CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108-A PROMISE IN THE DARK

"My old man pulled some strings with the Prosecutor’s Office—we’re still waiting on news. Why don’t you lay low in Australia for a while?" Manfred looked at August with visible concern.

Charles had completely distanced himself from Black Rock Co., but Derrick was relentless. As long as the espionage charges weren’t dropped, August had no freedom. Even stepping outside was a risk.

Bertman was only a former Chamber president—his words carried weight, but not enough to change the tide. Manfred had done everything in his power to protect August, but they still weren’t a match for Derrick.

"You think I can just fly out of here?" August’s tone was calm, almost indifferent. "Derrick’s probably locked down every airport by now."

Despite the chaos surrounding him, he remained composed. In fact, he wasn’t the least bit worried about his own fate. The way Derrick was losing his mind trying to bring him down? That meant only one thing—Derrick was suffering.

Poetic justice. Watching Derrick burn himself out with hatred and frustration, sleepless and furious, unable to take August down—that was punishment enough. Who needed death, when you could make someone live a life worse than dying?

"Then what do we do? Are you seriously going to jail?" Manfred panicked. "What if I take the fall for you? I’ll have my father pull some strings and get me out afterward—"

"No." August cut him off firmly. "Manfred, trust me. I’ll be fine."

Manfred had already done so much for him. There was no way August would let him sacrifice himself any further.

Seeing August close his eyes in silent thought, Manfred clenched his fists. He understood what August meant—but how could he just sit back and watch him go to prison?

Without another word, Manfred left the apartment. He didn’t tell August where he was going. Ever since learning the truth about him and Charles, something had shifted inside—he’d become strangely emotional. He had to do something. Anything.

At the hospital, a line of men in black guarded the ICU. No one was allowed near, except Derrick. And since Manfred was on Derrick’s blacklist, showing his face would be suicide.

He lingered in the stairwell, his tall figure casting a long shadow. He racked his brain for a solution. Just as he was about to give up and leave, he turned a corner—and collided head-on with a doctor.

Papers flew everywhere.

"Sorry!" Manfred tugged his cap down and knelt quickly to help gather the scattered documents, trying not to draw attention. His eyes accidentally caught sight of the black-and-white medical reports.

His hand paused on one file—Philip’s case.

His eyes widened.

Blood type: RH negative.

What...?

"Is this Philip’s file?" Manfred’s voice rose with urgency. He grabbed the doctor by the collar, holding the paper up. "Tell me—this is real?"

Panic was written all over his face. This couldn’t be real. It was too much of a coincidence.

"Y-Yes, it is... Is there a problem?" The doctor, clearly startled by Manfred’s sudden outburst, looked at him in confusion.

"No... no problem. Here, take it."

Manfred staggered out of the hospital, his steps unsteady, his mind spinning. He didn’t even think to call Charles.

What he just discovered... was it a coincidence? Or some twisted trick of fate?

Hands trembling, he dialed a number.

"LAN, I need you to look into something for me."

Until everything was confirmed, he couldn’t jump to conclusions. But if his suspicion was right—then August could be saved.

Still, if that were true... the tangled mess between them would only grow even more complicated.

"Charles, are you really not going back to the company?"

Janet asked again. She’d lost count of how many times she’d posed the question.

It broke her heart, watching him punish himself like this.

Derrick hadn’t pushed for Charles to be replaced as CEO during the board meeting—meaning he was still free to return if he wanted.

But how could someone like Charles—proud to the bone—keep running a company for a man who was no longer his father?

Since returning from the hospital, he hadn’t gone anywhere. Maybe he stayed for her, knowing she’d worry. But Janet could see through him.

He wasn’t okay. Even when he slept, his brows stayed furrowed. And she had no idea how to help.

"Is Philip still at the hospital?"

Charles tightened his arms around her after hearing her sigh. It tugged at his heart.

He wasn’t spiraling, just trying to put his thoughts in order. Watching her worry with him these past few days had made it even harder.

But now—he’d made up his mind.

He didn’t need to be Black Rock Co.’s boss to have purpose. He could still build his own empire. He could still protect the people he cared about.

And when Black Rock Co. lost someone like him—that was their real loss.

Derrick, for all his schemes, had missed one crucial thing:

Without Charles, Black Rock Co. was an empty shell.

Even with Giles and Novia still around—they were loyal to Charles.

If Charles walked away, after August, after the CEO, after the CEO’s assistant and secretary... how much more could the company take?

Just a little longer.

Once Philip woke up, Charles could move freely. He could finally act on what he had to do.

Black Rock Co. had been snatched away from Norman by Derrick.

Now?

It was time to take it back. Whether for himself—or for himself and August.

"Not yet," Janet replied, "but his doctor said he’s in a light coma. He could wake up at any time."

The hospital where Philip was staying belonged to Black Rock Co., so Janet had easy access to updates.

Thankfully, Derrick hadn’t thought to monitor this detail.

No matter how powerful he was, Charles still had more influence—in the company, and in the world.

"Janet."

Charles took her delicate hand in his, gazing at her seriously.

Their matching rings—his and hers—glinted together under the light, a perfect pair.

"No matter what I do next... will you stay by my side?"

They sparkled together like they were made for each other.

As if fate had carved them out of the same star.

"As long as you’re still Charles, I’ll never leave you."

Janet rested her head gently on his shoulder. "I’ll wait for you—no matter how long it takes. So go, do what you need to do."

They were husband and wife, bound for life.

Wherever he was—that was home.

"Just give me a little more time," Charles whispered, cupping her face in his hands.

"I’ll give you the life you’ve always dreamed of. Janet... I love you."

Their eyes met—hers shining like stars—and he kissed her, deeply, sincerely.

This was his promise.

He hadn’t avenged her yet.

They still had so many things left to do—together.