As Freddie continued observing from the second floor, his suspicions heightened when he saw the mysterious man pointing something at Mr. Lane. The atmosphere seemed charged with tension, and Lane's obvious nervousness only fueled Freddie's concerns.Reacting swiftly, Freddie reached for a small device and clicked a button, initiating a covert communication channel with Adam, who was still posing as a sweeper."Adam, can you hear me?" Freddie murmured discreetly.Adam, aware and ready for any instructions, touched his ears and stopped sweeping."Yes, what happened?""We need to know about the man who donated money to this school," Freddie said urgently."I saw him walking with Mr. Lane," Adam replied."Yes, I am seeing them from the second floor. Can you go and see what they are doing?"Freddie instructed; his voice low and filled with a sense of urgency."Okay!"Adam responded, swiftly moving towards the location where Freddie had spotted Lane and the mysterious man.Meanwhile, back i
The principal's brows arched in surprise as he spotted Freddie, gun in hand, pointing it at Liam. The unexpected turn of events prompted the principal to question Freddie's actions."What are you doing?" the principal uttered, his voice tinged with both surprise and concern.Freddie, unwavering, answered without shifting his gaze from Liam's back, "We need to talk to him. Please move aside."As Liam turned back, locking eyes with Freddie, the tension in the air became palpable. The exchange of glances spoke volumes, each party assessing the other's motives and intentions."What is it, sir?" Liam inquired, adopting an air of innocence. "Who is he? Is this not a bit harassing?"Liam, skilled in the art of provocation, aimed to shift the dynamics of the confrontation."I came here to donate, but I didn't know it would turn out like this."The principal, attempting to defuse the situation, shook his head and approached with a nervous expression."No, Mr. Liam, you misunderstand me. It's
Rafael, flanked by his team, gazed through the one-way mirror at Francisco, the once untouchable tycoon now sitting alone in a chamber. The news of Francisco's arrest had spread like wildfire, echoing through the corridors of power and the business world. Every move, every word will be scrutinized in the coming days. The chamber was designed for moments like these, with a large sealed mirror serving as a window into Francisco's world. He sat on a solitary chair, aware that countless eyes were watching his every move. The weight of the evidence against him, embodied by the wounded Liam in a hospital bed under heavy security, loomed over the room. Rafael, determined to extract the truth, turned to his team and declared, "I am going to talk to him." As Rafael prepared to enter the chamber for the interrogation, Peter halted him with a suggestion that caught him off guard. "Rafael, I think Hazel should go," Peter proposed, his eyes serious with intent. Rafael's brows arched in surpri
Hazel and Francisco remained alone in the chamber, the air thick with tension and the weight of unspoken truths. Rafael, torn between concern for Hazel's safety and frustration at the unfolding events, watched as they forced him out of the room."Why did you guys let her alone with him?"Rafael protested, his voice laden with worry.Ken arched his brows, attempting to explain, "Rafael, Hazel can save herself. And it is all because of you. If you didn't hit him, he would not ask it."The reality of the situation hit Rafael, the consequences of his actions reverberating through the chamber. The potential suspension of Hazel, the intricate web of manipulations, and the power still held by Francisco created a volatile mix of emotions."Can you imagine that because of it he could suspend you from the job? He still has the power in his hands," Ken added, emphasizing the precariousness of their situation.Robert, sensing the rising tension, raised his hands in a calming gesture."Please, guy
Hazel's lips met Rafael's in a tender kiss, an expression of the deep connection that existed between them. Rafael, his fingers gently tucking her hair behind her ear, reciprocated the affection.Breaking the kiss, Hazel looked into Rafael's eyes, her body now positioned above his. A sense of vulnerability lingered in her gaze, a vulnerability born not from their intimate connection but from the ominous shadows of Francisco's threats.Rafael, cupping her face with a tender touch, voiced the longing he felt, "I have missed you, Hazel.""I miss you too, Rafael," Hazel replied.She nestled her head on his bare chest, seeking solace in the warmth of their closeness.The aftermath of their intimacy enveloped them, Rafael's fingers gently caressing her hair as they both basked in the comfort of each other's presence. Yet, Hazel's fingers traced absentminded patterns on his chest, her mind grappling with the persistent fears that Francisco's words had stirred within her.Indifference marked
On the day Francisco was being prepared for the court appearance, the media frenzy outside the gate reached its peak. Reporters and cameras swarmed the area, eager to capture the high-profile moment. The arrest of Francisco was now the city's top news, creating a buzz that reverberated through the community.James, reveling in the perceived vulnerability of Francisco's absence, continued to expand his influence in the criminal underworld.Within the precinct, Hazel and Rafael were in the midst of the chaos, navigating through the crowds and the media circus. Hazel whispered something to Rafael, a shared concern etched on their faces. However, their hushed conversation was interrupted when Francisco's gaze met Hazel's. A slight smirk played on Francisco's lips, creating an unsettling moment between them.Quickly averting her eyes, Hazel continued to move through the crowd with Rafael.The tension in the air was palpable, and the weight of the situation pressed upon them. As they exited
Hazel's heart raced as her gaze collided with Francisco's deep ocean eyes. At that moment, a mix of emotions swirled within her, captivated by the calmness yet ominous undertone that emanated from those eyes. Hazel couldn't shake the feeling of an impending storm.Rafael responded, "Ms. Emily, we're not thrilled to see you and your boyfriend either."Emily, eyes narrowed, retorted, "Oh, really! Actually, the way you guys harassed my boyfriend, he should file a harassment case against your girlfriend. But Francisco is a kind man, so he did not."Rafael's lips curved into a slight smirk at Emily's words."Oh, your boyfriend is a kind man, really? He should show his kindness to the world as well."Before Emily could escalate the confrontation further, Francisco intervened. With a light smile, he gently took hold of Emily's hand, his touch serving as a quiet gesture to temper the rising tension."Mr. Rafael, I think you guys came here for your wedding. So please, don't bother us," Francis
Hazel's eyes widened in horror as time seemed to slow down around her. The joyous occasion had morphed into a nightmare. The purity of her white dress was marred by a sinister stain â a bloodstain. A surreal stillness settled over the church, shattered only by Hazel's piercing scream."Rafael!"Her love, her would-be husband, stood before her, his white coat now a canvas of crimson. The world around her blurred as the reality of the situation dawned. The once joyous ceremony had morphed into a scene of unimaginable horror."Ra - fael!"Hazel's lips trembled as she knelt beside him, her hands stained with the evidence of the tragedy. In her desperate attempt to comprehend the nightmare unfolding, she looked around and realized the brutality extended beyond Rafael. The priest, the congregation â everyone laid on the floor, victims of a senseless act of violence.Her white dress now echoed the crimson tragedy that had unfolded. The sacred space had become a blood-soaked tableau of despai
âWill you be able to handle everything?â Francisco asked, his voice low as he and Max walked through the quiet garden under the night sky.âDo I have any other option?â Max replied, glancing at him.They both fell silent for a moment, only the sound of their footsteps on the gravel breaking the stillness.âSo, youâve really decided to go through with this?â Max asked, sensing something heavy on Franciscoâs mind.âYes,â Francisco replied, exhaling a puff of smoke into the cool air.âI have to do whatever it takes to protect her... and the child.âMax looked at him with concern.âFrancisco, I donât knowâĶ is it really worth it? All of this?âFrancisco took a deep breath, then threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe.âMax,â he said firmly, âfor me, she is everything.""And soon, sheâll give me the best gift I could ever have.âMax looked around the still garden, the silence pressing in.âIâll pray for you,â he muttered, then let out a soft laugh.âPray? When weâre
James took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and muttered, âYeah, everything I do irritates you, but when it comes to Franciscoâeverything he does is just perfect, right?âLilith narrowed her eyes, her patience clearly thinning.âJames, just shut up.âHe smirked, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in her irritation. âFine, Iâll stop. But letâs not forgetâyou lost him too.âLilithâs 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. âAlright, enough. Letâs stay on topic.âAndrew leaned forward, glancing around the table. âWe all know this wonât be easy. Francisco may be reckless, but heâs done a lotâthings that kept the balance. We need to decideâdo we support this internal power shift, or not?âDimitri raised a brow and turned to Michele, Kaiâs son. âSpeaking of balance, Michele... I heard about the recent attack on Francisco.âMic
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 warmâinviting.No longer did the room feel like a prison.Hazel propped herself up on one elbow. âWhat is thisâĶ?âJust then, Lily entered with a bright smile and a large bouquet of fresh flowers in her arms. âGood morning, maâam.âHazel blinked in surprise. âGood morningâĶ but whatâs going on?ââSir instructed us to redecorate the room,â Lily replied, arranging the flowers in a vase by the window. âHe said it should feel brighter for you.âHazel raised an eyebrow. âWhy?âLily smiled softly. âBecause the doctor said it would help improve your mood.âHazel 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.Franciscoâs voice cut through the silence."I didnât mean to shock you."Hazel didnât look up. Her tone was flat."Itâs 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 himâan 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
âSo the deal is more important to you than your child?â 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.âWill you really be able to live without your child, maâam?âHazelâs 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 hadnât once stopped considering the child.Would she really leave her baby with him?Would the child grow up to be like Franciscoâa ruthless mafia king?A deep frown creased Hazelâs forehead.No. She didnât want to think about that. That wasnât 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.âArthur.âArthurâs eyes remained on her, waiting.âDo you know your boss is monitoring me?â she asked, tilting her head slightly. âEvery 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.Hazelâs face was gloomy, her expression distant. She wasnât naiveâshe 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 didnât care much about the child. The idea of carrying Franciscoâs baby had been unbearable. But now, an unfamiliar feeling twisted inside herâsomething more than just obligation. A strange, indefinable bond.Francisco, watching her closely, noticed the way her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach. He didnât say anything, but he understood.She was shaken.She hadnât expected an attack so soon.He clenched his jaw. From now on, he had to be more careful.Whatever he had been beforeâruthless, reckless, untouchableâit didnât matter anymore. Now, he
Francisco glanced at his bodyguard, his tone sharp and commanding.âTake her from here. Iâll handle this.âThe bodyguard hesitated, his grip tightening on his weapon.âBoss, itâs too risky. How can I leave you alone?âFranciscoâs gaze snapped at him, cold and unwavering.âDo you need me to shoot you right now?âThat was enough.The bodyguard stiffened, lowering his head in obedience.âUnderstood.âHe turned toward Hazel.âMaâam.âBut Hazel wasnât 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 clearlyâhe was outnumbered, and he was bleeding.Still, he didnât hesitate.Didnât falter.The bodyguard reached for her arm, his grip firm, almost forceful.âWe need to move.âHazel 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
Maxâs 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 couldnât.With a sigh, he answered."Yes?"There was silence at the other end. Then, after a brief pause, Dianaâs 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."MaxâĶ Iâm not feeling good about this. FranciscoâĶ heâs messing everything up. I donât 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 wouldnât 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 didnât 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 didnât want to carry the child of a man who had turned her life into a nightmare. A mafia kingâa ruthless, heartless man.And yetâĶ she couldnât.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 didnât wan