His Obsession Began After Losing Her-Chapter 42: Invitation to the Global Orchestra Concert

Shuri often cherished her weekend dinners at her parents' house, a comforting routine amidst her busy schedule.

Today was no different as she approached the familiar front door with Happy.

She was about to scan her fingerprint on the biometric door lock when the door swung open, revealing their part-time helper, Nari Don, who greeted her with a cheerful smile.

"Good evening, Miss Lee. Mrs. Lee is waiting for you to start dinner," Nari said to Shuri, her eyes sparkling with delight at the sight of Happy wagging her tail energetically.

"Thank you, Nari," Shuri replied, stepping inside with Happy trotting beside her.

Nari nodded and quietly left, allowing Shuri to make her way into the house.

The enticing aroma of a home-cooked meal greeted her, and Hana emerged from the kitchen.

"Welcome home, Riri! And hello, Happy! I've made plenty of food," Hana said, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her daughter and the dog.

Shuri's eyes widened as she saw the sumptuous dinner spread before her, filled with all her favorite dishes. "I can't eat so much, Mum."

Hana chuckled softly. "You can pack it back if you can't finish. Come, let's sit down and eat."

They settled at the table, Happy lying down contentedly by Shuri's feet.

The familiar clinking of dishes and cutlery filled the room as they began their meal.

After a few moments, Shuri looked up from her plate.

"When is Dad coming back?"

Hana sighed softly. "Not for another week. He's been very hands-on with the expansion. He recently went to New Valley to personally find a good location to set up the first outlet there."

Shuri nodded, her thoughts turning to her father.

Despite being the CEO of Co.Lee, Linus had always been deeply involved in every aspect of the business.

His commitment to expanding their family business was unwavering, and his latest venture into the Western markets was no exception.

Despite their financial success, her parents remained humble, choosing to live in a modest two-story house in a quiet neighborhood.

They valued privacy and tranquility over the extravagance of wealthy districts, preferring a life away from the public eye.

Hana began to complain, "Your dad is always busy with business. Your sister has been away for so long, and you're always occupied with your clinic. No one is here to keep me company."

Shuri noticed the loneliness in her mother's voice. "I'll accompany you when I'm free, Mum."

Hana's eyes brightened slightly. "Then accompany me to the Global Orchestra Concert next weekend."

Shuri was taken aback. "The Global Orchestra Concert? But..."

The event brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad.

It was closely tied to Noran—where he first confessed to her in her past life and where she first lost him in this life.

She wanted to avoid the concert at all costs.

Seeing her daughter's resistance, Hana's expression shifted to one of determination. "You used to love classical music, but now you won't even listen to it or touch the piano.

I don't understand what happened. You were so passionate, and now it's like you've abandoned it completely. I have no one to discuss my favorite pieces with, no one to share the joy of a beautiful melody."

Shuri remained silent, trying to think of an excuse.

"It's not just about music," Hana continued in a soft voice, sounding rather pitiful. "Recently, because all of you have been so busy, I always end up doing everything alone. Is it too much to ask for a little company from my daughter, hm?"

Hana looked at Shuri with doe eyes, almost like a child whining cutely to get what she wanted.

She added in a soft pleading voice, "You know how much I've always wanted to attend this grand concert, right? This is the first time they are holding it in Sol City.

All the previous years, I couldn't secure the tickets because they were hosted overseas, but this time, Aera who knew the concert organizer managed to get two tickets for me.

I really miss those times when we would listen to and discuss music together, Riri. Can't we just have one evening like that again? Please?"

Hana was a master at employing such tactics to get what she wanted.

Shuri often wondered if her mother used this same approach to control her father, making him bend to her wishes.

The truth was, no one could resist Hana when she looked so endearingly pitiful.

Her pleading eyes and soft voice could melt even the hardest of hearts, making any refusal feel like an act of cruelty.

Shuri sighed, feeling defeated. "Can I take a look at the program booklet first?"

"Of course! Give me a minute."

Hana quickly went to retrieve the booklet and handed it to Shuri.

As Shuri scanned through the program, she felt a wave of relief upon seeing that Noran's name wasn't listed.

The very thought of facing him again filled her with unease.

She wouldn't have agreed to go with Hana if she had seen his name on the list, no matter how much her mother pleaded.

"Alright, Mum. I'll try to clear my schedule and go with you to the Global Orchestra Concert next week," Shuri said, finally managing a smile.

Hana's face lit up with a triumphant expression. "I know my daughter is the best! Remember to dress beautifully that day!"

Shuri raised an eyebrow, confused as to why Hana wanted her to dress so well.

However, before she could voice her question, Hana interrupted by piling more food onto her plate.

"We have been chatting for too long. Eat up! The food is getting cold!" Hana said, effectively diverting the conversation.

Shuri thought her mother was acting suspiciously but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

...

At Paragon Headquarters.

Beatrice approached the door of the Chairman's office and knocked gently. She waited for his response.

"Come in," Noran's solemn voice called from inside.

Beatrice entered the spacious room and immediately noticed Noran at his desk, engrossed in one of his latest drawings.

Spread across the desk was a collection of pictures featuring a stunning woman, her features so vivid and lifelike that they seemed to leap off the paper.

Over the years, Beatrice had seen him sketch countless portraits, so she wasn't surprised.

Noran even had an entire room dedicated to these artworks, filled with portraits of this same woman.

She didn't know who the woman was, but she knew she was very important to Noran.

He had been searching for her for more than a decade.

Clearing her throat slightly, Beatrice spoke up, "Brother, I wanted to discuss the possibility of expanding our projects to Asia."

Noran remained absorbed in his drawing, his pencil moving deftly across the paper.

"Yes, we should move forward with that," he said, his eyes never leaving the sketch.

"Focus on expanding our investments in major Asian cities. Incorporate technology and renewable energy components into our projects to stay ahead of future trends. Also, we should prioritize green buildings and sustainable infrastructure..."

He gave a few more pointers, and Beatrice diligently jotted them down. "Understood. I'll get the team started on these directives."

Although Noran wasn't always present to handle the daily operations, Beatrice never complained.

Unlike Roy, who often grumbled about Noran's absences, Beatrice held a deep respect for her brother, seeing him as her savior.

Eight years ago, Noran had approached Beatrice out of the blue and asked her to become his manager.

Beatrice was taken aback, as Noran had never spoken to her about anything significant before, let alone needing her help.

She hesitated, doubting both his intentions and her own capability to manage him effectively.

However, as she observed the dramatic changes in her brother, she found herself inspired.

Noran had defied their parents' expectations and pursued his own path with a determination she had never seen in him before.

Beatrice realized she didn't want to be tied down by their family's rigid expectations either.

She knew that if she followed their wishes, she would be married off to a wealthy family and led down a predetermined path that held little interest for her.

Seeing an opportunity for independence and a chance to carve out her own destiny, Beatrice decided to join Noran.

Her decision marked the beginning of a new Chapter in her life.

After becoming his manager, she even went on to open her own artist management company, BEAT Music, which allowed her to break free from the constraints of the Kingston family entirely.

Beatrice felt a deep sense of pride in her accomplishments.

Later, when Noran wanted to establish his own company, she joined him, becoming an integral part of the top diversified investment conglomerate firm that could rival leading companies like the Carter Group and Roland Corp.

All thanks to Noran's strategic foresight and genius strategies, they were now a force that even the Kingston family wouldn't dare to challenge.

However, Noran's ambition didn't stop there.

Recognizing the vast potential and broader impact of private equity, he began gradually shifting Paragon from a purely real estate investment firm to a diversified private equity firm.

This ambitious transition was marked by strategic acquisitions and investments in technology startups, sustainable energy projects, and other high-growth sectors.

His vision was to transform Paragon into a powerhouse capable of driving innovation and growth across multiple industries.

Only with such absolute power, he believed, could he truly protect Shuri from even the slightest threat in the future.

"I sometimes wonder if you can read the future. Your market predictions are uncannily accurate," she said, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity and admiration. "And your knowledge about architecture is astounding. It's as if you've spent a lifetime studying it."

What truly set Paragon apart from other major players in the industry was Noran's ability to envision future architectural trends and integrate cutting-edge design principles into his investment strategies.

This forward-thinking approach not only ensured their developments were ahead of the curve but also drove Paragon's unprecedented success and innovation in the real estate market.

"Is there anything else?" Noran asked bluntly, not wanting to engage in casual talk.

He wanted to finish this new portrait of Shuri.

Beatrice took a breath before saying, "Yes, I heard from my agency that you received an invitation to perform in the upcoming Global Orchestra Concert, but you haven't given them a reply. Are you planning to attend?"

Noran paused for a moment.

The Global Orchestra Concert held a special place in his heart, as it was where he and Shuri had first gotten together in his past life.

He had attended the concert every year since, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but each time he left disappointed, unable to find her in the crowd.

This year, his response was delayed because he had planned an expedition into the Guardian Forest and was unsure if he would return in time for the concert.

But now that he was back, he knew he should give them a reply.

"Yes, tell them I'll be performing."