Later that evening, Quentin read the email on his laptop with cold eyes. His hands linked together, placed in front of his lips as he didn't take his eyes away from the screen.

"Hey, are we…" Gabriella came but trailed off, standing by the door as she studied her brother's face. "Is there's something wrong?"

"Gabby, get out of here for now. I'm not in the mood." He cautioned without casting her a look. 

Gabriella pursed her lips into a thin line, nodding, and left. Her brother was kind to her, but she knew when to respect his personal space. 

"Qin Lewis…" When the door shut closed, Quentin narrowed his eyes. "Is it because of what happened this morning? How unreasonable."

His eyes glinted with malice, reading the email that came from the Qin Empire's legal team. Apparently, the Qin Empire stated they wouldn't do any business with them and were willing to compensate them for the hassle. However, that was all the odds and ends as everything that was written was utter garbage. 

Not even an apology. If anything, all the reasons were logical but shallow. It only shows that Lewis simply just didn't want to do business with them. They'd been in the talks for quite some time, and now Lewis suddenly canceled everything. Quentin was unhappy, obviously.

"What a douche," Quentin muttered as he let out a deep breath, picking up his phone that was on his right to make a call.

The phone rang a few times before it was picked up. His eyes glinted before he relayed the news.

"Yes," Quentin nodded lightly as the person from the other end of the line spoke. "The Qins do lack professional etiquette, or we can just assume they see us as pushovers."

"Those bastards…!"

"Don't worry," Quentin smirked as he gazed at the email once again. "I've been in contact with their rival company. They're not our only option."

"Even so, how dare those people to toss us away like garbage!"

Quentin let out a low chuckle. "Father, the De Luca's way had always been an eye for an eye. The Qin's was trying to mess with us, I will handle it."

"Good! Teach those bastards a lesson!"

"Yes, Father." His eyes sharpened once again. "I will surely let those bastards know we are not the people they should mess with."

******

"Are you out of your mind?!" Marshall harrumphed, fuming the more he talked to Lewis through call. "Have you lost all your senses, hah?! You know that those Zhao bastards also have their eyes on this project! Why are you giving them a chance to get their hands on what's ours?!" 

"Chairman, I see them as people unfit to do business with the Qin Empire. The Zhao can have the De Luca's for all I care. I'm not doing business with them." Lewis asserted, tapping his fingers against the armrest. 

"You brat! You haven't even told me a reason you are doing this nonsense!"

Lewis took a shallow breath. "It's not nonsense, it's personal."

"Don't take your personal matters into business matters! If I take my personal problems in our business affairs, our Qin Family had been long gone!" Marshall grumbled, patting his chest as Lewis had been unbearably intolerant recently.

"Have you ever consider what will those bastards do after this? The De Luca's are not the people to mess with. In this country, they have no match for us! But think of their connection internationally!"

"Even so, I won't change my mind, Chairman."

"This brat! Ah…! My blood pressure! I'm starting to regret letting you take over!" Marshall spat out in irritation. "Your temperament is getting worse by the day! You will be the death of me."

"Don't die, Grandpa. If you say it like that, I might think this business with the De Luca is what kept the Qin Empire alive until now."

"You!" Marshal fumed even more. "How can you be so nonchalant about this, hah? Only a fool will think that this world is not round! Many look up to the Qin Empire, but at the same time, they want our Qin Empire's downfall! Just one mistake, and everyone will prey on us! Why are you giving them all a chance, hah?! Are you a fool to think you are invincible?!" 

"Grandpa." This time, Lewis's tone grew solemn. "I am invincible."

Marshall nearly choked, pounding his shoulder with the bottom of his fist. There's no point in arguing with his grandson. He had given him enough 'wisdom', but he was getting more frustrated.

"The De Luca's were not the people anyone can mess with. However, what I am doing is protecting the mental health of my fiance. I didn't slave away, making our Qin Empire great just so anyone can mess with my people." Lewis' eyes glinted with resolve. "I had decided. If you and everyone insist on reconciliation with the De Luca, I will gladly step down."

"Are you threatening me once again?"

"I am not. Stepping down from my position is never a threat. I'm merely stating what will be my decision afterward."

"Hmph! It is a threat, then!" Marshall grumbled stubbornly because Lewis knew there was no other person perfect for this position than him. "Ahem! By the way, why do you keep calling the angel your fiance?! You don't even have the balls to propose!"

"Because she's my fiance now."

"What nonsense! Does she know you're his fiance?!"

"Of course," Lewis replied nonchalantly. "She's the one who proposed to me, after all, and I said yes."

"…." There was a moment of silence between them as Marshall's breath hitched. The angel was the one who proposed?! His widened eyes slowly twinkled as his view towards Devon leaped to several levels. Good thing she was proactive.

"Hmm. Lu…?" Suddenly, Devon came out from the bedroom, rubbing her weary eyes as she overslept. 

"You're up?" Lewis raised his brows, watching her drag her feet towards him.

"Hey! Hey! Is that our angel?!" Marshal's ears perked up excitedly. His change of mood was faster than a blink of an eye, as if he had forgotten that he was arguing with Lewis just seconds ago.

"MY angel, grandpa." Lewis corrected in a cold tone, but froze when Devon suddenly sat on his lap with her feet up on the couch. Devon hooked her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder cozily.

"You look upset," she purred, clinging to him like a cat. "Who are you talking to?"

Lewis's hand instinctively stroked her back. "Grandpa," he answered before shifting his attention to the other end of the line.

"Grandpa, I will hang up now."

"Wait, you punk! Let me hear the angel's voice first!" Marshal grumbled, ready to throw a huge fit if Lewis cut the line.

"Grandpa?" Devon slightly drew away, not knowing that calling Marshall with her sweet and low tone moved the old man's heart. 

"Hey! Let me talk to my angel! She calls me grandpa!" Marshall urged since Dion just kept stalling him, even though he had promised to arrange a meeting for them.

"No, Grandpa. She will not talk to you." Lewis instantly refused, making Devon frown.

"I never said that." She pursed her lips, staring at Lewis, who was studying her expression.

"Yes, she never said that! Do you really just want to monopolize her, huh?!" the old man from the other end of the line complained. 

"You want to talk to him?" Lewis raised a brow, putting the phone away from his ear as Marshall continued to voice out in dismay.

Devon pressed her lips into a thin line, a bit hesitant. However, she heard Marshall's complaints, and he sounded like he really wanted to talk to her. It was Lewis' grandfather, so she thought it would be fine, and so she nodded.

"Alright." Lewis nodded in understanding and passed her the phone. Meanwhile, from the other end of the line, Marshall's breath hitched once again before his eyes sparkled as he listened to their conversation.

Shortly after, Devon's voice reached his ear. "Greetings, grandfather."

"Oh!" Marshall gasped, clutching his chest as his angel have a nice voice. "Angel?" 

"Angel? My apologies, but it's Devon, Grandpa." She kept her attitude polite despite correcting her elder.

"Devil?" 

Devon furrowed her brows. "What blasphemy…?" 

"Ahem!" Marshall cleared his throat as he didn't want to upset her, as this was a rare opportunity. "My granddaughter, my little angel, this is grandpa, a very kind old man who is just a lonely soul. My grandsons neglect me, and I'm always alone…"

Marshal just went on and on with his sentiments. Even though Lewis wasn't trying to eavesdrop, he could hear Marshall's sentiments. This was one of the reasons he was reluctant for Devon to talk to Marshall. 

His grandfather… only knew how to talk down to people. So, Marshall trying too hard to paint himself as an exemplary role model, would make everyone who knew the old man cringe. Fortunately, Dion wasn't here or he would faint.

"Are you really lonely, Grandpa?" asked Devon worriedly, making Lewis look at her in pity. He wanted to tell her not to fall for it, but Devon was just like this now. 

"Yes," Marshall replied dejectedly, patting his chest. "My grandson rarely visits me. They are heartless and cruel to leave an old man spend the remainder of his days alone."

Devon frowned at Lewis, feeling sorry for Marshall, as he truly sounded very disheartened. "Shall I assist you sometimes?"

"Yes!" the old man's tone suddenly went from zero to hero. 

Lewis let out a sigh as she had fallen for it, massaging his temple. "Grandpa, my fiance and I will visit you some other time. I will hang up now." he didn't waste a second and asked Devon to hand over the phone — which she did — and he hung up.

"Love, you shouldn't have fallen to his tricks." Lewis sighed helplessly, brushing her jaw, and looked at her in the end. "Are you alright now?"

Devon nodded, and just leaned on him once again. "I am alright now. Thank you."

"I'm glad to hear that." He let out a sigh of relief, brushing her back on again. "We will go home today, alright?"

"Quentin..." she whispered, catching Lewis' attention. "... he looks like Quentin, Lu. He looks just like my brother Quentin.... and she looks like me."