37 As long as you're happy...

"The old man is tough but he won't be able to hold on for so long, that person has already acquired 20% of the company shares." the man from the other line reported.

"Is that something worth praising? are you deaf? like I said it's been 3 years and that's all you can say to me?"

"A-as you planned, we removed most of their aid and Vulture has now fallen to our side, it should be easy to proceed with the rest of our plan." the man's voice quivered.

"Of course, I had to make a move because you people are a bunch of imbeciles!" Sergei hang up, becoming increasingly exasperated.

He flipped through the documents on his desk but was unable to focus with the commotion outside.

"Find out what Shin Keir is up to lately and see if he's hiding a woman like my sister suspected, make sure to be discreet and hire only the best from our people! we don't want that lunatic to turn his blade to us."

Sergei's secretary who had remained quiet all this while nodded, "What should we do if the woman exists, Young Master?"

"If she's someone insignificant then find a way to get rid of her by accident," Sergei said with a lack of interest.

The Secretary bowed and abruptly left.

-----

Yeri decided to take a stroll in their garden after she had eaten and drunk too much from stress.

The spring air and night scenery calmed her senses and she suddenly felt embarrassed from going haywire seeing Shin Keir half-naked.

"Woof! woof!"

Yeri looked around and saw the fluffy golden retriever tied on a tree, happily shaking and wagging its tail.

"Carpet! did you miss me? you're so cute!" Yeri cupped the dog's face and playfully utter dog gibberish.

"Woof! woof!"

"Be a good boy and let's wait here for a little bit, I know you're not used to being tied but we have guests."

Yeri took its leash and fastened it on a chair as she sat down.

The part of that garden is dim and covered in dried leaves, but also cosy and overlooking the city view.

Yeri tapped on her phone and browse over the dark web, since she couldn't obtain the previous data, she would have to check out other resources.

A certain auction site caught her attention, however, it requires one to register to browse the outline of their listings.

"$400,000 for registration fee alone?!" Yeri curse inwardly.

What kind of scam are these people running?! did they think this amount just fall out of a tree?

Since her parents already paid for her dorm and school fees, her monthly allowance is only $5,000.

As for her miscellaneous expenses, she can use her credit card but obviously, it has a transaction record and the billing goes straight to her father.

Yeri slumped on the table, troubled. There's also the matter of Jj's car.

What if the owner of this auction is the same person who owned the data she tried to steal? is that person baiting her?

"Ahh...I don't care anymore! I hope that bastard would choke or trip wherever he is!" Yeri mumbled.

Carpet's ears perk up and he started barking and growling menacingly.

"What's wrong Carpet? are you empathizing with me?" Yeri patted the dog's head and followed its vision.

"So you were here?" Shin walked out of the dark, smiling.

Yeri jolted up as her gaze darted around. "Are you crazy? we are supposed to be strangers!"

Shin looked amused, "Why are you suddenly worrying? you were so brave stealing a kiss from me earlier, did you finally snap out of it?"

"That-" Yeri cleared her throat and tried to look angry. "Don't change the subject Young Master Keir, I'm serious! stop fooling around."

"Who said I'm fooling around? I told your father you'll take me for a tour in your gorgeous garden." Shin strolled towards the chair but step back noticing the dog. "You like dogs?"

"Yup, his name is Carpet." Yeri squat down and ruffled the dog's furry back. "Carpet, this handsome young master is our guest, why don't you say hello?"

Carpet ferociously growled and bark, seemingly protecting his master from a threat.

"pfft- Young Master Keir, it seems like you're being hated! perhaps you don't like dogs?" Yeri laughed, covering her mouth.

Shin pursed his lips, he's not a dog lover but he doesn't hate them either.

"He's probably just sleepy..." Shin looked down and smiled deviously. "should I put you to sleep?"

Carpet felt all his fur standing and whimpered. 'This human is so scary, go away!'

"See? I think it's just tired and sleepy, let's not disturb your dog anymore and rather than introducing me as someone handsome, you should have said I'm your man." Shin held her hand and hugged her from the back.

Yeri rolled her eyes, she was about to say something when she felt something cold and sparkly dangling on her wrist.

The diamond bangle dazzled under the moonlight, it looked simple from afar but on closer looked it's lined with white diamond and embellished with diamond flowers on both ends.

"What's this for?" Yeri raised her hand.

"Your birthday gift, do you like it? It was supposed to be a set but I didn't like how the necklace and earrings look like so I had it altered first to fit with your style." Shin said in a soft and low tone.

'You know my style?' Yeri thought, indeed the bracelet is pretty. It then struck her mind, how much will she get if she'll sell it?

Sooner or later, her 'gold digger' plan will make Shin despise her, but at least he won't bother to ask for any of his gifts returned considering his vast wealth, which means she's free to sell them!

"Thank you...brother Shin, it's very very pretty! I love it." Yeri turned around, looking overjoyed, her eyes glittered like a diamond.

Shin looked struck, hearing her sweetly address him made him feel over the moon.

Her father is right, she loves pretty things!

"As long as you're happy..." Shin whispered, pulling her to his embrace, he kissed her forehead and trailed down to her nose.

"Grrrr..."

"Uhm, not here..." Yeri lightly pushed him away, she almost got swayed again by his handsome face.

"..." The night veiled Shin's gloomy face, he settled holding her hand and threw a stern glance at the dog.