CHAPTER 149: THE SUDDEN PAIN IN HIS HEART

Olivia couldn’t win against the two people standing in front of her—not today, not ever.

"Sophia, don’t think you’re untouchable just because Lucas is backing you up," Olivia snapped. "One day, I’ll make you kneel and beg."

Sophia raised a brow. "Great. I’ll be waiting."

She honestly wanted to see what they thought they were capable of.

Olivia had come just to "see her one last time," then left just as abruptly.

"She’s acting strange," Lucas said, pulling Sophia into his arms.

"I noticed," Sophia replied.

His chin rested on her shoulder, voice low and rough. "Let me take you to the airport tomorrow, okay?"

"As I’ve said, whatever comes, comes."

Still, Olivia’s visit was a reminder—she needed to be extra careful with the car tomorrow.

Just as she was about to go upstairs, Lucas scooped her up out of nowhere.

He looked genuinely serious when he asked, "Tell me... don’t you think I have way too many assets?"

Sophia blinked, not following.

Of course she did—enough to feed generations.

"So?" she asked.

"So," he said with absolute solemnity, "we should have more heirs to divide it."

It took her two seconds to process it—then she flushed scarlet and swatted at him. "Lucas!"

The only answer she received was the sound of the bedroom door slamming shut.

...

Early Morning

Fog clung low outside, thick and heavy. She had packed extra clothing for the difference in climate abroad.

Lucas, dressed in a tailored suit, deliberately left the top button undone.

"Sophia."

She turned, helpless, already knowing what he wanted. "Can’t you get dressed by yourself?"

Yet her hands were already fixing his shirt and pulling his tie straight.

Suddenly, his arm tightened around her waist. He tapped his lower lip. "It’s split."

Sophia narrowed her eyes and grabbed his face lightly. "And that’s my fault?"

Half a month. That’s how long it took for Lucas to end up with a split lip again.

Her cheeks warmed instantly.

...

"Mommy!"

All six children appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing matching T-shirts in different colors. They rushed into her arms.

"Mommy, are you really leaving?"

"Of course. And all of you have to behave while I’m gone."

Charles clung to her arm. "You have to think about us at least three times a day, okay?"

"You little schemer," Sophia laughed. "Don’t worry—I’ll miss you every single day."

Then Faye pointed at Lucas. "Daddy, your lip is bleeding!"

"Dog bite," Lucas said without expression.

"Bitten by a dog? But dogs only like meat," Faye blinked innocently.

"Exactly," he murmured. "Dogs love to eat meat."

Sophia turned scarlet and glared murderously at him.

Faye still didn’t get it.

...

"Time’s up. Let’s go."

They were just heading out when Harper showed up at the door.

"Sophia, safe travels."

"Thanks. Keep an eye on the kids for me when you can. And don’t worry about the filming—everything’s already arranged."

As the car pulled away, the kids ran after it for a while, their little figures shrinking in the rear mirror.

A strange, heavy feeling filled Harper’s chest.

"Lucas... I have a bad feeling."

He didn’t look any better.

"Since you’re here, take the kids to school. I need to stop by the company. If I’m fast enough, maybe I can still get to the airport in time to see her off."

He was supposed to meet Jacob at nine. It was eight now.

A few minutes later, Alex arrived.

"Mr. Hilton, everything is in place."

"Good. Let’s go."

When everyone finally dispersed, Harper let out a long sigh and looked at the children.

"Why is it, when I look at you all, I suddenly think of little cabbages left out in the cold?"

Billy answered without hesitation, "Then you must be the little pig."

Harper froze, then burst out laughing. "Is that so? Then I’m going to start rooting around!"

The children shrieked and scattered, Harper chasing after them down the hall.

On the other side of the city, Sophia had barely slept a wink the entire night, and now exhaustion weighed heavily on her eyes.

From the front seat, the bodyguard Jaxon glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

"Miss Morgan, why don’t you rest for a bit? I’ll wake you when we arrive."

"That works. Keep an eye on things today—especially the cars around us. I’ll take a short nap. If anything happens, call me immediately."

It would take nearly another thirty minutes to reach the airport.

Sophia leaned back, closed her eyes, and forced herself into a light rest.

...

Hilton Group Headquarters

Lucas stepped straight into the conference room.

"Bring me all the files. Every single one."

Jacob Brown’s status demanded absolute respect—he couldn’t afford any oversight.

At 9:20 a.m., downstairs, ten Maybachs formed two symmetrical rows, while an extended Lincoln was positioned in the center.

Bodyguards stepped out one after another, forming military-like lines along the entrance.

Employees inside the building stared in shock—clearly, someone very powerful had arrived.

From the Lincoln emerged a man in his mid-fifties to early sixties, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit.

He had a commanding build and sharp, hawk-like eyes that cut through everything they rested on.

He entered the building without hesitation.

The moment the conference-room doors opened, Lucas rose to his feet.

"Mr. Hilton," Jacob greeted, a booming laugh rolling out of him, "your reputation is known far and wide. It’s an honor to finally meet you in person!"

"President Brown," Lucas replied calmly, "the honor is mine. Please, have a seat."

But Jacob did not sit.

He took his time circling the room, inspecting every detail with practiced eyes—left, right, corner to corner.

Only after his silent assessment did he return to the table and chuckle:

"Not bad. Quite spacious. Of course, compared to my headquarters, this place is still a bit smaller."

Lucas smiled lightly, unmoved.

He knew the tallest tower in City A belonged entirely to him, and he had already reviewed the data on DS Group—Jacob’s building wasn’t even half its height.

"You’re too modest, President Brown. A sparrow may be small, but it has all five vital organs."

Jacob nodded, exhaling with an amused huff.

"True enough. If I didn’t value your capability, I wouldn’t be here at all. I came today to discuss business. I want to partner with you and expand into the domestic market."

"I am aware," Lucas replied evenly. "But the domestic market is not easily secured. I wonder what specific sectors you wishes to enter?"

"What I want to invest in covers quite a lot. For example—children’s recreational toys."

Lucas’s lip lifted. "You’ll have it."

"Women’s lingerie," Jacob continued, unfazed. "That is also a space worth taking."

Lucas raised a brow.

"You may not know—Hilton Group already operates in dozens of industries."

Jacob’s gaze sharpened, amused.

"Impressive. Truly ambitious. Though I do wonder..."

His tone shifted.

The smile on his lips remained, but something darker flickered beneath it.

And then—

Lucas felt a sudden, stabbing pain flash through his chest.