As the night deepened, the crowd inside the ballroom grew even larger. Semion observed the elegant people inside, each in their respective groups engaged in conversation.He stood straight on the second floor of the venue, leaning slightly against the corridor.“Oh, would you look at that?” he fixed his gaze on the man wearing a white suit, holding a glass of wine and chatting with two other men. Arrogance was evident on his face.““I'm betting ten million as well. This party is for showcasing their wealth and status. They have nothing else to do in life but throw money around and flaunt it in our faces.””Semion smirked deviously upon hearing those words from the small wireless earphone in his ear, spoken by none other than Darson.The ballroom was filled with recordings, allowing him to listen to people's conversations inside even though he was far away.He heard Darson's annoying laughter, so he irritatedly removed the wireless earphone from his ear and crushed it, causing it to ma
"It's been years since our family threw such a lavish party," All attention was focused on the elderly man speaking into the microphone at the center of the stage. Despite the evident signs of aging on his face, Primo Alessandro's physical vigor was still apparent."It looks like he's in good shape," whispered one guest. "That's probably why they're hosting the party."Primo Alessandro continued speaking. "To all who have accepted our invitation, I'm delighted to see you on this important evening. In fact, I'm not the star of tonight, and I won't dwell on my health recovery, as you all can see that I'm still doing fine. But tonight, my first son is the one who is behind this party, as he has a special announcement he's been excited about."The murmur of whispers quickly grew louder and filled the room. Just hearing Semion's name thrilled the women---it was evident in their sparkling smiles and the way they gazed at Semion as he stepped onto the stage next to his father.Who wouldn't b
Men used to court someone like Celeste Costa when she was still a young maiden. But everyone knew she was already spoken for and set to marry, that's Darson Allegra. However, those who eavesdropped on the gossip in upper-class families knew that the relationship between the two had not been good for a long time, even though they kept quiet about it.And in the past two months, their separation had become even more public. Darson had no idea how the news had spread because it was impossible for anyone in his mansion staff to talk. But unbeknownst to Darson, the rumors circulating made him out to be the villain.The eyes of the people in the ballroom alternated between Darson and Semion and Celeste in front of the stage. The whispers grew louder and louder. Even the people were conflicted about what to think and feel in this explosive situation.The guests didn't know whether to sympathize with Darson, applaud loudly for Semion's announcement, or what to make of someone like Celeste. Te
Both Semion and Celeste's eyes widened in surprise at Darson's outburst. They couldn't believe the audacity he was displaying underneath the shallow stage.Darson's face was unreadable as he looked up, particularly at his wife. "Celeste! Don't make me repeat it twice. Don't wait for me to drag you out of this place!""What...?" Celeste's heart raced with anxiety. Yes, she wanted to surprise him tonight. She wanted to show him that she wasn't an abandoned woman! But it never crossed her mind that he would suddenly lower himself to make a scene before she could even reveal her status to the Lombardi family.The guests were visibly shocked. Everyone gasped and widened their eyes. The tension in the room was palpable! Who could predict that what should have been a joyful party tonight would be filled with such anticipation.A deafening silence blanketed the area for almost ten seconds. Even the orchestra, which had been playing music peacefully just moments ago, fell silent and focused on
"CELESTE!!" Darson angrily shouted, attempting to prevent Celeste from revealing anything."You!" Semion disliked that and wanted to confront Darson, but Celeste tightened her grip on his arm, maintaining her dignity as she stared at Darson."You stripped me down from my position within the Allegra family, disregarding the contractual marriage we had. Is it infuriating to hear from my own mouth that you did such a foolish thing for a prostitute?" Celeste laughed. "Your pregnant mistress must be enjoying a luxurious life with you without knowing she's being kept hidden by you.""Prostitute?""Pregnant mistress?""Did Darson have an affair with a prostitute?""Why did the Allegras accept it?""Come to think of it, Celeste is much better because at least she came from a family with a high status before."All the murmurs behind Darson entered his ears. The reputation and carefully maintained image he had were tarnished because of this night alone."None of this would happen if you were no
“Tonight has certainly been surprising, wouldn't you agree, Primo Semion, Miss Celeste?” General Basque displayed an uncomfortable smile in front of Semion and Celeste. “Just recently, Primo Semion was considered another top bachelor—without any rumors circulating about the woman he was courting.”Semion responded with a smirk, full of arrogance. “Most likely, many will try to meddle in our relationship if I openly court Celeste. Not to mention how many women are vying for my attention.”“Ah…” the old general grimaced. “Indeed. Unfortunately, it seems the heir of the Allegra family has taken a negative view of your relationship. It's only right to remove him from this gathering early before the disturbance escalates.”“He'll surely be bitter after this,” Semion didn't hide the sour expression on his face. “Celeste's right, some dogs just don't know when and where to bark.” When Semion glanced at Celeste, her expression softened. “My wife-to-be is so brave. I'm falling even more in lov
After Semion and Celeste's solo dance, other couples who wanted to dance started to take to the dance floor."Semion, I just need to talk to someone for a moment, entertain your friends for a while," Celeste said as she released her hold on Semion's arm."Huh? Where are you going?" Semion asked with a furrowed brow, reaching out for her hand.A mischievous smile played on Celeste's lips. "I'm just going to see my friends.""Oh," Semion realized what Celeste meant from the conversation he overheard earlier from the wireless earphones. "Sure, have fun. I'll be over there if you need me.""Okay." They parted ways.At that moment, Veron, Ranina, and Anetta, who had been silent since Celeste left them standing at their stand-up table, couldn't find the words to describe the series of events that had unfolded tonight. They were all stunned.Veron, who had been leading the insults and teasing against Celeste, now felt a flutter of nerves in her chest. She had wanted to leave this place and g
"Luca, where's your brother and Celeste?" Isabella, Luca's mom, furrowed her brow as she approached the table where Luca was seated.Luca, who was eating pasta and had been observing the events inside the ballroom, responded promptly. "They went up to the third floor, probably to their room.""Oh? The party isn't over yet; they still need to say goodbye to our guests since they're the hosts here. Have they been gone for long?""About thirty minutes ago. Maybe they're feeling sick because they drank too much. I heard they had several shots of the strongest alcohol in the world," Luca added, pondering. "I wonder when I will taste it too?""What?" Isabella's eyes widened. "How did that alcohol end up at their party? And how will they end this if they suddenly disappear?""I don't know why you're asking me, Mom? You and Dad are here. You can take over."Isabella let out a sigh. "Alright, I'll go check on them. Your dad is tired too, and he's been resting since earlier. I don't want to fac
Anna quickly turned around, pulling Danica away from the dangerous scene. They ran as fast as they could, her desperate need to escape the forest pushing her forward. The faint light ahead told her they were nearly out—the low clouds overhead slowly beginning to disperse.But even as they moved, her mind swirled with confusion. Killian’s words kept echoing in her thoughts, and she couldn’t make sense of them. How could he be willing to kill to save her life? Tears welled up in her eyes. She had been wrong. She had misjudged him. Killian wasn’t like Primo Alessandro. Just because he was a Lombardi didn’t mean he was an enemy. Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, blood-curdling scream: "UNCLE, NO!!"Without thinking, Anna stopped running and turned. She knew exactly who the voice belonged to.But before she could even react, a loud gunshot echoed through the air. A searing pain ripped through her shoulder, and she stumbled, feeling the blood begin to trickle down her arm. She ba
"No! No, no, no!!" Danica’s voice broke with desperation as she dropped to her knees in front of her. "No, Anna, I won’t do it! I—I can't!" Her gaze shifted to Primo Alessandro, filled with defiance, as she stood up. "Who the hell are you to do this?! Do you really think I’ll play your disgusting game?!""Danica," Anna called out firmly, standing up beside her. Her voice was steady, but the uncertainty that gripped her heart was clear in her eyes.Primo Alessandro stood up abruptly, his sudden movement sending a chill through the air as he swiftly pulled out a gun, aiming it directly at her. Anna’s eyes widened as she instinctively took a step back."Primo," KIllian’s voice rang out, his grip firm as he seized his uncle’s arm, halting him mid-action."What!" Alessandro snapped, grabbing Killian’s arm in turn, but Killian didn’t even flinch.Their actions drew the attention of everyone in the room. Killian's gaze, full of intensity, was locked on his uncle. He gripped Primo Alessandro’
"Déjà vu." Primo Alessandro's smile was maddening.Anna could hear every beat of her heart, so loud it felt deafening. The wind’s chill brushed over her hands and feet, sending a strange shiver through her body. Her skin prickled, refusing to settle, as she stood frozen, her eyes wide open and fixed on him. Her breath was heavy as she stared into his eyes, and memories of seventeen years ago came rushing back.The pounding in her chest screamed with fury, a fury born from his murder of her parents. The memory of his men beating her mother was still fresh in her mind. The sound of the gunshot that ended her mother’s life echoed in her ears."We've met again," Primo Alessandro said, his smile dripping with the promise of death.Anna couldn’t speak. Her tears had dried up, but the sharpness of her glare remained, piercing through him. If her glare were made of knives, his head would have been severed from his neck by now.He hadn't changed at all in appearance or posture. But the gray in
The loud commotion pulled her out of a restless sleep. Anna's eyes snapped open, her head pounding and her vision blurry. It took her a moment to realize she had fallen asleep on the cold, hard floor of her room the previous night.Her sluggish thoughts were quickly jolted into clarity by an ear-splitting explosion that shook the entire mansion. The tremor was so violent it felt as though the earth itself had shifted beneath her.What’s happening?She bolted upright, twisting the doorknob and stepping out into the hallway. Her ears rang with the deafening sound of gunfire, and her breath hitched as she peered down the staircase. Smoke engulfed the mansion like a suffocating shroud.Her eyes widened in horror. Men clad in all-black tactical gear swarmed the premises—uncannily similar to the Lombardi’s men. She froze on the spot, watching as the Costas guards exchanged relentless gunfire with the intruders.“A-are those…?” She covered her mouth, a trembling hand betraying her growing p
Decades ago, when she was only six years old, Anna vividly remembered the night her life changed forever.It was late evening when she arrived home from school, walking alone because she had assumed someone would pick her up. Innocent and unaware, she returned to find their house in chaos.Scattered belongings littered the floor, shards of broken glass crunched under her small shoes, and droplets of blood painted a chilling path across the ground. Still clad in her uniform, her bag slung over her shoulder, she froze in the doorway, her voice trembling as she called out.“Mama?”“Mama? Mama!” Her cries echoed as she searched the house, growing more desperate with each unanswered call. The sound of a baby’s wailing drew her to one of the rooms. There, she found her infant sister, Danica, locked inside a wardrobe.“Danica!” she gasped, her shock momentarily paralyzing her. Without hesitation, she scooped her into her arms. The baby babbled incoherently, managing only, “A... A!”—her attem
"Can you please just stop?!"After an hour of non-stop crying from the baby, Chiarra couldn't handle the frustration anymore. She clutched the infant in her arms even tighter, which only made the baby wail louder."Enough! Enough! Stop it!" Overwhelmed by the incessant noise, she nearly dug her fingers into the small, swaddled body of her child. Her eyes filled with tears, no longer sure what to do to make the crying stop.The exhaustion from sleepless nights spent caring for her baby, combined with the constant arguments with Darson, left her drained and on edge every day. Because of this, all her pent-up anger and frustration were taken out on the maids in the mansion—and on her own child."I told you to stop already! I can’t take this anymore! Please, just give me a break!" Chiarra pleaded tearfully, her voice shaking with both rage and desperation as she yelled at the baby."M-Madam… I'll take care of Chrystal for you. Please, just get some rest—""If I could, I already would have
Celeste woke up the next morning feeling like she had just competed in a championship sport the night before—her body was sore and battered.She rubbed her eyes, stretching and turning her gaze to the man beside her, who was holding her tightly.Sunlight was streaming onto his handsome face. It was no longer the early morning peek but rather noon.She lifted her weak arm to smooth out Semion's thick, disheveled hair. Her eyes traced his prominent brows and long eyelashes. She ran her fingertip down his high nose and over his thin lips.Then she realized Semion was awake, as he couldn’t suppress the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile. His cheeks also rose, trying to fight returning to their usual state.Unable to help herself, she smiled and closed her eyes. “S-Se…” She stopped, her voice hoarse, likely from all the shouting and cheering from the previous night’s joy. “Are… um, have you been awake for a while?”“No.” His eyes remained closed.She tried to remove Semion’s heavy a
Celeste leaned back against the wall as she sat on the low cabinet. The items that were neatly stacked there earlier were now scattered across the floor.Her heartbeat was as rapid as her breaths as she watched Semion’s head between her parted legs.This was the second time he had lowered himself like that in front of her. She was used to seeing Semion with his head held high, as if he never bowed to anyone. But now, the scene before her was the complete opposite.There was something in her feelings she couldn’t explain, despite the darkness enveloping the room and the single dim light providing scant illumination.He was torridly kissing her intimate parts, just like how he had kissed her lips earlier. Hungry and thirsty for her essence.“Ahhh… Ummm, ahhh!” The heat was overwhelming. She was leaking slick fluids that mingled with Semion’s lips and tongue. The addicting sound only ignited every muscle in her body.She gasped for air as Semion spread her long legs further apart. The on
“S-Semion…”Celeste gasped as Semion’s soft lips descended on her neck. Biting her lower lip, she dug her nails into the luxurious fabric of his black coat.“Mmhhmmp!” She couldn't help but moan at the sensations coursing through her.The room was dark, perhaps because as soon as they entered, Semion had seized her with a kiss, like a thirsty stranger.Her plan to shower and change into comfortable clothes was quickly forgotten due to what Semion was doing to her body.His large hand slid up her dress, moving toward her underwear. Semion’s fingers pressed down on her lower body with a mixture of intensity and possessiveness. Celeste felt it acutely when he suddenly bit her neck!“Ahh!” She cried out in pain, her throat dry as she gasped for breath.“My wife,” Semion’s warm breath invaded her ear, making her shiver and raising the hair on her arms. “I want to mark you as mine…” He kissed the spot he had bitten. “Just for me…” He licked the mark. “All mine.” His teeth brushed against he