Lazy_Authoress의 작품

ZANEWhen I closed my first deal.When I put a bullet into someone’s heart for the first time.I hadn’t felt nervous. But as I squatted in front of Valeria, about to say the words I’d held back for so long, my voice trembled with nerves.I could only hope that she didn't notice.Looking up at her, I took a deep, steadying breath and said solemnly, “I love you.”Not like—love.Because ‘like’ felt like a weak, flimsy word compared to what I felt for her.My vision blurred slightly as my thoughts driftedActually, even I pinpoint when it started, but somewhere along the way, she had become irreplaceable. Maybe it was at Atlas Resort.Maybe it was in the Hale’s living room.Or maybe it started with a glance, a touch, or that kiss we shared.It didn’t matter anymore. All I knew was that I wanted her by my side—forever.I refocused, anticipation bubbling in my heart as I studied her expression.How would she answer? I wondered, only for my heart to plummet in the next moment.She looked…

VALERIAThe drive back to Harrison's mansion was silent. Upon arriving, I headed straight for the study, with Zane following close behind.Once seated, I wasted no time. “Is what you said true? About Chris’…”I swallowed hard, suppressing the nausea threatening to rise. I didn’t finish my sentence—I couldn’t—but I knew he would understand what I meant.Zane’s gaze remained steady. “I said it back there, Valeria, and I’ll say it again—I never lie.”I wasn’t doubting him. In fact, I believed him, if not I wouldn't have reacted that way. But I still felt the need to hear it again.Now that I had, there was nothing left but a deep, visceral revulsion toward that family. As a matter of fact, I wanted nothing more to do with them.Before, even after demanding the severance letter, I still held onto some attachment. After all, they were my direct blood relatives—people I had spent most of my life with. Cutting them off completely wasn’t easy as it sounded. But now? Just the thought that th

ANDYToday was truly an ‘exciting’ day. So exciting that I never want to experience it again.First, I was caught in a real-life car chase. Then, I witnessed the live-action version of a shura field, something my Japanese PUBG friends often mentioned in our chats.And now...As if that wasn’t enough, Valeria’s contract husband had just dropped a revelation that sounded nothing short of a bombshell.What?The Hales' first-choice marriage candidate for Val was James Leone? Chris’ father?They had planned to make the son’s best friend his stepmother?It was so ridiculous that my first instinct was to deny it outright.I glanced at Val, whose face was frozen in disbelief, then at Chris, who had lunged forward, grabbing Zane by the collar. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who thought this was insane.“To absolve yourself, you would even lie about something like this? Have you no shame?” Chris gritted out, fury burning in his eyes.My gaze shifted to Zane's face. His expression remained unre

VALERIAWhy is Zane here?I wondered, feeling as though I were sitting on pins and needles between him and Chris on the sofa.Thinking back to a few minutes earlier—when he pulled me toward him and asked if I was okay in that unbearably soft, affectionate voice—my heart started racing all over again.It had taken considerable willpower to pull away from him in that moment. If I had stayed even a second longer, I was afraid I might have melted into his embrace.Clearly, I was still not immune to his voice.Arriving at this conclusion, my heart twisted in a mix of bitterness and frustration.I had warned myself not to have any illusions and to stick to being his contracted wife. But who knew that all it would take was one smile from him for my defenses to nearly crumble?I am truly hopeless.Lowering my gaze in self-disappointment, I failed to notice the pleading look Andy sent my way.It wasn’t until he cleared his throat that I finally looked up.The atmosphere is freezing. Do somethi

ZANE After leaving the basement, I drove straight to Valeria’s university without stopping. But it was too late—she and her friends had already escaped. I should have felt relieved, yet unease lingered in my heart. I needed to see her with my own eyes to be sure she was truly safe—I didn't dare underestimate the lengths irrational fans, traffic-driven paparazzi, and relentless reporters would go just to get her on camera."Analyzing their possible hideouts, I immediately ruled out Treasure Media—reporters would be swarming the place. The Harrison Mansion was another option, but the chances were slim, but just to be sure, I called Arlo. As expected, she wasn’t home.Fortunately, her social circle was simple, so I had my men look into all properties under her name, as well as those belonging to Chris and Andy. This search yielded results—seven locations. Two properties under each of their names, and one jointly owned by all three.Checking them all myself would be impractical and time

ZANEPRIVATE CLUB, BASEMENT — 8 AMSeated comfortably in my leather chair, I watched in boredom as my men dragged in three unconscious old men, roughly strapping them to the metal chairs across from me with thick ropes.Once the task was done, they retreated to the side, leaving only the trio in my line of sight.Studying their shut eyes, cold amusement flashed in my eyes as I thought of what I had in store for them.Turning my head to the side, I addressed the man standing beside me—Luca. “When will they wake up?”Glancing at his wristwatch, he replied confidently, “Within the next fifteen seconds.”I nodded, resting my chin on my hand as my thoughts drafted. Alongside Mason, Luca was my most capable and trusted man. He had been stationed in Meteor City to handle business for both Blaze Corporation and Amethyst, but with Mason leaving for The Sanctuary tomorrow, Luca had to return. Brandon, who would be taking over Mason's duties, will serve only as the CEO's assistant—but not i

Inside the presidential, both sides of people sat facing each other in silence, with Selena, Ryan, Dan and Justin sitting on a single lounge chair and Ethan and Tyler sitting on another opposite them.Selena stole a glance at her brothers with had no intention of speaking to them since she had no idea what to say. But the current atmosphere was really awkward and for some reason, it made her tense...Thankfully, the heavens must have heard her pleas as someone finally took the lead and spoke up. "So.. were these the people who rescued you?", Ethan suddenly asked, sounding particularly curious.Selena who was a bit absentminded didn't realise at first that he was speaking to her until she felt several gazes on her. Only then did she finally react, "Yes.. they were the ones who came to rescue me."Ethan nodded at her words and when he looked at Ryan, Justin and Dan again, there was additional sincerity and gratefulness in his eyes."Thank you. You really did our family a great favor t

Around the same time as when Selena was hung up upon, in the most noble and central part of the Nova City, Mrs. Preston lowered her hand in which she held her phone with obvious joy and relief on her face. Her husband, Mr. Preston sitting right next to her had been able to grab bits of her conversation with the other person while she was on phone, and already had an idea on the reason for her happiness. But even so he still asked just to be sure."She is fine?"Mrs. Preston snapped out of her happiness and turned to face her dear husband to share the news with him excitedly, "Yes! Our daughter is fine. She is safe!"On hearing her his wife's affirmation, Mr. Preston's hanging heart finally fell back into place. But even though he was feeling relieved and light-hearted inside, nothing changed on the surface as he still had the same bland expression on his face as he nodded and said, "It's good that she is fine."Already used to her husband's inability to himself go and express how he t

At the same time, Ryan, Selena, Dan and Justin's group arrived at the space where the cars have been parked. The group separated and was about to get into their respective cars. However, right before she got into the car, Selena suddenly remembered that she hadn't called her parents since she left for Nova! A long time had passed since then and she knew her parents would have started to worry by now. But when she thought of taking out her phone to call them, only then did she remember that she hadn't seen her bag and suitcase at all after getting captured and to be honest, neither did she have the time to think about it at that time. "Ryan!", She quickly grabbed the corner of Ryan's shirt and said with some urgency in her voice. "Have you seen my bag and suitcase? I want to make a quick call to my parents to tell them that I have arrived back here safely."Justin who was about to get into the car alongside Dan paused on hearing Selena's words and finally remembered that he still had

The scar-faced man while feeling stunned watched as the woman who should still be in the abandoned warehouse swaggered towards him. However, the surprise on his face only lasted a few seconds as he was able to quickly collect himself before shifting attention to the men walking alongside her while putting her in a protective circle and immediately had a guess as to how the woman had been able to leave that place.Also, observing the men further, he noticed the familiar aura on their beings and immediately turned back to look at Dan and Justin who didn't look surprised at all to see either the woman or those men, in fact, they had an expression of relief on their faces instead.On the other hand, Ryan had long since lost his calm on seeing the woman. He stared fixedly at her as he took tentative steps forward towards her while clenching and unclenching his fists with a complicated expression on his face.Guilt, remorse, self-blame, anxiety and some expectation among others.He wanted t

After watching the scar-faced man leave with his subordinate, Selena focused on untying the rope that that bound her hands to the back with a hundred and twenty percent concentration.She hadn't been able to find any sharp object around her to cut the rope and could only try the method she had once seen in a short video while hoping that luck will be on her side.Selena blindly touched around around the knot before she began the untying. It was very difficult trying to do so while being unable to see what she was doing but she was also fortunate that, for probably the same reason why the scar-faced was being respectful and accommodating towards her, he had tied the rope quite loosely.This made things a lot more easier for her but even with that, Selena still had a hard time freeing herself. After all, ex-mercenaries had tied the knot so it definitely wouldn't be that easy to loosen it but she, who had no idea of this fact continued working diligently on the knot.Soon after, sweat be

Ryan looked at the scar-faced man with no warmth in his eyes and without mincing words, he said to him, "The woman you captured, I want her."Short and straight to the point, the scar-faced man thought to himself. However, after Ryan finished speaking, the already tense situation got even tenser as both sides tightened the hands on their guns. On seeing this, the scar-faced man wanted to smile to ease the atmosphere but when he accidentally met Ryan's frosty eyes, Dan's demonic smile and Justin's expressionless face, the smile that was about to surface instantly stiffened.He coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment and took the chance to glance at his subordinates who looked also at him with encouragement, their gazes telling him to snap back at Ryan and prove they weren't pushovers. Of course, those gazes belonged to his men who didn't recognize Ryan and Dan or know of their reputations. The ones who did were already signalling to him with their eyes to quickly compromise.The sca