After completing her preparations with Anette’s help, Jacqueline hurried outside. She worried about having enough time to buy gifts.

Fortunately, Mrs. Hennessy had sent a car for Jacqueline. Escorted by the chauffeur into the vehicle, she looked like a young lady raised in a wealthy household. 

With her rose-colored hair and fair skin, the pure beauty captured the gaze of passersby for long moments.

“Before going to the mansion, I need to stop somewhere.”

“That’s fine. Where would you like to go?”

“Please take me to Travie Department Store.”

The beautiful glass-domed building was a department store built before the Lungen Republic was established. 

Since its main clientele consisted of wealthy commoners and the upper class, the interior was lavishly decorated to reflect the refined tastes of its aesthetically discerning customers. 

Befitting a building constructed during the height of aristocratic culture, marble sculptures adorned the columns and walls.

Jacqueline looked around the department store interior curiously before suddenly coming to her senses and entering a toy shop to select gifts for Tommy and Emma.

While choosing toys that Tommy and Emma might like, Jacqueline discovered a stationery set. Seeing a diary with a lambskin cover and lock, along with scented ink, she was certain it would make a perfect gift for Emma.

‘She’ll love it with the picture book.’

She left the toy store without looking around further, planning to find Tommy’s gift elsewhere.

Visitors to the Hennessy mansion generally made similar comments about the twins: the girl had strong preferences while the boy seemed to have none at all.

But those remarks came from people who didn’t know the children’s true personalities.

After leaving the department store, Jacqueline entered a street vendor’s shop and filled a jar with licorice jellies and taffy, then had it wrapped.

“Do these even taste good?”

Why would anyone insist on these sour, salty, sweet, and bitter licorice jellies while ignoring other delicious snacks?

Tommy didn’t lack preferences; his standards were simply different.

For instance, he liked these licorice jellies that typically appealed to the elderly.

Just looking at Tommy’s tastes, one could tell he was born with a disposition that made it difficult to get along with others.

And he was precocious.

Jacqueline chuckled, remembering Tommy once offering her a flower ring and proposing.

Someday, when Tommy grew up, he would be embarrassed by his behavior.

Whether he would remember his nanny by then remained uncertain.

Jacqueline picked up a licorice jelly and put it in her mouth.

“Ugh!”

It still tasted strange.

* * *

Lloyd watched the meeting with a bored expression. Everyone was on edge after days of ongoing negotiations. Rupert Travie, the department store owner, shouted with a flushed face.

“Selling the family business that’s been passed down for generations at such a ridiculous price! I cannot do it!”

Lloyd’s representative tried to reason with him.

“If you don’t settle your debts now, the bank interest will keep accumulating. Can you handle that?”

“Listen, Luhan. Give me more time! For old times’ sake.”

“That’s impossible. You know we’ve already far exceeded the legal deadline? We’ve been as accommodating as possible. There’s no point in further delays, so please accept our offer.”

“You highway robbers! Luhan Travie! How dare you betray me!”

Finally, Rupert Travie grabbed a crystal ashtray and raised his hand high, attempting to strike Luhan Travie with it. His secretary restrained him.

“Sir, you mustn’t!”

The sound of a gun being loaded instantly silenced the room. All eyes turned to one spot. Lloyd fiddled with the loaded gun and chuckled.

“I’m suddenly curious whether this gunshot would be louder than your screaming.”

“Ahem, Director. Please restrain yourself until the negotiations are complete.”

Luhan Travie calmly stopped his superior, acting like this was a regular occurrence. Hearing their exchange, Rupert Travie quietly put down the crystal ashtray. Seeing this, Luhan Travie mocked his half-brother.

“You haven’t changed, brother. Still loyal to whoever is stronger.”

“Y-you…”

Rupert Travie could only glare at his half-brother, no longer daring to raise the ashtray. He feared retaliation from the man standing behind Luhan Travie.

Lloyd Whitaker.

With Don Carlo and Kazispa’s downfall, he now reigned as king in the underworld. Rupert Travie, who frequented gambling dens rather than legitimate businesses, had known Lloyd Whitaker before he became a legitimate businessman.

‘Lloyd Whitaker might actually kill me.’

Lloyd laughed heartily at the now docile Rupert Travie. He always found pleasure in seeing people make bizarre expressions when looking at him. 

That very expression—the fear of someone who realizes that a creature that thrived in darkness could also flourish in the light.

Lloyd Whitaker enjoyed the fearful gazes of those who dreaded him. The previously boring negotiation was starting to become interesting.

Rupert Travie, seeing no alternative, appealed to his half-brother’s sense of family. 

He whimpered about facing their ancestors in the afterlife, but Luhan Travie countered by saying he would soon change his surname, and ultimately secured the signature. After the negotiation, Rupert Travie was led out in a near-unconscious state.

Lloyd sat in the chair at the desk that had been Rupert Travie’s until moments ago but was now his. Leaning back in the plush chair, he gazed at the view outside the office.

Luhan Travie asked his master: “Director, how does it feel to look down from the top floor of the glass dome?”

“Nothing special.”

“Oh my, even owning a department store with nearly a hundred years of history doesn’t satisfy you.”

“You’re the same. Would such petty revenge resolve your grudge?”

Lloyd pointed his finger at Luhan’s chest. His beautiful face encouraged vengeance.

Luhan was simply entranced.

“As expected, you understand my heart, Mr. Lloyd.”

“This was business, wasn’t it? Not the kind of twisted revenge someone like you would typically carry out. By the way, any progress with Mrs. Travie?”

“I was just about to tell you. It seems I’ll become a father next year.”

“…”

“I apologize for surprising you. I wanted to tell you earlier, but with the negotiations ahead, I wanted to focus solely on work…”

“No. You told me at an appropriate time. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“So when will you hold the ceremony? After Mrs. Travie’s divorce?”

“We won’t have a ceremony.”

“I suppose that makes sense. A remarriage between a sister-in-law and her brother-in-law.”

“I plan to keep her at home until she bears at least three children. I gave her some freedom lately, but she seems to be getting other ideas.”

“I see.”

Lloyd, being just as twisted as Luhan, didn’t find his words strange.

“Well, do as you please. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your main job.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Is that all for today’s schedule?”

“There’s the Hennessy family reception I mentioned earlier.”

“A birthday party for kids? Do I really need to attend?”

“It’s at your discretion, but building a relationship with the Hennessy family wouldn’t hurt. The guest list is impressive for a children’s birthday party. Perhaps it would be good to stop by and take a look?”

“Really? What do the kids like?”

“Toys, I would imagine.”

“Then let’s go to the toy store.”

Familiar with the department store layout, Luhan quickly found the toy store. However, upon arrival, both men hesitated to enter. They waited for the other to go in first.

Lloyd didn’t particularly dislike children, but he felt awkward entering a place symbolizing innocence and purity. Then he spotted a red-haired woman inside the store.

Lloyd hurriedly entered the store. He found the red-haired woman and grabbed her shoulder. When she turned around in surprise, Lloyd confirmed her face and politely apologized.

“I beg your pardon.”

Lloyd’s eyes met Luhan’s, who had followed him into the store.

“I didn’t mean anything by it. I just came in to buy a gift.”

“Of course, sir.”

Lloyd’s expression just now had resembled how he looked when violating his sister-in-law. That’s why Luhan had felt a kinship with Lloyd from the moment they met. Lloyd didn’t realize it, but long ago, he had fallen into a foolish, stubborn love.

Luhan knew he would die by his master’s hand the moment he mentioned this, so he intended to keep silent forever. A family man’s life belonged not just to himself.

“Stop looking at me like that. Before I gouge your eyes out.”

“Understood.”

Luhan obediently lowered his gaze.

* * *

Upon hearing of Jacqueline’s arrival, Mrs. Hennessy rushed over immediately. Even family returning from abroad wouldn’t receive such an enthusiastic welcome.

“Welcome! I’ve been waiting for you!”

“Madam, how have you been?”

“Madam? Don’t use such formal titles between us. Just call me Helen. I’ll call you Jacqueline too.”

“Yes, Helen.”

Jacqueline didn’t know how to respond to such kindness and hospitality. She blushed shyly, which Mrs. Hennessy regarded with apparent adoration.

“Jacqueline, you grow prettier by the day. You seem different somehow. Are you dating someone?”

“No, I’m not.”

Mrs. Hennessy looked Jacqueline over thoroughly and exclaimed in admiration. She had thought Jacqueline beautiful even when dressed simply, but now, all dressed up, she was truly breathtaking.

“It’s a shame today’s reception is for the children’s birthday. You look so beautiful…”

Since the reception’s purpose was the twins’ birthday, most attendees were families. Mrs. Hennessy was sorting through the list of unmarried men when she suddenly thought of her eldest son.

“If Jacqueline wouldn’t mind, we could…”

Just then, a servant rushed over looking for Mrs. Hennessy.

“Madam, we have a problem! Young Master Tommy has disappeared…”

The servant noticed a guest beside Mrs. Hennessy and closed his mouth. Mrs. Hennessy glared at the careless servant before composing her expression and offering a loving smile.

“Find him. He needs to be sitting in that seat before the event starts.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Jacqueline thought about places where Tommy might be hiding.

“I’ll help look for Tommy too.”