On Saturday morning, inside one of the master bedrooms of the Quinn Mansion, Peter Vale was already dressed and preparing to leave.
Beside the vanity mirror, his wife, Vera Quinn-Vale, calmly fastened a diamond bracelet around her wrist while putting on her jewelry.
Peter glanced at her reflection and frowned.
"Find a way to bring up that project. The Vale Family needs it."
Vera didn't respond.
Peter's expression darkened.
"Your family didn't even bother considering me as their son-in-law. You didn't even tell them about it."
"It is already Saturday."
"A whole week wasted."
"Next Sunday your parents will ask us to leave just like the rest of your mother's side of the family already did."
He folded his arms.
"If another woman were in your position, she would be trying to help her husband."
Vera's movements paused.
Then she slowly looked at him through the mirror.
"Then why didn't you marry that other woman?" she asked calmly.
The room instantly became silent.
Peter's face stiffened.
"You want me to help you?" Vera continued.
She stood up gracefully.
"Are you the man in this relationship, or am I?"
"My family doesn't play favorites in business."
"If someone wants a project approved, they earn it."
"Blood relations don't matter."
"If you want something, make sure your proposal is good enough to deserve their attention."
Peter clenched his fists.
For a moment, anger flashed through his eyes.
Then he forced a smile and walked over.
Resting a hand on the back of her chair, he softened his tone.
"I'm doing this for Sophia."
"Our daughter."
"If the Vale Family doesn't prosper, who will support her in the future?"
"Yes, she's a granddaughter of the Quinn Family." He paused
"But her surname is Vale."
"Not Quinn."
"At the end of the day, she still needs the Vale Family."
Peter sighed dramatically.
"And you know our family situation."
"You never gave me a son."
"Only a daughter."
Vera's eyes turned cold.
Peter continued anyway.
"The Vale Family is different."
"A girl inheriting everything is difficult."
"What if she gives it to her husband later?"
"What if she marries into another family?"
"The shareholders won't agree."
"The only way Sophia has a chance is if the Vale Family becomes stronger."
His voice became gentler.
"Wife... I'm doing this for her future."
Vera stared at him for several seconds.
Then she smiled.
"Fine."
Peter's eyes lit up.
"I'll help you."
Before he could celebrate, Vera raised a finger.
"One condition."
Peter frowned.
"What condition?"
"Sophia joins the project."
Peter blinked.
"What?"
Vera crossed her arms.
"If everything you're building is supposedly for Sophia, then why not start teaching her now?"
"It will help her understand the business."
"It will help her gain experience."
"It will help her understand how projects work."
Peter's smile vanished.
"She's only eighteen."
"So what?"
Vera laughed.
"A ten-year-old child in the Quinn Family can already become a millionaire."
"So why can't Sophia join a project?"
She stepped closer.
"The only reason I'm still helping you is because I don't want everything I worked hard for to end up in somebody else's hands."
"If you've made your decision, tell me."
Without waiting for an answer, Vera picked up her handbag and walked toward the door.
Peter's face twisted.
The moment the door closed
"Fucking bitch!"
He slammed his fist into the vanity table.
His breathing turned heavy.
When his phone rang.
Peter immediately answered.
"What is it? This better be important."
His voice was filled with irritation.
On the other side of the line, panic could be heard.
"Sir... we can't contact the director."
Peter frowned.
"What?"
"The director and the head managers sent to the club aren't answering."
Peter's expression changed.
"What the hell do you mean they aren't answering?"
The employee stammered nervously.
"We've been trying since early this morning"
"Then find them!"
Peter roared.
"I don't give a fuck what you have to do!"
"Find them!"
He hung up immediately.
Running a hand through his hair, Peter took several deep breaths.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Just as he was about to make another call.
A notification appeared on his phone.
A video message.
Peter frowned and opened it.
The moment the video started playing
His face turned pale.
Then red.
Then deathly white.
The director he had personally placed in charge of the Virtual Medical Industry Project was being escorted away in handcuffs.
Behind him were several senior executives and managers.
All of them were surrounded by law enforcement officers.
Reporters crowded around them.
Cameras flashed nonstop.
The news headline at the bottom of the screen nearly made Peter vomit blood.
"Virtual Medical Industry Project Shut Down."
"Illegal Human Experimentation Investigation Begins."
"Company Accused of Cutting Safety Procedures for Profit."
"Evidence Submitted By Luis Quinn."
Peter's hands started shaking.
The reporter continued speaking.
"The company has been permanently suspended pending investigation."
"Several executives have been charged."
"Assets are currently being frozen."
"Further arrests are expected."
Peter felt his vision blur.
One billion CU dollars.
Gone.
Just like that.
Years of planning.
Years of investment.
Years of connections.
Destroyed overnight.
And the person responsible
Luis Quinn.
Peter's eyes turned bloodshot.
The phone nearly cracked in his grip.
"Luis..."
He gritted his teeth so hard that his jaw hurt.
Then, for the first time in years
Peter Vale genuinely saw red.
"LUIS!!!"
Peter Vale's furious roar echoed through the mansion as he stormed out of his room.
Meanwhile, in the main dining hall, almost the entire Quinn Family had gathered for breakfast.
At the head of the table sat Grandpa Quinn and Madam Quinn.
On one side sat the second Quinn son, Nathan Quinn, alongside his wife Emily and their children, Ava and Luis.
Across from them sat the first Quinn son, Diego Quinn, with his wife Faith. Their children were also present: Winter and her fiancé Damien Davenmore, Summer, who had recently turned eighteen, and Frank, who was currently attending university.
Nearby sat the fourth Quinn son, Thomas Quinn, and his wife Evelyn with their daughters, Vickey and Maria.
At the other end sat the Quinn family's only daughter, Vera Quinn, alongside her husband Peter Vale and their daughter Sophia.
Jake and Luna were also present as guests.
Everyone turned toward the entrance as Peter stormed into the room looking like a man who had completely lost his mind.
"LUIS! HOW DARE YOU!"
Peter pointed directly at Luis with trembling fingers, his expression murderous.
Ava immediately raised an eyebrow.
Oh.
Drama.
Breakfast just got interesting.
Everyone's gaze shifted toward Luis.
The accused party calmly scooped another portion of food onto his plate.
Not even a little guilty.
Diego put down his coffee.
"What happened?"
Which was exactly what everyone else wanted to know.
Peter looked as if he wanted to explode.
"Ask your dear nephew what he did to my business!"
Emily turned to Luis her eyes filled with curiosity.
"What did you do, Luis?"
Her eyes were already filled with impatience.
Not because of Luis.
Because Peter was taking forever to get to the point of the gossip.
Nathan nodded seriously.
"Luis, tell your mother."
He took a sip of tea.
"Don't keep her hanging."
A pause.
"Your mother needs her daily gossip."
Several people coughed to hide their laughter.
Peter nearly spat blood.
His suffering had somehow become entertainment well who can help it during this week it is always endless drama non-stop
Thomas shook his head sympathetically.
"Calm yourself Don't take Nathan and his family's words to heart."
He nodded wisely.
"Otherwise you'll be the one getting injured."
Several family members nodded in agreement.
Solid advice.
Peter's eye twitched.
Luis finally looked up from his breakfast.
"Is Uncle Peter talking about a business?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"I feel like you should be more specific."
He stabbed another piece of food with his fork.
"A lot of things happened yesterday."
"The NYX Family's restaurant, NOX AURELIA, publicly paraded a group of people who broke their rules."
Several people looked interested.
Luis continued casually.
"The Releam Studio you guys won't know it also collapsed after a lot of their illegal activities were exposed."
His tone remained calm.
"As I said..."
"A lot happened yesterday."
Peter's face immediately darkened.
"You reported my business and you're acting innocent?!" Peter roared. "Who is going to pay for my losses?!"
He snatched his phone out and slammed it onto the dining table.
The loud sound echoed through the hall.
Everyone's attention shifted toward the device.
Madam Quinn calmly picked it up first.
She adjusted her glasses and read the article.
Without saying anything, she handed it to Grandpa Quinn.
Grandpa Quinn skimmed through it before passing it to Diego.
From there, the phone traveled around the table.
Diego.
Faith.
Nathan.
Emily.
Thomas.
Evenly.
Winter.
Damien.
Summer.
Frank.
Vickey.
Maria.
Jake.
Luna.
Ava
Vera
Sophia
One by one, they read the news.
The atmosphere became increasingly strange.
Vera's face grew colder with every passing second.
Vera simply watched her husband The disappointment in her eyes was obvious.
Sophia wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.
Finally, the phone reached Luis.
He glanced at the article.
Then smiled.
"Oh."
He placed the phone back on the table.
"This?"
His tone was casual.
"Yes, I reported it."
Peter nearly exploded.
Luis continued calmly.
"For good merit."
"For karma."
"And because that company was trying to poach workers from my Virtual World project."
He picked up his orange juice and took a slow sip.
"They wanted to reap where they didn't sow."
"They wanted the results without putting in the work."
"They were willing to use any method possible."
"So I reported them."
Luis shrugged.
"Seems reasonable to me."
Peter's face twisted.
"You—"
Before he could speak, Luis interrupted.
"Actually..."
His gaze shifted toward Vera.
"Aunt Vera."
The dining hall suddenly became quiet.
Luis leaned back lazily.
"Did you know the director who was running that company alongside Uncle Peter was his mistress brother?"
Silence.
Peter's entire body froze.
Sophia's eyes widened.
Vera's expression cracked even though she tried to be calm
Luis continued.
"The same mistress he supposedly cut ties with years ago now his brother have more rights to that company that is meant to generate billions and you don't even know."
His voice remained calm.
Almost conversational.
"So either Uncle Peter doesn't care who he works with..."
"Or he doesn't care about you."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Luis crossed one leg over the other.
"Oh, and Aunt Vera..."
He smiled pleasantly.
"Do you also know that some of the shares Uncle Peter was supposed to reserve for Sophia were sold off to fund that company?"
Sophia's face instantly turned pale.
Peter felt his blood run cold.
Luis rested his chin on one hand.
"The company that's currently being investigated."
"The company that was just shut down."
"The company that's now worth exactly nothing."
He smiled.
"What a loving father."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Even Peter forgot to breathe.
Peter pointed at him with a trembling finger.
"You little bastard—"
"Language."
Madam Quinn spoke without even looking up from her tea.
Peter instantly swallowed the rest of his curse.
No matter how angry he was, he wasn't stupid enough to challenge the old matriarch.
Nathan slowly turned toward Peter.
"...You sold Sophia's shares?"
Everyone was stunned.
Even Evenly had to cover her mouth to stop herself from bursting into laughter.
No longer acting like a diva now, huh? Evenly thought.
"Oh my..." Maria said, blinking dramatically. "Are you sure, Luis? Uncle Peter is such a caring father. There's no way he'd do all that. He loves his only daughter too much."
She turned toward Sophia with a look full of fake sympathy.
Unfortunately, the mockery in her eyes was impossible to miss.
Sophia's face turned red.
Luna immediately lowered her head and stuffed her mouth with food, trying very hard to pretend she wasn't listening.
Jake wasn't even pretending.
Neither was Ava.
The two looked like they had just discovered the greatest source of entertainment in the world.
At the head of the table, Grandpa Quinn rubbed his forehead.
"Well..." he muttered under his breath.
"This is going to be a long day."
Only Grandma Quinn heard him.
Meanwhile, Peter stood frozen.
For once in his life, he was completely speechless.
"And right..." Luis said casually.
He cut another piece of steak.
Took a bite.
Chewed slowly.
Picked up his orange juice.
Took a sip.
Wiped his mouth.
Then, only after taking his sweet time, he snapped his fingers.
The dining room doors opened.
His assistant walked in carrying a silver tray covered by a red cloth.
The assistant stopped beside Peter.
Then calmly placed the tray in front of him.
Peter frowned.
The assistant removed the red cloth.
Silence.
The entire dining room froze.
Ten glass jars sat neatly on the tray.
Inside each jar was a severed finger.
Ten fingers.
Ten jars.
Peter's face instantly turned pale.
Luis leaned back lazily in his chair.
"Someone planted a mole inside a new club I opened I have to cut of all his fingers for him to speak he is useless now I would kill him and send you his body don't worry they are many people I can invistage like that director guy in jail and the person in charge owe me a favor."
His voice remained calm.
"I didn't use my father's name."
"I didn't use Grandpa's name."
"If I had, I would've treated it as a family dispute."
His eyes slowly landed on Peter.
"But this was my personal business."
"And yet Uncle Peter couldn't control himself."
Luis smiled.
"So neither can I."
The smile never reached his eyes.
"If I were you..."
He folded his hands together.
"As Aunt Vera's husband, I would advise you to stop chasing projects for the next three months Instead, focus on strengthening the Vale Group."
His gaze became colder.
"Because I'm not playing nice anymore."
The room felt several degrees colder.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Peter stared at the jars.
His hands trembled.
Luis stood up.
"As for the rest of you..."
He adjusted his sleeves.
"Have a nice day."
"I have classes to attend."
Then he walked around the table.
Bent down.
And kissed Emily on the cheek.
"Bye, Mom."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"Cause trouble somewhere else."
"No promises."
Luis grinned.
As he passed Ava, the two siblings immediately exchanged middle fingers.
Without hesitation.
Without shame.
Like a daily ritual.
Diego looked away.
Thomas pretended not to see it.
The entire family was already used to it.
Then Luis casually pulled a bank card from his pocket.
Nathan's eyes widened.
"My card!"
Luis grinned.
"Thanks, Dad."
"You little thief!"
Luis laughed and sprinted toward the door.
Nathan immediately jumped up.
"Get back here!"
Too late.
Luis was already gone.
The dining room doors swung shut behind him.
Silence returned.
A very uncomfortable silence.
Peter sat there staring at the tray.
His face was deathly pale.
The assistant remained standing calmly beside him.
Completely unbothered.
After all...
He was already used to this sort of thing.
The assistant bowed politely.
Then turned and left.
Leaving the Quinn family alone with Peter.
And the ten jars sitting in front of him like a warning.
A warning nobody at that table misunderstood.