Diana was acutely aware of how to hurt and annoy him, a strategy that seemed to bring her a strange sense of satisfaction.Max shifted his gaze away from Diana, his thoughts tangled in the web of hurt and resentment.Diana's soothing voice cut through the tense atmosphere, a deceptive calmness masking the storm that brewed beneath the surface. "You should now get some rest," she advised, her words carrying a hint of concern."Call her right now," Max urged, his tone a sharp command.Diana pursed her lips, the rage bubbling within her threatening to explode. The wounds of jealousy and pain were fresh, and Max's insistence on reaching out to the maid reignited the flames of her anger.Diana, her face stern and determined, put the first aid kit box on the table with purpose. Max remained on the bed, his posture unchanged, caught in the crossfire of their unspoken conflict.She stood up and went to get a glass of water for him."Take this."Max's laughter echoed, a bitter sound that reve
Diana, with a deep breath, gathered the strength to make Max look at her. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a silent agreement that transcended words. Yet, Max, interpreting her silence as a green light, continued his tender gestures."Not tonight, Diana," Max's words carried a magnetic force, and for a moment, she felt the pull of his charisma weakening her resolve.However, Diana, though ensnared by the chemistry that crackled in the air, remained steadfast in her decision.She maintained a stoic silence, a silent battle waging within her. Max, interpreting her silence as a reluctant affirmation, leaned in to place a devoted kiss on her neck.His lips met the tender skin, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still. Diana's hand instinctively stroked through Max's hair, entangled in the fervor of the moment. But soon, a realization struck her—Max was not moving."Not tonight, Max."She mumbled, a sigh escaped her lips.Diana carefully shifted Max beside her
"Oh, Max." Diana, caught off guard by the directness of the conversation, responded, "No, I haven't gone to his room." "Give him the utmost attention. He must come round as soon as possible." The weight of Francisco's words hung in the air, and Diana replied with a simple, "Yes." Her stunned manner reflected the unexpected nature of the conversation. "Just who do you want to come round?" The atmosphere in the mansion shifted as Max's voice reverberated through the room. Buttoning his shirt, he descended the stairs with a nonchalant demeanor. Diana instinctively averted her gaze, but as Max approached, he turned to face her with a frigid gaze that seemed to lack any sentiment. Francisco, engrossed in his laptop, seemed unfazed by Max's entrance. "We were speaking of you, Max. How are you feeling now?" he inquired, maintaining a composed tone. "Me?" Max feigned ignorance, adding, "What has happened to me?" With a casual glance towards Diana, Francisco said, "I've heard you're
"Hazel!" He called, prompting her to turn back. Her posture exuded professionalism as she faced him. "Yes, sir," she responded, her eyes meeting his. Francisco, intrigued by her promptness and composure, took a moment before asking, "Why are you leaving?" Hazel, momentarily caught off guard, gathered herself. "I consider this to be an important call for you," she replied with a confident smile, revealing her understanding of the intricacies of his role. A smirk played on Francisco's lips at her response. He took a deep breath, nodding approvingly. "You are my PA, so you don't have to leave every time." His words were a mix of acknowledgment and a subtle invitation to delve deeper into the layers of her professional persona. "Ah my mistake." "I sincerely apologize." Hazel's lowered her green eyes. Francisco, with a tilt of his head and a smirk playing on his lips, acknowledged her words. "Come here," he casually beckoned, a tone of intrigue in his voice that Hazel found bo
Francisco, turning to face Hazel, murmured, "Karan, that's extremely kind of you.""But my PA will pick out my clothing this time."Hazel felt a mixture of astonishment and responsibility. The weight of choosing attire for someone as influential as Francisco stirred a sense of importance within her.Mrs. Karan, though momentarily surprised, gracefully acquiesced to Francisco's decision.Hazel's eyes narrowed as she heard Francisco's directive, but he paid no attention to her reaction, casually settling onto a plush couch and lighting up a cigarette. Mrs. Karan, seemingly unperturbed, extended an invitation."Please come. I will show you the men's area," Karan said with a slight smile.Hazel, a bit nervous as it was her first visit to a renowned branded store, followed Karan towards the men's section. In the midst of high-end fashion, curiosity got the better of Mrs. Karan."It seems Francisco really depends on his PA more than his girlfriend," she remarked.The mention of a girlfriend
Accepting the packet, Hazel swiftly entered a designated changing room. The space was sizable, surrounded by large mirrors that reflected her every move. Taking a quick glance in the mirror, she efficiently dressed herself.The gown she found in the packet featured a combination of black and maroon, mirroring Francisco's outfit. The colors blend seamlessly to create an elegant ensemble.As Hazel stood ready to touch the mirror, a girl's voice surprised her from behind."Hello, ma'am," the girl greeted.Hazel jumped in surprise, not expecting anyone else. The girl quickly reassured her, "I was brought here by Mr. Francisco to do your makeup. Don't be surprised."Hazel processed the information and nodded, "Ah, okay.""Please take a seat. He gave me ten minutes," the girl said with a friendly smile.Realizing the limited time and Francisco's punctuality, Hazel promptly took a seat.After a few minutes spent in the dressing room, Hazel emerged alongside the other girl, the anticipation o
Diana, maintaining an air of composure, tilted her head and somberly remarked, "I apologize for not seeing you." "Do you need something?"Max seized her hand, "Okay, let's go now." Her compliance seemed a momentary respite, but her next words cut through the fragile peace.Diana replied as Max seized her hand, "Do you not have something to do, Max, or do you simply want to be fired from Francisco's company?" "In what sense do you mean that?" Max arched his brows, a mix of confusion and frustration clouding his expression."I advise you to quit being a bodyguard and look for another job. I know how to defend myself well."Her proficiency in martial arts and the use of firearms were not to be underestimated, a skill set born out of the shadows of her own dark experiences.Max, persistent in his attempt to take her home, held her hand and urged, "Diana, get off your duff. Now, let's get home." However, Diana was not one to be easily swayed, and she smoothly freed her wrist from Max's g
"Hello, lovely," he greeted her, reaching out to hold her hand. However, instead of shaking hands, Hazel bowed her head and offered a polite smile. Andrew, surprised by her response, grinned."It's nice to meet you as well," he said, seemingly amused by Hazel's formality.The tone of the conversation took an uncomfortable turn when Andrew remarked, "It seems Emily's leaving is now cut off from him. Are you his new one?"Hazel, taken aback by the directness of Andrew's question, widened her eyes in discomfort. The inquiry about her relationship with her boss, posing so casually in front of her boss, caught her off guard. She pondered how to respond, aware of the need to navigate the situation diplomatically.Hazel stammered in response. She shifted her attention from Andrew to Francisco, seeking guidance on this unexpected exchange.Francisco, maintaining his stoic demeanor, observed the exchange between Andrew and Hazel. "No, I am not his girlfriend. I work as his private assistant,"
“Will you be able to handle everything?” Francisco asked, his voice low as he and Max walked through the quiet garden under the night sky.“Do I have any other option?” Max replied, glancing at him.They both fell silent for a moment, only the sound of their footsteps on the gravel breaking the stillness.“So, you’ve really decided to go through with this?” Max asked, sensing something heavy on Francisco’s mind.“Yes,” Francisco replied, exhaling a puff of smoke into the cool air.“I have to do whatever it takes to protect her... and the child.”Max looked at him with concern.“Francisco, I don’t know… is it really worth it? All of this?”Francisco took a deep breath, then threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe.“Max,” he said firmly, “for me, she is everything.""And soon, she’ll give me the best gift I could ever have.”Max looked around the still garden, the silence pressing in.“I’ll pray for you,” he muttered, then let out a soft laugh.“Pray? When we’re
James took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and muttered, “Yeah, everything I do irritates you, but when it comes to Francisco—everything he does is just perfect, right?”Lilith narrowed her eyes, her patience clearly thinning.“James, just shut up.”He smirked, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in her irritation. “Fine, I’ll stop. But let’s not forget—you lost him too.”Lilith’s expression darkened. Her jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like she might speak, but she chose silence. Her cold stare said enough.Dimitri let out an audible sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Alright, enough. Let’s stay on topic.”Andrew leaned forward, glancing around the table. “We all know this won’t be easy. Francisco may be reckless, but he’s done a lot—things that kept the balance. We need to decide—do we support this internal power shift, or not?”Dimitri raised a brow and turned to Michele, Kai’s son. “Speaking of balance, Michele... I heard about the recent attack on Francisco.”Mic
The next morning, when Hazel woke up, something felt different. She looked around the room, her brows knitting together in confusion. The walls, once cast in shadows and a cold ambiance, now glowed with soft, natural light. The curtains were lighter, fresh flowers adorned the corners, and the overall atmosphere felt warm—inviting.No longer did the room feel like a prison.Hazel propped herself up on one elbow. “What is this…?”Just then, Lily entered with a bright smile and a large bouquet of fresh flowers in her arms. “Good morning, ma’am.”Hazel blinked in surprise. “Good morning… but what’s going on?”“Sir instructed us to redecorate the room,” Lily replied, arranging the flowers in a vase by the window. “He said it should feel brighter for you.”Hazel raised an eyebrow. “Why?”Lily smiled softly. “Because the doctor said it would help improve your mood.”Hazel pressed her lips into a thin line and said nothing. She simply stood and made her way to the washroom. After freshen
Enemies surrounded Francisco from all sides. He had built his empire on blood, and now the ghosts of his past were closing in.On him.On her.On their unborn child.Hazel studied him for a moment longer before shifting her gaze back to the book in her lap.Francisco’s voice cut through the silence."I didn’t mean to shock you."Hazel didn’t look up. Her tone was flat."It’s nothing new for me."Francisco clasped his palms together, his fingers pressing against each other in thought. He wanted to keep talking to her, to break through the walls she had built around herself, but Hazel was determined to end the conversation before it even began.He blinked slowly, exhaling through his nose.As he watched her, something stirred inside him—an overwhelming craving. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her close, to feel the warmth of her body against his.He had heard that pregnant women experienced mood swings, that they craved more affection even as they pushed people away.Was th
“So the deal is more important to you than your child?” Arthur asked, his voice gentle yet firm.Hazel fell silent.Her heart pounded faster, but she forced herself to ignore it.Then, Arthur spoke again.“Will you really be able to live without your child, ma’am?”Hazel’s fingers tightened around the book she was holding. She had only been thinking about her freedom, about escaping the monster who had taken everything from her. But she hadn’t once stopped considering the child.Would she really leave her baby with him?Would the child grow up to be like Francisco—a ruthless mafia king?A deep frown creased Hazel’s forehead.No. She didn’t want to think about that. That wasn’t her concern.She was only supposed to care about herself.That was the plan.That was the deal.That was it.Taking a deep breath, she spoke, her voice steady but cold.“Arthur.”Arthur’s eyes remained on her, waiting.“Do you know your boss is monitoring me?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “Every second.
Francisco and Hazel arrived at the mansion after the dangerous chaos. The ride had been silent, but the weight of what had happened lingered between them like an unspoken storm.Hazel’s face was gloomy, her expression distant. She wasn’t naive—she knew this was only the beginning.There would be more.More blood. More danger.More reasons to fear for the life growing inside her.Her hand instinctively rested on her belly.At first, she didn’t care much about the child. The idea of carrying Francisco’s baby had been unbearable. But now, an unfamiliar feeling twisted inside her—something more than just obligation. A strange, indefinable bond.Francisco, watching her closely, noticed the way her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach. He didn’t say anything, but he understood.She was shaken.She hadn’t expected an attack so soon.He clenched his jaw. From now on, he had to be more careful.Whatever he had been before—ruthless, reckless, untouchable—it didn’t matter anymore. Now, he
Francisco glanced at his bodyguard, his tone sharp and commanding.“Take her from here. I’ll handle this.”The bodyguard hesitated, his grip tightening on his weapon.“Boss, it’s too risky. How can I leave you alone?”Francisco’s gaze snapped at him, cold and unwavering.“Do you need me to shoot you right now?”That was enough.The bodyguard stiffened, lowering his head in obedience.“Understood.”He turned toward Hazel.“Ma’am.”But Hazel wasn’t moving.Her eyes were locked on Francisco as he fired at the advancing enemies, drawing their attention toward himself.Each shot echoed with deadly precision, but Hazel saw it clearly—he was outnumbered, and he was bleeding.Still, he didn’t hesitate.Didn’t falter.The bodyguard reached for her arm, his grip firm, almost forceful.“We need to move.”Hazel barely registered his words. She was staring at Francisco, unwilling to leave.As they shifted to retreat, a sudden bullet shattered the glass near them with a sharp crack.Hazel ducked in
Max’s phone rang as he worked through a stack of files. Without thinking, he glanced at the screen.Diana.He hesitated, a flicker of agitation crossing his face. For a moment, he considered ignoring it.But he couldn’t.With a sigh, he answered."Yes?"There was silence at the other end. Then, after a brief pause, Diana’s voice came through, quieter than usual."Francisco came here.""I know," Max replied flatly, his tone robotic.Diana took a deep breath, trying to steady herself."Max… I’m not feeling good about this. Francisco… he’s messing everything up. I don’t know what to do."Max slowly set the file down, his jaw tightening. He knew exactly what she meant.But he also knew there was no turning Francisco back now.A faint, bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.Sarcastic.Resigned.Francisco loved Hazel so much. So much that, if anyone stood in his way, Francisco wouldn’t hesitate to ruin everything.And the dangerous part? People wanted that kind of devotion."Diana,"
"Hazel."Francisco gently guided her to sit beside him, closer than before. He didn’t wait for her response."Our baby will play like them, right?" His voice was soft, almost hopeful.Hazel remained silent.Then, suddenly, she felt a touch on her belly.She froze.Francisco's large palm traced over her stomach, slow and deliberate. Her heartbeat quickened."I wonder how much he or she has developed inside you," he murmured. His words echoed in her mind, stirring something deep within her.When Hazel first learned she was pregnant, her immediate thought was to end it. She didn’t want to carry the child of a man who had turned her life into a nightmare. A mafia king—a ruthless, heartless man.And yet… she couldn’t.Francisco was right. Their child would play one day.She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and slowly raised her eyes.The moment she did, she met his gaze.Francisco was leaning in closer, watching her intently.A wave of discomfort washed over her. She didn’t wan