“Resolve?” Enrico picked up the knife and fork in front of him, ncing at her with a deep voice. “Don’t be fooled by how these conglomerates usually operate as a disjointed group, each pursuing their own interests. When ites to the slums, they’re united. The slums are a leverage point for every one of them. As long as everyone holds leverage over each other, they can coexist. But if someone brings up this leverage, they can also unite to fight.”


    Paige had considered this as well. She nodded. “Now, they’re not just a threat to the slums; they’re a threat to you too. But if this turns into a full-blown conflict, Country A will descend into chaos. I don’t want that oue.”


    “That’s why you have to leave.” Enrico lowered his eyes as he cut into the steak on his te, his tone casual, as if he were merelymenting on how well the steak was cooked today.


    “What did you say?” Paige thought she had misheard.


    “You staying is a risk for me. If you don’t want me to get into a messy fight with the conglomerates, then your only option is to leave.” Enrico spoke with a calm expression, showing no sign of joking. “I’ve already arranged for Rafael to meet with the conglomerates. I told them that I would hand you over the night after tomorrow. At that time, I’ll stage a real death performance right under their noses. You’ll escape to the southern border, and Kevin will arrange everything for your journey.”


    Paige’s hand froze as she was cutting her steak. She looked up at Enrico, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. Everything was already nned.


    “You want me to leave?” Paige asked in surprise.


    This man, who had such a strong possessive streak and had made it clear from the beginning that he wanted her by his side, wanted her in his life. And now, suddenly, he was telling her to go?


    “You can stay, but then I’ll just have to fight them.” Enrico said without hesitation, his dark eyes fixed on her. “But I was furious when Ished out at Rafael that day at Gangnam Hall. If I really had to bet everything I have against the prepared conglomerates, I’d still hesitate.”


    Paige stared at him, stunned.


    “But for you, I’d give it a try.” Enrico added with a reckless tone.


    Paige looked at the man before her, his face shadowed in the dim light. He had always been arrogant, unrestrained, but now he was openly telling her he had reservations. A strange feeling stirred within her.


    But when she thought it over, it made sense. He had been sent to live in the small Rose Estate by Jeremy since he was young, suffering for over twenty years. It was only at the beginning ofst year that he took over the conglomerate, holding onto a gun.


    This conglomerate wasn’t just his wealth; it was the fruit of his revenge, filled with the pain of his deceased mother and sister…


    If he won in this chaotic battle, it would be fine. But if he lost, everything he had fought for would be reduced to nothing, even worse, because this time Jeremy wouldn’t spare him.


    How could Enrico ept being crushed by Jeremy again?


    Paige understood him. She put down her knife and fork and looked seriously into Enrico’s eyes. “I don’t need you to risk everything to fight. How about this: we stick to your n, but you don’t have to send me to the border. Send me to get stic surgery instead.”Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    “stic surgery?” Enrico’s gaze flickered but was quickly concealed.


    “Yes.” Paige responded without hesitation. “I’ll get stic surgery, change my face, and you can give me a new identity. That way, I can stay in the capital.”


    And stay by his side.


    Enrico sat there, staring at Paige’s decisive gaze, his throat tightening as if something was blocking it. He couldn’t speak.


    stic surgery. Did she even know how many incisions it would take topletely change a face? How much pain it would cause?


    “The conglomerates will always be a threat if not dealt with. After I change my identity, let me continue working to take them down, one by one, so they won’t trouble you anymore.” Paige continued, then, thinking of his personality, added, “Of course, if you don’t want that, I’ll stay by your side instead.”


    All he wanted was a caged bird.


    Hearing this, Enricoughed, a wicked smile lighting up his face in the candlelight. “stic surgery? The face I like is the one you have now. If you change it, I’ll lose interest. Aren’t you afraid I’ll go looking for another woman?”


    Paige was silent. So, to him, was it just her looks that mattered?


    She felt a flicker of annoyance but quickly pushed it down. He was in this precarious position because of her; she really had no right to be angry.


    Paige sat there, pressing her lips together. “So you’re saying I absolutely have to go to the southern border?”


    He hadn’te back to negotiate; he came to inform her.


    It seemed the situation outside had indeed deteriorated to the point where he had no choice but to make a decision.


    “Now that they know you’re still alive, no matter how well you hide, where can you hide? If you stay in the capital, you could be used as a weapon against me at any moment.”


    Paige hadpletely lost her appetite. She sat there, looking at Enrico’s face, and fell silent once more.


    “Didn’t you risk your life to rebuild the slums? I’m not forcing you out; you can rise again at the border. It’s impossible in the capital.”


    Enrico put down his knife and fork, picked up his wine ss, and took a sip. His deep eyes watched her closely. “But if you push me, I’ll go to any lengths for you.”


    “No need, I’ll go to the border.” Paige replied almost immediately.


    She was never one to hesitate. Once she decided on something, she did it swiftly and decisively.


    He had already done so much for her. She couldn’t force him to risk everything to fight, to gamble. She just couldn’t do it.


    Moreover, he had already said the word “push.” If she insisted on staying, she’d be his burden.


    Enrico’s hand tightened around the wine ss, the red liquid inside swirling.


    She hadpromised too quickly.


    He stared at her, taking in her eyebrows, her eyes, his grip on the ss tightening, the knuckles turning white.


    He had deliberately guided her to this decision, to make herpromise. But now that she had so readily agreed to leave him, hatred surged within him like fast-growing vines, spreading through his body.


    That hatred grew into pain, wrapping around every nerve.


    As soon as she heard he wanted her to rise again, she must have been overjoyed, right?


    Ha.


    If he hadn’t risked his life to return by boat, how could she have willingly stayed in this small estate? To her, the slums outweighed everything.


    Perhaps she had always resented him for holding her back, for making her give up on the slums. She just didn’t say it.


    Paige felt terrible. She opened her mouth to say something but then saw Enrico’s expression darken as if a massive storm was about to break.


    He red at her, as if she were an enemy.


    He suddenlyughed. The candlelight flickered over his sharp features, casting a shadow over his prominent nose, creating an inexplicable darkness.


    Heughed, and heughed hard, his shoulders shaking, his eyes filling with ayer of mist.