"Rafael!" Logan's voice echoed in the empty washroom, his mind consumed by Rafael's warning. With a heavy heart, he crumpled the note in his hand and swiftly disposed of it, watching as it disappeared into the swirling water.Emerging from the washroom, Logan's thoughts remained fixated on his daughter, Hazel. Was Rafael's warning legitimate? Doubt gnawed at him as he grappled with the implications of the message. What dangers lurked beneath the surface of their seemingly ordinary lives? And what about this company?Driven by a sense of urgency, Logan hurriedly retrieved his laptop and settled into his chair. With trembling fingers, he began to draft an application for a day's leave, his mind racing with thoughts of Hazel's safety and the need to unravel the truth lurking in the shadows.Meanwhile, on the other side, Rafael diligently completed his task of fixing the board, his movements swift and precise. Despite the lingering presence of the tall man, Rafael remained focused, determ
Hazel was sitting in the garden, enjoying the tranquility as she sipped her coffee and delved into a novel she had found in Francisco's library. The soft chirping of birds provided a soothing background to her reading.Suddenly, the sound of a car pulling into the mansion's grounds broke the peaceful ambiance. Hazel glanced up, her brows furrowing slightly as she noticed Francisco's car arriving. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for his presence.Francisco stepped out of the car, his gaze immediately finding Hazel seated in the garden. He offered her a warm smile before making his way over to her, his coat draped over his arm.Hazel sensed Francisco's approach but kept her focus on her book, unwilling to engage with him. As he neared, Francisco inquired, "What are you reading?"Hazel sighed softly, her tone tinged with indifference, "Nothing much."Francisco's smile widened at her response as he settled down beside her, his gaze lingering on her. "Then talk to me," he encoura
"Just one night," Francisco's voice, dripping with seduction, caressed Hazel's ear as he whispered his proposal.Hazel's breath caught in her throat as she felt his warm breath against her skin. Their eyes met once more, locking in a silent exchange of desire and uncertainty. Francisco's proximity was intoxicating, leaving Hazel feeling dizzy with conflicting emotions. She struggled to regain her composure, her heart pounding in her chest.Unable to form a coherent response, Hazel remained silent as Francisco pressed her for an answer. His words hung in the air, heavy with anticipation, as he awaited her reply."Should I take it as yes?" Francisco's voice, tinged with a hint of impatience, pierced the tense silence between them.Hazel lifted her gaze to meet his, her expression guarded yet resolute. She refused to succumb to his manipulative charms, determined to assert her independence in the face of his persistent advances."You are too much," Hazel retorted, her tone laced with exa
Doris paused, her hand freezing in midair as she looked at Logan with a mixture of confusion and concern."But why? We need to talk to her," she protested, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.Logan hesitated for a moment, his mind grappling with the gravity of the situation. "I know, but we need to tread carefully," he explained, his tone grave. "If Rafael's warning is to be believed, Hazel could be in danger. We can't risk tipping off whoever might be threatening her.""And Rafael said the company is also a trap for us," Logan added, his brow furrowing in deep thought."That means they are keeping eyes on us?"Doris asked, her voice tinged with worry.Logan nodded solemnly. "I think so," he replied, his expression reflecting the weight of their predicament.He rubbed his temples in frustration, feeling the weight of their uncertain circumstances pressing down on him."We need to act carefully; it seems they are so powerful," Logan remarked, his voice heavy with concern.Doris n
Hazel pressed her lips, her palms clutching her gown tightly as a husky voice interrupted her reverie."Did you like it?"Startled, Hazel spun around to find Francisco standing there, his presence looming over her like a shadow. His hands hovered near her waist, but he made no move to touch her. Their faces were mere inches apart, his intense gaze locking onto hers.Hazel swallowed hard, feeling a flutter of nerves in her stomach. Francisco looked breathtakingly handsome, his hair styled back in a sleek brush that accentuated his rugged features. Despite herself, Hazel couldn't help but feel a twinge of attraction toward him."Did you like it?" Francisco repeated, his voice low and smooth.Hazel's brows furrowed slightly as she took a step back, creating some distance between them. She forced herself to maintain a neutral expression, not wanting to betray the tumult of emotions swirling inside her."It's okay," she replied, her tone guarded. "It's nothing special."Francisco chuckled
Francisco's teasing tone did little to ease her anxiety, and she felt a knot forming in her stomach as she reached for the phone. "I thought they would also be alone spending time together, but here they started missing their daughter," he added with a smile.Hazel managed a weak chuckle, "Mom," Hazel murmured softly, her voice filled with emotion.Francisco's smile widened as he observed Hazel's reaction, silently acknowledging the significance of the moment. He appreciated her willingness to engage, despite the complexities of their relationship.With a reassuring nod, Francisco handed her the phone, urging her to take the call. "Come on, talk to her," he encouraged gently, his tone softening with understanding.Hazel hesitated for a moment before accepting the phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she prepared to answer the video call from her mother."Hello?""Mom," she greeted, her voice filled with affection and longing.Doris returned her daughter's greeting with a warm smil
Francisco remained silent, his features set in a mask of unreadable stoicism. Hazel felt the weight of his silence bearing down on her, each passing moment amplifying the gravity of her mistake.As Francisco tightened his jaw, Hazel sensed his unease, a flicker of understanding passing between them. She knew she had to act quickly before her father's suspicions grew any further.With determination burning in her chest, Hazel rose from her seat, her movements deliberate as she approached Francisco."I need to do something, or else he may start doubting my dad," Hazel thought, her mind racing with possibilities.She reached out and gently clasped Francisco's hand, her touch seeking reassurance amidst the tension that hung in the air.Francisco narrowed his eyes, studying her with a mix of concern and curiosity."My dad is always like this. I think he was just a bit tense for me," Hazel offered, her voice soft but resolute.A flicker of understanding crossed Francisco's features as he ab
Hazel emerged from the washroom, her bathrobe draped around her as she sank onto the edge of the bed. Her mind buzzed with the weight of Francisco's words, the vulgar proposal echoing in her thoughts. With furrowed brows, she touched her forehead, grappling with the difficult decision looming before her.As she pondered her next move, her gaze turned steely as she fixed her stern eyes on the door, determination burning within her.Francisco, on the other side of the door in his own room, stepped out of the bathroom, water droplets glistening on his sculpted abs and cascading down his wet hair. Clad only in a towel wrapped around his lower body, he moved toward the bed where his clothes lay waiting. As he reached out to grab his night pajamas, a creak of the door drew his attention.Turning in surprise, Francisco's eyes widened as he beheld Hazel standing in the doorway, clad in her bathrobe.Francisco's raised eyebrows conveyed a mix of surprise and curiosity as he beheld Hazel standi
It had been hours, the room pulsed with dim red and blue lights, an eerie ambiance that cloaked its sinister purpose. The heavy scent of leather, sweat, and stale perfume filled the air. On the floor, Hazel knelt, bound and blindfolded. Her wrists were shackled with cold steel chains, the metal biting into her skin as she trembled.She was clad in tight lace lingerie, her body exposed and vulnerable.Her breaths came in short, ragged gasps, her head drooping as if the strength to resist had long since left her. The collar around her neck tugged slightly as the man looming over her adjusted the leash. Hazel whimpered softly, her voice breaking the unsettling silence.She whimpered as the sting of the whip bit into her back again.“Um…” Her voice was faint, a mixture of pain and helplessness.The man, his face hidden behind an eye mask, grinned maliciously. His big belly heaved as he leaned closer, his hand brushing against her thigh. “How does it feel to play, darling?” he hissed, his
Max nodded, his gaze steady despite the weight of the situation. Ignoring Dimitri’s sly remarks, he turned his attention to Francisco. “Francisco,” he said firmly, signaling discreetly for him to step aside.Francisco’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly, scanning Max’s expression. Something wasn’t right.Dimitri, ever the provocateur, interrupted with a smirk. “What’s this? Is everything alright, Max?”Max forced a tight smile, keeping his tone neutral. “Yes. It’s a personal matter.”Dimitri raised an eyebrow, feigning concern. “Ah, I see. For a moment, I thought my important guests weren’t being looked after properly.”Max’s lips curved into a quick, thin smile. “It’s your party, Dimitri. There’s no way it could flop.”Before Dimitri could respond, Max turned back to Francisco, his urgency thinly veiled. “Francisco, we need you. Right now.”Francisco’s piercing gaze lingered on Max for a moment, searching for answers in his eyes. Sensing the gravity of the situation, he rose from his se
Francisco’s jaw clenched as his phone buzzed again, Arthur’s name flashing on the screen. He let out a slow, deliberate breath, trying to mask the turmoil building within. The room was silent except for the faint rustle of papers and the occasional clink of glasses.Dimitri leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement as he lightly touched his lips with his thumb. He observed Francisco with a predatory curiosity, savoring the rare moment of tension in the usually unflappable man.“What happened, Francisco?” Dimitri finally broke the silence, his voice calm but laden with intrigue.Francisco’s gaze flicked at him, sharp but unreadable. Before he could respond, James interjected with a smirk, “You’re not the old Francisco anymore, are you?”Dimitri chuckled softly. “Perhaps Hazel is responsible for that change.”The room’s atmosphere shifted, charged with unspoken truths. Francisco rubbed his forehead, his frustration evident, but he didn’t rise to their bait. Instea
Hazel swayed unsteadily as the girl held her arm firmly. “Are you okay?” the girl asked, her voice soft but laced with concern.Hazel pressed her lips together, nodding weakly. “Yes… I’m fine,” she muttered, but her words lacked conviction. She tried to focus her vision, but everything was still blurry. Her head throbbed, and her body felt uncomfortably warm.“I don’t know… I’m just—” Hazel murmured, glancing at the girl who was helping her. She couldn’t make out her face clearly in the haze of her drugged state, but her touch felt steady.“You’ll be fine,” the girl said soothingly. “Let’s get you out of this dress. It’s too tight—it’s not helping.”Hazel didn’t respond. She felt aware enough to understand the situation but too disoriented to resist or make decisions. Her mind spun with the realization that she must have been drugged, and the heat coursing through her body only confirmed her suspicion.The girl carefully worked to change Hazel’s dress. Hazel felt a cool breeze agai
Hazel sat on the barstool, her frustration palpable as she tapped her nails lightly on the counter. Her voice was low but sharp as she asked the bartender for a drink, not caring what it was. She couldn’t suppress the anger and despair bubbling inside her. Francisco had taken everything—her freedom, her choices, her dignity—and left her trapped in a life she never wanted.The glass of beer arrived, and Hazel absently twirled her finger along its rim. Her thoughts spiraled as she stared into the amber liquid. Once, she had stood tall as a detective, a servant of justice. Now, she was no better than a prisoner, bound to a man whose world revolved around power and crime.She finished the drink in one swift gulp, the bitterness burning her throat. "Another, pig," she muttered, her words dripping with venom. The bartender narrowed his eyes but complied, sliding another glass toward her with a wary glance.As she lifted the second drink to her lips, a familiar voice interrupted her."Ma’am,
The room fell silent again, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Dimitri, unbothered by Hazel’s sharp retort, simply smiled at her, his composure as smooth as the wine he swirled in his glass.“Ah, then it must be the sweetest regret for you,” Dimitri said, taking a sip of his drink. His voice carried a mocking lilt. “Just imagine—you’re sleeping with one of us every night.”Hazel’s expression hardened, her face a mask of controlled fury.Dimitri leaned back in his chair, sneering, “How helpless you are. Isn’t it fascinating?”The words struck a nerve, driving home the oppressive reality of her situation. Dimitri had skillfully highlighted her vulnerability, reminding her of the sheer powerlessness she felt among people who thrived on corruption and violence. Hazel could feel the weight of every eye on her, and the humiliation was almost unbearable.Without a word, she yanked her hand free from Francisco’s grip. Her voice was firm, yet laced with barely concealed frustration,
Francisco didn’t react immediately. His sharp gaze fixed on Dimitri’s hand for a long moment, as if calculating every possible outcome of this exchange. Then, finally, he reached out and clasped Dimitri’s hand in his own. The handshake was firm, neither man willing to back down, their locked hands a silent battle of wills.“I am sorry for my unprofessional attitude,” Dimitri said smoothly, his tone carrying a hint of insincerity as their hands finally parted. His smirk never wavered."So, how are you?" Dimitri asked, his voice light, though his eyes glinted with something sharper. "How’s life been treating you all these years?"Francisco pressed his lips together briefly, raising his brows in acknowledgment before answering curtly. "It’s going well."Dimitri nodded, his smile remaining as he leaned forward slightly, folding his arms.“I see,” he said, his voice casual, though the room seemed to tighten around his words.“Yeah, normally it would be good. After all, you’ve been... killi
They soon reached a secluded area where several high-ranking clan members were gathered around a grand table, each one deep in conversation. James, Lilith, and Ron—son of the Wolf Clan boss—sat among them, each turning their attention as Francisco and Hazel approached. The atmosphere here was different; there was a tension woven into the room’s decor and the careful way everyone held themselves. Conversations halted momentarily, eyes shifting toward them with mixed expressions.Francisco’s gaze swept over the group, searching. He noted familiar faces, but one key figure was missing.Dimitri!The room fell silent as Francisco and Hazel stepped into the circle. The clan members’ conversations came to an abrupt halt, their gazes shifting toward the pair.Francisco eased into a seat on the plush couch, pulling Hazel down beside him. His expression was calm, but Hazel could feel the undercurrent of tension in his movements.Lilith, seated nearby, took a sharp breath, her face hardening. He
Without a word, Hazel opened the car door and slid inside, leaving the two men standing in a charged silence. Francisco took a slow step closer to Arthur, his gaze flicking to the car window where Hazel sat, her eyes cast elsewhere. Then he turned back to Arthur, his tone low and deliberate.“Arthur,” he said quietly, “I trust you’ll remember your boundaries.”The statement was calm, almost conversational, but laced with an unmistakable edge.Arthur swallowed, feeling the weight of Francisco’s gaze.“Boss, I…” He stammered, struggling to explain, though he knew words wouldn’t change what Francisco had seen.Francisco’s gaze sharpened.“I saw everything, Arthur. Now consider, what if it happens again next time, then?”His tone was laced with an unspoken warning, leaving no room for misinterpretation.Arthur’s throat went dry, and he forced himself to respond.“I… understand, sir. And if there’s any punishment…”He hesitated, glancing up briefly before returning his eyes to the ground.