Arthur shook his head. "I don’t believe in verbal promises. I only trust something real." He didn’t know if Solivair’s word would hold in the future, and he wasn’t about to gamble his life—or Ashley’s—on it. Only by holding something concrete in his hands, something that could be used against Solivair, could he guarantee his own safety and the safety of those around him. Arthur had already seen what Solivair was capable of. He was still breathing only because he had Lynn’s whereabouts as leverage. Without it, he would have been silenced long ago. And once he gave that information away, there was no telling if he would even make it out of this villa alive. Solivair’s expression darkened, the hostility in the room rising to a suffocating level. Arthur had just openly challenged his authority. "Arthur!" Solivair’s voice was sharp with anger. "You’ve got some nerve!" Arthur pressed his lips together but didn’t back down. His gaze remained locked onto Solivair’s, unwavering and unyielding. His spine stayed straight, his posture showing no hesitation. The air between them grew thick. The tension crackled like a wire pulled too tight. They stood in silent opposition for what felt like an eternity. Then— Arthur walked out of the villa. In his hand, he held the evidence. It was proof of Solivair’s direct connection to his organization. A single piece of paper that, if handed over to the authorities, could bring down Solivair and the Tremo family in an instant.Arthur hadn’t expected it to work. He thought he’d have to settle for less. But Solivair had caved. Why? Was it his desperation to find Lynn? Or did he simply believe that Arthur would never escape his grasp? Either way, Arthur had his insurance now. At the hotel, Arthur snapped back to the present. The voice on the other end of the phone was still waiting. Solivair. Arthur glanced at Ashley, still peacefully asleep beside him. Then, in a calm voice, he gave an address. The moment he finished, he hung up. Inside Solivair’s study, the room was silent. Solivair, phone still in hand, played the recorded conversation back, listening to the address again. He had his men memorize it word for word. Without wasting a second, they moved. As soon as the door closed behind them, one of his trusted men hesitated before speaking. "Sir… why didn’t you just capture Arthur? Torture him until he told us everything?" Solivair leaned back in his chair, the corners of his lips curling into a smirk. "That kid is overestimating himself," he said lazily. A low chuckle escaped him. "He actually thinks he can control me?" The arrogance in his tone was unmistakable. To Solivair, Arthur was nothing more than an ant challenging an elephant.Back at the hotel, Arthur set his phone down and turned back to Ashley. She stirred slightly, her eyelashes fluttering open. Still half-asleep, she murmured, "What’s wrong?" Arthur leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. His fingers traced the softness of her cheek, cherishing the warmth of her skin. "Nothing," he said softly. "Just a spam call." Ashley blinked up at him, her eyes hazy with sleep. She felt like there was something more to it, but if Arthur didn’t want to talk about it, she wouldn’t press. They were a couple, but they were also individuals. She trusted him to tell her when the time was right. Ashley glanced at the clock. It was nearly noon. Memories of last night’s madness flashed through her mind. Her face instantly turned red. Arthur chuckled at her reaction. "We’re practically an old married couple," he teased. "And you still blush this easily?" Whenever he was with Ashley, the weight on his shoulders felt lighter. All his worries, his fears—they all faded away when he was by her side. Ashley pouted, covering her face with the blanket. "I can’t help it!" Arthur reached out, pulling the blanket down just enough to see her flushed cheeks. His eyes darkened with amusement. "If you keep looking that cute," he murmured, "I might just have to keep you in bed all day."Ashley immediately kicked him off the bed.