"What happens with the board meeting?" Vincent asked again. "I thought you had no interest in taking over this corporation?"

  "You are right, and you already knew about it. MCGC is a pain on the a** because of those close-minded old men. Honestly, Lopez Corporation is enough pain for me. So how come I would have an interest in leading those old geezers? But they have plans to sink this city."

  He added, "There is no way I would let them do that! I give my whole life to get as far as where this city stands right now, in which, because of my stupid dream and ambition, I turned my back on the woman I love. So now, I will allow no one to waste all of my efforts that cost me my life and my happiness."

  Vincent stared at Zayn with pity. TLikeCarl, this guy is also living in the pain that the past has caused it.

  In the eyes of society, they are successful and powerful men who haven't through vulnerability. But none of them knew that they were all trapped and dwelling in that secret place until now.

  Gladly, he already has Hailey on his side. If he never meets her again, he would be in the same state as his cousins.

  Even though Zaijan gradually comes back to life when he meets Frained again, however, he could not take back what he has lost already in the past. But he is happy to see Zaijan is in better shape now than before.

  "Zaijan, since you have Raine, maybe it is time to look ahead?" Vincent attempts to comfort him.

  He knew his words were not enough to enlighten him. But he truly wished he could someday return the favor to everything Zaijan did for him and Hailey.

  On the other hand, Zayn smiles faintly. The truth is, Vincent's words somehow give him a little hope that he badly needs at this moment when the past keeps flashing in his mind.

  Them, as cousins, are always in pursuit of their happiness. That is why he would lend a hand to Vincent not to lose the woman he dear to him.

  No one should live in misery as he is already, and Carl, who couldn't move on yet even though it's been five years, had passed.

  "Thank you for reminding me." Zaijan patted Vincent's shoulder. "That should be what I do for the sake of Raine. She should have a happy life in the future and live to the fullest."

  On the sideline, Rodney is only listening to his cousins. And when the course of the talk went serious, he groaned and complains.

  "Can we stop this drama? Why don't we have a toast? That from this day onward. Let's only look forward and defeat our enemies?"

  Rodney raises his glass, waiting for Vincent and Zaijan to do the same. Instead, while both shared a glance, they shook their heads and spat on Rodney's back.

  This guy seemed not growing up yet. But he will be once he falls in love.

  After his back was struck, Rodney frowned and whined. "That hurts, you know!"

  "Don't kill the moods!" Vincent retorts; he picks up the glass of wine Rodney pushed toward him, and the three of them clank their glasses.

  After drinking half of the wine in his glass, Zaijan reported to Vincent about the board meeting.

  "I asked everyone to have an early meeting tomorrow morning. The majority voted for Hailey to be a member of the Board. I called Fraine to notify Hailey about it. She plans to send a representative instead. What do you think?"

  Vince put down his glass and pondered. Maybe it was the best thing to do, rather than Hailey traveling around a lot this time.

  They may plan to trap Liam Huo by letting him get near her, but her safety is still the most important for him than place her as bait.

  "I think that would be best. She better remain in Shen Tower, and let's see what Liam Huo would do to get near her."

  He grew restless as days passed. He wants to end this as soon as possible to go back to Australia to talk with Eva. He wants to clear out everything in his past before he faces Hailey's family, especially her father.

  Vincent hurls a deep sighed. He glanced at Rodney. "How was the preparation going?"

  "All the men that are involved in this operation are on standby. It's just a matter of time. Once Liam Huo gets near to our Queen? It's checkmate!"

  Rodney explained further, pointing out the two sides of the chessboard. The other side is them, and the opposite side, of course, was Liam Huo.

  "When the rival king gets close to our queen, it is time for OUR KING to show up and protect his Queen. Am I right?" Rodney was looking at Vincent while he's telling the last two sentences.

  Vincent grinned and muttered, "It seems like you want a fifty percent discount on the yacht that I am building for you."

  "Only fifty percent?" Rodney pouted. "Can I have it for free? Zaijan asked for a mansion, then just gave me the yacht for free!"

  "Both of you had a thick face. Instead of turning me into a beggar, help me earn more before I marry Hailey. Have you imagined how much I should spend to invite everyone to our wedding?" Vincent mouthed.

  Zaijan and Rodney shared a glance. Later, both are bursting into laughter. Then, finally, Rodney said, "Don't worry, cousin! I will send you an E-cart so that you don't need to push it but ride on it!"

  Vincent frowned. How dare Rodney joke on him when he is serious? E-cart? That still needed electricity! If he was living on the streets, then where the hell could he find an electrical outlet? Rodney is not thinking!

  "Alright, fine! There is no way I would allow myself to become poor. I should provide most for my family even though Hailey earns more than mine."

  "It looks like both of you need to talk regarding that," Zaijan commented. He then suggested, "You should do a Premarital Counselling or do a Pre-Marriage survey with each other on your own."

  "Huh? Is that necessary?" Rodney asked curiously. He seemed interested more than Vincent.

  Zaijan, who is less interested in this matter, shrugs his shoulders.

  "Some people do that to know each other's perspective, especially if it involves assets and properties. So prepare some questions, and the couple should see what their viewpoint is regarding some matters once they are a married couple."

  "Then how about you?" Rodney asked Zaijan afterward. He is curious about what would be his answers now that he is arranged to someone else.

  "I will see what would be that woman is after from me. Of course, if I don't love her, I will compensate her. But if I marry the woman dear to me, then of course. I will shower her with everything," Zaijan answered.

  Rodney lowered his gaze to the table and pondered what Zaijan had said.

  "If it is about money, as long as I marry the woman I love, I don't mind giving her what's mine and everything I have."

  Rodney shared his perspective, which he is more likely talking to himself. Zaijan didn't expect to hear this from him. He is a bad-tempered guy and doesn't like to associate with women a lot, just like him. Well, Vincent is not different from them.

  They had more fun with an all-boys out only like a yacht party rather than showing off to high-end clubs who could bring the most beautiful girlfriend to the party.

  "So, how about you?" Zaijan asked Vincent afterward.

  He shrugged his shoulders and then made a serious remark. "I will do the same. But in Hailey's case, I am willing to sign a Prenup Agreement stating that I would receive a zero penny from all of her assets and none of her properties I can claim in case of ……"

  Vincent didn't mention the words that 'if ever he'll live longer than Hailey' as in his mind, he wishes to die together with her rather than being left alone.

  "Whatever I have is hers. I need to talk to my lawyers once we're legally married," he added.

  "Right! Because you made that stupid LAST WILL to threaten your parents." Rodney snaps his fingers while laughing.

  But then he pondered. Most of their elders are strict, especially Vincent's mom. They want to control their children's lives which were they were living in 2026 already. For them, there is no such thing as arranged marriage. Rodney swears to marry the woman he loves, whoever she is.

  Vincent had another glass of wine with Rodney and Zaijan. Later on, he declares. "I shouldn't be here hiding. Rodney, find me some disguised clothes."

  "Disguise what?" Rodney chokes his liquor, and Zaijan looks at Vince with a perplexed expression. Both wonder if he is serious about roaming outside when he pretends to be still in Las Vegas.

  However, he is determined to protect Hailey with his own hands. "Yes, I am serious. I need to disguise myself and get near to my Queen."

  "Hm. Maybe you need to do that," said Rodney while staring at his phone. "Carl texted me. Liam Huo chartered two helicopters, and his plane flew to D City, but Liam and Galvin were still in Metro City and keep it low."

  "Hm… looks like the Huo cousin is preparing to commence their plans and then leave P Country through the back door," Zaijan concluded.

  Vincent sharpened his gaze, staring at his glass. He was actually grinning as something was playing on his mind.

  "Then, I should be at the Shen Tower starting tonight. If he plans to enter my building through the rooftop, I will open the doors wide open and let him in. I would be happy to greet him."