[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-307":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},307,93,"Chapter 93: The Stalker’s Broken Shoulder","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">For days, he’d been on her tail. What was this guy playing at?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Waylen Shaw reached his limit. After dropping his boss’s wife off at the office, he slipped into the shadows, waiting for the shadow to reveal itself. As the man approached, Waylen lunged, his hand clamping tight around the stranger’s throat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Who are you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man’s face turned a sickening shade of purple, the veins in his temples bulging as he wheezed, unable to choke out a single word. Waylen loosened his grip just a fraction.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Talk! You’ve been trailing her for days. What’s your game?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man grabbed Waylen’s wrist, drove an elbow into his ribs to force him back 3.3 feet, and scrambled to bolt. Waylen moved with the speed of a striking viper. He vaulted forward, his fingers digging deep into the man’s shoulder blades.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Crack.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The acromioclavicular joint dislocated instantly. The man crumpled to the ground, sobbing in agony. His face was ghostly pale as he pleaded, \"Brother, please! I don’t mean any harm! My boss sent me to protect Ms. Montgomery!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Waylen kicked the man like a piece of refuse. \"Damn you, trying to ambush me? With that pathetic skill, you’re supposed to be guarding our boss’s wife? Who’s your boss?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I… I can’t…\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Talk!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s… it’s the CEO of Harrison Enterprises.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hah. What a classic simp.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Waylen rolled his eyes in disgust and leaned in, his voice a razor-sharp warning. \"Don’t let me catch you following her again, or you won’t just be losing the use of your arm—I’ll take your legs, too.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the executive office at Harrison Enterprises, an assistant stood trembling. \"Mr. Harrison, the security detail we placed on Ms. Montgomery… they’ve been discovered.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah Harrison didn’t even look up from his work. \"Call them off. No more tailing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Understood.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">If Marcellus Alexander had already flagged the surveillance, there was no point in pushing his luck. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew—Marcellus’s reach and power simply eclipsed his own. Jonah forced a self-deprecating smirk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Meanwhile, after Preston Wright relayed the news to Marcellus, he couldn’t help but ask, \"Mr. Alexander, what was Mr. Harrison trying to pull?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus twisted the ring on his finger, his expression cold and mocking. \"Hah. Late-blooming affection is cheaper than dirt.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sir?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Preston sighed internally. Are all billionaire power plays this impossible to decipher?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Once Cassidy Montgomery is released from the detention center, see to it she is banished from the city.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Understood.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Up in the office, Evangeline was lost in her sketches when a knock sounded at the door.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Come in!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Click. Click. Click.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The rhythmic tapping of heels echoed, but the room remained silent for a long beat. Evangeline looked up, ready to speak, only to find Remi Crawford beaming at her from the doorway.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They sprinted toward each other, their embrace followed by a symphony of excited squeals that echoed through the entire floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline! Muah, muah, muah! I missed you to death!\" Remi pecked at her cheeks like a frantic bird.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Haha, are you trying to scrub my makeup off?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They stood there, practically glued together, unwilling to let go.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The office gossips watching from the hallway whispered, \"My gaydar is officially pinging.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Same here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi caught them watching, pulled Evangeline tighter into her arms, and grinned at the onlookers. \"What should we do, Evangeline? They’ve discovered our secret.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Just silence them all.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi rubbed her hands together with a mischievous, devious look. \"Right. Let me see who I should start with?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The office erupted into a mess of laughter and playful banter, the atmosphere instantly warming. Once the initial reunion had settled, Remi dragged Evangeline down to the executive office. She poked her head in, flashing a grin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey, senior, I’m back!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s only been two years, have you already forgotten me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah Mitchell chuckled. \"You’re aware it’s been two years, then?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hehe, I’m back now, aren't I?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi glowed with a kind of lightness she hadn't possessed before. She looked genuinely happy. Noah offered a soft, relieved smile.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Since you're back, get to work. You've got a two-year vacation gap to fill.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What? Senior, how did you get so corrupted by capitalistic greed?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Naturally. A commander who is too merciful loses the battle, and a merchant who is too sentimental loses his coin. In business, it’s all about the bottom line. Remi, get to work. We’re heading out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wait—what?\" Remi stared at him, stunned.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Noah gathered his things, hiding a laugh. \"Evangeline, shouldn't you be heading to pick up Aurora?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh! Right! I have to get her from school. Remi, follow Noah’s orders—I’ll be back later!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two of them walked out, leaving a bewildered Remi standing alone in the office.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline returned shortly after with Aurora in tow. She found Remi back at the desk, pouting and sketching away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Auntie!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi jumped, looking up to see Evangeline standing there, holding a doll-like child by the hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wow! Aurora! You’re even cuter than you are in the photos!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Auntie is way prettier than in the photos, too!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh my god, you little sweetheart. Can Auntie have a hug?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi crouched down, arms open wide. Aurora didn't hesitate, burying herself right into Remi’s arms. The soft weight and the faint scent of milk almost melted Remi’s heart.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You’re such a darling. I bought you a gift—want to come over to my place tonight?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora looked at her mother for permission. Evangeline nodded with a smile.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora beamed. \"Yes!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She’s too cute. It’s making me want a baby of my own,\" Remi murmured, nuzzling Aurora’s cheek.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Auntie has a baby in there,\" Aurora said, her eyes wide and earnest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"…Huh?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The child’s words hit Remi like a lightning strike. She locked eyes with Evangeline, stunned. \"No way, right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why are you looking at me? If you’re pregnant or not, shouldn’t you be the one to know?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi thought about it for a second, then dismissed the idea. Aurora probably just thought she wanted a baby and was saying something sweet to make her happy. Still, the child was so precious it felt like her heart was turning to liquid. She couldn't stop holding and kissing the little girl.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora looked at her mother for help. Evangeline laughed helplessly. \"Remi, look at you—you’ve turned her face into a sour lemon with all those kisses.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I just love her so much!\" Remi sighed, her mood dipping slightly. \"Damian and I… we haven’t been lucky. We’ve been trying for so long, but nothing yet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Just take it naturally. Don't put too much pressure on yourself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora blinked, her expression intense and serious. \"But Auntie, you do have a baby.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi pulled her in tighter, smiling sadly. \"You’re such a sweetheart, Aurora.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Daddy!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora wriggled out of Remi’s arms and ran toward the door. Two tall figures stood there: Marcellus and Damian. Marcellus bent down to scoop the child into his arms, while Damian watched with a look of pure envy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Look how big Aurora has gotten.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Uncle!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian reached out. \"Hey, sweetie, come to Uncle.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aurora shrank back, burying her face into her father’s neck.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian froze, his hand hanging in the air. Rejection?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus chuckled deeply. \"Creepy uncle. Don't scare our Aurora.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian refused to yield. \"Aurora, tell me—who’s more handsome, me or your dad?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Daddy. Daddy is the most handsome man in the whole world.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus held his head high, gloating. \"Damian, why do you insist on humiliating yourself?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline tapped his shoulder, rolling her eyes. \"Childish!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let’s go,\" Marcellus said, turning to the group. \"Everyone to my place tonight. We’re celebrating a housewarming.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272914899]