"Are you— Are you crazy?!" August blurted out after blinking twice as he stared at Charles, who was in front of him. 'Who the fuck am I to inherit a corporation as large as he had?' he even asked himself as his brows furrowed. He wasn't even qualified to be a small group leader, and being an heir seemed like a ridiculous sentence for him unless it was just a joke to give him a glimpse of hope that he could make it to the top instantly with the Remington family's help. And August admitted that he hoped that Charles Remington would help him in some way. Charles' smirk widened as he stood up properly and placed his hands in his pockets. "I am not crazy, young man— Not yet. Let's say that I'm trying to strike a negotiation with you." Even when he saw August working at the Sandoval Corporation, working hard for the promotion he had ever dreamt about, Charles knew that persuading August to hold onto the Remington Corporation would be challenging. Especially when he didn't have plans

On a rush morning, August took a day off again even though he couldn't go to work yesterday because of Charles Remington. However, he got permission first from Miss Johens, so he would only go absent with official leave. Wearing his usual plain white t-shirt and faded jeans, he stood in front of the mirror to check his appearance. "I look... average," August muttered as his gaze fixed on the small hole near the collar of his shirt. Some of his shirts were like this. If they didn't have a hole in them, some were faded or too old that he had a hard time disposing of. August thought he lived like that because he wanted to give everything to Samantha. But it's been a long time now. Still, nothing changed except the fact that he was able to escape from people's monitoring of his life. "This might bring a small change," August told himself as he walked out of his small house. But because the area where he lived was rural, he couldn't find any malls near him. With that, he traveled the

“Welcome back, miss Daphne,” the driver greeted Daphne as soon as she entered the car. Johnny was the assigned driver for her every time she was in the States. He had been waiting for her as Daphne chose a suitable dress that would match the theme of the engagement party of Bruce and Samantha. “Thank you,” she answered politely. Aside from being a driver, Johnny was working for Bruce, so she knows that Johnny reports every move she made, every dress she bought, and every word that was coming from her mouth. Bruce always said it wouldn’t be good for the Sandoval family’s reputation to let her be alone and that some rivals might use her to their advantage. But Daphne wasn’t born yesterday. She knew that there was a different reason why Bruce was protective of her. “Where to?” “Sandoval mansion, please,” Daphne said as a sly smile escaped her lips before she turned her head back to look for someone she had been watching for a while. Augustus Fordman. ‘I hope he sees the invitati

“This is exhausting,” Daphne murmured as she felt how drained she was just by talking to Samantha."A day hasn't passed, yet I'm getting sick of the people around here." It was the first time she saw her, but she didn’t have a good impression of her. Daphne remembered August earlier; it looked like he was a good guy. At the same time, she was glad that August would have been able to live a good life. She saw it in her eyes— August lived in harmony despite hiding. When she saw that viral video from her brother’s live broadcast, it felt like Daphne woke up from her peaceful slumber. He ignited the sleeping rage in her heart. And with that, she knew it was the right time for her to seek revenge. Even if they didn’t meet at the boutique, she would meet with him someday to give him an invitation. However, she didn’t expect August didn’t know about her existence— like a caveman. “What would be your next move, Fordman?” she murmured before she sat on the edge of the bed. "Would I

AS AUGUST and Daphne walked inside The Rosehouse, all eyes were on them— including the other visitors and the reporters. August looked uncomfortable, as he wasn’t used to the attention people were giving them, while Daphne acted casually as if she had lived this kind of life. Daphne’s hands clung to August’s shoulder as her fingers, with yellow nail color, tapped lightly onto his skin. He turned his head and bent a little to glance at Daphne, only to stop himself from breathing and walking as he felt mesmerized because of her beauty. “Are you okay?” Daphne asked before a genuine smile escaped his lips. August could only nod as his lips were slightly parted, not knowing what to say. He thought Samantha was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen— not until he saw Daphne that day. However, he could say that Daphne’s characteristics weren’t real. He could feel inauthenticity on it. And that’s what August hated the most— people who loved pretending, which made him loathe Samantha. A

DAPHNE WAS stunned because of August’s straightforward question but she was able to maintain her composure. She trained herself to manage her emotions and not let them ruin her plans. 'History won't repeat itself,' she told herself with conviction. “No. I only know your name and your previous job before you get fired.” Daphne immediately shook her head and chuckled a bit. “Strategy Developer, isn’t it? Not bad, though.” She wasn’t the kind of woman who would dig into someone’s personal records— although she asked one of her people to investigate August because of her curiosity. When she realized what she was doing was contrary to her principles, she immediately disposed of the data on her paper shredder machine. August didn’t answer as he stared at the stage. His gaze went darker every second as he clenched his fists. He breathed heavily as he tried to maintain his composure. By now, he felt like he was used and insulted by everyone. Starting from the type of cloth he wore d

“LET US welcome the most popular couple in the town… Bruce Sandoval and Samantha Evergreen!”The mellow music started to overbear the chit-chat of the visitors as Bruce, who was wearing a gold and white suit, and Samantha, who wore a gold and pink ball gown, both went up the stage.They were holding each other's hands. Bruce smiled at Samantha which she immediately returned."Samantha..." August mouthed, almost in a whisper, as his heart skipped a bit.For everyone, it was a heartfelt scene between lovers who decided to tie the knot after all those years with lots of challenges they encountered.But for August, it was the most horrible scene he had seen— even more horrible than those insults and judgments he had taken from the people around him."They looked like a royal prince and princess!""Well, because they are!""Can't wait for the wedding already!"He could hear the praises of the people around them. It intensified the pain in August's heart more.There was nothing more painful

THE SHOCKED expression of Samantha greeted August as soon as he entered the room. Daphne was right. Samantha was already wearing a pink and gold one-piece suit covered with a pink cardigan when he entered.“Samantha,” he called her in a low tone. It sounded full of regrets, hatred, and desperation at the same time.He couldn’t help it when a lone tear fell from his eyes. Samantha looked like he was afraid of her, and he didn’t know the reason behind it. All he did was to love her, so the terrified expression in Samantha’s eyes pained him.“Sam…” August called for the second time as he took steps forward towards her. The same emotions were still evident in his voice.Samantha heard it, too. Of all those years she needed to pretend that she loves August to use him, she got a gist of his personality. For her, reading August’s expression and voice was like reading a children’s book; both are easy to grasp.“August,” Samantha, who was stunned at first, finally found the strength to speak.

AUGUST BLINKED his eyes and turned his head to see who was the man who entered the other door. It was a tall man wearing a white polo shirt and pants. Despite the casual clothes, a powerful aura was evident around him. ‘Jake Sandoval,’ August thought. He was the CEO of the Sandoval Corporation and the head of the Sandoval Family. He was the mastermind of all the transactions. In all those years he worked at the Sandoval Corporation, he only saw him twice: One at the general assembly and the second at the emergency meeting when the stock prices decreased drastically because of an issue he couldn’t remember. He wasn’t active at the company, but no business transactions, especially the most crucial ones, were done without his approval. August was always intimidated every time he saw Jake, but he couldn’t help to think that Charles Remington had a more powerful and intimidating aura— yet he was comfortable with him at the same time. “F-Father…” Daphne mumbled as her hand traveled ont

“YOU TOLD me that I don’t belong here…” August mumbled which made Bruce smirk. “But why do I hear insecurity from your voice—” He wasn’t able to finish his sentence when Bruce suddenly punched into his stomach, causing him to cough as he tried to catch his breath. It was in the same position where Bruce punched the first time. In a moment, Bruce was able to determine where August would hurt the most. Samantha, who was also watching, gasped as August almost lost consciousness. Nicole and Jake had neutral expressions as they were already used to this kind of scene; blood and mess were like natural things to them. Some people were also shocked because of what Bruce did, but after a while, they were already screaming that Bruce should give August another hard punch because he deserves it. August couldn’t help but think if those people were humans— or demons pretending to be one. ‘Sick bastards,’ August thought at the back of his mind. “This is the end for you, August.” Bruce let out