Love Across the Light Years -The Devil CEO Indulges My Lies.

Although the house was designed with vintage aesthetics, the décor leaned more toward the traditional —as if preserving the quiet luxury of a bygone era long forgotten by the present.

The golden glow of the chandelier wasn’t overly bright, yet it cast just enough light to accentuate the faint frown of concern etched between Nigel’s brows.

Seeing him like this, the subordinate, standing nearby, didn’t dare to speak again.

He didn’t know who the man his master had just mentioned was.

But given what he did know —

There weren’t many who possessed such capability.

And if someone like that truly existed —

Even he couldn’t help but feel a trace of curiosity.

A long moment passed in silence.

When the man finally realized time slipping by, he cautiously spoke, "Master ... are there any changes to the orders?"

He had expected there would be —given the new information they had received.

However, Nigel simply leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxing as he shook his head.

Taking a slow, measured breath, he said,

"Keep everything the same."

His gaze sharpened slightly as he added, "Stay in the shadows and keep her existence concealed."

The man understood the instruction —

Not just because it was simple.

But because it was exactly what they had been doing all this time.

Keeping that woman’s existence concealed.

Not for a year or two —

But for nearly two decades now.

They didn’t know who they were protecting her from.

They didn’t know who must never discover her existence.

They only knew one thing —

She must remain unknown.

"Understood, Master," he replied with a nod.

Nigel’s gaze lingered on him —a little longer than necessary.

And as the silence stretched, the man couldn’t help but feel a faint unease creeping in.

"Master ... you —"

"Aegen," Nigel cut in smoothly, his tone calm, yet carrying a subtle curiosity —one that only made the subordinate more uneasy.

"Y-yes, Master ...?"

Nigel didn’t respond immediately.

Instead, he observed him for a few seconds longer, noticing the fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"After handling the same task for so many years," Nigel said slowly, "are you finally beginning to feel curious about the details?"

Aegen swallowed.

His hand instinctively rose to wipe the sweat from his brow.

"Master ... I—"

"It’s fine," Nigel interrupted gently. "Curiosity is natural. It’s not a punishable offense."

His tone was calm —even reassuring.

To anyone else, it might have sounded harmless.

But Aegen knew better.

Having served him for decades —

He understood what lay beneath that calm.

The moment Nigel asked that question, Aegen quickly shook his head.

"Master, I am not curious about anything," he said firmly. "As long as it is your order, all I need to do is fulfill it."

Nigel rubbed his chin thoughtfully, as if considering his words.

Then, rising to his feet, he began walking toward him.

His every step was slow and measured —like a predator approaching its prey.

Aegen’s fingers curled at his sides, forming tight fists.

But he didn’t move.

Not even an inch.

His breath hitched as Nigel stopped right in front of him —

So close that if he wished, Aegen’s neck could be snapped in an instant.

Yet he remained still.

Completely still.

... watching as Nigel’s hand lifted toward his neck.

And then —

A firm pat landed on his shoulder.

Aegen’s body relaxed instantly. He didn’t dare lift his gaze at him.

He instead simply stood there, listening.

"Good," Nigel said lightly. "Curiosity often gets the cat killed. After having you for so many years ... it would be a waste to lose you over something so trivial."

Aegean let out a faint, controlled breath.

A small smile appeared on his lips. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Of course, he understood.

And that was precisely why he never crossed his boundaries.

Nigel didn’t plan to linger.

Withdrawing his hand, he tucked it back into his pocket and turned to leave.

"I’ll be leaving now. Take care of everything here as you always do."

Aegen straightened slightly and nodded.

"Yes, Master."

And soon —

Nigel’s silhouette disappeared into the distance beyond the doorway.

—————

Meanwhile —

Back in Ashvale—

Polson was in the middle of discussing the details and initial arrangements of the upcoming project with his team when an urgent knock interrupted him.

He lifted his gaze towards the door.

His secretary stood there, her expression tense and uneasy.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

She stepped inside quickly.

"Sir, the investors are here to see you."

A faint frown formed between James’s brows. He didn’t need to ask why they had come today. He already knew.

They might have accepted Camden’s arrangement yesterday—

But that didn’t mean they had given up.

If anything, they would do everything they could to change the outcome.

Since they couldn’t persuade the director—

They had come to him.

Hoping he would make Camden reconsider.

But could he really?

Just the thought of it was enough to stir a dull ache in his head.

James pinched the bridge of his nose, massaging it slowly before nodding.

"Alright," he said. "Have them wait for a while. I’ll meet them once I’m done here."

The secretary nodded and left promptly.

Once she was gone ... James turned back to his team.

"Were the details I just explained clear enough?"

The team members nodded in unison.

"Good," he said. "Proceed accordingly then."

Then, his gaze shifted to one particular person.

"Do one thing. Draft the contract immediately and send it to Ms. Finn’s office. Don’t delay it any further."

The person nodded quickly.

"I’ll have it ready by the end of the day, sir. But ... the investors still seem strongly against signing Ms. Grace. Will they—"

"They won’t accept her easily," James interrupted calmly.

"But since Rhodes has already made his mind, it won’t be easy for them to overturn it either."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"As long as we finalize the contract, they’ll eventually have no choice but to relent. And if they don —"

His gaze hardened slightly.

"We’ll look for another way to deal with it later."

He was fully aware of the risk.

A decision like this could lead to significant losses.

But with Camden standing firm —

There was no alternative left.

"You can all disperse now," he said, rising to his feet. "I’ll go meet the investors."