A passionate night

"My father has always preferred sons," Jodie said, her voice low and bitter. "He never once considered Julia or me as real heirs to the Murphy family. In his eyes, only a son is worthy of inheriting the family's wealth."

"Originally, he planned to leave just ten percent for us sisters. After the incident with Julia, he agreed to give us twenty. But just now—after a huge argument—we fought, and he finally agreed to give us forty percent. The condition? I have to completely step away from managing the company."

Saying those words was a torment for Jodie.

Never mind the years she had poured into the company, working relentlessly after her father's semi-retirement to help stabilize the Murphy Group. Even if those efforts went unrecognized, what about her mother—the woman who worked herself to death for the company?

Did the weight of the three of them—mother and daughters combined—not measure up to one illegitimate son?

Truth be told, it wasn't even about the inheritance anymore. What burned inside her was the unbearable sense of injustice. She simply couldn't swallow it.

Veil hesitated for a moment before asking, "So, what's your plan now?"

A bitter smile crept across Jodie's lips. "If this had happened earlier, even if I didn't get a single cent, I would've fought that bastard son tooth and nail. I would've dragged it out for years if I had to—so long as I was around, he wouldn't have been able to touch a dime of the Murphy fortune."

"But now… I'm scared. I really am." Her voice trembled. "I don't know what else my father is capable of. My mother is gone, and the only one he cares about is that illegitimate child. Julia is all I have left. I can't afford to be stubborn anymore—not when her safety is at risk…"

She was afraid—truly afraid.

If the evidence weren't right in front of her, she would've never believed her own father would throw Julia into a den of wolves just to protect that bastard son of his.

She couldn't afford to test fate again. Not when the cost might be her sister.

"Young Master Lancaster…" Jodie took a breath, pushing her sadness aside as she looked Veil in the eye. "I'm truly grateful for what you did today. I never imagined that my own father would one day do something so utterly heartless."

Her teeth sank into her lip. "I've decided—I'll take your offer. I'll run your company, manage the operations. Even if you don't want to hand over any shares, I'm still willing."

The Murphy family?

What was there left to hold onto?

Did she really still believe her father would come around, apologize for what he'd done?

That was nothing but a naïve fantasy. Her father never saw his daughters as anything more than burdens. He didn't even trust them.

If she had to place her future—and her sister's future—in anyone's hands, she'd rather it be Veil.

Because up till now, he hadn't done a single thing to hurt either of them. On the contrary, it was because of him that Julia had been rescued from the brink.

"Young Master Lancaster, from this day forward, I, Jodie, swear I will never do anything to betray the company. I'll give everything I have to it—whatever the cost, I'm willing to pay."

She gazed into Veil's eyes, her own shimmering with something different now—deeper, more vulnerable.

"Even if that cost… is myself."

No one could tell what she was truly thinking in that moment.

Was she trying to reassure Veil, to solidify his loyalty and keep him on their side?

Was it purely to protect her sister?

Or had the rupture with her father broken something inside her?

Maybe it was the trust Veil had given her, the strength he radiated… and she simply wanted someone to lean on.

"Jodie… are you serious?"

Veil hadn't tried to figure out any of those reasons. He just stood there, mouth slightly agape, genuinely surprised that the Jodie who'd left hours ago had returned… and was now saying these things of her own accord.

Reject her?

He'd have to be insane.

All he knew was that back in Julia's room, he'd already been holding himself back for far too long.

Now that Jodie had taken the initiative, how could he refuse?

As the seconds ticked by, the atmosphere in the room grew heavier, tinged with an unspeakable tension.

Veil sat on the sofa, eyes simmering with a mix of restraint and heat. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed against his palm.

That stubborn yet fragile gaze of hers pierced straight through the defenses he'd tried so hard to maintain.

He rose slowly, walking toward her, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Jodie… you really have no idea just how dangerous you are to me."

The next second, he lowered his head—and before she could react, his lips were on hers.

It wasn't a kiss of lust, but of emotion—pent-up feelings finally breaking free. Veil's kiss was soft yet unmistakably assertive, claiming her inch by inch with silent determination.

Jodie shuddered, her knees nearly giving out, and he caught her easily, drawing her into his embrace. His fingers brushed through her hair, then slid down her neck to her collarbone. His movements were gentle, but they made her heartbeat spike.

Fabric slipped aside, and as cool air met her skin, she shivered, a flush blooming across her cheeks.

"Don't be scared…" Veil whispered in a hoarse voice, lips grazing her ear. "I won't hurt you."

The air in the room thickened with intimacy, every breath shared between them, no outside sound daring to intrude.

Jodie looked up at him, her eyes hazy with confusion and emotion, as if caught in a storm of feelings too sudden to resist. Her lips trembled, her cheeks burned, and her breath quickened unconsciously.

Veil didn't rush. He simply stared at her, letting his thumb gently trace the curve of her cheek. His voice was soft but certain.

"I won't force you… but tonight, I don't want to let you go."

That single sentence carried more weight than any embrace.

Jodie froze, her heart lurching.

She didn't reply. She simply closed her eyes—like silent consent.

Veil's gaze darkened. He lowered his head once more, kissing her again. This time it was deeper, more urgent. Like a beast finally given permission to stop pretending. His hands moved to her back, unfastening her buttons one by one—slowly, carefully—yet unmistakably with purpose.

Clothes slid quietly to the floor, and the air between them turned hotter by the second.

Veil lifted her into his arms, cradling her close as he carried her to the bedroom.

And when the door closed behind them, it sealed away the world.

The night that followed was filled with soft whispers and unsteady breaths—a rhythm of longing and surrender. A slow descent not of dominance, but of mutual trust and passion released at last.

...

"Ding! Host has successfully conquered female lead Jodie. Congratulations, villain points +50,000!"

...

Morning.

When Julia woke up, she immediately noticed that Qin Lang was no longer by her side. In a panic, she rushed downstairs.

But when she got there, instead of seeing the brother she longed for, she found her sister sitting on the couch with a tired, weary expression.

"Where's Brother?" Julia asked in a flustered mumble.

"He left," Jodie replied softly. "Julia, there's something I need to tell you… about Father…" A bitter smile hung on Jodie's beautiful face.

Just saying the word "Father" felt like her heart was being roasted over a fire, sliced open with a dull blade. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Julia stepped forward and sat beside her on the couch, gently tugging at her sister's arm. In a small voice, she murmured, "I already know. You two were arguing so loudly last night—I heard everything. It's okay, Sis. You still have me, and I still have Brother."

Shifting closer, Julia moved to face her sister, then reached up and wiped her tears away. "Don't be sad, okay?"

"Julia…" Jodie finally broke.

She never would've thought that her sweet, innocent little sister already knew about the illegitimate child—and worse, she'd pretended not to. Deep down, Julia must've been feeling just as wronged. But afraid of causing more trouble, she'd swallowed all that hurt and said nothing.

Overcome with emotion, Jodie pulled her sister into a tight embrace. Her voice trembled as she said, "Julia! Mom's gone. And now Dad's abandoned me for that bastard son. You're the only family I have left. Please… don't ever leave me."

In front of Veil, Jodie could still force herself to hold it all in.

But in front of her blood-related sister, she couldn't suppress it anymore. Every bit of resentment, frustration, and sorrow came pouring out.

She was just a girl too—only a few years older. Yet she had to face those stubborn old men at the company, and battle her father every time she came home. How could anyone expect her to carry all that alone?

"Don't cry, Sis, please?" Julia murmured as she hugged Jodie's head, sniffling as tears welled up in her own eyes. "I'll never leave you…"

The two sisters held each other and wept, quietly clinging to one another in the empty villa—out of sight from the rest of the world, the only family either of them had left.

After a long while, the weight in their chests finally eased a little, now that they'd let it all out.

Jodie wiped the tears off Julia's small face, her heart aching as she smiled, "No more tears, Julia. If you keep crying, your pretty face will turn into a big blotchy mess."

"Okay." Julia sniffled, wiped at the corners of her eyes, then asked with a worried look, "Do I look ugly when I cry? I cried in Brother's arms last night too. Do you think he'll hate me?"

Jodie laughed through her tears. "Of course not. You're too cute—how could anyone ever hate you?"

Julia beamed at the praise and nodded happily. "Good! Because if Brother hates me, then I can't grow up to be his wife!"

His wife, huh?

Jodie's smile froze for a moment. Bitterness settled in her chest.

The thing her little sister had dreamed about for so long—something only his wife could do—she had already done last night.

She didn't plan to stop Julia, nor did she have the heart or strength to take that dream away. The only thing she could do… was ask more of Veil.

"Julia," Jodie said gently, "let's go home tonight. Father's throwing a banquet to celebrate your safe return. He even hired a top-tier bodyguard from overseas just for you. You're the guest of honor."

Julia shook her head furiously. "I'm not going. I don't want to see him!"

Honestly, with Julia's open and straightforward personality, this kind of reaction was no surprise. Even a girl who was good at hiding her feelings would probably still refuse to face someone like that.

You're the one who let me get kidnapped, and now that someone else saved me, you throw a party?

How thick-skinned could a father be?

Was it really all just for show? Did he not care how his daughter felt at all?

Jodie stroked her sister's head softly, her voice calm and patient. "Julia, some things are better kept in your heart. There's no need to blow it up. Just curse him a few more times in your head if you need to. Besides… your Brother Veil will be there too."

Julia's eyes lit up—but then she pouted and crossed her arms. "Oh… well, if Brother's going, then I guess I'll go. But I'm not talking to that big jerk of a dad!"