No one dared to specte or ask questions, all sitting in the private room with palpable tension.


    Paul frowned as he observed Raymond. After years of friendship, he could tell something was deeply wrong with him.


    He didn''t like La. When Raymond looked at her, his eyes were lifeless, devoid of any real emotion.


    Having witnessed his love for Selena, Paul knew without question: Raymond didn''t love La.


    Yet when he held La tightly, something flickered in his eyes-as though he were hypnotizing himself into believing he was holding Selena instead.


    Paul drank his whiskey silently, keeping his thoughts to himself.


    By seven that evening, Raymond had acquired forty percent of Luminary Holdings Ltd''s shares, making him the new president of thepany.


    Media outlets across Silver Bay City were reporting the acquisition, with journalists camping outside Luminary Holdings Ltd''s headquarters, waiting for the new president''s arrival.


    The entire Bailey family had gathered in the main lobby, waiting for hours to plead their case to Raymond. From eight in the morning until noon-four full hours-they waited in vain.


    Even Abigail made an appearance, hoping to meet with Raymond, but he never showed.


    The media captured only the grim faces of the Bailey family members while everyone spected about Raymond''s whereabouts. No journalist dared criticize him, fearing their ownpany might be his next acquisition.


    Those who thought Raymond would stop after acquiring Luminary Holdings Ltd- having already turned against his own family were proven wrong the very next day.


    At one o''clock the following afternoon, the Montague Group officially announced ns to acquire Elysian Scents, a perfumepany headed by Alvin, an old acquaintance of Selena''s.


    Despite their history, Alvin had once betrayed Selena by breaking a contract at thest minute, causing a crisis for S.M Corporation. Now the Montague Group was moving to acquire Elysian Scents, citing La''s interest in their fragrances as the reason.


    Alvin was terrified. He called Raymond repeatedly, but his calls went unanswered. If Raymond wouldn''t take calls from the Bailey family, why would he answer Alvin''s?


    In desperation, Alvin reached out to Selena, but her phone was now in the possession of Christopher''s alter ego.


    When Christopher''s alter ego answered, Alvin first apologized for past transgressions before begging Selena to intervene with Raymond.


    Christopher''s alter ego found this amusing and replied coldly in Selena''s presence, "Mr. Weaver, Raymond''s rampage is because of his new woman. I''ve heard he even acquired the Bailey family''spany for her. This has nothing to do with Selena. Your call is pointless."


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    Sweat beaded on Alvin''s forehead as panic set in. "Selena was with Raymond for some time. Surely she still holds some influence with him. Please help I can''t let Elysian Scents be destroyed on my watch."


    Mario''s eyes turned cold. "Mr. Weaver, I must decline your request."


    He hung up and noticed Selena looking in his direction. Though she couldn''t see or speak, she could hear everything.


    Setting the phone aside, he spoke with deliberate casualness. "Raymond has a new woman named La. He''s spent billions of dors for her. Was he ever this generous with you?"


    Despite his attempts to provoke jealousy, Selena remained perfectly still, gazing toward the window without any visible reaction. For two days, Christopher''s alter ego had tried various provocations, receiving nothing but emotional silence in return.


    His interest waning, he frowned and left the room.


    Within two hours, the Montague Group had acquired thirty percent of Elysian Scents'' shares-just five percent short of securing the presidency.


    The media had been frantically reporting on Raymond''s behavior for days, unable to decipher his true motives.


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    All this time, Raymond remained in his private room at Sky Gallery, not even returning to Manston Manor.


    When Paul finally found him, he was ying cards with a group of sycophants who were deliberately letting him win. No matter how poor his hand, Raymond emerged victorious every time.


    With a cigarette between his fingers, Raymond smirked as he collected his chips and handed them all to La.


    "Here, La. Take these," Raymond said.


    Everyone knew Raymond rarely won at cards before, but now no one dared to cross


    him.


    When Paul arrived, he swept the cards off the table. "Everyone out. I need to speak with Raymond privately."


    The upants exchanged nervous nces before hurriedly leaving all except La, who remained seated on Raymond''sp.


    Paul''s expression hardened. "You too."


    Reluctantly, La stood and was thest to exit the room.


    The once-lively private room fell into a silence soplete one could hear a pin drop.