The room buzzed with the low hum of murmurs as the attendees exchanged glances, processing the information. In the world of organized crime, where power dynamics and alliances have shifted like quicksand, any deviation from the norm raises eyebrows.Within this clandestine network, criminal organizations were symbolically represented by totemic animals—dragon, lion, wolf, and snake. Francisco Hilton, a formidable player in this sinister chessboard, bore the emblem of the snake.Among those present was James, a key player in this intricate web of criminal enterprises. As he lit a cigarette, his gaze shifted to Andrew, and he inquired with a hint of curiosity, "Where is your phony friend?"Andrew, nonchalant in his response, remarked, "He is completely immersed in his new PA.""PA?" James questioned, seeking clarification on the term."Yes, he did employ a female as his PA."James chuckled and replied, "Ah, how intriguing. I believed he only permitted his depraved fantasies in his house
James, perceptive as ever, read the intentions behind Francisco's smirk like an open book. The unspoken challenge had sparked a flame of anger within him, threatening to consume reason. Just as the impending clash seemed inevitable, Andrew intervened, playing the role of a mediator before the situation spiraled out of control.“Francisco, stop and consider everyone’s matter,” Andrew interjected, a note of urgency in his voice.“Everyone’s matter?”Francisco retorted with a sardonic smirk, a master of turning any conversation to his advantage. His words lingered in the air, a subtle reminder that, beneath the guise of camaraderie, they were here to discuss matters of business, not engage in a clandestine power-play.Andrew, his face now etched with sternness."Are we friends who come here to discuss business, or are we holding some kind of party?"He tilted his head in mock contemplation.With a nonchalant demeanor, he crossed his fingers, a gesture that seemed to symbolize the intrica
As the romantic song enveloped the atmosphere, Hazel closed her eyes, allowing the rhythm to guide her movements. With a subtle sway of her hips, she expressed the joy of the music coursing through her.Rafael, captivated by her rhythmic waggling, couldn't resist the allure. He placed his hands on her waist, syncing his movements with hers.Hazel leaned against him, feeling the connection as they moved in unison to the melody. With a gentle pull, Rafael drew her even closer, the heat of their bodies merging in the intimate dance.Turning to face him, Hazel placed a delicate hand on his chest, her eyes expressing the emotions the music evoked. They took a step back, only to lean on each other again, their bodies perfectly attuned to the romantic rhythm.Taking a step back, they maintained their proximity, leaning on each other as the music played on. Rafael guided Hazel in the dance, his firm grip on her midriff creating a sense of security and connection. Hazel, feeling the strength i
Hazel, still swaying slightly from the effects of the wine, raised her head to meet the gaze of the man who had abruptly yanked her away. To her tipsy senses, he appeared like a good-looking figure, and she greeted him with a casual."Hey."The person who had forcefully intervened was none other than Francisco. He held Hazel in his arms, his eyes momentarily locking onto hers before shifting to Rafael, who stood a short distance away."Mr. Francisco, you shouldn’t have pulled her in this way. She could be hurt."Rafael admonished, his tone carrying a hint of anger as he clenched his fists in disapproval.Francisco's anger, palpable and etched on his face, flared in response."How dare you touch my PA?"He spat, the words filled with a possessiveness that revealed more than a professional attachment."She is your PA, not your girlfriend. So, dare not say it."Rafael retorted defiantly, drawing a line between professional boundaries.As the tension escalated on the dance floor, Hazel,
Hazel struggled with the car door, frustration etched on her face as she prodded Francisco with both her hands and knees. He remained stiff, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.Amidst the tense atmosphere, Francisco ordered the driver to head directly to the mansion. “Drive home quickly.”His terse command hung in the air, emphasizing the gravity of his mood. The driver, experienced at discerning his boss's temper, nodded subtly and accelerated the car."I want to go back…""Hey, stop the car."The driver, recognizing the intensity of his boss's glare through the rearview mirror, chose to ignore Hazel's plea. He kept his focus on the road, determined to fulfill Francisco's instructions promptly.Undeterred, Hazel persisted. "Let me go." She extended her hands towards the door, attempting to unlock it in a desperate bid to change their course.The car sped through the city streets, each passing moment adding to the tension inside. Hazel's attempts to alter their destination were met
The dimly lit street bore witness to Max's calculated act of defiance. Turning his head toward Diana's apartment window, he smirked, knowing that she was observing the dramatic tableau from behind the curtain.In a sudden burst of raw emotion, a sharp sound shattered the stillness. Max, with a smug smile still lingering on his lips, unleashed a powerful punch at the window of Ben's car.The glass yielded to the force, shattering into a thousand glinting fragments. The cacophony of breaking glass was punctuated by the unexpected violence, and pieces of glass embedded themselves in Max's palms and fingers.As the realization of what had just transpired settled in, Ben's brows furrowed in astonishment. He watched Max's bleeding hand, the crimson droplets staining the pavement below.A mix of shock in Ben's narrowed eyes as he assessed the damage to his car.Max, seemingly unperturbed, continued to smoke, exhaling a plume of smoke defiantly in Ben's direction."You broke my car, Mr. If yo
As Max's aggressive kiss pressed upon her, Diana found herself caught in a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. The intensity of the kiss, coupled with the deliberate restriction of airflow, hinted at Max's desire to assert dominance and inflict a form of punishment.Yet, Diana was no stranger to the art of control. Trained like Max and Francisco, she understood the intricate dance of power that played out in their tumultuous connection.Summoning her own strength, Diana attempted to push Max away, to break free from the punishing kiss. But Max's grip was firm, and the struggle for dominance continued. Diana, refusing to succumb to the perceived punishment, changed tactics. With a swift movement, she entwined her fingers in Max's hair, pulling him closer, and reciprocated the rough intensity of his kiss.Diana took control of the moment.Max groaned in response.Rising from her seat, Diana positioned herself on Max's lap, wrapping her legs around his waist. The change in altitude altere
Hazel's playful question lingered in the air, "Are you a human or a vampire?"The music in the background heightened the seductive atmosphere, a symphony that seemed to underscore the clandestine dance unfolding in the room.In response to Hazel's inquiry, Francisco, his patience waning, seized her hair and pulled her towards him. A soft whimper escaped her lips, blending with the seductive rhythm echoing from the background. The room swirled with an intoxicating blend of music and tension."You really annoyed me, Hazel."Francisco declared, his voice resonating with a veiled frustration. Hazel, her eyes barely able to open, registered his words amidst the blurred surroundings. The enticing melody seemed to cloud her senses, creating an ethereal realm where reality and desire intertwined.As Francisco spoke, Hazel felt his hot breath against her neck. A shiver traversed her spine as a sharp pain pierced her collarbone.She let out a low groan, the boundary between pleasure and pain bl
“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