Reagan froze, the unease gnawing at him since the Obsidian Club only grew sharper. 

He no longer heard a word Carson was saying. His hand was already on his phone, ready to call Paige, but what Carson said next stopped him cold.

"Once tomorrow is settled, I'll kick your mom out of the Lancaster family. If you still want to inherit the family business, you'd better be prepared to draw a clear line with her."

Before Reagan could react, the office doors burst open.

Quinn stormed in, jabbing a finger at Carson's nose as she let loose a torrent of curses.

"What have I ever done to you that you'd go behind my back and push our son to cut ties with me?

"All these years, you never lifted a finger for this family or once took responsibility for me or our son. And now that he's grown, suddenly you remember you have a son? Listen here—things don't work that way."

While Quinn was still hurlin

Quinn woke in the early hours of the next morning. When she learned that Reagan planned to attend Emmanuel's funeral, she immediately flew into another rage.

"Are you out of your mind? You killed Paige's dad, and you still expect her to forgive you? She'd be merciful not to stab you in revenge."

Expressionless, Reagan fastened the buttons of his tailored black suit and replied evenly, "If the price for a lifetime of happiness is her stabbing me, I'll gladly pay for it then."

A faint smile touched his lips.

If he and Paige had a child, who would the baby take after?

She was so gentle and patient. Of course, she would be a wonderful mom, whereas he would learn to be a responsible dad. Together, they could give their child a complete and happy home.

Halfway through the funeral, Paige still hadn't appeared.

Reagan sent her another message. He wasn't angry at her silence these past few

Seeing Reagan's attitude toward Paige softening, someone tentatively spoke up in her defense.

"I just recalled something. Paige was really sweet when she was little. Compared to us boys, she was like a perfectly obedient angel."

Another laughed, adding, "I remember someone even tried to tempt Paige with ice cream, hoping she'd become their little sidekick. But she blinked her big eyes, salivating, and said seriously, 'I don't like ice cream. I only want to be Reagan's little sidekick.'"

Reagan chuckled along.

The others exchanged surprised glances, but he seemed completely oblivious.

Apart from the childhood memories everyone had just recalled, he also remembered the three years he had been blind. He had an erratic mood back then, pushing away anyone who tried to get close. Only Paige's clean, fragrant scent could bring him a fleeting sense of calm.

However, that calm never lasted. Whenever his anger erupted, Paige was always the first to suffer. Her cries beneath his fists and her muffled sobs under his weight gave him a dark, twisted sense of release he had never known before.

Reagan knew what he was doing was wrong, which was why he would later try desperately to make amends. He had truly thought about marrying her, imagining a future where he could finally care for her properly.

Heaven hadn't been unkind to him, though. He had regained his vision.

Once his vision returned, all he wanted was to indulge himself for a while, to make up for the years spent in darkness.

That was why he had been neglecting Paige during that time.

However, Reagan had never truly wanted to be apart from her. He only wanted to pause the engagement. Once he had his fill of indulgence, he would marry Paige immediately. 

After all, ever since Emmanuel's unexpected death, Reagan was the only person Paige had left to lean on. For the sake of the years they had grown up together, Reagan couldn't bear to see her suffering even more.

So, as long as Paige accepted Britney's apology, he would immediately tell Quinn that he had changed his mind. 

He didn't want Paige to leave the Lancaster family. 

He wanted to marry her.

Reagan smiled as he thought of Paige's meek, put-upon demeanor. He picked up his phone, ready to call her.

Another call came in at that moment.

Reagan's smile vanished as he answered, "Hello, Dad."

"Get over here immediately," Carson commanded.

…

On the top floor of the Lancaster Group, he slapped Reagan across the face.

"Paige is someone I've known since she was young. You also grew up with her. Can't you have a peaceful life with her?

"I thought that after those three years, you two would have bonded through hardships and learned to cherish the days ahead. Look at what you and your mom did, though. Not only did you humiliate her, but you indirectly caused her dad's death."

"It wasn't me. It was Britney."

That was the first thing Reagan said since entering the office, and it immediately earned him another slap.

"What nonsense is this? You're just as involved as she is."

Reagan lowered his gaze. Of course, he knew the truth, but those around him never dared to say it, and he himself refused to admit it. Only Carson could say such words.

"Dad, after Mr. Gabert's funeral, I'll marry Paige! I've realized it now. I can't live without her."

Carson froze for a moment, then let out a relieved smile.

"Paige is a good woman. Seeing her by your side gives me some peace of mind. Tomorrow is Emmanuel's funeral, and she'll be there. That will be your chance to carry yourself well and win back her heart.

"She has no family left. You're all she has now. Don't hurt her again, or you'll never get another chance once she leaves for good."

Reagan exhaled a faint, almost imperceptible sigh.

He finally realized just how far he had gone. He had hurt Paige so badly that even the usually indifferent Carson had noticed.

However, the next moment, Carson added, "A few days ago, she even begged me to send her abroad. She doesn't want to see you again. Tomorrow is your only chance, Reagan."

Reagan froze, the unease gnawing at him since the Obsidian Club only grew sharper. 

He no longer heard a word Carson was saying. His hand was already on his phone, ready to call Paige, but what Carson said next stopped him cold.

"Once tomorrow is settled, I'll kick your mom out of the Lancaster family. If you still want to inherit the family business, you'd better be prepared to draw a clear line with her."

Before Reagan could react, the office doors burst open.

Quinn stormed in, jabbing a finger at Carson's nose as she let loose a torrent of curses.

"What have I ever done to you that you'd go behind my back and push our son to cut ties with me?

"All these years, you never lifted a finger for this family or once took responsibility for me or our son. And now that he's grown, suddenly you remember you have a son? Listen here—things don't work that way."

While Quinn was still hurling curses, Reagan crouched and sifted through the scattered documents on the floor. They were filled 

Chapter 9