Ivana sniffled, her eyes rimmed with red. “She had too many toxins building up in her body and didn’t make it. By the time she died, she was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. Dad buried her in a hurry. After Mom died, Dad worried I’d be too traumatized and might kill myself, ruining all his hard work. So he kept a close watch on me. But I didn’t want to kill myself… I wanted to kill him. He’s a madman, not fit to be my father.”
Ivana continued in a low voice, “Dad and my uncles valued me greatly because I was the only one in years to successfully become a Voodoo Lwa. They were ecstatic, planning among themselves, saying the Boss would be thrilled when he saw me. They talked about how much money they’d make.”
Jacob’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The Boss?”
“Yeah... I don’t know who the Boss is. I just knew they were planning to sell me. So, on the day the Boss was supposed to come, I decided to kill my dad first. But I failed. Dad and my uncles tied me up and w
The relationships within the Nelson family were tangled, but Jacob remembered that Carl hadn’t had any prior conflicts with the Matthews Group.“Go and investigate this man thoroughly.”“We’re already on it,” Mitbahl replied, his eyes studying Jacob. “But, Captain, since Ivana’s origins are suspicious, shouldn’t we be more cautious with her? Maybe even confine her?”“No need,” Jacob said, turning the glass in his hand. “She’s not in good health, and besides… she’s not someone with malicious intentions.”Mitbahl stayed silent for a moment. Jacob noticed his intense stare, as if trying to bore a hole through him.“What are you staring at?”“You’re doomed.” Mitbahl made an exaggerated face. “You’ve fallen in love!”Jacob: ...“Get out!”“Just because I hit the mark, you get all defensive…”Mitbahl pouted, grumbling under his breath. As he walked towards the window, he turned back, a mischievous glint in his eye as he
Patrick walked over.“Kevin, you’re awake?”“Yeah.”Kevin walked in, his eyes scanning the tidy room before landing on the man sitting on the sofa.He climbed onto the sofa next to Yosef, puzzled.“Bro, what was that noise outside just now? It was so loud.”“Nothing much, just had Kirin feed the fish.”“Why would feeding fish make such a commotion?”“Feeding sharks.”“Oh.”Kevin’s expression showed sudden understanding, then he sighed. “Bro, when are we going back to the Rainbow City? Your health isn’t good; you can’t keep running around like this.”Yosef didn’t respond immediately.Then he said slowly, “We’re going back tomorrow.”“Really?”“Yeah, but before that, tonight I’m taking you to see someone.”“Who?”Yosef reached out and gently pinched Kevin’s cheek. “You’ve been wanting to see your angel sister, right? We’ll see her before we leave.”Kevin’s eyes lit up
"What’s with this? Even if I’m staying with the angel sister for a bit, the proper way to do this would be for you to take me to her place, we’d have dinner together, you’d tell her to take good care of me, and then we’d have a heartfelt goodbye. Isn’t that right?"Didn't expect it to be so hasty?Kevin even wore a little suit today, ready to make it formal.Yosef narrowed his eyes, "You really know how to dramatize things, huh?""At least there should be a proper farewell… Bro, if I just leave like this, won’t you be sad?" Kevin looked up, his dark eyes gazing at the cold, pale man in front of him.As if trying to read something from his face.Yosef crossed his long legs, his expression indifferent."What’s there to be sad about? You’ll be living in comfort over there, with your angel sister. It’s better than staying with me.""Is that what you really think?""… Yes."Upon hearing this, Kevin lowered his head sli
The moment their eyes met, Kevin's small body stiffened. He quickly sat up straighter.John sighed inwardly.Diana turned to John, concern in her eyes.“You see? You’re scaring Kevin.”“I didn’t say anything,” John replied, somewhat exasperated.Did he really look that intimidating?Diana patted Kevin’s head reassuringly.“Kevin, don’t be afraid. This is John, my fiancé. He might look a little scary, but he’s actually really, really nice. Give it some time, and I’m sure you’ll come to like him.”Kevin fiddled with his fingers and mumbled, “Okay…”He raised his round, innocent face and looked at John. Gathering his courage, he said, “Your fiancé is really handsome. Super handsome. Even a little more handsome than my brother.”Kevin added silently: Sorry, bro, but I have to be fair.Diana smiled warmly.“See? I think he’s handsome too. Sometimes, just looking at his face makes my day.”“Is that
Night was falling.Yosef sat in his car, staring ahead with a distant look. A cigarette burned between his fingers. His face was calm, but his eyes were deep with unspoken thoughts.“Cough, cough,” he cleared his throat, breaking the silence.“Mr. Nelson, you really shouldn’t smoke. It’s bad for your health,” Patrick said with concern.“Yes,” Yosef replied absentmindedly, though it was unclear if he really heard the warning.Kirin leaned closer to Godber and whispered, “Mr. Nelson has been sitting here for twenty minutes. What’s going on?”Godber shrugged. “He’s probably trying to collect his thoughts. He’s had a rough time.”“How long does he need to gather his thoughts?” Kirin asked just as Yosef flicked the ash from his cigarette and said quietly, “Let’s go.”Godber gestured toward him. “Looks like he’s ready.”Kirin remained silent, watching as everyone climbed into the car and closed the doors. They were just about
“...Yeah, I’m happy.”“I knew it!”Kevin's smile grew even brighter.Yosef held the little guy gently. From where Kevin couldn’t see, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Yosef’s lips.But just as quickly as it appeared, it faded, as if a shadow of some unresolved thought passed over him.Back at the villa, Diana had spent a few days resting after her return. Just as she was about to head out, her phone rang.It was Frank, informing her that the storefront she had been eyeing was now available, ready for her to inspect and start renovating.With nothing else pressing to do, she decided to go take a look.As she was preparing to leave, she received another call, this time from Leah.Leah’s voice was lazily teasing. “Hey, girl, where are you?”“I’m at the villa, just about to head out. You sound like you just woke up. Were you still asleep?”“Yeah... I was filming a commercial until the wee hours of the morn
Leah cozied up to Diana, displaying their close friendship. "I'm her best friend, and soon, we'll be family."Oh? Cenzo thought, his curiosity piqued. He didn't realize their boss had such connections.Just as Cenzo was about to ask more, a man stepped out of the storefront. He had a cigarette dangling from his mouth and looked displeased."Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to bring your boss over?"Diana pushed through the small crowd and walked up to the man. "I'm the boss. Speak your mind."The man glanced at Diana, who, despite her simple attire, was strikingly beautiful. He seemed taken aback for a moment, then chuckled."You? You don't look old enough to be a boss. Trying to play businesswoman, huh?"The man turned his head, eyes falling on the Rolls-Royce. Oh, they've got money. Maybe some rich guy is buying this place for his girlfriend to play shop."Got a problem with that?" Diana marched into the store and se
This was no time to back down.Summoning all his courage, Cenzo steadied himself. "Whatever you have against us, take it out on me. I don't think violence is the answer. Let's step outside and talk this over. How does that sound?""No need to go outside. I'll end you right here!"Charles's face contorted with rage. He tightened his grip on Cenzo with one hand and clenched his other into a fist, swinging it toward Cenzo's face."Aah!"Cenzo shut his eyes tight, bracing for the blow. But the expected pain never came. Holding his breath, he opened his eyes and saw that Diana had intercepted Charles's fist with her hand.The massive, brick-like fist contrasted starkly with Diana's delicate, pale fingers. The surprising thing was, Diana had actually stopped Charles's punch!Cenzo was stunned. Before he could process what had happened, Diana grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out of Charles's grip as easily as picking up a chicken. Sh