The Sakda mansion felt colder than usual.
Arthit walked through the long marble corridor, hands in his pockets, mind occupied with only one name—**Karan**.
His father's secretary had called him back urgently, and judging by the tension in the house, Arthit knew exactly what this was about.
He pushed open the grand wooden doors of the private meeting room.
Inside were two people he knew better than anyone:
**Mr. Sakda**, the untouchable, the man who built an empire from dust and fear.
And **Anant**, his older brother, whose calm perfection hid an iron heart.
Both looked up when Arthit entered.
Mr. Sakda's voice sliced through the silence like a blade.
**"Close the door."**
Arthit obeyed, leaning back casually against the table, pretending he didn't feel the tension burning the air.
Mr. Sakda folded his hands, eyes sharp and cold.
**"I'll ask only once,"** he said.
**"What is your relationship with Karan Kim?"**
Arthit didn't blink.
He held his father's gaze without fear.
**"I care about him."**
Mr. Sakda's jaw tightened.
**"I didn't ask if you care. I asked what you're doing with him."**
Arthit shrugged lightly.
"Whatever I choose to do."
Anant exhaled sharply, stepping forward.
**"Arthit, stop playing games. Father knows. Everyone knows. You've been reckless."**
Arthit smirked.
**"Reckless? I would say honest."**
Mr. Sakda stood suddenly, the room dropping in temperature.
**"You listen to me very clearly."**
His voice thundered without rising.
**"If you do not end whatever nonsense you have with that boy, I will make sure his family pays for it."**
Arthit's eyes darkened instantly.
**"If you touch Karan"—his voice dropped dangerously low—"you will regret it more than anyone."**
Anant stepped between them.
**"Arthit."**
A calm warning.
A brother's attempt to shield both sides.
But Arthit wasn't backing down.
**"I'm not a child anymore,"** he spat.
**"You don't get to control who I care for."**
Mr. Sakda slammed his fist onto the table, making the glasses jump.
**"You are a Sakda before you are anything else!"**
"Maybe," Arthit replied softly,
**"but I am also a man who loves someone."**
The silence froze.
Anant's eyes widened.
Mr. Sakda's stare turned from anger to lethal coldness.
**"You… love him?"**
Arthit didn't flinch.
**"Yes."**
Anant rubbed his face in frustration.
"Arthit… this can ruin everything," Anant said quietly.
"Our alliances, our businesses, your engagement—"
Arthit cut in.
**"My engagement is exactly what I'm ending."**
Both father and brother looked at him sharply.
Mr. Sakda:
**"You dare?"**
Arthit stepped closer, voice steady.
"Arshiya and I were arranged for a business purpose.
And I will finish that purpose without hurting her… or damaging our company."
Mr. Sakda narrowed his eyes.
"Explain. Now."
Arthit smirked faintly — the look of a man already ten steps ahead.
**"The contract ends in three months.
But I've already spoken with Arshiya's company quietly."**
Anant stiffened.
"You what?"
"I arranged an alternate partnership,
equal profit, equal publicity,"
Arthit continued calmly.
"I will let the media believe that our separation is due to 'personal career focus'.
No scandals.
No damage.
No broken alliances."
Mr. Sakda's anger shifted into suspicion.
"You think she'll accept that so easily?"
Arthit shrugged confidently.
"She already knows I don't love her.
She already knows it's business.
And she doesn't care about me—she cares about her brand."
Anant crossed his arms.
"And what about you?
What happens after this contract is closed?"
Arthit's eyes burned with quiet conviction.
**"I choose Karan."**
Mr. Sakda scoffed.
"You choose a restaurant boy over empire, over power, over the girl promised to you since childhood?"
Arthit didn't hesitate.
**"I choose the man who makes me feel human."**
Anant looked away, conflicted.
Mr. Sakda leaned in, threatening.
**"Then hear me, Arthit."**
His voice was cold as death.
**"If you go down this path, you will no longer have my protection.
And if Karan becomes a target… I won't save him."**
Arthit's entire aura shifted — darker, sharper, colder.
"Father," he said quietly, dangerously,
"if anything happens to Karan…
You won't need to worry about removing me from the family.
I will remove you from my life forever."
The room froze.
Anant swallowed.
He had never heard Arthit speak like that.
Mr. Sakda laughed once — humorless, chilling.
"Arthit… you are blinded.
Blinded by a temporary attachment."
"It's not temporary."
Arthit's voice softened, almost vulnerable.
"Karan… is the first person who ever looked at me like I was human.
Not a monster.
Not a successor.
Not a weapon."
Anant's expression softened a fraction.
"You're serious," Anant murmured.
Arthit nodded.
"More serious than I have been about anything in my life."
Mr. Sakda clenched his jaw.
"And what do you expect me to do? Smile? Approve?
Your relationship threatens alliances—"
Arthit cut him off sharply.
**"I don't want approval."**
**"I want freedom."**
Silence.
Heavy.
Painful.
Final.
Anant sighed and stepped closer to Arthit, voice low.
**"Little brother… be careful."**
Arthit looked at him.
For once, Anant's eyes held genuine concern.
"You know Father's threats are not empty," Anant warned.
"He *will* act. Protect yourself. Protect Karan."
Arthit nodded slowly.
"I'm already doing that."
Mr. Sakda glared but said nothing.
Arthit turned to leave, but paused at the door.
His voice was calm, unwavering, and filled with love.
**"I won't give him up.
Even if you stand in my way."**
Then he walked out, shutting the door behind him.
---
Outside in the mansion courtyard…
Anant caught up to him.
"Arthit."
Arthit turned.
Anant sighed.
"You're playing with fire."
Arthit smiled faintly.
"I'm used to fire."
Anant stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"I won't tell Father this, but…
You need to be smart.
Protect your boy.
Protect yourself."
Arthit's eyes softened.
"For once, we agree."
Anant clapped his shoulder.
"And about Arshiya… are you sure this plan will work?"
Arthit smirked.
"Brother… When have my plans ever failed?"
"Rarely," Anant admitted.
Arthit looked at the sky, exhaling.
"But this time…
Failure isn't an option."
---
END OF CHAPTER 14