For the first time since returning to Oracle City, Josh Silver allowed himself to slow down.
The major preparations had already been completed.
The Grant family had fallen.
Paradise Casino was firmly under his control.
Joseph had successfully broken through to the War Master Realm, while Ned had reached the Peak Elite Stage after refining his martial arts under Josh's guidance.
The Jenner family's businesses were expanding rapidly, and the suburban development in Berian City had officially begun.
For now, there was nothing that required his immediate attention.
The enemies were gathering their strength.
So was he.
Until the inevitable confrontation arrived, Josh decided to spend his time somewhere else.
With Bonna.
---
For the next seven days, Josh accompanied Bonna almost every day to the massive suburban development project on the outskirts of Berian City.
Every morning, before the sun had fully risen, the two would leave the Jenner estate together. Bonna would sit in the passenger seat while reviewing project documents on her tablet, occasionally making notes or calling department heads to adjust construction schedules.
Josh, meanwhile, simply drove quietly.
Sometimes he would glance at her from the corner of his eye.
Seeing how seriously she focused on her work always made him smile.
Seven years ago, she had been an ambitious young woman who dreamed of becoming one of the country's greatest entrepreneurs.
Seven years later...
That dream had never changed.
---
The suburban project had become one of the largest developments in the entire region.
The once-empty land was now filled with life.
Dozens of excavators carved roads through the hills.
Tower cranes stretched toward the sky as workers assembled the framework of future residential districts.
Concrete mixers continuously poured foundations for luxury villas, while engineers moved from one construction zone to another, checking every detail with meticulous precision.
The atmosphere was energetic.
Every worker knew they were helping build what could one day become Berian City's newest high-end residential community.
Whenever Bonna arrived at the site, department managers immediately gathered around her to report their progress.
"Miss Jenner, Sector A has finished the underground drainage."
"Miss Jenner, the landscaping team has completed the first design proposal."
"The electrical contractors have arrived this morning."
Bonna patiently listened to every report before making decisions one after another.
Josh simply stood a few steps behind her.
Watching.
Observing.
Whenever she encountered a difficult problem, he would quietly offer a suggestion.
At first, Bonna thought it was coincidence.
But after several days...
She began noticing something strange.
---
One afternoon, several architects were arguing over the placement of a commercial district.
"If we build it here, customer traffic will be limited."
"But moving it east will increase infrastructure costs by nearly twenty million."
The discussion reached a deadlock.
Josh glanced at the blueprint for only a few seconds before speaking.
"What if you rotate the commercial district by thirty degrees and connect it directly to the future highway entrance?"
Everyone fell silent.
The chief architect frowned before carefully examining the map.
A few moments later, his eyes widened.
"It works!"
He quickly grabbed a calculator.
"The infrastructure cost only increases by five million..."
"But projected commercial traffic increases by nearly forty percent!"
Another engineer became excited.
"Even parking space improves!"
"And we'll have room for another shopping complex."
The entire design team looked at Josh in amazement.
Bonna blinked several times.
"You..."
"When did you learn city planning?"
Josh scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I just... read a few books before."
The architects exchanged strange looks.
Read a few books?
If solving urban planning problems were that easy, their university degrees would be meaningless.
---
On another day, Josh noticed workers carrying heavy steel beams by hand across nearly two hundred meters.
He frowned slightly.
"Why don't you relocate the storage area closer to Building C?"
The site supervisor sighed.
"We considered it, but rebuilding the temporary warehouse would take too much effort."
Josh shook his head.
"It'll save thousands of work hours over the next few months."
The supervisor hesitated before trying Josh's suggestion.
Three days later...
Construction efficiency increased by nearly fifteen percent.
Even experienced project managers couldn't believe the results.
---
Little by little...
Everyone on the construction site began respecting the quiet young man who always accompanied Miss Jenner.
Although he rarely spoke...
Every suggestion he made solved major problems.
Eventually, workers even started joking among themselves.
"Ask Mr. Josh."
"He'll know."
"If Mr. Josh says it'll work, it'll definitely work."
The nickname spread surprisingly fast.
Even Bonna found it amusing.
---
One evening, after the workers had finished for the day, Bonna and Josh walked through the nearly completed central park.
The orange glow of the setting sun painted the unfinished buildings in warm colors.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh grass and newly turned soil.
Bonna looked around happily.
"It's finally starting to look like a real town."
Josh nodded.
"It'll become even more beautiful."
She smiled softly.
"I used to think this project was impossible."
"Now..."
She looked toward the rows of newly built villas.
"I can actually picture families living here."
"Children playing in the parks."
"People enjoying peaceful lives."
Josh quietly listened.
This was exactly why he had fought so hard.
Not for wealth.
Not for power.
But to protect the future she dreamed of building.
---
As they continued walking, Bonna suddenly stopped.
She turned toward him with a curious expression.
"Josh."
"Hm?"
She tilted her head.
"I've noticed something."
"What is it?"
"You seem to know everything."
Josh blinked.
"What do you mean?"
She folded her arms.
"You know architecture."
"You understand finance."
"You know construction."
"You somehow even understand traffic flow."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"And don't even get me started on business negotiations."
Josh laughed nervously.
"I've just... experienced a lot during the past seven years."
Bonna wasn't fully convinced.
Still...
She didn't continue asking.
Everyone had secrets.
Perhaps someday...
He would tell her everything.
---
As the sun completely disappeared below the horizon, the two slowly walked back toward their car.
Neither of them noticed the black SUV parked on a nearby hill.
Inside the vehicle sat a middle-aged man wearing sunglasses.
He quietly lowered his binoculars after observing them for nearly half an hour.
He picked up his phone.
"Report to Master Victor."
"The mysterious young man has been staying beside Bonna Jenner every day."
There was a brief pause before he continued.
"That's the future son-in-law of the Jenners."
The man on the other end replied calmly.
"Keep watching him."
"We're moving soon."
The call ended.
The spy looked once more at Josh.
For some reason...
The young man's calm smile made him feel inexplicably uneasy.
As night fell over Berian City, invisible currents began to move beneath the surface once again.
The brief peace...
Was nearing its end.
The following morning, sunlight poured gently through the curtains of the Jenner estate, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. After spending an entire week immersed in meetings, construction inspections, and negotiations, Bonna finally decided to take a break.
For the first time in days, she switched off her work phone.
The suburban project in Berian City had entered a stable phase, and the engineers, architects, and project managers were more than capable of handling the day's operations without her constant supervision.
Even someone as hardworking as Bonna needed time to breathe.
As she walked downstairs, she found Josh already waiting in the living room with a cup of coffee in hand.
"You woke up early," she said with a smile.
Josh chuckled. "Habit."
She nodded before taking a seat across from him.
"I've been thinking..."
Josh looked at her curiously.
"What is it?"
Bonna rested her chin on her hand and smiled mischievously.
"Let's skip work today."
Josh blinked.
"You... want to skip work?"
She laughed softly.
"It's only for one day."
She stretched her arms before continuing.
"I've been buried in paperwork and construction reports for weeks. If I keep this up, I'll go crazy."
Josh smiled.
"I agree."
Her eyes brightened.
"Really?"
"Of course."
"So... where should we go?"
Bonna thought for a moment before grinning.
"Let's go shopping."
Josh laughed.
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
---
An hour later, the two arrived at Berian Grand Plaza, the largest and most luxurious shopping mall in Berian City.
The mall was known throughout the region as a gathering place for celebrities, wealthy businessmen, influential families, and tourists. Towering nearly ten stories high, its modern glass exterior reflected the morning sunlight beautifully. Luxury boutiques, designer stores, five-star restaurants, jewelry shops, and entertainment centers filled every floor.
Luxury sports cars lined the entrance while elegantly dressed shoppers came and went.
As Josh parked the car, Bonna looked around with sparkling eyes.
"I haven't been here in months."
Josh smiled.
"Then today, we make up for lost time."
---
The moment they stepped inside, Bonna's serious businesswoman persona seemed to disappear.
Instead of the calm and composed executive who negotiated billion-peso projects, she became an ordinary young woman enjoying a rare day off.
She stopped in front of almost every clothing store.
"What do you think about this dress?"
Josh looked up.
"It looks beautiful."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You didn't even look properly."
"I did."
"You answered too quickly."
Josh laughed helplessly.
"You'll look beautiful no matter what you wear."
For a second...
Bonna froze.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
"W-What kind of answer is that?"
Josh scratched his head awkwardly.
"I just told the truth."
She looked away to hide her smile.
"...You're getting better at saying embarrassing things."
---
Throughout the morning, they visited countless stores.
Bonna tried on elegant dresses, casual outfits, and even several pairs of shoes she insisted she didn't need but somehow ended up buying anyway.
Josh patiently carried every shopping bag without complaint.
Whenever Bonna asked for his opinion, he answered honestly.
Surprisingly...
She trusted his taste.
"This one?"
"Too flashy."
"This?"
"Perfect."
"What about this handbag?"
Josh shook his head.
"It doesn't match your style."
Bonna looked at herself in the mirror before smiling.
"I think you're right."
The sales assistants couldn't help exchanging amused glances.
The couple looked surprisingly natural together.
---
Around noon, they stopped at one of the mall's rooftop restaurants.
The restaurant overlooked the entire skyline of Berian City.
As they enjoyed lunch by the window, Bonna leaned back in her chair and sighed contentedly.
"It's nice..."
Josh looked at her.
"What is?"
"This."
She gestured toward the bustling city outside.
"No meetings."
"No business calls."
"No negotiations."
"Just eating peacefully."
Josh smiled.
"You deserve a break."
She looked at him with gentle eyes.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For coming with me."
Josh chuckled.
"I should be the one thanking you."
She tilted her head.
"Why?"
"I've spent years fighting and working."
He gazed out the window for a moment.
"I almost forgot what an ordinary day felt like."
Bonna quietly listened.
For some reason...
She felt there was a loneliness hidden beneath his smile.
---
After lunch, they wandered through the entertainment floor.
Bonna insisted on trying everything.
She challenged Josh to basketball shooting.
He won.
She challenged him to air hockey.
He won again.
Finally, she dragged him toward an arcade racing game.
"I'll definitely beat you this time."
Josh smiled confidently.
"We'll see."
Five minutes later...
Bonna stared at the screen in disbelief.
"Impossible..."
Josh had finished nearly an entire lap ahead of her.
She puffed out her cheeks.
"You're cheating."
"I didn't."
"You definitely did."
Josh laughed.
"I've never even played this game before."
She crossed her arms.
"That makes it even more annoying."
Both of them burst into laughter.
---
Later in the afternoon, they found themselves walking through a quiet bookstore.
Unlike the noisy arcade, this place was peaceful.
Josh naturally wandered toward the history and strategy section.
Bonna headed for business and architecture books.
After browsing for several minutes, she suddenly noticed Josh holding an advanced economics book.
Her eyebrows rose.
"You actually read books like that?"
Josh nodded.
"They're interesting."
She smiled teasingly.
"No wonder you somehow know everything."
Josh only smiled without answering.
---
As evening approached, they headed toward the mall's central plaza.
A musical fountain began its evening performance.
Colorful lights danced across the water while soft classical music echoed through the open space.
Families gathered nearby.
Children laughed happily.
Couples walked hand in hand.
Josh and Bonna stood quietly watching the fountain.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither of them needed to.
Sometimes...
Silence itself was comforting.
After several minutes, Bonna quietly broke the silence.
"Josh."
"Hm?"
"I'm really happy today."
He looked at her.
"So am I."
She smiled.
"Let's do this again sometime."
Josh nodded without hesitation.
"Anytime."
She looked into his eyes.
For a brief moment...
Neither of them realized how close they had become.
---
Unbeknownst to them, from the upper floor of the mall, a man wearing a baseball cap lowered his camera after taking several photographs.
He immediately sent the images through an encrypted messaging app.
Target confirmed.
Josh Silver and Bonna Jenner are currently in Berian City together.
Far away, inside a luxurious office, Victor Kane looked at the photos with narrowed eyes.
"So..."
He slowly smiled.
"It seems our little prey has finally left the safety of Oracle City."
He tapped the table thoughtfully.
"Keep watching them."
"But don't act yet."
"I want to know..."
He stared at Josh's picture.
"...what kind of man you truly are."