's daughter.

Kaleb watched the descending floor numbers without expression. What happened to that child had nothing to do with him.

When he reached the underground parking garage, his driver was waiting nearby. But just as the driver opened the car door, Kaleb suddenly remembered that afternoon.

He had just poured paint over the carefully prepared artwork he had intended to submit to the competition when he turned and found himself facing a pair of round, wide eyes.

"Hi," the little girl had asked in a soft voice, "why did you ruin that painting?"

Kaleb had been in a terrible mood. His answer was almost deliberately malicious. "Because someone bullied me, so I'm getting revenge."

The little girl had tilted her head and thought for a moment. "If someone bullies me next time, I'll do the same thing!"

He froze for a moment, then crouched down, showing a rare bit of patience. "Has someone been bullying you?"

"They say my daddy is a bad person, so they won't play with me." The little girl lowered her head and fiddled with the hem of her dress.

In that instant, Kaleb understood who she was: the daughter Diego had brought back with him after his divorce.

His instinctive dislike surged, but in the end, he merely reached out and patted the girl on the head. "What happened with your daddy has nothing to do with you."

That afternoon, Kaleb should have left, but for reasons he couldn't explain, he stayed and played games with the little girl for a long time.

Kaleb slammed the car door shut with a heavy bang, startling the driver beside him.

"Goddamn it..." The curse slipped through his clenched teeth. He couldn't tell whether he was swearing at the inexplicable memory or at Diego for failing to keep an eye on his own child.

He was just about to turn around when he spotted an old, dirty van heading toward the exit. In a place filled with luxury cars and tight security, the vehicle stood out like a sore thumb.

Kaleb's instincts sounded an alarm. He turned to his driver. "Alert security. That van may be using stolen plates. Something's not right."

Then he shut the car door and floored the accelerator, chasing after it.

He had gotten his racing license years ago, during his rebellious phase. His skills had grown rusty, but the fundamentals were still there. He stayed close behind the van.

Apparently realizing he was being followed, the driver began speeding up, trying to shake him off.

Kaleb pressed his lips together, waited for the right moment, then yanked the steering wheel and slammed hard into the van.

Crash!

A piercing scraping sound rang out. The impact knocked the van off course, and it scraped along the roadside guardrail before coming to a stop.

Kaleb hadn't escaped unscathed either. A sharp pain shot through the wound on his back, and a gash had opened on his arm. But he couldn't afford to care about either injury. He threw open the door and jumped out.

Three men with threatening faces leaped out of the van.

"Looking to get yourself killed?!"

Kaleb was tall and broad-shouldered. Even in his disheveled state, he held his chin high. "The traffic police are on their way. If I were you, I'd run while you still can."

The officers were approaching from a short distance away. The men cursed as they abandoned the van and scattered in different directions.

Kaleb immediately rushed over to the van. Sure enough, curled up in a corner of the back seat was a small figure wearing a pink dress.

It was Lilah.

Kaleb's heart leaped into his throat. He reached over to check her breathing, and only then did he feel slightly relieved.

He carried her out of the van and saw Khloe and Diego arriving at the same time.

Khloe's gaze immediately fell on Kaleb. Blood was still seeping from the gash on his arm caused by the collision. She was just about to speak when Diego suddenly snatched Lilah away from him, his voice full of disbelief.

"Kaleb, I know you don't like me, but whatever happened between us adults is one thing. How could you... How could you go after a child?"

Khloe's words died in her throat. She turned to Kaleb, scrutinizing him as she asked, "What did you do?"

The wounds on Kaleb's body felt as though someone had ripped them open by force. Before he could even process the pain, the freezing outdoor air had numbed it again.

"What did I do? Do I really need to explain myself to you?"

Khloe's chest rose and fell once, and her gaze turned even colder. "I thought that after all this time, you'd have changed at least a little. I never imagined you'd still be the same as before, willing to do anything to get what you want."

Kaleb lifted his chin, swallowing the bitterness threatening to rise into his throat. His face remained impassive.

"That's right. That's exactly the kind of person I am. The police are here now. Well, can you let me cooperate with their investigation?"

Chapter 4

It was already late at night when Kaleb left the police station and returned to his parents' house.

Even after he changed his clothes, his mother immediately noticed the injury on his arm and called the family doctor over.

"Mom, I'm fine." He took her hand. "I was actually pretty amazing today. I saved a little girl."

Corrine looked at him, her voice gentle but firm. "You've always been a kind person."

Kaleb froze. He remembered how, whenever he'd gotten into trouble as a child and people accused him of being willful and reckless, his mother would smile and defend him in exactly the same way.

"Our Kaleb is a good boy. He's just a little too straightforward."

Khloe's accusations hadn't made him cry, but his mother's words of affirmation brought tears to his eyes.

He quickly lowered his head and changed the subject. "Mom, Dad, our international plans are almost complete. In about half a month, we should be able to shift the company's focus there. When that happens, we'll all leave together."

A few days later, at the Monroe Group headquarters, Kaleb was in a meeting when his secretary, Graham West, entered and whispered something in his ear.

He stood up. "Everyone, I'm sorry. We'll resume the meeting later."

Several officials in uniform were already waiting in the corridor.

"Mr. Monroe, we're from the tax authority. We've received a report filed under the complainant's real name and are required to conduct an investigation in accordance with the law. We ask for your cooperation."

Kaleb raised an eyebrow. The Monroe Group had always operated lawfully under his father's management, so he wasn't afraid of an investigation. He was simply wondering who would choose this particular moment to report them.

He assured the officials that he'd cooperate fully, then gave Graham a meaningful glance.

Half an hour later, he read the message Graham sent him and immediately called Khloe.

"Did you authorize Diego to file the tax report against us?"

There was a brief silence on the other end. She didn't deny it.

"What happened with Lilah is something you owe Diego for. Let him vent his anger, and we'll call it even."

Kaleb was so furious at her matter-of-fact tone that he nearly laughed. "Khloe, with a brain like yours, the only reason the Allen Group hasn't gone bankrupt is that your guardian angel must be watching over you."

With that, he hung up.

The investigation proceeded slowly but methodically. Just as he expected, the Monroe Group had done nothing wrong. As the officials worked through their checks, their attitude toward him became noticeably more cordial.

But just after he saw them out, another group arrived. This time, they were from the financial regulatory authorities.

"Mr. Monroe, we've received information that you've recently been transferring large sums of assets across borders on a frequent basis. You're suspected of manipulating profits. Please come with us to assist in the investigation."

These allegations were far more serious than the tax inquiry.

Looking at the documents they presented, Kaleb knew this was Khloe's doing. Diego's mind wouldn't have been capable of coming up with something like this.

"Fine. I'll go with you." He turned and calmly arranged the necessary work before instructing Graham to contact the lawyers.

The investigation turned out to be far longer and more grueling than he'd expected.

Kaleb sat on a hard chair as one investigator after another took the seat across from him. They went over the same questions repeatedly, asking him to explain the same things over and over again.

He answered each time, his voice gradually growing hoarse.

No one offered him any water, and he didn't ask for any.

The daylight outside faded into darkness, then returned. He lost track of how long he'd been sitting there.

He was allowed to use the restroom only twice, and each time, a regulatory officer followed him closely, watching his every move.

The lack of sleep made his temples throb. His vision blurred from hours of intense concentration, and the pain in his back gradually spread.

Yet he kept his back straight throughout, answering every question clearly and maintaining his composure without showing either submission or defiance.

Finally, after what felt like countless rounds of checks, he was allowed to leave.

As he walked out of the building, his steps faltered. He wanted to call his parents to let them know he was safe, but neither of them answered.

It wasn't until Graham told him that something had happened to Waylon that he learned his father was lying unconscious in the hospital.

Outside the private hospital suite, Corrine looked as though she had aged years overnight. When she saw Kaleb, she took his hand, struggling to hold herself together.

"After they took you away, we asked everyone we could think of, trying to find out if you were all right. Then we heard that someone was deliberately making things difficult for you and that you'd been put through a lot.

"We were frantic. We kept thinking about how you'd never had to endure that kind of humiliation before, so we had no choice but to go to Khloe.

"But Diego was the one who came out to see us. He said so many cruel things. Your father was so furious that his face turned ashen."

Tears streamed down Corrine's face.

"He'd never spoken harshly to anyone in his life. But that day, even his hand was trembling as he pointed at Diego. On the drive back, your father... he suddenly stopped moving..."

Chapter 5

"The doctor said his anger triggered an acute heart attack. They don't know whether he'll ever wake up..."

Corrine finally broke down and sobbed uncontrollably.

As Kaleb listened, he felt the blood in his body slowly turning cold. His emotions surged beneath the surface, but he forced them down, keeping his expression icy and unreadable.

He gently embraced his trembling mother. "Mom, don't cry. Take care of Dad. I need to go out for a while."

"Kaleb, where are you going? Don't do anything reckless!" Corrine grabbed him in alarm.

Kaleb turned back and smiled. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

He left and made a phone call.

"Find out exactly where Diego Dougherty and Khloe Allen are right now."

Three minutes later, an address arrived on his phone.

Riverbend Gallery's third-anniversary celebration was an extravagantly lavish affair. Prominent figures from the art world and powerful business executives filled the venue, surrounded by compliments and laughter.

Dressed in a white suit, Diego had his arm linked through Khloe's as he accepted congratulations from the guests.

"Mr. Dougherty, you're young and accomplished. It's remarkable that your gallery has gained such influence in just three years."

"Ms. Allen and Mr. Dougherty make such a perfect couple."

Listening to the comments, Kaleb felt nothing at all. He brought several people with him, walked straight through the crowd, and stopped in front of the two of them.

The lively atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

"Why didn't you invite me to the third-anniversary celebration?" he asked. "Fortunately, I prepared a gift in advance."

Diego hurriedly explained in a soft voice, "Kaleb, I thought you'd been busy lately, so I didn't dare bother you. I'm very glad you could come."

Khloe frowned and warned him quietly, "Don't cause a scene here."

"Why would I?" Kaleb chuckled. "I'm here to offer my sincere congratulations."

He raised a hand slightly. The people behind him immediately moved into action, taking control of the venue's main display screen. Anyone who tried to stop them was promptly escorted away by Kaleb's men.

The screen lit up.

Photos of Diego studying abroad appeared first, followed by displays of his work at various exhibitions. A narrator spoke in an elegant tone, describing his artistic achievements. The suspicion gradually faded from Diego's face, replaced by a hint of smug satisfaction.

Then the footage changed.

"Unfortunately, behind these impressive credentials lies a truth that doesn't stand up to scrutiny," Kaleb announced.

Screenshot after screenshot of emails, transfer records, and photographs of private meetings with competition judges revealed the same thing.

The awards he'd supposedly won had all been bought with money.

The screen changed again. While still married to his ex-wife, Diego had maintained a close relationship with another wealthy businesswoman.

Less than three months after his divorce, he'd become engaged to that woman. The engagement later fell through, and he eventually returned to the country with his daughter.

"That's not true..." Diego shook his head violently, tears welling up in his eyes. He turned to Khloe. "I did it for Lilah. Lilah, she..."

Khloe's face turned livid. Under the scrutiny of the crowd and their many different expressions, she yanked the power cable out of the screen, and the display went black.

"Kaleb, have you lost your mind?!" she shouted.

"Lost my mind?" Kaleb met her gaze without backing down. "The evidence is right there in front of you, and you still think he's innocent. And I'm the one who's lost my mind?"

Khloe said nothing more. Ignoring his resistance, she dragged him away from the main hall and into a lounge.

The door slammed shut, cutting off the commotion outside.

"What exactly do you want?" Khloe released his arm. "Diego is already miserable enough. Why can't you show him a little compassion?"

Watching her lose control over another man, Kaleb found the whole thing absurd.

After a long silence, Khloe finally lowered her head as though conceding defeat. "I'll cut off all contact with Diego. I won't see him again or help him anymore. I'll withdraw my investment from the gallery. Just stop going after him."

Kaleb looked at her as if he were seeing her for the first time. He wanted to laugh, but all he could do was blink in confusion. "And what if I say no?"

Khloe didn't answer. She simply took out her phone and dialed a number. "Release the announcement now. Every company that does business with the Monroe Group will be blacklisted by the Allen Group.

"Also, we can officially launch the plan to acquire the Monroe Group."

Chapter 6

Kaleb stared at her in disbelief. It took an enormous effort for him to find his voice, and even then, he couldn't stop it from trembling. "Khloe, what did you just say? What gives you the right to..."

"Because I have the power to do it." She lowered her phone. "Kaleb, I gave you a chance."

A surge of hot anger rushed straight to his head. All the emotions he'd been suppressing erupted at once, and he raised his hand—

Slap!

Khloe's face snapped to the side, a red mark quickly appearing on her cheek.

"Are you even human?!" he roared furiously. "My parents have treated you well all these years. They used their own resources and connections to help you rise, all because they were afraid you'd suffer even the slightest indignity!

"How much has the Monroe Group done for you over the years?! Even a dog would know to wag its tail after being fed for seven years! And now you want to acquire the Monroe Group and swallow up decades of my parents' hard work?!

"Do you even know what Diego Dougherty..."

"Khloe..." The lounge door opened, and Diego stood in the doorway. "I'm sorry, Kaleb. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have come back to the country. But Khloe has put half her heart and soul into the gallery too. You shouldn't destroy it because of me."

He started toward the door. "I'll take Lilah and leave. We won't appear in your lives again. Please, don't keep fighting because of me..."

Khloe grabbed him before he could leave. "Diego, you don't have to go. You're not the one who should apologize."

She turned to Kaleb. "I don't need to know what Diego has done. Whatever it is, I believe he has his reasons."

At that moment, Kaleb felt every sound around him gradually receding. Even the fury he could no longer contain began to dissipate.

He didn't want to argue anymore. He simply didn't want to look at either of them again.

Every additional word made him feel sick.

Kaleb turned and walked away, the hem of his coat sweeping behind him in a final, decisive arc as he left the place that had been suffocating him.

Outside the gallery, his phone vibrated. A message from Graham appeared on the screen.

[Mr. Monroe, all asset transfers and overseas legal documents have been finalized. Everything is ready for execution.]

He glanced calmly at the message, then opened another encrypted folder.

Inside was a due diligence report he'd kept under wraps, detailing several senior executives in the Allen Group's core management team who had close ties to Riverbend Gallery.

The report documented how they'd exploited Khloe's personal feelings for Diego to inflate prices and divert project funds into their own speculative investments.

Wasn't Khloe always so proud of how well she managed the company? Didn't she trust Diego completely?

Then he'd give her a gift and let her see just how many parasites were hiding among the people she trusted and the circles she protected.

Kaleb typed his reply.

[Good. Also, have Document D-7 sent anonymously to every independent director on the Allen Group's board first thing tomorrow morning.]

After sending the message, he put his phone away and glanced up at the gallery, which was still brightly lit. A cold curve touched his lips.

'Khloe, didn't you always think I was reckless and spoiled? Then this time, take a good look at what it really means to stop at nothing.'

Without slowing his stride, he got into his car and made another call.

"Professor Warren, the private jet is ready. When can we arrange for my father to be admitted to the hospital? Good. We'll leave tonight."

Kaleb returned to the hospital. Corrine was still keeping watch beside Waylon's bed.

"Mom, we're taking Dad to a better hospital. We're leaving now."

The private jet taxied down the runway before surging into the night sky.

Kaleb clasped his mother's cold hand and looked at his father, who was sleeping peacefully beside her.

Beyond the cabin window, the city where he'd lived for twenty-six years grew smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared beneath the clouds.