The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the luxurious Brown estate, illuminating the spacious hall where suitcases stood neatly packed. Julie Iris-Brown stood at the door, ready to leave for her exhibition. Her elegant, art-curator demeanor exuded grace, yet the subtle tension in her body language hinted at the emotional farewell she was about to deliver.

　　Angela watched from a distance as Julie approached Edmund, her expression full of warmth and fondness. Julie's fingers brushed his cheek, and she leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on his lips. It was a lingering kiss, one that made Angela's insides twist with jealousy, stirring emotions she didn't know how to bury.

　　Julie turned to Angela, eyes full of motherly concern, and smiled. "Angela, sweetheart, I won't see you again until you're in the hostel, so behave yourself, okay?" Her words, though light, carried an undertone of motherly concern. She ran her fingers through Angela's hair in a way that felt too intimate for the tension Angela harbored inside. She pulled Angela into a tight embrace, her perfume enveloping Angela in an almost suffocating grip of maternal warmth. "It'll be quite a change, moving into the hostel. But you'll do great."

　　Angela smiled stiffly, trying to hide her frustration. "I will, Mom. Don't worry." Angela forced a smile, but her gaze drifted to Edmund, whose eyes remained cool and unwavering as Julie's arms left her.

　　Julie's gaze softened as she cupped Angela's cheek. "I'm proud of you, you know that, right? You've come so far."

　　There was a guilt-ridden pang in Angela's chest. How could her mother say that with so much sincerity while being oblivious to the storm brewing just beneath the surface?

　　As Julie turned, she approached Edmund with a warm, loving smile. "Take care of her while I'm gone, okay?" she said, her voice filled with trust. "Don't let her get too lost in her mischief," she teased, her tone light but the meaning clear. Angela clenched her fists at her side, trying to keep her emotions in check.

　　Edmund smirked, his eyes flickering between Julie and Angela. "Of course. You know I will."

　　Without warning, Julie reached up and pressed a long, deliberate kiss to Edmund's lips. Angela's stomach churned as she watched, the bile rising in her throat. There was nothing overtly passionate about the kiss, yet it was intimate enough to make Angela's insides twist with jealousy. She clenched her fists by her sides, trying to maintain composure, though her heart pounded in her chest.

　　Edmund caught her gaze as Julie pulled away, a dark flicker of amusement playing in his eyes. He enjoyed seeing her reaction, and that made Angela's skin burn hotter.

　　Julie finally stepped back, oblivious to the turmoil she'd ignited in her daughter. "I'll see you soon," she said, before disappearing through the door with a wave.

　　The silence that followed felt suffocating, broken only by the distant hum of the car engine as it faded away. Angela stood there, her fists still clenched, staring at the door.

　　"Green doesn't suit you, Angela," Edmund murmured, his voice dripping with amusement as he walked past her.

　　"Shut up," she hissed, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desire.

　　Before she could respond further, the doorbell rang. Edmund's expression turned serious as Mark walked in. His posture was firm, his expression a blend of seriousness and determination. He carried an air of authority, his presence instantly shifting the atmosphere.

　　"Good morning, Mr. Brown," Mark greeted with a slight bow of his head. His eyes flicked to Angela, giving her a respectful nod, before returning to Edmund.

　　Angela shifted uneasily, but stayed within earshot. She had grown accustomed to the weight of secrets, and though she wasn't directly involved in business matters, the tension radiating between the men was palpable.

　　"Let's talk in the study," Edmund said, his voice carrying an edge of authority.

　　Angela stood in the doorway, watching the two men head toward the study. As they disappeared inside, she couldn't help but feel a chill in the air. The door clicked shut, leaving her with only the low murmur of their voices through the thick wooden door.

　　In the study, the air was thick with tension. Mark sat stiffly across from Edmund, his expression betraying his unease. He fumbled with a folder of documents, but it was clear the conversation they were about to have went beyond business.

　　"We'll be departing soon," Edmund informed Mark, his voice steady, assertive. "For the next two weeks, I want everything handled with precision. I trust you can manage."

　　"Everything's in order for the next two weeks," Mark replied, though there was something lingering in his tone. "The board is prepared to move forward with the project, but they're concerned about your absence."

　　Edmund leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "Let them be concerned. You'll handle things while I'm away."

　　Mark's brow furrowed. "Edmund, this isn't the kind of project that can just be handed off to me. We're talking millions on the line here. The investors…"

　　"I said you'll handle it," Edmund interrupted, his voice cold and final. His eyes darkened as they fixed on Mark. "For the next two weeks, I'm unavailable. If anyone tries to contact me, investors, board members, anyone, you deal with them. I'm not to be disturbed."

　　Mark's brows furrowed slightly, the lines on his face deepening. "Sir, there are a few matters…"

　　"Handle them," Edmund cut in, the authority in his voice unmistakable. "You know what's at stake."

　　Mark swallowed, clearly uncomfortable with the weight of responsibility being thrown on his shoulders. "I understand," he said, though there was a lingering hesitation in his voice. "I'll do my best."

　　"You'll do more than your best," Edmund replied, his tone sharp as a blade. "If you fail me, there will be consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

　　Mark's face tightened, but he nodded. "Crystal."

　　The meeting was brief, and when they emerged from the study, Mark's posture was rigid. He glanced at Angela, who stood near the staircase, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if searching for something. She met his gaze with defiance, refusing to be intimidated. Once he was gone, Edmund's expression softened slightly, but there was still a lingering intensity in his eyes.

　　Without another word, Mark left, leaving Edmund and Angela alone in the house.

　　"Let's go," Edmund said, his voice softer now as he approached her. "We have a plane to catch."

　　The private jet was luxurious, with cream leather seats and an interior that exuded wealth and power. As Angela stepped inside, her eyes widened. She had known that Edmund was wealthy, but this was an entirely different world. Her amazement must have been evident, as Edmund smirked and gave her a knowing look.

　　"Surprised?" he asked, settling into his seat with the casual ease of someone who owned the world.

　　Angela's cheeks flushed. She quickly averted her gaze and found a seat near the window, taking in the view of the runway. She wasn't sure how to respond, so she chose silence. The grandeur of the jet contrasted sharply with the growing tension in her chest.

　　A pilot greeted them with a polite nod, followed closely by an air hostess whose flirtatious smile lingered a little too long on Edmund. Angela's stomach tightened with anger as the hostess made sure to brush against him unnecessarily while offering refreshments.

　　"Mr. Brown, it's such a pleasure to have you aboard again," the hostess said, her voice dripping with sweetness as she bent a little lower than necessary to adjust the tray in front of him. "Is there anything else I can get you, Mr. Brown?" she purred, leaning in just a bit too close.

　　Angela's stomach twisted with jealousy, and she found herself gripping the armrest tightly. Edmund's gaze met Angela's over the hostess's shoulder, and the corner of his mouth twitched up in a smirk. He could see the jealousy burning in her eyes, and he reveled in it.

　　"No, thank you," he replied coolly, his tone dismissive. "That will be all."

　　The hostess left, and Angela let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

　　Edmund turned his attention back to her, his expression one of amusement. "Jealous?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

　　"You're enjoying this," Angela muttered under her breath.

　　Edmund turned his head toward her, a smirk playing at his lips. "Am I?"

　　She rolled her eyes, but the tension in her chest didn't ease. She hated how easily he could make her feel possessive. It was irrational, but it burned deep inside her.

　　They had barely settled into their seats when the pilot's voice came over the intercom. "We're ready for takeoff, Mr. Brown."

　　Once the pilot and hostess had retreated to the cockpit, Angela shifted in her seat and stared out the window, watching the clouds roll by as the jet prepared for takeoff. The landscape below was breathtaking, but it couldn't distract her from the storm raging inside her mind.

　　As she reached up to tie her hair into a messy bun, Edmund's hand shot out, gently but firmly pulling her hands away from her hair.

　　"Leave it down," he said softly, his thumb brushing the back of her hand. "You look beautiful like that."

　　Angela froze, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected compliment. She let her hands drop to her lap, the warmth of his touch lingering on her skin. "Why are you always watching me?" Angela asked, her voice quiet, though her heart was racing.

　　"Because you're mine," he answered simply, as if that explained everything. And perhaps, to him, it did. "We're going to Wildwoods Island," he announced, his tone casual, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

　　Angela turned to him, her eyes wide. "The private island? The one everyone talks about?"

　　Edmund nodded, his lips curving into a smirk. "It's mine."

　　"You own Wildwoods Island?"

　　Edmund nodded, his gaze shifting to the window. "It's mine. A private getaway, far from prying eyes."

　　Angela felt a mix of shock and excitement. She had heard whispers about the island, a place of exclusivity, a paradise for the elite. The thought of being alone there with Edmund sent a thrill through her, but also a sliver of fear. What would he do with that kind of privacy?

　　Angela stared at him in shock. "You never mentioned it."

　　He turned back to her, his eyes dark with meaning. "Some things are better kept as surprises."

　　A shiver ran down her spine. The thought of being alone with Edmund on a private island both thrilled and terrified her.

　　As the jet lifted off, leaving the world behind, Angela knew that this trip would be like nothing she had ever experienced before. And as they soared through the clouds, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was diving headfirst into something far more intense than she had ever imagined.

　　Their journey to Wildwoods Island had only just begun, but Angela could already feel the weight of Edmund's control tightening around her.