In a dark corner of a bar in the city of Hamburg, Richie sits isolated, surrounded by a crowd that is unable to penetrate the solitude he feels. The dimly lit bar creates a mysterious aura, masking his depressed expression. The bar's usually lively atmosphere of laughter and chatter now felt like a hazy backdrop to Richie, who was lost in his own thoughts.Dante, who had just arrived, found Richie in an unusual state. He was used to seeing the young lord with his posture firm and in control, not as he was now, downing liquor in a sloppy and disorganized manner. Approaching with cautious steps, Dante gave Richie a surprised and slightly worried look."Young master, are you all right?" Dante's voice tried to rouse Richie. He knew the young master would never behave like that without a serious reason.Richie turned his head with a vague look, as if he was far away from that place. "You see for yourself, I'm fine. What do you want to say! Hurry up! I'm in a hurry!" his response sounded
"I'm sorry," Sharlynn said softly. Richie found the look in Sharlynn's eyes so sincere. The man just nodded without saying anything. His head suddenly throbbed; he wanted to enter his room immediately. However, Sharlynn did not let go of his hand. "But I have one request." Richie frowned at the last sentence Sharlynn said. "Just say it. I'll give it to you if I can," Richie replied. "I'm coming to Milan." Richie's face changed even more. He began to move his body, which had been silent. Then he released Sharlynn's hand. He looked at the beautiful face before him, examining whether it was a playful request. However, he still found Sharlynn's expression looking severe. Of course, he wouldn't let that happen.Richie exhaled his breath roughly. He shook his head and firmly said he could not take her to Milan."You'll stay here, and Dante will take care of everything. I still have a lot of work to do there!" Richie refused firmly. But Sharlynn did not give up. She still looked at Ric
It was early in the morning when Sharlynn woke up. After she argues with Richie, she gives up. She may let him go from her side.Coming out of the bathroom, Sharlynn wrapped her body with only a towel covering her chest and thighs. Her small steps led her to sit on the dressing table chair. She was staring at herself in front of the mirror."Sharlynn, you should forget about the man who does not love you. You are beautiful and will surely find a man who loves you more sincerely." Sharlynn pinched her cheeks, which looked gaunt these days. "Looks like I lost a few pounds. Oh, Sharlnn, you must pick yourself up and not slump down just because of a rude and selfish man!"The woman kept convincing herself that no matter how hard she tried to open Richie's heart, she would never be able to. However, her desire to go to Milan, even if it was just for a few days, was still so dominating.Sharlynn didn't want to dwell in empty sadness. She quickly grabbed the hairdryer at the end of the dress
"It's going to be all right and play my game," Richie continued.The gray eyes locked onto the hazel eyes of the woman in front of him. As if hypnotized, Sharlynn finally obeyed. "Don't you want to tell me something?" Sharlynn whispered in a low voice. "Don't I have the right to know where we're going?"Richie took in as much oxygen as he could then exhaled slowly. He just wanted Sharlynn to obey him and not rebel or act out of control. Sharlynn was still silent and staring at the man, she was still waiting for an answer."It's about time we kicked the people who got rid of you." Richie grabbed Sharlynn's wrist and led her away from the elevator.Sharlynn chose to remain silent because she already understood Richie's purpose in taking her to Berlin. Although she didn't know exactly what he was up to.They both walked closer to the doorway that led to the helipad on the rooftop, where a luxury helicopter was waiting.The sound of the helicopter's engine starting made a noise. The huge
"Sharlynn," Heinz murmured with a smile. It was as if the man was eagerly awaiting his daughter's arrival.Everyone seemed to welcome Richie and Sharlynn's arrival. Except for one person who was still dumbfounded by the couple's existence. Odette, staring in disbelief. Even though Julian didn't like the fact of Sharlynn and Richie, at least he still controlled himself.Meanwhile, Odette did not divert her gaze from Sharlynn's figure, who looked so beautiful, and there was not a single wound on her body.With her ambition, Odette tried to attract Richie's attention with her sharp and meaningful gaze. Aware of Odette's presence, Richie chose to ignore her with a cold and unaffected attitude. He remained focused on the meeting agenda, showing his dedication and professionalism without being distracted by the drama Odette might want to create. This disappointed the woman.In frustration, Odette clenched her hands tightly under the table until her fingers turned white from the pressure.
"I'm sorry about this unpleasant incident." Sharlynn's voice tried to calm down the noisy members of the meeting."We didn't expect that it was Julian and Miss Odette who caused the company's revenue to plummet," said one of the members in the meeting room.In an instant, the meeting room that had been filled with tension calmed down. Sharlynn stared with a relieved expression as the two cursed couples were finally cornered and exposed. However, the relief was short-lived, as Sharlynn's purpose for organizing the meeting that day was far greater than just exposing the embezzlement committed by Julian and Odette.In a few moments of silence, Sharlynn let her breath out in relief. Her eyes, which had briefly radiated determination and resoluteness, now conveyed a sense of satisfaction at the accomplishment that had just been achieved. However, behind that victory, there was an even greater burden of duty awaiting.The meeting that day wasn't just about exposing the cruel couple's misde
Dante held the cell phone in his hand shakily, knowing the gravity of the news he was about to deliver. The end of the tenth floor of Sharlynn's corporate building seemed to constrict and crush Dante's body, its walls filled with images of the consequences of the conversation that was about to take place. With steady breaths, he pressed the call button, waiting for the line connecting him to Andriano Del Vecchio, the feared but respected patriarch of the Del Vecchio family.Andriano's voice rang out on the other end, heavy and authoritative, ["Dante, what is it? Is there something important?"].In a voice that tried to remain calm and respectful, Dante began his sentence, "Mr. Andriano, I am calling with news that you should know immediately. It's about young Mr. Richie..."["Speak up, Dante, don't waste time."] interrupted Mr. Andrino with a voice that sounded increasingly stern.Dante deeply breathed, "Mr Richie and Miss Sharlynn... they have married, sir. Secretly. And without th
Heinz smiled with relief when he heard the apology that slipped from his only daughter's lips. "Thank you, son," he said with teary eyes, "Daddy is so embarrassed. You really are like your late mommy. A very gentle and forgiving woman." Sharlynn smiled, a warm feeling filling her chest as she heard her father's praise for her late mother. In her heart, Sharlynn felt relieved to get recognition from her father. Actually, it was not vindictiveness that Sharlynn had; she just wanted to stay away from Odette and Rolanda, who had ruined her happiness. 'Will I ever be able to forget all that? I want to feel at peace,' she muttered to herself. "Daddy hopes you and Richie are always happy," Heinz continued while patting Sharlynn's shoulder. Hearing those words, Sharlynn's heart raced. 'Can I still be happy with Richie after all that has happened?' Sharlynn smiled wryly, her face showing pain. An expectation of happiness after marriage had always been in her mind. However, the harsh re
“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