**Bonfire 497**
**Chapter 497: The Girl They Dared to Insult**
Jeffrey’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, a mixture of sorrow and longing. “Of course she’s been waiting for this day… for far too long,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
**Cemetery**
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Before the unassuming tombstone, Sloane stood frozen, her gaze locked onto the serene face captured in the photograph. The tears that fell were relentless, each drop a testament to the love and loss she felt. Jeffrey, beside her, reached out with a trembling hand, his fingers brushing over the engraved name as if to connect with the memories it held. “My dear,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, “look—our little granddaughter has come home…”
Lucas, sensing the weight of the moment, quietly stepped back, allowing the family their precious space to grieve. Kaizen approached him, a cigarette in hand, and offered it with a nod. “Yesterday… you fought bravely,” he acknowledged, his tone a blend of respect and concern.
Lucas shook his head firmly, determination etched on his face. “Uncle, I swear I’ll protect Sloane with my life. No one will hurt her again.”
Kaizen studied him intently, the silence stretching between them as he considered the weight of the boy’s promise. Finally, he placed a reassuring hand on Lucas’s shoulder. “Remember what you just said, Lucas. Those words carry a heavy responsibility.”
**Oliver Group Headquarters**
Inside the sleek, modern office of Oliver Group, Kaizen was immersed in a sea of documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. The sharp knock of his secretary broke through the quiet. “Mr. Victor requests to see you,” she announced, her tone professional yet slightly hesitant.
Kaizen frowned, irritation flickering across his features. “That kid again? No.”
She hesitated, then added, “It’s not him… Mr. Ronald has come personally.”
In the reception room, the silver-haired Ronald sat with an air of sophistication, sipping his tea with practiced grace. “Mr. Kaizen,” he began, his tone smooth and diplomatic, “my grandson has fallen head over heels for your niece at first sight. Perhaps our families could—”
“Impossible,” Kaizen interjected sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. “My niece will make her own choices regarding marriage.”
Ronald’s smile remained unshaken, a mask of calm. “Mr. Kaizen, there’s no need to be so hasty in your rejection. If we form an alliance, the overseas market—”

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