"Welcome baby girl," Justin greeted Aiden with a tight, bone-crushing hug.
"Thanks, Mama," Aiden replied playfully, and they both burst into laughter.
As Charlie's white Porsche disappeared down the street, the playful mood shifted for a moment. They were safe in their new off-campus home, but the lingering presence of the Smith family's wealth—the car, the clothes, the guards—felt like a shadow that refused to fade.
Eventually, they settled in the backyard garden, enjoying the cool evening breeze. Justin placed his beer can on the small table and leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"So, tell me everything. From the moment you left until you stepped out of that Porsche. I don't want to miss a single detail," Justin insisted.
"There's nothing special at all," Aiden tried to dismiss him, though he couldn't hide the flicker of memory in his eyes.
"Eh! You mean nothing? That's impossible. You were gone for almost a month, and to Tokyo of all places!" Justin folded his arms across his chest. "Spill it."
"Okay, fine. If you insist."
Aiden began to narrate the trip—the confusing meetings, the frantic travel, the terrifying kidnapping, and the unexpected way Damien had protected him.
"You went on a shopping spree with the Damien Smith? Wow, my friend is the luckiest guy in Monaco!" Justin exclaimed.
"Come on, you're way luckier than I am," Aiden countered, patting Justin's shoulder before heading inside.
"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Justin ran after him, finding Aiden already unboxing the luggage he had brought back.
"Tada!" Aiden announced, pulling out a sleek, designer wristwatch.
"Oh my gosh, that is beautiful!" Justin beamed. Aiden reached out and pressed the box into Justin's hand.
"This is for you."
"What?" Justin froze. "For me? Really?"
"And this is for the house." Aiden began to unpack the rest—matching designer hoodies, the latest gadgets, and expensive skincare, all laid out in pairs.
"Aiden Lawson, what have you done!" Justin shouted, overwhelmed.
"I made sure that everything I got for myself, I got for you too, bestie," Aiden smiled warmly.
"I can't believe this!" Justin looked at the pile of luxury.
"I hope you like them."
"I love them!" Justin threw himself at his friend, hugging him tightly.
"Hmmm... and I also got you a boyfriend," Aiden teased.
Justin broke the hug and stared at him. "You what?"
"Just kidding," Aiden chuckled, and they both burst into laughter again.
During dinner, Justin thanked him repeatedly, still touched by the gesture.
"It's enough, Justin. Besides, it's not like I bought it with my own money. Consider it a Smith family freebie," Aiden shrugged.
"I don't care, these are way too expensive for freebies," Justin argued. "But wait... you went through all that trouble for someone you had a one-night thing with? It's so ridiculous. And his fiancée... she sounds like a nightmare."
"She is. But it's no big deal. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. Charlie even warned me there might be more 'incidents' like the kidnapping, so I need to stay low."
"He said that to you? That's terrifying, Aiden. You really need to avoid that family."
"I plan to. But what about that girl who wants to get close to them through you? What are you going to do about her?" Aiden asked, shifting the focus.
Justin leaned back, looking thoughtful. "I'll just tell her the truth. It's not that difficult."
Three Weeks Later
"And how is this affecting our stock rates?" Damien slammed his hand onto the boardroom table, the sound echoing like a gunshot.
Damien had been under immense pressure since returning to Monaco. A series of secret investigations had surfaced, suggesting that parts of the Smith empire were tied to criminal activities. It was a legacy of his father's era that he was desperate to cut off, but the roots ran deep.
"Sir, this meeting is the key," Sean said, standing up to address the room. "Everyone here knows the impact these rumors are having on our public image. We need to take decisive action."
"I don't think these are just rumors," one of the board members, a sharp-eyed man named Mr. Jung, replied coldly.
"What do you mean by that?" another countered.
"I think we just need to fish the traitors out and feed them to the dogs," Mr. Jung suggested, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Hey! Watch your mouth!" another man shouted, pointing a trembling finger at the person sitting to Damien's right. The room devolved into a shouting match between the major stakeholders.
Damien watched them all—the greed, the fear, the hidden agendas. He noticed that only those with the highest shares were brave enough to speak. Finally, he leaned forward, and the room fell instantly silent.
"That is exactly what I will do," Damien said, his voice a low, dangerous growl.
"Sir?" Sean asked, leaning in.
"Just as you suggested, Mr. Jung," Damien's eyes scanned the room, lingering on a few specific faces. "We are going to fish them all out. And then, we are going to feed them to the dogs."