Eliza's eyes welled with tears - but this time, they were tears of happiness.
"Fyren, am I beautiful?"
At this moment, all lust had vanished from Fyren's eyes, replaced by pity.
[Does she really need this? To sacrifice herself like this for a man? Is it worth it? I'm nobody! Not worth it at all!]
Eliza smiled. "Fyren, I'm yours from now on. Your dreams are my dreams; your ambitions are my goals. If you want my body, take it. If you need my skills, I'll complete any task for you. As long as you don't abandon me, I'll stay by your side - assisting you, caring for you, never changing my mind."
Fyren looked sorrowful.
He sighed and picked up the bath towel to drape over her.
"You're this city's queen. Just be yourself."
"I may be someone else's queen. But before you, I'm just a woman - one who longs for your love, your care, your protection."
Fyren fell silent.
Crystalpeak City - he was determined to take it for himself, not give it to Otto.
Otto, you may be powerful, but Crystalpeak City will never be yours! If you want to start something, find another place to begin anew.
Fyren said firmly: "I won't take Qianfeng. Qianfeng is yours, always yours."
"But I'm yours."
Fyren sighed deeply.
[This girl has backed herself into a corner. She's determined to bind herself to me.]
[No point arguing now. First, we need to resolve the Qianfeng situation.]
"Then just follow my lead," Fyren said. "I'll help you regain all the shares and take back Qingfeng Group."
"This isn't the optimal strategy. We both know it, and outsiders do too. To achieve great things, you can't afford compassion for women. Even I support this - why are you still hesitating?"
Fyren grew annoyed. "Why must you keep arguing? I said you should keep managing Qianfeng, and you should fight for it! You promised to obey me. If you're already mine, what difference does it make whether Qianfeng is in your hands or mine?"
Eliza froze momentarily. "Oh! Fyren, your vision truly surpasses mine! Why didn't I think of that? Yes, yes! I was still... still tangled in legal boundaries and rules, while you were considering the human element! I understand now."
"Whatever you understand, just focus on reclaiming Qianfeng!"
"Yes! Everyone will obey you! From now on, outwardly I'll manage Qianfeng, but in reality, it's all yours. Even I belong to you! All of Qianfeng's decisions will follow your command."
Exhausted by the argument, Fyren said: "Get dressed. Where's your gown?"
"You really... don't want me? Now?" Eliza asked timidly.
"Business first."
"Okay."
...
"Fyren!"
Hakan burst into laughter the moment he entered, striding forward energetically.
Fyren extended his hand for a polite handshake, but Hakan pulled him into a hug instead, vigorously patting his back.
They separated and took their seats.
"Fyren, this office is magnificent!"
Fyren smiled. "Can't compare to yours, Hakan."
"Hey! No need for formalities! I mean it. Honestly, among our peers, there are many wealthy people - but you're the one I respect most! Why do you think that is?"
"Ha ha, I truly don't know."
"You've got guts! Unlike those other rich kids - when it comes to money matters, they're still playing with childish pocket money, not at all generous."
Fyren glanced at the person beside Hakan - Sabrina.
Noticing this, Hakan immediately grinned. "Don't recognize her? From the other day! Haha, I took her on as my secretary! Let me tell you... her skills are incredible!"
Hakan wore a sly smile, his eyes dancing with excitement, completely ignoring Chloe and Sabrina standing right beside him.
Sabrina pouted coquettishly. "Hakan, what are you talking about! You're terrible!"
"Hahaha!" Hakan looked Chloe up and down, his chin dropping slightly. "Fyren, I told you you weren't paying enough attention to the ladies, right? Everyone says you've been on a leash all these years. I was wondering why Fyren's been so quiet! So... haha! What's this little secretary's name?"
"Hakan, my name is Chloe."
"Oh, Chloe! Lovely name! Sounds sweet, the name's good, and the person's even better!"
Hakan's lecherous gaze roamed freely over her body without restraint.
These wealthy young masters never bothered hiding their thoughts about beautiful women. Why would they?
Women came too easily to them.
Most women he eyed didn't feel disgusted - instead, they saw an opportunity and tried their best to show off.
But Chloe was different. With Fyren by her side, she had no reason to please someone who saw women as mere playthings.
She maintained a polite smile, though her eyes held traces of discomfort and revulsion.
Unexpectedly, this reaction only intrigued Hakan more - he found this young lady interesting.
Sexy yet delicate, like she might break easily!
Hakan leaned closer to Fyren. "Lucky bastard, this little secretary must be fun, eh?"
Fyren understood - this guy's immediate hug, then chatting about university and women...
It was all just an act to appear close, to smooth over their recent conflict about competing for women.
Not wanting to offend Hakan now, Fyren smiled. "I'm not like you - I don't graze near my own pasture."
"Cut the crap!" Hakan said. "How about we swap secretaries for a few days?"
Fyren stared. "What do you mean?"
"Stop playing dumb! I've swapped with plenty of classmates - it's thrilling! There's this unique excitement."
He made a crude gesture.
Fyren rubbed his temples. "Not my style."
"Oh!" Hakan pointed at Fyren. "Right, right. After swapping, the novelty wears off. Enough talk - you know why I'm here, don't you?"
"I don't." Fyren poured tea for Hakan.
"I know you hold about 20% of Qingfeng Group's shares. Sell them to me? Name your price - I won't haggle."
Fyren smiled. "You want Qianfeng?"
"Absolutely," Hakan said. "Qingfeng Group hasn't performed well recently, but its foundations remain solid. I figured if we took it over and made some changes, there might be potential. Worth a shot! If we keep dividing it up like this, Qianfeng will eventually become worthless. You should cash out now - I'll get management rights, you'll get a hefty payout. Win-win."
Fyren shook his head. "Let's not play games, brother. If Qianfeng had no value, would you really spend so much to acquire it?"
"Hahaha! Same old Fyren, always sharp-eyed. Fine - with you, I'll be straight." Hakan leaned forward. "Truth is, I want a foothold here. Starting from scratch would cost more, and competing with you guys for market share... Taking over Qianfeng gives me everything ready-made - talent, infrastructure, customer base. That's how I'll make it work here!"
He quickly added: "Don't worry! After acquiring Qianfeng, I'll partner deeply with Dasheng. We'll avoid competition, aim for mutual benefit. Later, we two can team up against the Xu and Chen families. Soon, Crystalpeak City will be ours to decide!"
Fyren nodded. "Logical argument. But no."
"Why? Name your price!"
"I know you're loaded, Hakan," Fyren said, refilling his tea. "But I love Eliza. The whole world knows. If I moved against Qianfeng now, would I still be me?"
"Damn! What's the big deal? I'll acquire Qianfeng and push Eliza out. With nowhere to go, she'll have to turn to you, right? You'll get the girl either way!"
"Hakan."
"Yeah?"
"Counteroffer: sell me your shares."
Hakan grinned and pointed. "You bastard! All this talk, but you want Qianfeng for yourself! Haha! With Qianfeng, Dasheng Group could take on the Chen and Xu families alone - plus you'd get Eliza. You sly dog!"
"Now that you understand... help your brother out?"
Hakan sighed. "Fyren, it's not about loyalty. You can't handle Qianfeng. It's in chaos - executives jumping ship! The takeover would be brutal. Maybe..."
"My mind's made up." Fyren's voice hardened. "I intend to acquire Qingfeng Group."
Hakan's expression froze, disappointment plain on his face.
"No discussion?"
"None."
"Always gotta oppose me, don't you?"
"Not opposing," Fyren said. "Name your price for the shares."
Hakan stared. "One hundred billion."
Fyren's eyes widened. "You bought them for thirty billion!"
"Exactly. Take it or leave it."
Fyren smiled coldly. "You can't swallow Qianfeng. I won't sell to you, Eliza won't, and Elton Leng least of all. Either I acquire Qingfeng Group, or we all hold shares and watch it crumble together. Our stocks become worthless paper."
Hakan suddenly stood, pacing before exploding:
"What's your game? You're throwing away easy money! I know your moves - that slum redevelopment project, stock market plays. But are they sustainable? Today's gains could vanish tomorrow! Your shares cost under thirty billion - I'm offering thirty-five! Cash out now with several billion profit. What's not to love?"
Fyren shook his head. "Eliza's too damn sexy. I want Qianfeng... and her too."
"You—! No ambition! Just a lovesick fool!"
Fyren set down his teacup, smiling. "A fool who spends billions chasing rich women."
"Hey, you—"
Suddenly, Sabrina interjected: "Hakan, don't rush. Let me... speak with Fyren privately?"
Hakan massaged his temples. "Fine. You talk. Chloe, give me a tour."
As Hakan left, Fyren tensed - Sabrina's gaze felt dangerously wrong.