As remained silent, only tightening his arm around me to draw me closer.


    I muttered to myself, "Does this promise hold any value? Even though I may not directly act against him, how can I distance myself from everything he''s done? "Although I''m well aware that Liora is scheming here, if he hadn''t teamed up with her and stood proudly against me, how would we end up in this situation today?"


    I tilted my face upward, gazing at As''s handsome features, and helplessly said, "On the other hand, I have to admit, Liora has quite a fighting spirit. I bow down to her tactics regarding scheming and hurting others. She''s truly remarkable."


    As embraced me tighter, speaking softly, "Don''t exhaust yourself by thinking too much. Let things flow naturally."


    Worriedly, I said, "If we don''t confront Liora, it''s like leaving a menace behind. It''s like raising a tiger. She''lle back to bite me. Do you think her intentions are solely aimed at Matthew this time?"


    "It''s not at all. By joining forces with Melvern, she''s not just targeting Matthew but also Atticus and me."


    As lowered his gaze to look at me.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    So, I earnestly recounted what Atticus had told me today, providing all the details to As.


    Indeed, As seemed somewhat surprised. He frowned, pondering, "Atticus has such a secret?"


    I looked at As and said, "Atticus trusts me."


    As nodded gently, then directly asked, "Do you want to help Atticus?"


    I stepped out of As''s embrace, looking up at him. "Perhaps it''s not about whether I want to help or not. Liora won''t let me off even if I don''t extend a helping hand. I''ve long been a thom in her side. How could she


    let me live carefree?"


    I chuckled at myself. "Since she''s teamed up with Melvern this time, it indicates the magnitude of her ambition. She''s probably aiming for the top spot in the construction industry here in the city. "Which means I''ve be her biggest threat!" I stated it without denying it.


    As suddenly smiled, looking at me seriously with a hint of mockery. "That''s not possible. The position of leader can only belong to my sweetheart."


    I looked at him, pouting. "Can you be


    a bit serious? I''m talking about serious matters here. I don''t have such grand ambitions. I just want to establish my brand and fulfill my dreams. Honestly, I don''t care about being the first or the second."


    "With me around, what is she thinking?" As scoffed.


    "She will note after me directly, but I am helpless against her character. I don''t have time to deal with her. She''s scheming at every turn, and a slight attentionpse can lead me into her trap," I said, distressed.


    "It''s better to be safe than sorry. She''s constantly plotting against me. Moreover, with Melvern returning to the city this time, it''s not for any good." I rapidly exined theplex rtionships involved, and my expression amused As.


    Then he disdainfully said, "She won''t amount to much. You can rest assured. Don''t forget, you have me!"


    I looked up at As. "Deep down, I always feel a crisis approaching us. Escaping this predicamentpletely seems unlikely."


    As kissed my forehead and patted my shoulder. "Don''t overthink it. Rx! At least for now, they dare not openly make a move against us. That means we still have a chance to strike first!" "Strike first?" I looked at As, a bit puzzled.