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,"
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
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.