Kaden's first thought was: what an ugly name.

  Kaden narrowed his eyes upon the entry of a random man. Especially someone who called his wife with such affection, like worship before the temple. Such irony.

  "Oh my, it really is you!" Lina gasped, quickly rushing to him.

  Kaden tightened his jaw. He placed his hands into his pockets. He leisurely strolled behind her, watching the entire ordeal unravel.

  Atlantis.

  Where had he heard this name before?

  "It's been such a long time, Linlin," Atlantis mused, his lips twisting into an easygoing grin.

  Lina's eyes lit up with amusement at their old nicknames for each other. She couldn't believe how much time had passed between them. She had graduated from high school two years early, but they had spent the majority of their childhood and middle school together.

  "I can't believe you're still using that nickname," Lina laughed.

  "An ugly nickname too," Kaden muttered under his breath.

  Atlantis' gaze instantly flickered to the man who came up to Lina from behind. He immediately assessed the situation. In the presence of the stranger, Lina didn't even seem startled. Even when the man slipped a hand upon her hip. His smile became strained.

  "Who's this?" Atlantis said, referring to the strange and unnaturally tall man.

  "Oh, Lanlan, this is—"

  "An even uglier nickname," Kaden teased, but this time in a playful manner to Lina.

  Lina's lips twitched as she peered up at him. Was he sulking? Or was he deliberately behaving like a brat? She suddenly realized his hand on her hip which squeezed her softly. His skin was warm. She felt it through her silk dress.

  "Suitable for such a hideous man too," Kaden noted.

  "Better than Eden, though?" Lina mused.

  Kaden's eyes flickered. "For an early PhD candidate, you sure have horrible taste in names."

  Lina scoffed.

  "Let's leave the naming of our children up to me," Kaden told her.

  Immediately, the mood dipped.

  Atlantis' amiable smile dispersed. Replacing his friendly expression was a chilly stare. Before Lina could respond, he opened his mouth.

  "You're pregnant, Linlin?" Atlantis instantly asked. The thought left a bad taste in his mouth. He couldn't imagine her thin silhouette pregnant with another man's sperm. Especially a man as freakishly tall as the stranger.

  Now that Atlantis took a better glance, this man appeared familiar. From where though?

  "No," Lina responded in a heartbeat.

  "She could be by tonight," Kaden humored.

  Lina gave him a rough nudge with her elbow. He responded with a soft laugh under his breath. She glared up at him, hoping he'd be less shameless. He responded by flashing her a wink. This cheeky brat.

  "It seems you two are close, Linlin, though not as friendly as we were back then," Atlantis said with amusement dripping in his voice. He didn't chastise her with his anger. Instead, he did it through guilt.

  Lina instantly understood where she was lacking in this conversation.

  "Ah, this is Kaden, my fiance—"

  "Husband," Kaden corrected in a dark voice.

  "Doesn't seem like she acknowledges that title," Atlantis shot back with a friendly smile.

  Kaden revealed a wolfish grin of his own. His eyes flickered dangerously. Now, he remembered where he saw this bastard. The King of Wraith hired a new watchdog. It was mentioned in the underground network of mafia men and notorious clans.

  "I do," Lina quickly said.

  Lina could practically feel the intensity of Kaden's hatred. It radiated from him in waves. His presence grew larger, despite the open space they were in. So much so, she could feel his murderous aura. Even so, he didn't hurt her. His grip on her waist was still gentle, despite the firmness.

  Lina slipped her hand over his. Instantly, he gave her hip a squeeze. He wasn't mad at her. She saw Atlantis' quick glance at their joined hands.

  "When did you return to the country, Lanlan?" Lina carefully asked him, deciding to change the topic.

  "Just last night, Linlin," Atlantis told her. He maintained his kind smile.

  Lina was at ease with his features. It seemed he was just as patient and kind as he was back then. They had known each other ever since she entered middle school and high school, but he had been out of Ritan for a while. Despite graduating top of the classes, he went to a prestigious university in the West, which was located on the outskirts of Wraith. She never asked him why.

  "Oh, what's the cause of the glorious return, Lanlan?" Lina naively continued.

  Kaden was growing irritated with each usage of the disgusting nickname. He gritted his teeth and maintained an aloof expression. He wasn't going to make it a big issue in front of a damn stranger. He was not that kind of lover.

  Instead, Kaden rubbed his thumb upon her hip in a soothing manner. He could feel her jitteriness, whether it was from excitement to see Atlantis or nervousness from the initial conversation about whether or not she acknowledged him as a husband.

  "I received a job offer from two people I can't reject," Atlantis stated.

  "Who are they?" Lina asked.

  "The First is the King of Wraith," Atlantis said.

  A flash of status.

  Kaden realized it well. Atlantis was flaunting his connection with the King of Wraith. Pity. Kaden was older than that arrogant ruler.

  "He offered me a job I can't deny," Atlantis stated.

  "What's the job you're tasked with?" Lina echoed.

  Lina didn't know what his profession was. In fact, she hadn't kept in touch with him for three years now. One year after she entered college, she lost contact with him, for he had changed his phone number to an international one.

  "I'm here to search for something, Linlin," Atlantis told her.

  "Oh, like a person or object?"

  "If I tell you, I'd have to kill you, Linlin," Atlantis joked.

  Kaden's blank expression dropped. He shot a warning glare towards Atlantis. He'd like to see this bastard try. In fact, he couldn't wait for Atlantis to attempt it. This would give Kaden a valid reason to brutally murder this man. His fingers itched to twist the man's neck.

  "Ever the jokester," Lina nervously said. Something about his statement told her it wasn't a simple tease.

  "Don't worry, I'd never hurt you. It's a simple jest, Linlin," Atlantis laughed, his eyes crinkling.

  With his gentle personality, Lina became more relaxed. She matched his smile and realized she was being too paranoid. Not once had Atlantis ever hurt her. Instead, he was her protector. When she'd got bullied in middle school for her weight, he'd pummeled her bullies.

  "And what about the other reason?" Lina asked him.

  "Keen with details as always, Linlin," Atlantis murmured. "I'm sure you've seen it on the news by now."

  On the news? Lina tried to rattle her brain for something. Like her father, she sometimes had the habit of paying attention to the news. Though, she wasn't as dedicated as his ancient methods of reading it in the paper. Nowadays, newspapers were rarely printed, but he was still able to get his hands on one.

  "I'm sorry, I don't think I recall…" Lina trailed off. She nibbled anxiously on her bottom-lip. She didn't want to make it seem like she wasn't keeping up with him.

  Before Atlantis would come in with an explanation, Kaden's cold voice filled the air.

  "You're the illegitimate son of Medeor's Chairman," Kaden stated like it was nothing.

  Illegitimate son. A direct jab.

  Atlantis' eyes twitched.

  Kaden revealed a slight smirk. Right on the bullseye. This title would piss anyone off, especially this man with an inferiority complex. He saw right through Atlantis' faux kindness.

  "Oh, I did see that on the news of your father's retirement, but I didn't know…" Lina cut herself off.

  Atlantis was the resident "bad boy" of their middle school and high school. Ladies loved how charismatic and kind he was, but with a dangerous side to him. He treated people well, but always caused trouble with fellow peers in her honor. He was hated by jealous male classmates who used his illegitimate status against him. The girls loved the idea of "lowering" themselves to have a forbidden taste of an illegitimate son.

  Despite that, Atlantis and Lina got along well. She always knew of his status, but never brought it up. He was grateful for that fact.

  "You didn't know I was his son," Atlantis finished for her. His voice was as mellow as ever. "That's alright. Not many people did."

  Lina should've known it was Medeor Corporation. Atlantis was always good with science and chemistry classes. Now that she recalled, Medeor's Chairman had many daughters, but no son. None except for an illegitimate one.

  "Are you here to claim the seat now that your father's retiring?" Lina asked him.

  Atlantis shifted his gaze to the hand that held her hips. Then, he saw her expensive gold necklace, the exquisite silk dress she wore, and how priceless she appeared. In order to have this woman, he must become someone worthy of her.

  "Yes," Atlantis responded with a pained smile. "Before this month ends, I will be the new chairman of Medeor Corporation."

  Chairman.

  Atlantis nearly flashed a gloating expression to Kaden. He, too, recognized this man with unknown origins. The hypocrite. How dare he spit out that Atlantis was an illegitimate son as if Kaden deserved any rights to the infamous DeHaven Conglomerate?

  "O-oh," Lina stammered.

  Medeor Corporation had close ties with Yang Enterprise. The relationship began only one generation ago, when her grandfather was young. She heard Lawrence was close to Medeor Chairman's father.

  "Don't look so pained by the news, I'm alright," Atlantis reassured her.

  Lina felt hurt in his place. She knew how much he struggled in his youth. His father never accepted him. The only fatherly thing that Medeor Chairman did was enroll his son in prestigious schools. She heard the father rarely supported Atlantis' struggling mother when she had cancer.

  "Truly, Linlin," Atlantis softly said.

  "Alright, Lanlan," Lina murmured.

  Kaden grew irked by the mention of the nickname. How come she didn't call him? Eden anymore? Hatred burned in his veins…… He couldn't wait to get rid of this man.