A villa built in the 17th century amidst the Prosecco vineyards. Milan, Italy.Only an older man in his seventies sits alone in the dining room with a classic all-cream design.The long table made of white marble looks quite extensive. A row of classic ivory-carved chairs amounts to about twelve.However, only one person is there, having breakfast alone without anyone's company. He stares straight ahead with a distant gaze while swirling a stemmed glass containing a quarter of the finest wine produced from his vineyard."If only you were still alive, this dining room would be lively with the voices of your children and grandchildren. Surely Richie wouldn't be lonely if his baby brother hadn't become a victim in that accident," murmurs the old man, who then sips his wine."Richie is my only hope, but he has disappointed me greatly. He chose a cunning woman behind her grace..." the old man's sentence pauses; he takes in as much oxygen as possible before continuing.Everything that happe
"Aauuww!" Sharlynn was startled as something pulled the Bluetooth headset from both her ears. Her face tilted up, and she saw Richie's face so clearly.Both of her eyebrows raised high and followed the man's movement. Her mouth formed an 'O.' Sharlynn blinked as Richie tossed a pair of small headsets onto the small table in front of the sofa.He then casually dropped his backpack onto the sofa and placed a paper bag on the table. He also dropped his weight onto the couch and leaned back casually.Sharlynn, of course, was shocked. She looked at the door and ensured she had closed it tightly."How did you get in?" Sharlynn got up from her chair, leaving her work behind, and approached Richie, who seemed to have his eyes closed. "Richie! How did you get in? I locked it tightly to prevent you from coming back."Sharlynn grumbled while shaking the man's arm carefully. She didn't want her body suddenly pulled until she fell into his lap.Her slender fingers moved away from Richie's body as
Sharlynn heard the voice of a man she was very familiar with. The woman quickly turned around, surprised to see who was standing before her."Why are you surprised? Don't you greet me?" Julian smiled, or rather sneered. Sharlynn ignored him, turned around, and closed the trunk door. Not a single word escaped her lips.Julian looked annoyed. An irritated sigh escaped his mouth, especially when he saw Sharlynn walking away without saying anything.A sense of worry spread throughout Sharlynn's body. Suddenly, she remembered what Richie had told her. It was still vivid in her ears.Hastily, she walked towards the car door. However, as soon as she touched the door handle, her hand was firmly gripped. Sharlynn was startled, almost screaming."Julian, let go!" Sharlynn tried to push away his hand."I want us to talk. Just a moment!" Julian grumbled, unwilling to be ignored by Sharlynn."I need to return to the apartment before Richie comes home!" Sharlynn refused, still trying to push his ha
"Damn you all! I will make calculations that are even more painful! Watch out!" Julian cursed with an unclear voice. He didn't even release his grip on his mouth, which was painful due to Richie's actions.Julian didn't stop grumbling and cursing towards Richie and Sharlynn as he approached the car. However, he was surprised when someone grabbed his hand just as he opened the car door, startling Julian."Who—!" Before he could rage, someone's fist hit his face like lightning.Julian staggered and couldn't avoid it. Before he could open his eyes to see who the assailant was, his face was hit by someone's punch again.This time, Julian truly fell onto the asphalt. Dizziness instantly struck him; his eyes blinked rapidly, and his vision blurred momentarily.But he could still see it with a vague gaze—two muscular figures with blond hair and one with long, black hair tied in a ponytail."Who are you? Don't be cowards! Attacking someone weak!" Julian shouted as if pleading for the two men
"Julian is being insufferable! Why doesn't he answer my calls at all?" Odette grumbled irritably as she descended the stairs. "He promised to come home three hours ago, and he hasn't shown his face at all!"From the hallway towards the kitchen, Rolanda emerged, holding a cup with thin wisps of steam rising. Her forehead furrowed as she observed Odette pacing while pressing her phone to her ear.Approaching her daughter, Rolanda inquired, "What's bothering you so much?""Julian didn't pick up my call at all, Mom. I think that man is becoming more repulsive!" Odette muttered discontentedly."Why bother about such a useless man? I think you should get rid of Julian once you have the villa," Rolanda dismissed and walked away from her daughter after stating her opinion.Odette fell silent for a moment after hearing her mother's words, as if she agreed with her mother's opinion."Mommy is right. Julian is not reliable. He can only embezzle company money, which will eventually harm me," murm
"Richie, I want to go out! Open the door!" Sharlynn, in a panic, continues to try to open the door handle, especially when her ears start to pick up the sound of water pouring from the shower right behind her.Sharlynn falls silent, closing her eyes tightly. The shower is pouring, which means Richie has started cleaning himself. Moreover, she feels the droplets of shower water splashing on her back. Plus, the scent of men's cologne becomes sharper."Richie, what are you doing?" The soap, which had become foam almost all over Richie's body, started to decrease as the shower water rinsed him. In response to Sharlynn's question, he doesn't answer. He turns his body when the foam begins to disappear, and his body is clean."Are you still questioning what I'm doing?" Richie, now closer behind Sharlynn, asks. "Of course, I'm taking a shower. I told you, don't waste time. You should be showering... with me." Sharlynn startles when that warm breath hits behind her ear. Richie truly brings his
"Julius, the big boss's subordinates are waiting for you at the Hyatt hotel. They want to discuss the transfer of the property subsidiary with you," Dante reported as Richie had just entered the man's car.Richie listened attentively as Dante gave his report. His calm face reflected his lack of interest in the news, but his sharp eyes hinted that he was paying attention to every word."Does the old man still remember me?" Richie scoffed. "Did you bring my formal clothes? I'll change inside the car."Dante understood what the young master needed. He had prepared everything, including complete formal attire."Of course, sir. Everything is fully prepared in your bag." He handed the formal clothing bag to Richie, providing a service with utmost professionalism. Richie accepted it and changed into his clothes inside the car.Richie nodded, and skillfully, he opened the bag and took out his formal attire. In the luxurious car, he changed swiftly.After putting on his formal attire, Richie a
After traveling for a few minutes, the car driven by Richie stopped in the parking lot in front of an office building. Richie glanced at Sharlynn, who was busy removing her safety belt. "Sharlynn," Richie called out as he grabbed the woman's left wrist, making Sharlynn look at Richie with a furrowed brow. "Do you have something to say?" asked Sharlynn as she looked at the man to her left with a question mark. "Are you sure you'll be okay? Those two will keep bothering you. If you want, I'll get rid of them right away," said Richie, which made Sharlynn's tongue loll; who knew what was inside her fist? "I'll be fine, Richie. There's Mr Madison over there," Sharlynn replied.Richie nodded in understanding while releasing his grip on Sharlynn's wrist. "Alright, then. Remind me if you need any help, okay?" said Richie seriously.Sharlynn gave a small smile, "Of course, Richie. I have a few tricks to deal with them. No need to worry." She then opened the car door and got out, followed b
“DAMMIT!” cursed Aurora as she slammed the cell phone in her hand until it split and its parts scattered to the floor. Romeo, who was surprised by her impulsive behavior, frowned in surprise and went to her. “Aurora, what happened?” he asked. “We've underestimated that little bitch too much!” she swore as her breath hitched in anger. Romeo narrowed his eyes, not knowing what she meant. “What does she mean?” he asked. Aurora replied that Sharlynn had paralyzed her men. Meanwhile, the car used to take Sharlynn and Andriano was now at the police station. Romeo was completely shocked and couldn't believe it. “We have to leave immediately. Sevariano must have known about this kidnapping. Especially since we dared to kidnap that old fart!” Aurora said frantically.Romeo nodded his head in understanding, “We have to go. Prepare everything, we'll take Danny first and then we'll go escape to a safe place until Sevariano gives up searching.”“I agree,” Aurora said with a small nod.Not wan
Sharlynn, who was still awake in the captivity, tried to wake up Grandpa Andriano. “Grandpa, wake up!” she shouted at the old man beside her three meters away, in the same position as her, both hands tied. Aurora forgot that Sharlynn was clever enough for that. Her unbound legs struggling to move, the woman bent over while her hands were tied to the wooden chair and approached Andriano's grandfather. Sharlynn was forced to step on the old man's foot after getting close to him. Grandpa Andriano was startled and instantly woke up from his stupor, his eyes blinking, trying to figure out what was going on. “Where are we?” grandpa Andriano asked. “Grandpa, we're being held by Aurora. We need to get out of here and contact Richie,” hearing the name Sharlynn mentioned, made Grandpa Andriano's expression instantly furious. “That woman, I knew it,” he said. But as he scanned the two of them, the old man seemed unsure if he could get out of there. Soon, the door creaked and a burly man w
The sound of banging outside the car could still be heard repeatedly. Sharlynn and Andriano's grandfather were getting more and more panicked, the driver of the car still stayed in place without opening the car window. The pounding of the heart inside Sharlynn's chest grew louder as she saw the mysterious men brandishing firearms and shooting at their bulletproof car. “I feel more and more guilty, I shouldn't have forbidden my men from escorting us,” grandfather Andriano said in between his panic. Meanwhile, Sharlynn, who still looked timid, was still trying to contact Richie. The dial tone began to be heard, almost she could contact Richie but something made her even more surprised until her cellphone once again fell when the car from behind deliberately hit the car she was riding in. Sharlynn suddenly screamed, now their car was being pushed forward until it moved. “Tell them we're giving up!” exclaimed Grandpa Andriano who couldn't bear to see Sharlynn so tense and scared. “Bu
During the ride in the car, Sharlynn seemed to be just speechless sitting next to Andriano's grandfather. I remember what Richie said this morning. Her heart began to doubt and falter, she really wanted to usurp her rights as Richie's wife, but she was reminded of the boy's existence. Sharlynn feels like the worst person to separate a child from his father.Sharlynn sat quietly next to grandfather Andriano, her eyes occasionally drifting out the window, staring at the passing scene without a clear focus. His mind continued to drift into unresolved inner struggles.'With Aurora and her son among us, what should I do?'his mind, trying to find answers in the midst of indecision.'Do I have to give up' his inner rage. 'I couldn't have lived apart, Richie would have preferred Aurora and her son.'His hands clasped, reflecting the anxiety that crept into his heart. In his mind, questions and doubts raged against each other, creating a chaotic mess that was difficult to unravel.Grandfather
It was a hot afternoon when Richie entered his headquarters, an old building located on the outskirts of the city, hidden from the crowds and public view. The man looked tense, his jaw set, signaling the importance of the purpose of his arrival this time. With quick, decisive steps, Richie approached one of his men, a stocky man with short hair who looked alert.“Show me where they are,” Richie said in a tone that didn't allow for any rebuttal. The man nodded, understanding that the situation was critical, and led Richie to a room at the back of the headquarters.When the door to the room was opened, the atmosphere was tense. Inside the room, there was a long and tall aquarium in which several venomous snakes were swimming. The hissing sound of the snakes was accompanied by the weak screams of three men who were suspended above the aquarium. Their hands hung above their heads while their feet hung just above the surface of the water, making them look extremely vulnerable to the bit
Sharlynn looked at Richie with sad eyes. It made Richie even more heartbroken by the expression on the woman's face who was in his arms. “Richie, do I hurt all over? What happened last night after we had dinner?” Sharlynn asked innocently. Richie swallowed his saliva roughly, he wanted to explain everything to Sharlynn, but he still decided against it. Richie was sure Sharlynn would be completely shocked by that. He led her into the bathroom and put Sharlynn's body into the bathtub without removing the blanket that was still wrapped around her body. “Richie, why are you silent?” repeated Sharlynn, while Richie was still busy opening the faucet and pouring water into the bath.Richie gently adjusted the temperature of the water, making sure it wasn't too hot or cold, trying to provide comfort for Sharlynn who looked in desperate need. He stole a glance at Sharlynn who looked weak, her sweet eyes holding confusion and fatigue.“Richie, please, I really don't understand what's going
Richie clenched his fists, feeling a deep sense of frustration as he faced Andriano's grandfather who chuckled in a mocking tone. His face showed disappointment and his gaze sharpened.“But it's not like this, Grandpa,” Richie protested in an emphatic tone, clearly rejecting what he felt was unfair treatment.“Everything's already happened, no matter how much you want to protest, Sharlynn is already your wife. You didn't do anything to hurt her, did you?” asked Grandpa Andriano in a tone that seemed to seek justification for his actions.Grandpa Andriano's loud, cynical laugh made the situation even more tense. Richie could only shake his head in disbelief, feeling abused and betrayed by the man who was supposed to protect him.“Grandpa, what you're doing is not right. What happens if Sharlynn or I can't accept this situation? What you're doing is manipulation, not help,” Richie said, his voice filled with unstoppable disappointment and anger.Grandfather Andriano sighed, observing hi
Richie could not stop the uncomfortable feeling in his body. He decided to get out of the bathroom after splashing his body with cold water. He walked past Sharlynn's body lying on the bed writhing. When he arrived at the door of the room, Richie did not waste any time trying to force open the door handle repeatedly. “Shit!” cursed Richie. As he looked confused by his failed attempt to open the door, he heard Sharlynn's hoarse voice. “Richie, why does my body feel weird...hot...I want some water,” Sharlynn whispered, forcing Richie to turn around. Unfortunately, he saw Sharlynn's hips moving so beautifully, bending her knees and her thighs rubbing together. Seeing that very erotic scene, Richie began to feel something arousing. He tried to get closer to Sharlynn, seeing that the dress attached to the woman's body looked even more messy, revealing a long neck and smooth shoulders that looked sweaty. “Sharlynn, what are you feeling?” The stupid question suddenly came out of Richi
That night, the dining room of Andriano's mansion was filled with sparkling crystal chandeliers, creating a warm and luxurious atmosphere in one corner of the mansion. The long dining table was spread with a crisp white tablecloth and tableware neatly arranged, waiting to be used for the dinner that was about to take place.Sharlynn, in her elegant dress, stepped gently into the dining room, a sweet smile gracing her face. “Good evening, Grandpa,” greeted Sharlynn in a soft, warm voice. She gracefully pulled out a chair and sat down, her demeanor full of elegance and politeness.Grandpa Andriano, who was already seated at the end of the table, returned the greeting with a heavy but loving voice. “Good evening, Sharlynn,” he said. His sharp eyes momentarily searched for someone else behind Sharlynn's figure. “Where is Sevariano? I heard his voice on the way to the dining room?”Sharlynn, who was already quite familiar with her grandfather's concern for Richie, gave a wry smile. Her