"Did you get a ticket for the game?" Jace asked, smoothly dodging whatever I'd been about to say."Not yet. Got any extras? I'll buy one off you," I shot back, not even trying to play coy.Why take the long way when there's a shortcut?Jace just laughed. "I have some, but they're not for sale."He pulled out two tickets from his pocket. "These are reserved for me. Steve hooked me up a while ago."My heart did a little flip. Steve hadn't exactly called to invite me, but he'd saved me tickets anyway. Maybe he was hoping I'd show up?I took the tickets from Jace. "Mind if I grab one more?"Jace paused, then finally pulled out another."You're like a walking ticket booth," I teased, slipping the extra ticket into my pocket.He just smirked, brushing it off. Honestly, I had no clue what else to say to him.Just then, Wade appeared with Yuna, pushing her suitcase. Yuna walked next to him, a little shy but totally glowing. The two of them had this cute vibe going on."Looks like my
It was clear Jace had a reason for telling me all this.His gaze darkened. "Hayden shouldn't have rushed things with Bruno. He should've checked out who he was dealing with first."I got what he meant, but I couldn't help the mocking smile that crept onto my face. "So, what are you saying? That because Bruno's got connections, I should've just tolerated his harassment? Let him walk all over me?"Jace paused, looking a little thrown by the accusation. "That's not what I meant.""I don't think Hayden did anything wrong," I shot back. "Bruno got exactly what he deserved."For a second, Jace looked... almost helpless. "I'm just saying there were other ways to handle it—ways that wouldn't have put you in a vulnerable position. It's not a criticism of Hayden, just the facts."I took a breath, trying not to assume the worst about his intentions. "What's done is done. Talking about it now won't change anything. Bruno's target is me, and if Hayden hadn't stepped in, Bruno would've only go
"Steve's safe for now," Jace said, leaving me puzzled.He explained, "Quartz Cue pretends to be just a cue sports club, but they're deep in illegal betting. Their original plan was to take down Steve to keep their championship status and rake in the gambling profits."I'd heard rumors about underground betting, but snooker? Really?"When they couldn't get to Steve directly," Jace went on, "they switched it up. They're betting big on him, shifting the odds in his favor. If he wins, it looks like they lose—except they're making secret deals to make way more on the back end."I shivered. Something as simple as Steve's snooker career had turned into this dark web of schemes and shady money moves.Steve once told me he started playing because he loved it—like, genuinely loved it. He wanted to prove that someone from our country could go global. Knowing he was just a pawn now... I couldn't imagine how crushed he'd feel."Does Steve have any clue about this?" I asked, feeling a weight i
Should I?Even after everything Jace had said, I wasn't sure.He was watching me, waiting for an answer, eyes steady and patient. Finally, I said, "Let me check with Hayden."His expression shifted, a flicker of something unspoken in his eyes, but he nodded and stepped back, giving me space.It wasn't that I didn't trust Jace. I did. But I trusted Hayden completely. I just needed to hear it from him.When he picked up, Hayden's voice was low, calm—the kind that could make my heart skip a beat without trying. "Something wrong?" he asked, like he already sensed it.I swallowed, forcing myself to sound steady. "Hayden, there are two people watching me from my hotel café. Are they with you?""Table 3A?" he asked, not missing a beat. I glanced over; that was exactly where they were sitting.Even from a distance, he knew everything going on around me, down to the tiniest detail.There was no need to explain that Jace was here. Clearly, Hayden already knew, which saved me from spelli
The burning ache in my throat spread straight to my heart. As silence hung on Hayden's end, I forced myself to say, "I won't bother you while you're picking out rings. Goodbye."Then I hung up, pressing the button so hard it felt like I was crushing my own heart along with the call.I stood there, frozen, until Jace walked over. The second he got close, I dropped my head and hurried toward the elevator. "Wait here. I'm just going to pack my things," I mumbled as I passed him."I'll go up with you," he said."There's no need. I can handle it myself," I replied, voice sharper than I intended, quickening my pace.But Jace followed anyway. "What's wrong?"He could tell something was off.The bitterness clawing at my chest nearly broke me then and there. I felt myself on the edge, seconds from falling apart, from letting everything spill out in front of him.But I couldn't. Not in front of Jace.When I'd chosen to be with Hayden, I'd been so sure, practically bragging to Jace that
Sometimes people just... zone out. And right now, that was me.Normally, I'd be halfway to the door by now, maybe screaming a little. But instead, I just sat there, curled up on the floor, blinking up at him and asking who he was."Feeling heartbroken, are we?" he asked. His face was intense—chiseled jaw, deep-set eyes, high cheekbones. He looked like someone straight out of a movie, and apparently, he could see right through me."Who are you?" I asked again, still dazed.Then, like a lightbulb flicking on, I remembered what Jace had told me about the leader of Quartz Cue.Only, I'd imagined someone totally different—rough, kinda brutal-looking, like Thorsten. But this guy? He was almost elegant, in that rugged, model-like way.If I'd seen him on the street, I'd probably think he was a Calvin Klein ad or something.And then I remembered Jace had said something about the leader of Quartz Cue being injured, so I squinted, looking him over. But I didn't see any scars or bandages. J
Just as I opened my mouth to call back, Hernan leaned close, voice low in my ear. "If I let him in, what makes you think I wouldn't just take both of you?"He was trying to mess with my head, make me too scared to fight back."Rea?" Jace called again, his voice sharper now, more urgent.I couldn't just sit there. So I did the first thing that popped into my head—I bit down on his hand, hard.Hernan jerked back, his grip loosening just enough for me to break free. I bolted for the door, yelling, "Jace, help—!"But then I felt a chill against my neck, and before I could react... everything went black.***When I woke up, the room was pitch-black, with just a few dim floor lights casting eerie shadows. I was lying on a soft bed, wrapped in blankets.The last few minutes before I'd blacked out hit me in a flash. Heart pounding, I threw back the covers, checking my clothes.Seeing I was in a random set of pajamas, a chill ran through me. I barely had time to process it before the d
"Hernan!" Hayden's voice came through, cold and menacing.Weirdly enough, hearing him made me feel... safe? I wanted to yell, 'Get me out of here!' but I forced myself to stay calm. The more freaked out I looked, the more power Hernan would have.Hernan just laughed, setting the phone up on a stand before grabbing his wine like this was some kind of twisted FaceTime hangout. "Your girl's quite the catch—so beautiful, so charming. Real nice.""She's not my girl anymore," Hayden shot back.Ouch. I knew it was true, but hearing him say it like that still hurt."Oh, not anymore?" Hernan clicked his tongue, fake disappointment all over his face. "Looks like I need to update my sources.""If you're done, I'm hanging up," Hayden replied, and his indifference was like a punch to the gut.It's not like I expected him to come to my rescue, but... he didn't even sound worried. Here I was, thinking I was some kind of pawn in this twisted game, but apparently, that was just me holding onto s
Peter's expression darkened at Hayden's playful jab, but Hayden merely smiled lightly, as if relishing the discomfort. "From what you’ve said, Mr. Mitchell, you must be quite the romantic," he teased. The tea began to boil, releasing a rich fragrance into the air. Hayden had done his homework on Peter. Despite his dignified reputation, Mr. Mitchell had married three times, fathered no children with his wives, and even had an illegitimate child with a mistress. This mistress had borne him a son and then tried to leverage the child to gain the title of "Madam Mitchell." Peter, stubborn and prideful, refused her demands and even sent people to take the child by force. But the mistress, knowing Peter’s methods, preemptively entrusted the child to someone else. When Mitchell’s men came to seize the boy, an explosive argument broke out. In a fit of rage, Mitchell struck her, and in defiance, the mistress stabbed herself in the chest, intending only to scare him. Unfortunately, the blad
When Hayden arrived at the teahouse, Ron glanced at his watch and tapped it meaningfully before saying in a low voice, "The man’s been waiting for half an hour." "Getting impatient?" Hayden asked casually, his tone devoid of concern. His attire was simple and understated, nothing to draw attention. If not for his sharply defined features and the naturally aloof aura he carried, his outfit would have rendered him almost invisible in a crowd. "No, not at all. I’m quite patient," Ron replied with an exaggerated expression of innocence, as though pleading not to be falsely accused. Hayden gave him a glance that seemed to say, Then why bother pointing it out? "But arriving this late does come across as impolite, doesn’t it?" Ron added, his tone that of a model citizen, someone who might have been a class leader or an exemplary student back in the day. "I did it on purpose," Hayden replied, cutting him off with five simple words that silenced Ron. Hayden pushed open the door an
"Because this love didn’t give me the happiness I imagined," Lena explained with a faint smile. "It’s like going to the supermarket, picking out a snack you’re excited about, and then finding out it doesn’t suit your taste. After that, you just don’t like it anymore and won’t bother with it again." Her metaphor was strikingly apt. "And what does the happiness you imagine look like?" Aaron asked, as though playing the role of a persistent interviewer. Lena, softened by the alcohol, answered obediently, "I don’t know. But whatever it is, Nate didn’t give it to me." Aaron observed the peaceful resignation in her expression and pressed further. "Do you still believe in love? Do you still want to start a new relationship?" "Of course," Lena said, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyebrows arched into a cheerful expression. "I’m not the kind of person who gets scared off by a bad experience. If I meet someone who makes my heart race again, I’ll love them boldly and passiona
He was waiting for her? What for? "Uncle, you didn’t skip dinner, did you?" Lena’s first thought was his meal. In truth, he hadn’t eaten. After receiving her message, he had been uneasy all evening, unable to focus on food. "You didn’t eat? I’ll make something for you," Lena assumed his silence was confirmation. "There’s no need," Aaron refused. "Then why were you waiting for me? Is something wrong?" In Lena’s view, Aaron would never wait for her without a reason. He gazed at her, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You’ve been drinking?" She nodded, flashing him a sweet, soft smile. She even gestured with her hand, "Just a little." Aaron stepped closer, his tall frame looming over her with an intensity that made her feel small. Though the light above bathed his eyes, they remained dark and inscrutable, filled with a depth that was hard to read. Lena sensed something was off. "Uncle, what’s wrong?" She looked into his deep, clear eyes, untouched by any impurity.
"Should we drink a little today?" Lena asked. Nate nodded. "Let’s have a drink." They warmed a bottle of wine and ordered a few small dishes. Neither of them spoke, simply sitting quietly, gazing out at the river and the occasional boats passing by. "Lena," Nate called her softly. Lena turned to look at him. The warm yellow light above cast a gentle glow on his nose, brows, and lips. His gold-rimmed glasses exuded elegance, and the texture of his shirt spoke of refined taste. Even after their breakup, Lena had to admit that Nate was precisely her type. In all her life, among all the men she had met, only Aaron and Nate could truly be called attractive in her eyes. Even Hayden and Jace were merely "not bad." It wasn’t that her standards were excessively high—it was simply that if someone didn’t resonate with her, no matter how perfect they were, she wouldn’t care for them. "Thank you," Nate said softly. Lena was momentarily stunned, assuming he was referring to their wor
Recently, Lena had been in a constant state of distraction. Aaron's decision to sever ties with the Aces weighed heavily on her mind. He hadn't told her the reason, only saying that she would find out in due time. She could live without knowing why, but she feared the fallout. When the truth came to light, she worried her grandparents and her mother would crumble under the weight of the news, collectively breaking down. Aaron had assured her he would handle everything, but she didn’t trust that he could shield the family from such devastation. Most importantly, she couldn’t understand why he would choose to leave the Aces. Could it really be, as the old saying went, that someone else’s child was like an ungrateful wolf? If it were anyone else, she might believe it, but this was Aaron. She couldn’t bring herself to believe he would be so heartless, so ungrateful. And yet, he had said it to her himself. It felt so unreal that Lena wondered if she had imagined it all. This tur
Mrs. Lane finally pieced together all the questions Lena had asked her and understood everything. Gabriel furrowed his brow and looked at Lena. "Is this really what you think?" Lena stayed silent. She did have those suspicions, but seeing how her mother had reacted so strongly, she began to wonder if she had been overthinking it. Aaron, who had already figured out the situation, looked at Lena and spoke up. "She must have misunderstood something." And he knew it was his fault. "She’s just an ungrateful brat! She doesn’t appreciate the kindness she’s been given and can’t stand seeing me be good to someone else," Mrs. Lane fumed again. Gabriel wiped away her tears gently. "Alright, maybe she was just joking with you." "Ask her if she was joking! Look at the things she’s been asking me—let her tell you herself!" Mrs. Lane pointed an accusing finger at Lena. "Big Sis," Aaron called out softly, "I’ll take Lil' Lena out for some fresh air." Without waiting for a reply, he r
"You’ll find out soon enough," Aaron’s answer echoed in Lena’s ears, leaving her restless and unable to sleep. The next day, Mrs. Lane arrived with chicken soup for Aaron and a bag full of fresh produce. "These vegetables are from a village I visited. They’re all organic, no chemical fertilizers," she gushed proudly. Lena's gaze followed her mother’s every move, scrutinizing her intently. Wherever she went, Lena's eyes followed, making her incredibly uncomfortable. "What are you staring at me for? It’s creepy," Mrs. Lane said. "Mom, why are you so good to my uncle?" Lena finally asked. "He’s my brother. Isn’t it normal for me to care for him? You think everyone’s as heartless as you?" Mrs. Lane scolded her, throwing in an insult for good measure. Lena didn’t retaliate to the insult. Instead, she pressed further, "It’s normal, sure, but the way you care for him doesn’t feel like how you’d treat a brother. It feels more like..." She paused before continuing, "Like how you’d
Keira chuckled softly. "Well, a DNA test isn’t a bad idea. At least then you won’t have to worry about being related to Mr. Ace if you two get together." Lena's eyebrows shot up instantly. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you want me to hit you?" "Go ahead. If you break anything, you’ll have to compensate me," Keira said smugly, knowing full well she had a trump card—her precious little one growing inside her. Their playful banter caught the attention of the people in the room. They exchanged amused glances. "The things girls find joy in are beyond us," one of them said with a smile. "Let’s hope they stay happy forever," Aaron added, just as his phone began to ring. Glancing at the caller ID, he nodded at Hayden. "I’ll take this call." Aaron walked toward his study. Hayden also pulled out his phone, while Lena and Keira moved to the sofa. Keira recounted Lena’s gossip to him. "Hayden, do you think I could be the person the Mitchell family owes a debt to?" "It’s not