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DIMITROV's POV

I slowly sat straight, realigning myself into an upright position as if it would make me hear better. My eyes remained on Adeline, it had never trailed away from her for even a minute since I first stepped into this courtroom.

But now as I look at her, it isn't with anger or hate. Neither is it with lust or an overwhelming feeling to punish her. I looked at her with expectation, my heart thumping wildly as I waited for her to give her answer. From the look on her face, I knew the truth. I needed verbal confirmation.

"It also has nothing to do with this," she said in a small voice. She didn't deny it. She had my children. I never knew. I've been absent from my children's lives for three years because of this selfish woman. I was shaking in my chair. I shot a glance at Aleksandr, my second in command, and nodded at him. I needed some air. I needed to be out of here.

He nodded at my silent request and walked out. A few minutes later, the judge was receiving a message and we were taking a break.

The guards led me into the waiting room and I slumped onto the chair.

The door opened and my sister Vivian was the first to rush in.

"Are you okay? That was some shocking news. I can't believe that bitch....."

"Enough Vivian. Where is the fucking lawyer" j yelled hit Aleks was already ushering her into the room. She had a wide smile on her face as the door shut. She seemed impressed with herself and if it wasn't that I had taken a vow to never hit women, she wouldn't be standing right now.

"I think everything is going well"

"Who the fuck asked you to do that?"

"Pardon?" She looked confused, eyes shifting to Vivian and Aleks.

"Don't fucking look elsewhere. Keep your gaze on me" I instructed and she nodded, quivering in fear. All traces of a smile had completely vanished.

"When the fuck did you find out about the children?"

"Just two days ago. I have a friend in the police who happens to know about her case and I convinced him to tell me. I thought it would be good information for the case"

"You know what I think?" I stood up, slowly stalking her as she took steps backward until I had her cornered against the wall.

"I think you're fucking stupid" I slammed the wall beside her head and her lips trembled and her eyes got wet with tears.

"Boss" Aleks drew closer but he didn't dare touch me or say another word.

"Brother, please. That's your lawyer" I took a couple of steps backward.

"You didn't think that I should know that I was a father?"

"Adeline should answer that question and not Louisa. She was the one who kept the truth about your fatherhood away from you" Vivian jumped to her defense.

"At least she had the sense to keep it a secret. But you...You thought to use my children as a pawn in this fucking case?"

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was a mistake"

"You didn't realize? I have fucking enemies everywhere. Do you know how jubilant they would be right now to learn I have fucking children they could use to manipulate me?"

"Well take care of things" Aleks tried to reassure me but I shook my head. I had let them take care of this one and see how it turned out.

"You will go out there and do your job to defend me. No more personal questions. Stick to the script or God help me I'll rip out your fucking tongue right before I send a bullet straight through your head. You got that?" She swallowed hard, still trembling as she nodded.

"Leave us" I commanded and she ran out like her ass was on fire.

"What do you plan to do?"

"This changes a lot of things. There's children involved... my children. Adeline is naive as hell. She trusts the cops. But we can't let them be in control of my children anymore. The moment they have nothing to hold over me, they'll turn to them. We have to find out the current location of the children before this ends today"

"We've not... They must have done a pretty good job hiding them. We can't find their location"

"They'll be changing their location for safety reasons. I want our man in the police to be a part of this. Take them in a separate vehicle and send them to the island"

"And you? What are you going to do about this trial?"

"I told you a lot of things have changed. That includes our plans. We can't go on with me winning this case"

"What? You can't turn back now. You had all of this planned out"

"Until I fucking found out that I'm a father. Do you think they'll be foolish enough to let their guard down and make us find the children? We need to make them think that they won. Speak to the judge. I cannot win the retrial"

"Brother. This is hasty"

"And get Vivian out of my sight. Do as I've said"

"Yes boss" the door opened and I caught a peek of her ginger hair as she walked past the door. I had the urge to run after her and demand an answer but I held back. Soon she'd be the one at my feet begging.

The short break ended and the session continued. I zoned out as they presented evidence upon evidence to keep me locked in. I fought the urge to smile.

They were playing my game and they didn't realize it. Adeline was stupid to come back to testify at a retrial. I thought she knew me better. She had done exactly what I needed her to do by coming here.

And when the judgment was announced, I saw the relief cross their faces as they basked in their victory. It would only be for a short time.

I couldn't wait to see her eyes when she realized that she had walked right into my juicy trap.