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Chapter 16. Mystery
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EXCEPTION Chapter 17. Lie
It’s been two hours since they sent me back to my room. Alone in the dimly lit room, I find my thoughts consumed by what happened, my weary eyes struggling to resist the call of sleep. I’ve been trying to stop myself from doing what’s on my mind. I wanted to follow Courtney and ask those questions that kept bubbling in my head, especially about his disappearance. But the warning I got from his men was more than enough to convince me that it’s best if I leave him alone for now.In the middle of this train of thought, a knock on the door broke it off.“Come in,” I said softly until one of his men entered my room.“Good evening, Ms. Adeleine.” He bowed slightly. “Sir Courtney wants to see you. He’s waiting for you in his room.”His voice sounded stiff and professional, as it always does when he talks to Courtney. I quickly nodded until he finally walked out.Without hesitation, I stood up from my bed and brushed my hair in front of the mirror. I put some makeup on to conceal any traces o
EXCEPTION Chapter 18. Transformation
I smooth my hands down the front of my dress before grazing up my dark red lipstick in the mirror with a look of resignation. My eyes scanned the tawny, wavy hair that framed my face, my new hairstyle. I scrutinized my reflection again to ensure my entire outfit was perfect for tonight. I have to commend Ms. Laura for helping me throughout the whole process of my new transformation. And I can say I’m overly satisfied with what I see before me: an enticing image of myself in a fitted cutout long red charmeuse dress with a slit along my right leg and a deep V in the chest area enough to show off my cleavage. There’s a ribbon tied at the back of my dress.I’ve never been a lover of my looks. I always thought they were unneeded and unworthy of attention. But today is different because I finally appreciate myself. As I narrowed my eyes to look for flaws, stray hairs, specks of dust, or anything else that could detract from my beauty, I found none except my elegance. And yes, I decided to c
EXCEPTION Chapter 19. The Mission
It took us forty minutes to reach La Grande Hall from Courtney's mansion. He parked the car in a garage reserved for his car. As soon as he got out of the car, I could feel my muscles tighten up. I was nervous yet curious about what to expect when we got inside. But it wasn't long until the door beside me opened, revealing Courtney, who was now lending a hand for me to get down from my seat. “You ready?I nodded and smiled. "Yes."I smiled and took his offered hand with mine. As soon as we walked into the main entrance, I was immediately greeted by the scent of roses that wafted through the air. The view that greeted us was a fantastic sight. The entire building was decorated with flowers, from the grandiose fountain to the lush flower beds and some plants hanging off in every corner. The floor was marble, which looked so inviting under our feet. But we are walking in the middle of the grand hallway, where red carpets were laid down, making our shoes glint brightly in the light.We c
EXCEPTION Chapter 20. The main target
Easton guided me through the bustling crowd, and I made sure every step I took was perfectly measured and graceful. But despite my calm demeanor, I frankly felt uneasy as my eyes scanned the sea of people that flowed past us on either side. Not to mention how his hand wrapped against my waist. I hate it!Hoping to see Courtney, I subtly shifted my gaze, delicately scanning the surroundings discreetly, mindful not to attract any unwanted attention, particularly from this man.Behave! I tell myself repeatedly.Upon arriving at the VIP room entrance, he graciously swung the door open, offering me the courtesy of entering ahead of him. Stepping into the room, I found myself enveloped in a space far more expansive than I had anticipated. I scanned the surroundings, searching for any hint of lurking threat, yet finding none as of yet. Only the three imposing suitcases were positioned neatly against the wall, and a stack of papers scattered atop the table."Make yourself comfortable." He wal
EXCEPTION Chapter 21. Despair
"Small world, Adeleine," He said, eyes alight with mischief. I was speechless from all the emotions churning in my stomach, and he was just being his usual self. Bastard! "The first day you left was a complete disaster for me. You have no idea how much effort I had to put in just to find you.”His voice had an air of condescension to it that set every nerve screaming in protest. The way he looked at me with so much rage in his eyes and such a cocky grin, I couldn't look away. “W-What do you want?” My voice trembled despite my effort to stay collected.His lips curved into a cruel smile. “You know perfectly well what I want. So how dare you fucking escaped from me, huh?” He took a step forward, and I slowly backed away. “Your family owes me a debt, remember? And you, girl, must fulfill the promise you mentioned to me!”He grabbed my chin roughly, squeezing it painfully as he spoke through gritted teeth. "You will come to me whether you like it or not, Adeleine! Don't dare to run away
EXCEPTION Chapter 22. Hopeless
It was one of the most painful nights of my life. The darkness enveloped me like a suffocating shroud as I sat huddled on my bed, tears streaming down my cheeks unabated. The weight of each teardrop felt like a burden, too heavy to bear. They cascaded from my eyes onto the bruises that marred my skin, painful reminders that had been left behind Blaine's wrath. It had been three days since my husband caught me at the party. He brought me home after that encounter. I tried to fight back, hurling every curse word I could muster at him, all the while seething with the anger that had been building up for so long. Nothing could quell my burning desire to break free from his hold. I knew what to do since Courtney accepted me as part of them. I had to leave this nightmare behind. I don't want to be a prisoner again. I don't want to be controlled or tortured by Blaine anymore. I wanted freedom. That's what I've learned from Courtney— the very first man who made me believe that despite the mis
EXCEPTION Chapter 23. Ruthless heart
Courtney's POV"Julian, stop the car." I looked at the time on my Rolex with a little irritation. I couldn't help but check it every five seconds just to be sure I wouldn't miss any updates from my men.Julian skillfully brought the SUV to a halt, parking it right across the street from a dark building that seemed to be bustling with some kind of nightlife. I hadn't been paying much attention during our journey here.After a few minutes, Julian stepped out. He knew what he needed to do at that moment: leave me alone in my car.So there I sat, gazing fixedly at the windshield, allowing the quietness of the moment to envelop me completely. My thoughts were consumed by Adeleine and had been for not just a day but a whole three days. I made valiant attempts to banish her from my mind, but she stubbornly persisted in infiltrating my thoughts with memories I would rather not confront, at least not right now. My mind and heart were fighting against each other, driving me to the brink of madn
EXCEPTION Chapter 24. Vengeance
Courtney’s POV"All of you! Get out! Except from Frysto Seal!" I barked at my men as I stomped into the summit room, where they were huddled around a table. Quick as lightning, everyone jumped up and scurried out of the room. Not a single soul dared to glance my way or say a word. They are the Python Team, and they already knew they needed to complete the task I gave them earlier while the entire Elite units will stay here for a new task.I dashed to the main desk, plopping down in my chair with a huff. As I opened my laptop and tapped into the security system, my face must have looked like thunder. Davis, one of my trusty men, sauntered over and put down the glass and bottle of champagne before me. I took it from him and drained the entire bottle in one gulp. With a heavy sigh, I set the empty glass back on the desk.My eyes stayed glued to the screen, absorbing all the data flooding in without missing a beat.After having a conversation with Carter twenty minutes ago, I received imp
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EXCEPTION Chapter 33. Echoes of Yesterday
The room was dark, save for the faint glow of moonlight streaming through the partially closed curtains. I shifted under the covers, my mind buzzing with remnants of last night's conversation with Courtney. Every word he said was still fresh. The way he had pushed me away, his words harsh and final, had been eating away at me all night.I blinked, adjusting my eyes to the dim light, only to freeze. There, sitting in a chair beside my bed, was Courtney. My eyes widened in surprise. His figure was shadowed, but I could see the outline of his broad shoulders and the unmistakable weight he seemed to carry. My heart skipped a beat as my brain scrambled to understand what was happening.How long had he been sitting there?I sat up slowly, my movements cautious, my gaze fixed on him. "Courtney?" My voice came out softer than I intended, still thick with sleep. I hadn't expected him to be here, especially not like this.He turned his head slightly toward me, and in the faint light, I saw his
EXCEPTION Chapter 32. Fragile heart
It's been four hours since Julian sent me back to the Reestone Building. He's outside the door, guarding me for four hours straight. And now I have to stay inside, let the boredom get the better of me until Courtney shows up. I stood before a full-length mirror, taking in the sight of myself. My hair cascaded down in soft waves, and I was in dark pajamas and an oversized shirt. But as I stared, the carefree reflection began to blur, overshadowed by memories that played out like a reel— the scenario earlier. Every threat and sound of gunfire was fresh in my memory as it echoed around in my head like a scream. But what really gets to me are all the memories that don't involve guns or bullets; it wasn't just the violence that haunted me. It was Courtney's strange hold over people at the party as if he were some kind of man who made many contributions. It almost made him seem harmless, almost like a beloved community figure. Charismatic, but only those who dared to cross him knew the dar
EXCEPTION Chapter 31. Who is she?
A heavy tension permeated the atmosphere, the silence profound and suffocating. Our adversaries loomed before us, their predatory gazes fixed upon us, ready to unleash violence at any moment. Yet, amidst this palpable threat, my eyes were drawn to Courtney. The look on his face was so fucking serene like nothing could bring him down, and he was capable of facing down our foes without a flicker of hesitation. But then, there's still a part of me that can't help but feel anxious about what will happen after tonight. My thoughts were brought to a halt when Courtney pulled out a lighter and held it towards the cigarette dangling between his fingers. Wait! A cigarette bomb! Without hesitation, he threw the smoke grenade in our direction with such precision and accuracy that it hit exactly where it needed to be. A blast rippled through the ground, and it was then followed by screams that only seemed amplified because of the explosion. The smell of gunpowder hung in the air, and smo
EXCEPTION Chapter 30. Diamond
Courtney held my hand tight as we ran outside, chasing the entire gang. Continuous gunshots echoed through the air. Bullets pinged off brick and metal structures around us, creating a cacophony that was becoming too much to bear. I looked over my shoulder briefly but didn't see anyone who had not been shot already, so I focused on escaping. It was easy enough with Courtney by my side, but it was still terrifying to think I was now facing this scenario. Those dangerous gang members were the ones who made trouble and are now on their way to sell the diamond. We were behind the enemies, and they kept firing at that ridiculous speed and precision. But we're trying to follow them while staying out of reach. However, despite the fact I'm used to hearing gunshots, the apprehension overwhelmed me with each thump that echoed around the surroundings. But Courtney's hands had this comforting grip on my arm as he continued to pull me along. The more we kept following them, the more I witness
EXCEPTION Chapter 29. Bloody night
It’s raining outside. The water drummed relentlessly against the car’s roof as Courtney navigated the slick streets. I’m chilling in the car’s passenger seat. Our plan to walk had been derailed because the rain had just started pouring down. Instead, we decided to head straight to our destination. I was just looking out the window as we drove, admiring how pretty everything looked in the rain. It was so calming I could feel my body relax. Not to mention that I’m tipsy from the bottle of wine we just finished earlier. I turned my head to look at Courtney; he was still concentrating on the road while speaking with Julian over the phone. The urgency in his tone and how his eyebrows were knitted together gave me a clue. And it’s probably not anything good. He seemed very upset, but he kept his cool for this long. I strained to catch snippets of conversation—code names, locations, things that are classified information—but I couldn’t make much sense of it. Eventually, he hung up and sigh
EXCEPTION Chapter 28. Queen of Denial
I’m sitting inside Redemice Cafe, a bustling, popular restaurant and his current favorite, according to him. As I sit in contemplative silence, my gaze fixated on him in the distance, I observe him engaged in a conversation over the phone. Meanwhile, I remain rooted in my place, patiently awaiting the arrival of our meal. It has been fourteen hours since he unveiled all the weapons and closet to me. Despite the gravity of yesterday’s events, I have whiled away the day in quiet repose as if the specter of danger had never loomed over us only now, as he brought me to this wealthy cafe. I’m wearing this dress he gave me— a black slit maxi dress adorned with shimmering sequins that seem to sparkle like precious jewels. The fabric is not flimsy; it exudes a softness and warmth that caresses my skin as my fingers glide over the delicate ruffles. While not overly revealing, the neckline features a sheer top, a choice that Courtney insisted upon. And the black suede heels that go along with i
EXCEPTION Chapter 27. I want you back
I woke up from the sound of steps coming closer. I opened my eyes to see a figure of a man in a black suit standing over me, his hands behind his back and his posture rigid and formal. My eyes widened in recognition as I stared at him with my hand still on my head. I rubbed my eyes with my fingers to make sure it was real. It’s Julian—one of Courtney’s men. “Good morning, Ms. Adeleine. I’m sorry for waking you early.” He bowed his head slightly to show his apologetic nature. “Sir Courtney asked me to bring you to him once you’re awake.” I rubbed my eyes again before sitting up slowly in bed. It took some time for them to readjust after sleeping in such an awkward position. “Oh. Alright. Tell him I’ll be there in a few minutes.” “Noted, Ms. Adeleine. I’ll be waiting outside your room.” He gave another bow and left quickly, closing the bedroom door quietly behind him. I sighed deeply and sat up fully, running a hand through my hair. I wondered why Courtney had me dragged out of bed
EXCEPTION Chapter 26. Entwined with you
When his gaze redirected to Blaine, his features hardened instantly. The fury was evident. And now I’m feeling nervous ’cause I could feel the tension that’s there.Blaine suddenly let out a loud growl, which snapped my attention. “Bullshit!” He swerved, taking another turn so sharply that the car almost tipped over. “If he thinks he can save you, he’s wrong!”I didn’t respond, but deep in my heart, I knew he was wrong. He’s a fool even to think Courtney was incapable of saving me.Blaine suddenly veered into an abandoned warehouse district, the crumbling buildings providing cover. I looked outside, and Courtney was following us, tires screeching as it fishtailed around the corner. He leaned out of the window, gun in hand, while his left hand held the wheel firmly. The following thing was when he fired shots through the windows beside Blaine, causing them to shatter loudly, and the bullets raked across the front windshield. That caused me to jerk back into the seat, covering my ears as
EXCEPTION Chapter 25. Save me
Back to Adeleine's POVI sat in the dimly lit room, my reflection staring back at me from the ornate mirror. The dress they made me wear was seductive, no doubt about it. A sleek red gown with a daring slit up my thigh, a line of lace tracing my curves just above the knee. It was a bit revealing for my taste, and I couldn't help but feel a tad uneasy in it. Peering at my reflection, I hardly recognized myself. My eyes, once lively and bright, now held only weariness and sorrow. And even with all the makeup, my true self peeked through, those scars and bruises telling a story of their own on my skin.Chris Salvatore, the man who had bought me for a million dollars, stood by the door. His eyes bore into mine, devoid of any compassion. Blaine was the mastermind behind this crazy idea of selling me to this jerk, and here I was, completely helpless to stop it."You're mine now." Chris sneered, his voice dripping with disgust as he swaggered toward me. I met his gaze through the mirror with
