𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡

𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 "𝑹𝒆𝒅"

The steady click of Amol's shoes echoed through the polished marble hallway of Theerapakun Tower. Every step was hesitant, weighted by what he carried - a slim folder marked confidential in bold red ink. The secretary outside Vegas's office glanced up as he approached but didn't dare stop him.

Everyone knew that when Vegas Theerapakun was in a mood, it was safer to let the storm pass straight through.

Inside, the office was vast - a blend of power and precision. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched behind Vegas's desk, offering a commanding view of Bangkok's skyline. The golden light of late afternoon poured in, casting sharp lines across the glossy mahogany surface. Vegas sat at the head of it, fresh from a meeting with the Chief Director about the upcoming elections, his suit still crisp, his cufflinks catching the sun.

Amol stepped inside, stopping two paces from the desk. "Sir, the television network has sent in a report request. They're asking permission to broadcast it tonight."

Vegas didn't look up at first. "Is it political?"

"No, sir," Amol replied carefully. "Not directly. It's... about Khun Nani."

That made Vegas lift his head.

His eyes, dark and razor-sharp, narrowed slightly. "About Nani?"

"Yes, sir." Amol stepped closer and placed the folder in front of him. "Since he's linked to Young Master Sky, the channels are trying to milk that attention. But the report contains... unverified information. Rumors." He paused before adding quietly, "Unflattering ones."

Vegas finally opened the folder. The silence stretched as his gaze flicked across the contents - paragraphs of speculative headlines, blurry photos taken without consent, baseless claims about Nani's intelligence and his intentions toward Sky.

The atmosphere in the room thickened, heavy with restrained fury.But Vegas didn't speak. He only leaned back, reading until the end, before closing the folder with slow, deliberate calm. His expression was unreadable.

Amol cleared his throat nervously. "Sir, I think it's best if we deny them permission. These kinds of rumors-"

"Permission granted," Vegas interrupted, his tone disturbingly casual.

Amol blinked. "Sir?"

Vegas turned his chair slightly toward the window, hands clasped behind his back as he watched the skyline. "I said, permission granted. Tell them they can air it."

Amol's eyes widened in disbelief. "Khun Vegas, with respect - that report is entirely inappropriate! If it goes public, it'll harm Khun Nani's reputation. And Young Master-"

"-will finally be forced to stop pretending he doesn't care," Vegas cut in smoothly.

He turned back to face Amol, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smirk. "Do you know what my son's greatest weakness is, Amol? He's never afraid of enemies. But he's terrified of his own feelings. Sky will stand before a gun without flinching, but the moment you tell him he needs to give commitment, he runs."

Amol stayed silent, unsure whether to agree or not.Vegas opened the folder again and glanced at the grainy photograph of Nani. "That boy... Nani. He's the only one who doesn't play by Sky's rules. He doesn't bend. He doesn't chase. He makes Sky come to him. I like that."

Amol hesitated. "But, sir, if people see this-"

"Let them," Vegas said, his voice firm but calm. "This will only make things clearer. Sky will see how quickly the world turns its back on the one he loves. And when he does, he'll fight for him. Harder than ever."

Vegas stood, walking toward the liquor cabinet. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, the ice clinking softly. "You remember the Rama VII Bridge incident, don't you?"

Amol nodded cautiously. "Yes, sir."

"Then you remember how everyone ducked for cover when the second sniper appeared." Vegas turned slightly, his gaze cold and thoughtful. "Everyone except Nani."

Amol's expression shifted as the memory returned - the chaos, the screams, the sound of bullets slicing through the air.

Vegas continued, "He ran straight toward Sky. No hesitation. No fear. His first instinct wasn't to protect himself - it was my son." He took a sip of his drink, his voice softening just a little.

"Afterward, when I asked him why, do you know what he said?"

Amol shook his head.

"He said, 'If I die, your son will still be alive. So he'll sure avenge for me, sir.'"

Amol's lips parted slightly. Vegas chuckled - low and bitter, but proud.

"That boy doesn't even flinch at gunfire, Amol. His pulse barely changes. But the second Sky gets hurt, he falls apart. That's love. Not the soft kind - the kind that burns."

Vegas set his glass down, eyes gleaming with something between calculation and admiration. "That's why he's perfect for my family. He won't try to take Sky away from us. He knows what loyalty means. He knows when to speak, when to stay silent - and how to pull Sky out of his chaos."

He turned back to Amol, expression composed once more. "So yes. Let the rumors air. Let them talk. Because by the time this is over, Sky will make sure the whole damn country knows who Nani belongs to."

Amol hesitated, then bowed deeply. "Understood, sir."

As he reached for the door, Vegas's voice followed - quiet, reflective. "Tell me, Amol," he murmured. "What's more dangerous than a man with power?"

Amol paused, then answered softly, "A man with something to lose."

Vegas smiled faintly, turning back to the city view. "No," he said. "A man with something he refuses to lose."

𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 "𝑰 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅"

The ballroom was finally empty. The chandeliers still glimmered faintly, reflecting off the shattered glass near the wall where it had all gone wrong. Staff moved quietly, sweeping up shards, clearing spilled champagne, trying to erase the scene that had played out only an hour ago.

William sat lazily in one of the velvet chairs, one leg crossed over the other, tie loosened, a grin tugging at his lips. The sound of his own whistle filled the vast silence of the room - carefree, unbothered, almost too cheerful for the chaos that had just occurred.

He didn't even bother following Prim to the hospital. Instead, he had sent a few guards with her, giving strict orders to make sure she got there alive - though the way he said it had made even the guards exchange nervous looks.

The click of quick footsteps interrupted his tune. Pooh entered, still visibly rattled, his shirt sleeves rolled up and brows knitted tightly.

"What the hell was that, William?" Pooh demanded. "Nani literally banged Prim's head into the mirror! Why? What's wrong with everyone tonight?"

William tilted his head lazily, the corners of his lips lifting. "Oh, that," he said as if he were talking about the weather. "That girl forgot her place. So that's what she got."

Pooh blinked in disbelief. "Forgot her place? Will, she's bleeding! That was an act of violence."

William chuckled softly, twirling the empty wine glass in his hand. "Yeah, didn't expect him to go that far," he mused almost fondly, as though he were talking about a younger brother who'd finally learned to throw a punch. "Our little Nani really snapped."

Pooh frowned deeper, his tone firm. "You're talking like you did something."

The grin that crept onto William's face was pure mischief - sharp, smug, and dangerous. He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a delicious secret. "Damn, you got me, Pooh."

Pooh crossed his arms, unimpressed. "What did you do?"

William burst into laughter, loud enough to echo through the empty hall. "Alright, alright," he said, wiping a tear of amusement from the corner of his eye. "So... I may have gotten her that necklace."

Pooh's confusion deepened. "And?"

William's grin widened, devilish. "And told her it was from Sky."

Pooh stared. "You what?"

"Oh, come on," William laughed again, leaning back comfortably. "You saw how she flaunted it around all night like she owned him. It was killing Nani inside. Poor boy didn't even say a word, just smiled - all polite and calm. But I knew that calm wouldn't last."

Pooh rubbed his temple, muttering, "You're insane."

"I'm brilliant," William corrected smoothly, holding up a finger. "And the best part? My brother helped without even knowing it. When Prim arrived, Sky - being his polite self - told her, 'That necklace looks beautiful.'"

William started laughing again, his shoulders shaking. "And she believed it, Pooh. The girl actually believed Sky had picked it out for her. You should've seen her face, blushing like an idiot. Oh, it was priceless."

Pooh groaned. "William, that's manipulation-"

"-that's strategy," William interrupted, smirking. "And you know what? It worked. Sky saw Nani's reaction, Prim pushed her luck, and boom - Nani finally dropped the nice act and put her right where she belonged. The mirror thing was just... a bonus."

Pooh just stared at him, torn between disbelief and frustration. "You're seriously not even guilty, are you?"

"Not even a little," William said without hesitation, standing and straightening his jacket. "In fact, I'm happy. Sky and Nani made up after that, didn't they? Sometimes people need a little... push."

He started to walk away, stopping briefly to glance back at Pooh with a grin. "Besides, you should thank me. This family was getting boring."

Pooh sighed, exasperated, muttering under his breath as William disappeared down the hallway, still humming the same cheerful tune.

Somewhere behind them, staff were still sweeping up the broken glass. The reflection of the chandelier danced over the floor, fractured but still shining - a perfect metaphor for the chaos William left in his wake.