What made it worse and truly tormented Desmond was the silence. He knew all too well how sharp Lucas could be, which only fueled his fear. In the past, when he was summoned like this, at least he had some idea of what he’d done wrong. Even if he’d made a mistake, he had a clear grasp of it. But this time? He had no clue. And that uncertainty sent panic spiraling through him. It was human nature to fear the unknown, and Desmond was no exception. He was just an ordinary man–how could he not be terrified in the face of someone like Lucas? Especially when he had no idea what was coming next.

What unsettled him even more was Lucas’ silence. That, more than anything, made his anxiety spike. But he didn’t dare speak. He genuinely had no idea what he’d done wrong, or where he had slipped up.

“Think hard,” Lucas said suddenly, his voice cold and sharp. “What brilliant move did you pull this time?”

Desmond exhaled–finally, some words–but his nerves remained taut. So now he had to guess? He truly didn’t know. Staring at Lucas’s expression, Desmond felt like he was about to confess to every childhood sin—like the time he dropped a stink bomb in the school restroom.

From the corner of his eye, Lucas noticed Desmond’s silence and conflicted expression. Clearly, the man had no idea what he was being accused of. Seeing this, Lucas curled his lips, radiating danger. “What’s the matter? Can’t remember now?”

Desmond’s knees nearly gave out, but he forced himself to speak. “Mr. Carter, I really don’t know what I did wrong. You told me to think, and I’ve dug up every bad thing I ever did–even the ones from when I was a kid. But I honestly don’t know what mistake I made with you.” When Aurora woke up, he’d rushed over immediately. He even worked as her driver for a while, and he’d been smart enough to stay out of sight–never once showed up in front of either Lucas or his wife. So where exactly had he gone wrong?

“Mr. Carter, maybe just give me a quick and painless death instead,” Desmond said, eyes shut as he finally gave in. He had no other option. If he kept wracking his brain without an answer, they’d be stuck in this stalemate forever. But clearly, Lucas didn’t have that kind of patience. So, forget it. Might as well let the man just come out and say it.

Lucas let out a cold snort, then flung a stack of documents straight at him. “Take a good look at these, and then try remembering again.”

Desmond didn’t complain. He picked the documents up one by one. Then his gaze froze on a particular line. A subsidiary of Hunt Enterprises seizing Walton Corporation’s land? Hunt Enterprises getting involved in a Vanguard Group project? The more he read, the more his heart dropped–cold sweat soaking his back.

“Th–this…” His hands trembled as he held the A4 sheet, his entire body shaking like a leaf. It was obvious–this fear came from deep within.

“I told you to keep an eye on Walton Corporation. This is what you call ‘watching over’ it?” Lucas rose to his feet and walked to the floor–to–ceiling window. “Tell me, if I had come back any later, would Walton Corporation already be in someone else’s hands?”