"Okay, Mr. Logan. And you, come with me," the man instructed, his voice authoritative as he gestured for Rafael to follow him.Rafael's heart skipped a beat at the prospect of being escorted away by this imposing figure. Glancing back at Logan, he found reassurance in the older man's smile."He will help you," Logan assured Rafael, his tone encouraging despite the underlying tension.As Rafael prepared to follow the tall man, his heart pounded with nerves, his mind racing with the urgency of his mission. However, before he could take a step, the man's words halted him in his tracks."Are you forgetting about something?" the man questioned, his tone sharp with expectation.Rafael's brow furrowed in confusion as he turned to face the man, his mind racing to identify what he may have overlooked. It was then that he noticed the box he had been carrying still resting on the table beside Logan.A sheepish smile tugged at Rafael's lips as he realized his oversight."Oh, yes, thank you," he r
"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
Lily suddenly held Hazel’s hand, her voice calm but firm. “Calm down! Let me call him. But you have to finish your meal first,” she said before walking out of the room.Hazel sat back on the bed, irritation bubbling inside her. This is too much, she thought, clenching her fists.After a while, the door creaked open, and Max entered, his presence commanding the room. He glanced at the untouched meal on the table, his brows furrowing in displeasure. Though his temper flared, he reminded himself to stay composed—for Francisco’s sake.“You haven’t even touched your food,” Max said, his tone edged with restrained annoyance.“Exactly,” Hazel replied, crossing her arms defiantly. “I need to talk to Francisco!”Max sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to maintain his calm. “He’s not available right now, and I can’t reach him either. It could be a network issue.”Hazel narrowed her eyes. “Where is he?”“He went to his grandfather’s house,” Max answered after a pause.Hazel raise
Hazel noticed Lily downstairs and quickly descended the stairs. As soon as Lily saw her, she hurried over with a worried expression.“Ms. Hazel, you’re awake! You could have called me,” Lily said, her tone full of concern. “You must be hungry. Please, go back to your room. I’ll bring something for you to eat.”Hazel frowned, confused by the strange tension in Lily’s voice. Something felt off.“Wait a second,” Hazel said, stopping Lily with a hand. “First, tell me what’s going on here. Why is everyone acting so weird?” She glanced around at the house, now filled with bodyguards stationed at various points. “And why are there so many guards here?”Lily hesitated, fidgeting nervously. “Ms., Boss arranged all of this. They’re here for your safety. And I’m here to take care of anything you need.”“For my safety?” Hazel’s tone rose as her confusion turned to frustration. “Why do I need this? I don’t need any of it!” Her voice sharpened as she arched a brow, waiting for answers.Lily sighed
Kai groaned, blood pooling beneath him. Max and Lucas stood by, their faces emotionless as they watched Francisco’s wrath unfold. Neither of them spoke—they knew better.Francisco sat in a chair, his cold gaze fixed on Kai. There was no hint of mercy, no sign of hesitation. He seemed to relish the sight before him, his lips curving into a grim line.“It’s better if you just stay silent,” Francisco muttered, his tone low and menacing.He rose from the chair, gun in hand, and knelt down in front of Kai. Gripping Kai’s neck tightly, Francisco forced him to meet his unrelenting stare.“You dared to touch her?” Francisco growled, his voice filled with venom.He pressed the gun against Kai’s forehead. “You looked at her with these eyes?” Francisco whispered, shifting the barrel to one of Kai’s eyes.“There’s no forgiveness for you,” he murmured, repeating the phrase like a mantra.Without warning, Francisco pulled the trigger. The gunshot echoed through the room, and blood splattered across
Hazel, her mind clouded and her body trembling, suddenly clasped Francisco’s collar and pulled him down into a kiss. Her movements were fevered, desperate, and without hesitation. Francisco stiffened at first, his hands instinctively going to her arms as if to push her away.“Hazel,” he murmured against her lips, trying to steady her. But she didn’t stop, her kisses becoming more insistent.For a moment, Francisco battled with himself. He knew she wasn’t in her right mind—her behavior erratic and fueled by whatever drugs that fucking Kai had forced upon her. She was vulnerable, and he should protect her, not exploit the situation.But then his heart whispered louder than his mind. This was his chance—a chance to have what he’d long desired but could never ask for. He wanted Hazel, all of her. A family with her. A future where she wouldn’t leave him, bound not just by love but by something unbreakable.He hesitated only for a heartbeat more before he gave in. His hands slid to her wais
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,