Chapter 2

Tristan sat deep in thought. His gaze was fixed, watching the row of skyscrapers through the window of his office. Faintly, he smiled. It wasn't without reason. It was as if a spark of joy had touched his long-empty heart. This all happened because of his meeting yesterday with the woman Edward had brought to his birthday celebration.

"So, all this time, Olivia has been living in Germany?" Tristan asked as he ate the dinner already laid out on the table. Listening to Edward rambling on about the woman he brought made Tristan curious too.

"Yes..." The woman named Olivia nodded. "I've lived in Germany since I was a child. I just moved a year ago and finally decided to settle in London," she explained, sipping the wine Edward had given her.

"By the way, who do you live with here? Are you alone or with family?"

"Right now, I'm living alone. My parents and sister are in Germany. But they will soon follow to move to London."

"It must be tough living alone in a city you just moved to."

"Yes..." Olivia nodded in agreement. "At first, it was difficult. But it's okay. Honestly, I'm happy to live alone in London. Here, I'm free to work and do all my hobbies without anyone bothering me."

Once again, Tristan smiled in silence. It wasn't a happy smile because he met a beautiful woman, but a happy smile as if pleased because the target he had been searching for had appeared on its own.

"Mr. Tristan, I brought what you asked for."

From behind the office door, there was a knock followed by the entrance of a man Tristan knew well. He walked slowly, approaching where Tristan was sitting.

"What information did you get, Mario? Please show me," Tristan replied.

"I've summarized everything in one document. I apologize if there may still be some missing information. But I promise, I'll find the rest for you."

Tristan nodded and then took the black folder handed to him. He began reading it carefully, scrutinizing all the information that might be necessary.

"Olivia Walters. The first child of Rudolf Walters and Anna Maria Walters." Tristan read what was written there. He glanced, staring deeply at his assistant. "That means, this woman is indeed the one I've been looking for."

"That's correct, sir," Mario replied. "From all the social media pages, the bio listed on the agency's website, and the circulating photos, it's confirmed that this woman is indeed the daughter of Rudolf Walters, a property entrepreneur from London who has now expanded into construction and settled in Hamburg, Germany."

Tristan looked again at the papers in his hands. He looked at some photos while rereading carefully, as if not wanting to miss any information.

"Only 24 years old. Single. Works as a model and is also known as a social activist. She has had relationships with several celebrities. And currently, she lives alone in Marylebone Square's Penthouses."

"That's correct, sir," Mario replied again. "I've included some of Miss Olivia's show schedules that were officially released by her agency. I've also attached data on who she is currently close to, and one of them is your friend."

Tristan nodded in his seat.

"Yes, I know. This woman seems to be close to Edward." Tristan raised his eyebrows. The man pulled the corner of his lips meaningfully. "But I won't let them get any closer. Never, Mario." Tristan's voice lowered, but there was a definite tone of threat in it. His gaze was sharp, piercing the photo of Olivia he was holding.

Mario could only remain silent in his position. Besides performing his main duties at the office, as a trusted person, Tristan also asked him to investigate someone. The young man even paid a private detective a high fee to find the whereabouts of Rudolf Walters and his entire family.

From the beginning, Mario was curious. But until now, he had never dared to ask outright why Tristan was looking for Rudolf, who had long migrated from London to Hamburg, Germany.

"Thank you for your report, Mario. If there is any other information about the Walters family, please let me know as soon as possible," Tristan requested.

Mario nodded politely. After giving what Tristan asked for, he then chose to leave the room.

Just a few minutes after Mario's departure, Tristan's door was knocked again. This time, it was Raphael's turn to visit the young man.

"Am I disturbing you?" Raphael asked as he stepped in.

"Of course not, Uncle Raphael. No matter how busy I am, I always have time for you."

There was a sincere tone in Tristan's words. As an orphan, he felt deeply indebted to Raphael. It was Raphael who patiently took care of and even raised him, teaching him many things until he succeeded as he did now.

"You always know how to touch my heart," Raphael said. He then sat calmly in the chair directly opposite Tristan.

"What brings you here, Uncle?" Tristan asked curiously.

"I want to discuss your engagement with Kimberly. When do you think is the right time to hold this sacred ceremony?"

Tristan was silent for a moment, clearly considering the right time to carry out what his uncle had ordered. He had promised and would never break it.

"Actually, I don't mind when the event is held. However..."

Raphael's brow furrowed deeply. Hearing Tristan deliberately pause made him curious now.

"But what?"

"Recently, I met Olivia Walters. The daughter of Rudolf Walters, whom I've been looking for, Uncle."

Tristan's statement naturally shocked Raphael. He remembered well that he had once ordered his men to investigate Rudolf and his family. But it was quite difficult to get information.

And now, suddenly, Rudolf Walters' daughter appeared without needing to be searched for. It was as if God had deliberately shown His kindness to Tristan, who had been searching for the woman for a long time.

"So what will you do next?"

Raphael was confident that the son of his two friends had prepared a well-thought-out plan for a long time. He knew Tristan well. The young man was born with strong instincts. Never reckless. Always meticulous in every action and decision he made. This was also what enabled Tristan to compete with other competitors in the business world he was involved in now.

"I will approach her slowly, Uncle. So please allow me to win Olivia's heart first. When everything goes smoothly, I promise I will immediately marry Kimberly."

Hearing that, Raphael looked up and their eyes met. His emerald green eyes stared deeply into Tristan's sharp blue ones, trying to read what plan the man was actually concocting.

"Are you sure about this plan?"

Tristan nodded and gave a respectful stance. "I've thought it through very carefully, Uncle. This is the only way to destroy Rudolf slowly."

"That's not what I meant," Raphael countered, his face showing clear concern. "What if you end up falling in love with Rudolf's daughter?"

"That won't happen, Uncle," Tristan confidently rebutted. "How could I fall in love with the daughter of the man who ruined my family?"

Tristan's cold words immediately eased Raphael's worries. Especially seeing the vengeful expression that didn't leave Tristan's face, it was highly unlikely that Tristan would fall for the enemy's daughter.

"Alright. I trust everything to you. But remember, Tristan," Raphael said, looking deeply at the man he considered his own son. "You still have to be careful. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

Tristan nodded again, grabbing Raphael's wrist and holding it tightly. As if to assure him that nothing bad would happen to him in the future.

"Trust me. Whatever Rudolf has done, he will eventually have to answer for it."

***

Tristan slowly sipped the caramel macchiato he had just ordered. After finishing all his work, he decided to stop by one of his favorite coffee shops not far from his office.

"Tristan," greeted the beautiful woman whose voice was not so familiar to Tristan. When he looked up, he saw Olivia standing straight in front of the table. "I didn't expect to meet you here. May I join you?"

Tristan smiled faintly. Rising from his seat, he politely invited Olivia to sit down. "With pleasure, please sit. I happen to be alone tonight."

"Would you like something to drink? I can order it for you," Tristan offered politely.

"Of course." Olivia immediately nodded. "A cappuccino latte seems perfect to drink with you tonight."

Tristan then waved to call the waitress on duty. After ordering the drink, he resumed his conversation with Olivia.

"Where are you coming from? Just finished work?"

"Yes, that's right. I just finished a photo session at a studio not far from here. And you? Have you been here long?"

Tristan nodded and extended his hand to reach the caramel macchiato he had ordered. Sipping slowly, he then explained. "My office is not far from here. Usually, before going home, I stop by for a while just to sit and enjoy coffee."

"Oh, really? Are you always alone like this? Or sometimes with your partner?" Olivia asked cautiously.

"Always alone. I happen to be single at the moment."

"Ah, you're so good at lying," Olivia remarked, clicking her tongue. How could she believe that a handsome man like Tristan didn't have a partner? "Do handsome men always say they're single to the women they just met?"

"I'm not lying," Tristan replied with a smile. "I'm not in a relationship with anyone right now."

"Then who was the beautiful woman with you that night?" Olivia asked inquisitively. She remembered at the celebration event, Tristan seemed close to the woman with him.

"Beautiful woman?" Tristan's brow furrowed deeply. He tried to recall until he finally exclaimed softly.

"Oh, you mean Kimberly? The woman who was with me at the birthday party?"

Olivia nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, she's your girlfriend, right? You two looked very close and matched that night."

"But she's not my girlfriend," Tristan clarified. "Kimberly is like a sister to me. We've been close since childhood and have been friends."

"Ah, I see."

"And you? How about you?" Tristan turned the question.

"What do you mean by that?" Olivia asked, confused.

"Your relationship with Edward. Aren't you two close now?"

"In the past few months, we have indeed been close. But so far, it's just as friends. Nothing more. I haven't thought about getting into a relationship with any man."

"Does that mean I have no chance to approach you?" Tristan teased with a small laugh, causing Olivia to pause for a moment as if digesting what he had just said. "Oh, my goodness, Olivia, I'm just kidding." Tristan quickly corrected his statement.

"You," Olivia protested, "You made me nervous."

They then continued their conversation, discussing light topics until they lost track of time and eventually decided to leave.

"Did you bring your vehicle?" Tristan asked as they walked together out of the cafe.

"No. I rarely drive myself. Maybe I'll call my driver to pick me up in a bit."

"If so, let me drive you home," Tristan offered politely. He had to slowly approach the woman.

"No need. I don't want to trouble you."

"Of course not," Tristan responded quickly. "Besides, it's very dangerous for a beautiful woman like you to wait for a ride alone here."

Being called beautiful, Olivia's face blushed instantly. She also felt flattered by the sweet attitude of the man who had been with her.

Seeing the sincerity on Tristan's face, his sky-blue eyes blinked briefly. She seemed to consider whether to accept his offer. Then, a sweet smile appeared on Olivia's lips. She thought there was no harm in accepting Tristan's offer, who was not an ordinary man.

"Alright, if you insist. Besides, there's no harm in being driven by a handsome man like you," she said honestly. Yes, Tristan was indeed very handsome in Olivia's eyes. She couldn't deny this fact.