James handed the fever medicine to Hailey. "Allie, take your medicine." Haileyy weakly on the bed. "Dad, I don''t want to take it."


    James looked at her. "What''s this? Heartbroken? Den rejected you?"


    Hailey shot him a re. He really knew how to say the worst possible thing at the worst time. She was already feeling miserable, and he just had to bring that up.


    James chuckled. "Allie, didn''t I tell you? You wouldn''t be able to win Den over. Just forget about him."


    Hailey remained silent.


    James continued, "There are so many outstanding young men out there. I know plenty of aplished young talents. I''ll introduce you to a few. Isn''t the best way to get over one rtionship to start a new one?"


    Hailey hugged her nket, still saying nothing.


    James ced the fever medication on the table. "Allie, take your medicine. I''ll leave you alone for now."


    Then, he walked out of the room.


    Hailey sat up and took the medicine, theny back down, hoping to sleep.


    She should have listened to her father and forgotten about Den. After all, he never had real feelings for her.


    He had said such heartless things to her and even had another young woman by his side now.


    But the moment she closed her eyes, she thought of him. His face lingered in her mind, refusing to fade.


    She really wanted to forget him, but she just couldn''t.


    Hailey picked up her phone and opened Den''s contact on WhatsApp.


    She sent him a message. "Den, I have a fever."


    At that moment, Den was meeting with the big boss, Bob Xanders-Ste''s father.


    Bob was an influential figure in the underworld. He wasrge and imposing, but his eyes gleamed with cunning and wisdom.


    Den handed over the financial reports for the past week. Bob looked through them, visibly satisfied.


    "Den, I knew you were the right


    man for the job. In just one weeket


    you''ve brought in half a year''s worth of revenue. You''re ambitious and capable!"


    Ste clung to her father''s arm. "Dad, Den has been working so hard. You


    should reward him and give him a day off."


    Bob looked at his daughter affectionately. "Stelly, you just want Den to take you out, don''t you?"


    "Dad!" Ste blushed and nced at Den shyly.


    Den''s expression remained unreadable.


    Bob stepped forward. "Den, you know my daughter likes you, and think highly of you. I have no sons. If you marry her, we''ll be a family, and everything I have will be yours.


    II


    Den nced at Ste before responding tly, "Mr. Xanders, I don''t think I''m worthy of Ms. Xanders."


    Ste stomped her foot. "Den, are you rejecting me? Dad, I don''t care! I like Den!"


    Bob patted Den''s shoulder.


    "Den, my daughter adores you. I believe you''lle to like her too. you be my son-inw, you''ll be my sessor. Let me tell you e something-I have connections with someone very powerful. I can introduce you to him."


    Den already knew who this powerful figure was.


    It was the drug lord Rodrigo Casteno, also known as Cobra.


    Den hade here for one reason to use Bob as a stepping stone to meet Cobra.


    Cobra was the man who killed his father.


    Now, Bob was offering to introduce him. But there was a condition-he had to marry Ste.


    Den had no feelings for her, but it seemed he had no choice.


    "Den, I''ll give you some time to think it over before you decide if you want to marry my daughter."


    Ste tried to approach Den. "Den, I..."


    However, Bob stopped her. He grabbed her by the wrist and said, "Stelly, let''s go."


    Reluctantly, she followed her father out.


    Den stood there alone for a moment before leaving the casino and stepping onto the street.


    Just then, a notification sound came from his phone.


    It was a message from Hailey.