Chapter 15 Lucian's POV:I leaned back in my chair, staring at the faint reflection of her back in the glass wall of my office. My mind wasn’t on the legal documents scattered across my desk, nor on the dozens of phone calls I’d ignored this morning. It was on her. River Anderson—or whatever her real name was.Her reaction earlier kept replaying in my head. The way her face paled and her lips parted slightly when she saw Marielle. Shock, confusion, and something I couldn’t quite place—it was all there, written all over her face.I expected boldness when she stormed into my office, but I didn’t expect her composure to falter like that. The thought made me smirk. Married to Marielle? Even in the depths of my ruthlessness, I couldn’t have orchestrated that nightmare for myself. Yet River believed it. She intrigued me, and that was dangerous.I turned in my chair, letting my gaze wander towards her. She carried herself with confidence, but her eyes darted around the room, taking in eve
Chapter 16Lyla's POV:The heels of my shoes clicked against the polished marble floors as I hurried toward the elevator, my mind drifting elsewhere.Working for Lucian meant two things: First, Marielle and I were bound to cross paths more times than I cared to imagine. Second, there was a very real chance I could end up dead—whether at his hands or those of his enemies.For now, all I could do was tread carefully and hope it would be enough.The elevator came into view, and I quickened my pace. Suddenly, I felt the jarring impact of another body against mine. “Damn it!” I hissed, my hand instinctively flying to my shoulder. Pain radiated where we'd collided, but more than that, my anger boiled over. “Watch where you’re—”I whipped my head up, my words ready to scorch whoever had the audacity to block my path. But the moment my gaze locked onto his, I froze. My breath caught in my throat, and I stumbled backward, trying to regain composure. The man didn’t move, didn’t utter a word.
Chapter 17Lyla's POV:Mona?Why on earth is she calling me now?Mona was a stripper I’d crossed paths with at four different nightclubs during my relentless search for the Ruthless Knight. Back then, I’d given her my number, hoping she might come across information about him. But she never called—not once.Even when I tried reaching out, my calls went unanswered. Frustrated, I retraced my steps, visiting every nightclub where she performed, only to be told the same thing: She was “unreachable.”And now, after all this time, here she is, calling me?Clearing my throat, I answered the call, my voice steady despite my confusion. “Hello?” I said, stepping outside the building into the crisp evening air.“River? Is that you?” Her voice was soft but had an edge of fear, making me grip my phone a little tighter.“Yes, it’s me,” I replied cautiously.“I’m sorry for being out of touch,” She began. “But I really need your help. Can we meet up?”Her words threw me off. Why now, after disappeari
Chapter 18Lucian's POV:“Listen,” I began softly, locking eyes with her. “I wanted to find him because I needed his help. There are powerful people who’ve hurt me, and I thought he could help me take them down.” I continued. “If you’ve been hurt by someone powerful, I’ll help you too. But I need to know what I’m getting myself into first. You need to tell me what’s really going on.”For a moment, she didn’t respond. Then, as if a dam had broken, Mona burst into tears. She clutched at my hand tightly, her body shaking as she wailed loud enough to draw a few curious glances from nearby tables.I leaned in closer, squeezing her hands reassuringly. “Mona,” I said softly but firmly, “Why do you need to find the Ruthless Knight?”Her voice was shaky, each word coming out between sobs. “To turn him in myself,” She stammered. “Since the police… the police are useless.”I froze.Turn him in?My mind raced, trying to make sense of her statement. Why would she want to turn Lucian in?I kept my
Chapter 19Lyla's POV:She continued. “ Other than those Photos, and messages, there is a witness. Someone who saw him being taken.”I frowned. “A witness? And they didn’t go to the police?”She scoffed bitterly. “The police? They don’t care. They probably wouldn’t last a day if they went after someone like the Ruthless Knight.”She had a point. I knew firsthand how law enforcement operated in this world—half of them were bought, the other half too scared to act. Still, something about this didn’t sit right with me.“Mona,” I said, my tone softer now. “Why come to me? Why not... I don’t know, leave the city? Start fresh somewhere else?”Her eyes met mine, and for the first time since she sat down, I saw a flicker of determination. “Because I can’t. I can’t just let my brother’s death go unanswered. I have to do something. And you...” She paused, biting her lip. “You’ve been looking for him, haven’t you?” She asked. “I want Justice, Lyla.”Justice?Once again, the word tasted bitter on
Chapter 20Lucian's POV:“I can’t believe I had to be at the brink of death before I heard you call me your family.”My head shot up. Justin’s eyes were open, and he was grinning weakly. “Really, Lyla? Was all of that for me, or were you just practicing for some melodramatic soap opera?”My tears dried up instantly, replaced by a wide smile. “Justin!” I exclaimed, hitting his arm lightly.“Ouch!” He shrieked, though I could tell he was exaggerating.“Don’t you ‘Ouch’ me! You scared me half to death!” I scolded, though my voice wavered between anger and laughter.He chuckled softly, but it turned into a wince. “Okay, okay, I surrender. No hitting the injured guy.”I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face. “You’re impossible.”“You’re just mad because I caught you crying,” He teased, his grin widening.“Justin!” I snapped, but there was no malice in my tone.We both burst into laughter, the kind that felt too loud for a hospital room but was too freeing to s
Chapter 21Lyla's POV:Monday came by quickly, and during these past few days, I learned a few things. I discovered that Marielle’s antenatal checkups happened at the same hospital Justin was currently being treated at.I didn’t mention it to him because I didn’t want to get him all worked up.Secondly, I learned something even more unsettling. My ex-husband might be a cold-blooded murderer.When I told Justin about my meeting with Mona and how I still believed that Diego might be alive, he said. “Lucian Knight isn’t just a name, Lyla.” He began. “He’s the CEO of one of the most prestigious law firms around—a man who defends anyone, including murderers, as long as they can pay his price. He is also the Lycan King, someone who sentences people to death for breaching certain laws in his kingdom. Lastly, he runs a mafia organization that houses not only drug dealers but assassins who he assigns to do his bidding.”His words clung to me, weighing heavily on my mind. It dawned on me that w
Chapter 22Lyla's POV:Stepping out of Lucian's office, I let out a soft sigh of relief, even though the tension in my chest refused to completely dissolve. My heels clicked faintly against the marble floors as I headed toward the right wing.The hallway stretched endlessly, lined with cubicles that seemed oddly symmetrical. The air was heavy with silence, the kind that made you hyper-aware of every sound—papers flipping, fingers tapping rhythmically on keyboards, and the occasional faint sigh from someone lost in their work.I stopped beside the nearest cubicle and tapped the shoulder of the man seated there. He turned to me, offering a polite smile."Good morning." I began, trying to sound as composed as possible. "I was told to meet Mr. Kael, but I’m not sure where his cubicle is."He nodded, with a warm smile. "Keep walking down the hallway. You'll see four doors at the end. The last one on the left is his."“Thank you, sir.”As I continued walking, something dawned on me, a reali
Chapter 43Lyla's POV:James stepped out of the car, making his way to Lucian’s side. He opened Lucian’s door with a bow. Lucian stepped out, adjusting his cuffs as though he owned the very ground he walked on—which, knowing him, he probably did.Curious, I got out of the car as well, watching as James popped open the trunk and unloaded our suitcases. He began dragging them across the tarmac toward the private jet.I hurried to catch up, falling in step beside Lucian. “Wait a minute. Are we using your private jet?”He barely glanced at me. “Why would I use a public one?”I rolled my eyes. “Do you have to answer every question with another question?”Stopping mid-step, he turned to face me, his smirk growing wider. “You know, for an assistant, you ask far too many questions.”Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked confidently toward the jet, his coat billowing slightly in the breeze.As we reached the bottom of the stairs leading up to the aircraft, he paused and looked o
Chapter 42 Lyla's POV:I raised an eyebrow. “What rumor?”The second maid hesitated before answering. “People say that Marielle’s child… doesn’t belong to the Lycan King.”For a moment, I was too stunned to respond. Then, I smiled tightly, shaking my head. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned while living under this roof, it’s that gossip is akin to murder.” I began, stepping closer. “So if you value your jobs—and your lives—you’ll keep your mouths shut.”I turned to leave but paused, glancing back at them. “Just a reminder: I’m not Mr. Knight’s maid. I’m his personal assistant. So anything you say against him—or anyone close to him—will be considered treason.”Without another word, I walked away, leaving them standing stunned.As I descended the stairs, my mind raced. Didn’t Lucian cheat on me with Marielle because he loved her?If that was true, then why was he treating her so harshly now?My mind drifted back to the day I caught them in a compromising position at the office. They we
Chapter 41Lyla's POV:I rushed out of the room, panting heavily, my breaths coming out in gasps. My hands were clammy, and my whole body was drenched in sweat. The walls around me felt like they were closing in, suffocating me with every step I took. I barely made it down the hallway when my body slammed into someone. The collision jolted me, snapping me out of my thoughts. Without looking up, I muttered. “I am so sorry.” And attempted to sidestep them, eager to get away.But a firm hand gripped my arm, halting me.I turned around, and my gaze met Marielle’s eyes. My stomach twisted, and I forced a polite smile. “Please forgive me, ma’am. I had no idea it was you.” I said, bowing my head slightly to mask my discomfort.She didn’t let go.“Is something wrong?” I asked, my voice tight. I wasn’t in the mood for her nonsense.Marielle’s eyes darted toward Lucian’s door, then back to me. Her lips curled into a sneer. “Where are you coming from, River?” She asked, her tone dripping with s
Chapter 40Lyla's POV:I was fast asleep when the sound of my phone ringing, jolted me awake. Groaning, I yanked off my sleeping mask and fumbled around on the bedside table. My hand eventually found the vibrating phone, and without bothering to look at the screen, I swiped to answer.“Hello?” I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.A deep, commanding voice replied, waking me up from my drowsiness. “Pack up. We’re both going to Mexico.”“What?” I shrieked, sitting upright so quickly that my pillow toppled off the bed. My back hit the headboard with a thud. “I don’t understand. Mexico?”“You have a passport, right?” He asked nonchalantly.“Yes,” I said groggily, nodding as though he could see me.“Good. Pack your bag and be at my place in less than an hour. We’re leaving together.”Before I could ask any questions, the line went dead.I stared at the phone in disbelief, his words replaying in my head. “Mexico? What the hell?” I muttered, throwing the covers off. I jumped out of bed and
Chapter 39Lucian's POV:After marrying Lyla, I couldn’t bring myself to love or accept her—not when the only reason I wanted her in the first place was to secure an heir.But Lyla was… different. She never begged for my love, attention, or time. She didn’t demand the things a wife should rightfully expect from her husband.She was obedient and dutiful.She loved cooking, even though I rarely ate her food. She loved reading, so I instructed Kael to fill the library with books. Not because I cared, but because I pitied her. She always looked so lonely and sad.One evening, curiosity got the better of me, and I finally asked her why she never seemed to expect anything from me.“This is a much better prison.” She said quietly, with a wide smile.Her words struck me, and I couldn’t let them go. I dug into her past, and what I uncovered only deepened my pity for her. Her father’s house was not a prison—but actual hell.After that, I started eating the meals she prepared, though we rarely s
Chapter 38Lyla's POV:Lucian stepped closer, his gaze fixed on Mona. "I was wrong," Lucian began. "It wasn’t Alpha Donovan who helped Diego escape. It was Matteo."“Matteo?” I repeated, trying to make sense of it. “Why would Matteo help him?”Lucian leaned against a nearby barrel, his gaze fixed on the woman tied to the chair. “Because Diego had leverage. He threatened to expose all the dirt he had on Matteo—enough to ruin him—on every social media platform. Matteo didn’t have a choice. If Diego didn’t return, one of his allies would step in and finish the job.”I frowned, folding my arms. “So Matteo helped him escape, but then Diego never returned?”Lucian nodded. “Exactly. When Diego disappeared, Matteo panicked. That’s when he found a way to contact Mona here.” He motioned toward the trembling woman, her tear-streaked face buried in her hands. “But she refused to help him.”“That doesn’t make any sense.”Lucian straightened. “So he killed Diego.”A gasp escaped my lips. “What? Why
Chapter 37Lyla's POV:“Are you insane?” The words flew out of my mouth before I could catch them.I slapped my hands over my lips, horrified at my own audacity. “I mean…is something wrong?”Lucian’s smirk deepened. “We have somewhere to go. Go get dressed.”Just like that? No explanation?“Where exactly?” I asked before I could stop myself again. I cursed my inability to hold my tongue.His smirk vanished, replaced by an expression that could freeze lava. “I’m starting to feel like I’ve given you too much audacity. You dare to question me?”“I didn’t know I wasn’t allowed to ask where I’m being dragged to.” I said, my voice quieter but not without a trace of sarcasm.“Well, now you know.” He folded his arms. “Go get dressed.”Before I could come up with another ill-advised response, Justin’s voice called out from the sitting room. “Lyla? Who’s at the door?”I froze in place, my heart dropping to my stomach.Justin just called me by my real name.Lucian’s gaze snapped to me, as he til
Chapter 36Lyla's POV:Lucian Knight was never normal, not in the way most people imagine normalcy. And how could he be? He also had the kind of childhood I did—the one filled with struggle. He was born the son of a powerful Lycan King, destined to rule, his birthright was practically engraved in the moon. However, a bloody coup wiped out his entire family, leaving him with nothing but a crown that had been stolen before it could rest on his head. He was forced to flee, but he didn’t crumble under the weight of his tragedy. No, he rebuilt himself from the ground up.He spent years in the shadows, carving out an empire piece by piece. Wealth, power, influence—he had it all, and the world came to know his name but not his identity. The "Ruthless Knight" They called him, a name whispered with fear and respect alike.I’d heard the stories long before I ever met him. Tales of a man who could bring kingdoms to their knees, who ruled the underworld with an iron fist.While simultaneously
Chapter 35Lyla's POV:"Actually." I began, trying to steady my voice. "A few days ago, I overheard a group of people discussing your plans to seal the deal with Le Bronx. They mentioned that you'd be heading to Mexico soon. At first, I wasn’t paying much attention, but then I recognized one of the voices. It sounded familiar, and that made me stop to eavesdrop. I thought that the conversation was something that should only happen on the 15th floor, because amidst the voices, I heard an unfamiliar female speaking."Kael leaned back against the desk, crossing his arms, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "So, that’s it? You overheard some whispers, and now you think someone on the 15th floor is working for Matteo?" His tone was laced with disbelief, as though he were holding back a mocking laugh.I clenched my fists but kept my composure. "No, Kael, that's not all. I also overheard them talking about stealing a safe and how they were nervous about Michael catching them. Apparently, Mich