There's an old Chinese saying. "The emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuch is dying of anxiety".

The current situation was the perfect example of it.

Hnin was nearly unable to sit still, but the man in front of him remained calm, leaning on the sofa, flipping through some documents as if nothing matter at all.

Hnin wanted to stand up, but Rex lazily glanced at him with half-lidded eyes, which made him sink right back down.

Was this man truly this ruthless? 

Did Rex even realize how many enemies he had? How many people were waiting for the right moment to exploit his weakness and bring the Sein family to its knees?

With both Rex's influence and Hnin's own resources, they still hadn't uncovered who was behind Renée's disappearance. That alone was a bad sign—one that only grew worse with every passing minute.

Rex wasn't actually as composed as he appeared. He stared at the documents in his hands, flipping through them aimlessly, but not a single word had registered.

A hint of frustration crept in—not just because someone had the audacity to challenge his authority, but because his thoughts were in disarray over that woman.

Maybe he was just affected by that old bastard's tension.

Rex kept telling himself that this frustration was only because someone had dared to meddle with his possession. 

No one was allowed to touch what was his, even if he didn't particularly cherish or love it. What belonged to him could only ever belong to him.

He hated her. Hated her to the very core of his being. But only he had the right to punish her.

No one could take her away from him.

No one!

Rex glanced at Hnin, who was restlessly sitting on the couch. Despite his teacher's vehement denial, he still couldn't shake the doubt in his mind about him.

It was that old bastard who had taught him calmness, indifference, and cruelty. If he could maintain such composure on the surface, how could Hnin be so uneasy over something as trivial as a woman he had entrusted to him? It didn't add up.

If Hnin wasn't acting, and if this matter truly had nothing to do with him, then it meant that he had developed feelings he shouldn't have.

Even though Hnin could no longer engage in intimate matters, he was still a man, and that was enough to make him die a thousand times.

Under Rex's cold gaze, Hnin gradually calmed himself.

He wanted to explain, but hesitated. He knew Rex still suspected him, and showing too much care for Renée would only lead to misinterpretation, creating more trouble for both him and Renée.

The sound of high heels echoed from outside. Without even needing to look, anyone could tell the owner of the shoes was walking provocatively, seductively.

"Hubby~"

As soon as the screen was turned, the flirtatious call came rushing in. Mrs. Sein cheerfully dashed to the sofa, shamelessly leaning against Rex. Her hand, painted with bright red nail polish, boldly caressed his chest.

"Hubby, it's the first time you've invited me here. Finally tired of those androgynous men, ready to try something with a real woman?" she teased, casting a sidelong glance at Hnin.

Rex grabbed her hand, lowering his gaze at the woman leaning entirely into him.

Mrs. Sein smiled flirtatiously, her eyes fluttering, her shirt slipping down to reveal her smooth, fair skin and a deep cleavage. Any man would be aroused by such a sight.

As Rex's head slowly descended, Mrs. Sein closed her eyes, ready to play along.

Hnin was hesitating, about to slip away so as not to disturb the couple, when suddenly he heard a blood-curdling scream from the woman.

Mrs. Sein's arm was twisted behind her back at an unnatural angle by Rex, and her body was forced to turn around. Her chest thrust forward as she gasped and trembled in pain.

"Hubby, what are you doing? It hurts, it hurts..."

Rex smiled lightly, his hand slipping into her open neckline, grabbing her breast with a firm squeeze.

The woman gasped for air, her body reacting to the mixture of pleasure and pain.

"Hubby... so you... you like... like this kind... ah..."

Rex's hand molded her softness, the delicate flesh spilling from his fingers, looking lewd, but the woman was now too pained to enjoy it.

"You... let go of me... you're hurting me... ah... Rex Sein... you can't do this... ah..."

"What can't I do, hmm? Don't think that old man, Kyaw Lowe, can protect you forever or tie me down for life. You'd better rein it in."

"Okay, okay... Hubby, I promise, I'll be good... please let go of me... it hurts..."

"Tell me, where is he?"

"Who? Who are you talking about?"

"You know who I mean."

"He... I... I had him stay in the villa opposite our summer residence... I swear I won't do it again... hubby, I was wrong... please let me go..."

Rex threw the woman to the ground. And without hesitation, Hnin rushed out.

🎩

The door was opened by a young man, tall and slender, with handsome features. However, he was clearly intimidated by the imposing presence of Hnin and his group, his face contorted with fear.

Hnin raised his hand and pointed the gun at the man's chest. "Where is she?"

"She... she..."

The man was so terrified he began to stutter, his eyes shifting nervously toward the gun's muzzle, as though fearing that Hnin's finger on the trigger might move at any moment.

Hnin shoved him against the wall, pressing the gun to his temple.

"Tell me, where did you hide her?"

"She... she didn't come today," the man's eyes were wide in panic.

"Who? Who didn't come today?"

"Jen... Jenna Lowe... no... Sein... Jenna Sein... uh..."

Hnin struck his head with the gun. "I asked you, where is the woman you kidnapped?"

"Kidnap? We... we didn't kidnap anyone!"

Hnin was about to press him further when one of his subordinates returned and reported. "No sign of anyone else."

🎩

Min was taking Nanda home when they happened to see Thiri humming a tune, smiling as she was about to head out. She was clearly dressed up carefully, looking as excited as a young girl.

"Sis, you're going out at this hour?"

At the sight of Min, Thiri's face fell. She lowered her head and said nothing.

Min sighed inwardly. His sister never let anyone question her choices—anyone who did was guaranteed an icy response.

"Are you going to see René again?"

There was no need to ask. Min could tell. Thiri had been quiet and withdrawn for days. The only thing that could suddenly lift her mood like this had to be that man.

"Oh? So now that you're doing such a great job as the general manager, you want to control where I go and who I see too?"

Nanda helpfully chimed in with the latest update. "René isn't at Tipsy Lounge today. He wasn't there when I left." 

"Sis, why do you insist on getting tangled up with that gigolo? You have status, you have a reputation. If you're looking for a partner, shouldn't he be someone well-matched for you—"

"Oh? So you can bring prostitute home, but if I just want someone to have a drink and talk to, suddenly it's unforgivable?"

Nanda flinched and instinctively shrank to the side.

"...Sis, I understand. You're a grown woman. If you really need to... relieve yourself, you can find someone else. Just don't keep getting involved with that René, okay?"

"Why not René?" Thiri was trembling with anger. She shoved Min aside and headed straight for the door. "My life is none of your business. Whether I live or die has nothing to do with you."

Min grabbed her arm. "Sis, what do you mean by that? You're my sister. I just want what's best for you."

"If you really care about me, then let go."

Thiri shook off his hand and walked away without looking back.

Min stood frozen in place until Nanda nudged him. As if snapping out of a trance, he hurriedly took off after her.

Min watched as Thiri got into a car he didn't recognize. Without hesitation, he jumped into his own car and followed.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long for the other driver to notice him. After a series of sharp turns and detours, they successfully lost him.

Frustrated, Min pulled over and slammed his fist against the steering wheel, causing the horn to let out a hoarse, piercing wail.

Damn it! 

He lit a cigarette and took a deep, harsh drag. As he gradually calmed down, he suddenly realized he had overreacted.

Just like he always said, Thiri was a grown woman with her own needs. If she wanted to hire a male escort for drinks and conversation, what was the big deal? Didn't he himself visit Nanda every few days?

Did he even like Nanda that much? Of course not. He just needed someone to fill the emptiness in his arms.

So why couldn't his sister do the same?

Was it because Thiri's attachment to René was too intense? Because she fell into such a miserable state when René wasn't around? Why was his reaction so extreme? 

Was it just because the person Thiri wanted was René? Shouldn't it be the same no matter who it was?

He could tolerate her seeking comfort in other men—but why not René?

Thiri wanted an answer. And more than anything, Min wanted the answer too.

🎩

Thandar sat on the sofa, with the small handprint from Renée slapping him still visible on his face, completely confused about what was going on.

His mind was occupied with how to make up for his reckless actions and convince Renée to stay. But before he could do anything, he watched her go limp and collapse. Then, out of nowhere, a group of people descended upon him—polite in their words but forceful in their actions—and brought him here.

Everything had escalated far beyond what his simple mind could comprehend. All he could do was keep asking, over and over again, "Where did you take Renée? What did you do to her? Why did you bring me here?"

A man silently placed a cup of coffee and some pastries on the marble coffee table, keeping his head lowered, offering no response.

Thandar grabbed his wrist just as he was about to step away. "Where did you take Renée? If you don't tell me, I'll... I'll... ah—"

Before he could even think of a proper threat, the man smoothly twisted his wrist and slipped free from Thandar's grip with ease. He then bowed slightly and said with impeccable politeness, "Apologies for the offense."

And just like that, Thandar was alone again.

Frustrated, he jumped to his feet and swept everything off the table, sending porcelain and glass shattering across the floor. He spun wildly in every direction, shouting furiously, "Who? Who are you? Come out! I know you're watching me! What do you want? What the hell are you after? Show yourself and explain!"

But the only response was the silence of the night, and the wreckage scattered across the floor.