Arriving at the location, my eyes scanned the area. My only hope was that Darius was tagging along. Putting all my hope in him felt absurd, but there was no turning back now.I heard footsteps echoing, growing louder with each step.It was Gregor, finally arriving with a few of his men at his side. Our gazes locked.I finally caught a glimpse of that bastard after so many years. A reminder of the past few weeks struck me—the fact that I wanted him at my mercy, to pay for all he had caused me. But now, being this close, I couldn't make him pay. The situation was against me; I was surrounded by his men."Long time, Mr. Hawthorne," Gregor broke through the lingering silence. Our eyes remained fixed in a daring gaze."Where is she, Gregor? Where is Scarlet?" I questioned. The fact stood that I couldn't kill him—not now, at least. I just had to wait for Darius to get a clean shot and silence him. But before that happened, I needed answers. I needed him to reveal Scarlet's location before I
Scarlet's POVMy head felt dizzy, my body giving off a weak scent. I couldn't deny my rumbling stomach. I had refused to accept the food they had offered me; they wanted me dead, so who knew, they could have possibly had it laced with poison.I managed a glimpse, gently opening my eyes. Standing at my side were still the same two men. I couldn't forget the muscular one—Kane, wasn't it? His grip still left a numb pain on my neck.My mind still couldn't accept the fact that I would be dead once Sebastian showed up. "How could this be happening?" I uttered, my voice barely a whisper, but it seemed to catch the attention of the men positioned at my side. Their eyes flickered at me before returning, but his eyes remained fixed on me, the same guy who had mocked my weak state."How was your nap?" he said, pretending to care. "Your face looks pale. You should have really eaten back then—you would surely need the strength."I hated it—his eyes mocking my despair. "I—I won't eat anything you b
The whole area echoed with gunshots, followed by each moan of pain. One of the men grasped Sebastian, who was in an unconscious state, helping him up. I felt a grip on me as well; it was the scarred man."Let's go. We have to leave now," he uttered as he gripped my hand, leading me through the hallway as we ran for it.I tried to maintain our speed, but my weak state made it difficult. My vision was blurry, and my footsteps echoed haphazardly. Guns pointed ahead were silenced as bodies dropped to the ground, blood gushing out. I wanted to shut my eyes—it was hard to take in the gruesome sight. But I couldn't give up; I had to keep going, denying my body's weakness.As we made our way through, we finally arrived outside the building. The clear, bright sun left a piercing beam, causing me to shut my eyes a bit, having been in the dark for a while. They led me into a vehicle parked on the side as we hurriedly entered with gunshots still piercing the air."Let's go. Move it," the scarred
Sebastian's POV"Come on, show me what you've got, huh, punk?" Laughter and mockery filled the air as their legs kept smashing into me, hitting me right in the stomach."Let me go, leave me alone," I uttered, but it seemed like my pleas fell on deaf ears. They continued to hit me relentlessly."Who the heck do you think you are, punk? Yeah, your father may be rich as fuck, but how dare you, you little brat, try and stand up to us?"Should I say they were angry, or should I say they were just jealous of the fact that I came from a wealthy family? They saw fit to inflict their anger on me, the only way they saw to get to me. Every day became a living hell, but I fought through it. I did try to stand my ground, but I crumbled in the end. Still, I didn't give up.Gunshots pierced the air, followed by the moans of pain increasing. Everything went dark.I was alone, blood dripping from my body."Stop," whispers escaped my lips."Stop," another followed."Just stop!" I uttered, only to be me
"How is this possible? I thought you were dead," I questioned Darius, still in disbelief."Well, I was, boss. Thankfully, I was wearing a bulletproof vest, so I only got bruised a little. I'm sorry that I arrived late, and they had already gotten to you hard," he apologized."No, Darius, it's okay. I really thought you were gone, and I own it to you for keeping your word and not failing me," I admitted."That's just my duty to you, boss. You don't need to thank me. I was the reason this all happened in the first place. I should have controlled and stopped Nikolai from harming Gregor's son. Maybe if I had managed to get that done, you wouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. I'm really sorry, boss, for my mistakes—grave mistakes, which I made. I can only promise that no further mistakes will be made on the way," he confessed.Truthfully, I couldn't have been happier that he was alive. I admit I was initially angry, but he was my best man, and losing your best man isn't
Scarlet's POV Leaving the mansion, I parked my car on the side of the street, trying to catch my breath. My head still ached, and the wounds on my neck hadn't fully healed. I wanted to question Sebastian about what was going on, hoping to find answers to all my questions. I had gotten involved in his world and was almost killed in the process. The least he could do was tell me what was happening and why that man was after him.Did Sebastian really kill his son? And if so, was Sebastian in the wrong? Each question left a suffocating ache in my head. I just wanted everything to go away. Why did it feel like things had to take a turn for me each day? I wanted out of his world, but it seemed I was already entangled in it somehow.Why come after me when they all held grudges against Sebastian? Of course, I was his wife in the eyes of the world, so it made sense for them to target me as a way to get to him. Now my life was at risk because of things I had no knowledge of.I wrapped my hands
After consoling Sebastian's mother, I led her outside the restaurant to her car. I watched as she entered, wiping her tears before starting the engine and driving off. This meeting hadn't brought me any closer to the answers I sought.I made my way back to my car and started the engine, driving without a destination in mind. It seemed I had no choice but to ask Sebastian directly about his alleged criminal activities and the true profession he had kept hidden beneath his businessman persona. But I knew it wouldn't be easy to get answers from him.After driving for a while, I decided to park at my mom's house. I had wanted to check on her before I was kidnapped. I had no idea how she was doing. As I stepped out of the car, I caught sight of Evelyn exiting the building, followed by Tristan – the same guy who had apologized to me, claiming it was all a mistake. Here he was with Evelyn, and I watched as the two shared a warm embrace before turning and walking away together.I approached m
I stumbled back, a disoriented feeling washing over me. "What are you saying? What did you do, Evelyn?" I questioned, my hands raised, ready for an attack. What was she saying? Mom? Mental asylum? How was that possible? She was just fine a few days ago. Now, I was sure Evelyn must be lying. This had to be another one of her jokes, nothing less."Tell me now, Evelyn. What did you do to Mom? Answer me!" I uttered. All she let out was a slight chuckle with a sly grin, which only erupted a raging anger in me."What do you mean, 'what did I do to her'? I mean, the old lady went crazy, and she was taken in for treatment. How is that really my fault?" Evelyn replied, nonchalantly."Mom was just okay a few days ago! You're lying! She was fine, perfectly fine!" I shouted, disbelief clouding my mind."Oh, you don't believe me? Then why don't you go confirm it yourself?" Evenly challenged with a smirk."What do you mean?""She's in the city asylum, being treated. Why don't you go pay your precio
Loud gunshots echoed through the room as blood trickled. My eyes sprang open, only to realize it was all just a dream, as the rays of the sun that gleamed through the window caused my eyes to shut again. I tried removing my gaze from the blinding light, only to catch sight of Sebastian sitting on the bed near me."Are you—" he said, but in a blink, I found myself on him, my hands wrapped around him as I let out a sigh.I was trying to catch my words as they hoped to escape, remembering last night's incident with Kaiden almost shot and me almost killed.But wait, how did I end up here, then? The last thing I could remember was trying to run. As my gaze caught sight of Kaiden bleeding even more, I ran, going deeper into the forest...What happened next? I had no idea what took place next.I released my hands, retreating a bit as my gaze raised to meet Sebastian's."Are you alright?" he questioned, helping me back as I laid my head, resting back on the bed."What happened last night, Seb
"What happened, boss?" Darius asked, walking up to me as I returned my phone to my trousers. "I will kill them all. I will make sure I rip him from limb to limb.""Boss?""Get the vehicles ready, Darius. It seems we need to attend to some things," I said, my gaze returning to Nikolai, who remained there, his eyes fixed on mine. "I don't care who he is, Nikolai. I shall have his head, and I hope you help me get his location. That's all I need from you." I made my way out of the warehouse, entered my car, and drove off with a few of my men and Darius trailing me.Many thoughts swirled in my mind as I tried processing the situation. I could only hope they would hold up until I arrived there. Whoever this mystery Don is, I will make him pay. How dare he play such tricks? Really, I need to take care of every single one of them who lurks in the shadows, labeled as my enemy, plotting against me.Not long after, I arrived at the location Scarlet had dropped. Stepping out of my car with a few
"No!" I exclaimed.What was happening? Who was that stranger?Before I could make proper sense of what was unfolding before me, my eyes caught sight of the stranger approaching me with the pointed dagger. My mind could only scream one word, 'Run!' I stood up, hoping to flee, but my legs felt like jelly as I stumbled back onto the ground, my hands brushing against the dirt.I turned my gaze, watching the stranger getting closer with every inch."No, stay away, stay away," I muttered, trying to get on my feet to escape.It felt like a hit on my back as an excruciating pain tore through me."And where do you think you're going?" I heard the stranger utter. His grasp tightened on my neck, slamming me against the wall with his dagger poised, ready to drive deep into my flesh.Really, this couldn't be it; I couldn't die, not now. Mom still needed me; I wanted to see her get better, and I wanted to make Evelyn pay. But now it seemed like all my plans had been cut short, and here I was, facin
Scarlet's POV"And look who we have here?" My eyes landed on Evelyn walking up to my side. I wasn't surprised to run into her here."How may I be of help to my stepsister, or does she miss her father's restaurant so much that she came back running? Don't worry, I can be sure to hire you as the dishwasher, maybe. At least we are family," she said.I felt like strangling that witch. Her mere presence only seemed to ignite more anger within me. But I couldn't let go of what I had just learned from the detective—she had plotted my parents' death. I needed answers as to why she did that. I mean, the property was already hers, so why did she do that? I wanted to force her to spill it all out and then send her to jail afterward to rot for all her crimes.But now, knowing she had gone to such lengths to kill, I was sure that she was behind my mother's predicament. I was certain she was behind every single bit of it. And even knowing so much, all I could do was put on a fake act.I didn't want
Sebastian's POVArriving at the warehouse, I stepped out of my car, greeted by my men stationed outside. There were more of them than usual, with some stationed on the roof, their eyes scanning each and every nook. I was sure this was not something to take lightly.Whoever this new enemy was, I would make sure to bring him down."Boss, you're here?" My eyes landed on Darius approaching me in haste. "I am happy to see you are..." His voice trailed off as I could only wonder why, only to remember my half-beaten state."What happened, boss? Don't tell me they got to you also," Darius questioned."Just tell me, Darius. Who are these people, and what do they want with us? Why are they doing this, and mostly, I want to know who their boss is," I questioned, hoping to get straight to the point."I wish to know as well, boss," Darius replied simply, as his words left a stun."What do you mean, you don't know who they are?" I asked, my brow furrowed. "No, boss.""What do you mean, Darius? You
"How much do you know about your sister?" he questioned.My eyes narrowed, and I felt a slight twitch in my jaw. "Stepsister," I corrected, my tone crisp.Really, I cared less about what she was up to. Why would I? But given all that had been occurring lately, I had no choice but to dig in and find out what she was plotting. He had called me up here, claiming to give me some information, but instead, he was here asking me these silly questions."Get to the point. I thought you were the one blubbering about not liking to waste time. Just tell me what you called me here for. Have you found out some new information regarding Evelyn?" I questioned, looking at the relaxed presence of him as he rested his back against the chair, leaning with his eyes glaring. All he left was a silent response."Well, after digging further and trying to patch up your stepsister's dealing with the guy charged with assault, I learned he carried out a job for her.""A job? What job? What job did he carry out?"
[Scarlet's POV]Returning back into the room, I saw no sight of Sebastian. Really, where did he suddenly go? Did he leave? I left the room after, walking down the stairs, and then my eyes caught sight of the maid."Did Sebastian leave the house?" I questioned, and she nodded yes.Really, he had left the mansion. Could anything be so important for him to leave in such a condition? I could only hope he wasn't another thing I would end up getting involved in.He had returned home with bruises today. A part of me wanted to ask questions, but why bother when, in the end, he would cut me off as usual?I had no choice but to treat his wounds because of the frantic state his mother was in after seeing his condition. I had to make sure he was alright, but he wouldn't allow her to come any closer.Today was the weekend, a day I hoped to spend in utmost relaxation, just trying to calm my mind of everything, but new problems seemed to be arising. I couldn't get my head around what the detective s
I rushed into my room, my hands grasping onto my phone as I dialed up Darius's number, which persisted in ringing for a while before he finally picked up."Boss, are you alright, boss?" I heard his voice come through, a tensed and scared tone that my ears could grasp."What's happening, Darius? I just saw the news now?" I questioned, totally confused as to what was taking place. First, I was kidnapped by some men who I had little idea about, claiming their boss sent them, and now this news also of my men dead."I can't discuss it all on the phone, boss," he said.Something was fishy, just as I had suspected, and it seemed Darius knew more about this than I did. "Alright, Darius, let's meet up at the warehouse. I'm on my way now," I said."Alright, boss, please do be careful," Darius said before hanging up the call.It seems another new enemy has sprung out of their hole, and now I had to get my hands messy again. With all this, at least they didn't scheme and try to take my business d
My eyes flickered as they sprang open, gazing at my constrained state. My hands were tied against a chair as I found myself in an unfamiliar building. I had no idea where I was."Seems you're awake," a voice caught my attention, and I turned to see the same guy who had attacked me at the club approaching, bending a little."How are you feeling there?" he mocked. Really, I wanted to rip his jaws out, but damn, I was tied up. Whoever they thought they were, how dare they kidnap me and tie me down?"If you want money, then say it," I said, my gaze fixed on him, hoping to negotiate my way out of this. Once I was finally free from their grip, I would make them all pay and hunt them down. They dared hit me; I would make them beg for their lives."You still don't get what's going on yet, do you?" he uttered, as my eyes narrowed with my brow raising. "What are you saying? You don't have to beat around the bush. Just name the amount you want, and let's get this over with.""I don't need your m