At night, Jolene shifted in her bed, trying to sleep. How could Paisley end up in the same prison as her? She prayed she wouldn't get tortured by that bitch.The next morning, a female cop knocked on their cell."Jolene Lawrence, you have a visitor," the cop announced and led Jolene to the waiting room. It must be her father since he promised to visit today.But what if it was Tatiana, Jaxon, or even Mr. King himself? Jolene abruptly halted, her heart racing. She wasn't ready to face any of them."Why did you stop? Keep moving.""Who came to visit... Tell me," Jolene said, and the cop rolled her eyes."Keep walking!" she barked."At least tell me!" Jolene yelled back."It's a woman... a woman you shouldn't keep waiting. Now move," the cop snapped, and Jolene gritted her teeth. With no choice, she obeyed.As she stepped into the room, her eyes turned cold, and her jaw clenched even more."Hey, sweetie. Long time," Odessa greeted with a smile. She was clad in a fine gown, her makeup hea
Jolene gazed at the screen and noticed the figure behind Tatiana nodding and slowly advancing toward her. She saw the man pull a gun from his pocket."No... stop... No, stop!" Jolene yelled frantically, trying to open the door. "Please, stop!!""Stop," Maximus ordered, and the figure halted. "Go back and wait for my order again."Jolene's breath was uneven. She sighed in relief as the man returned to his seat."You asked me to stop. I should get a reward."Jolene gritted her teeth. "What do you want?" she asked, holding back the urge to scream at him. Maximus was too cruel, and Tatiana had witnessed his monstrous side firsthand.Maximus pulled out a card and handed it to her. "Take her to the hotel and the room listed here. Disobey, and you'll kill her.""What are you planning to do with her?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion."What I plan to do is none of your business, little bird. I'd like my daughter to rest tonight, and tomorrow, I'll talk to her. Remember, I've got my
"I've found out the name of the man Maximus plans to marry Isabella off to," Hudson mentioned in the room, his gaze serious. He had been working endlessly to get the information. "His name is Silence.""Silence?" Tatiana exchanged a look with Cassius. He hadn't heard that name before either."I know Silence," Valentino's voice sounded from the corner, his wolf sitting by his side."Who is he?" Jaxon asked."He's a blue-eyed freak, like my bestie here."Cassius rolled his eyes. There he goes again.Valentino stood and approached the table. "He's unbeatable. Trust me, you don't want to face him. The way he destroys his enemies is fucking ruthless.""That dangerous?" Hudson asked, and Valentino nodded with a serious look. Tatiana began to freak out bit by bit, but when she felt Cassius' hand holding hers, she calmed slightly."What does he want?" Cassius asked Valentino."No one knows. He's mysterious. No one knows where he's from or who he really is. He's like a shadow, with an army of
Tristan found Maximus overlooking the city as he stepped into his room. Tristan stopped and observed him for a while. His brother had been acting quite strange recently; he hardly got updates from him."Hey, Max," Tristan greeted, and Maximus glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "Is something troubling you? You've been quite off lately."Maximus didn't reply as he returned his gaze back to the city.Tristan sighed at his brother's cold attitude."I'm heading to my territory, as you said. I'll be back once Silence arrives," he announced.Maximus finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion. "Good luck, brother."Tristan clicked his tongue. "Fucking creepy," he muttered and left the room.Maximus' eyes fluttered closed. The fact that his brother and wife had something going on right under his nose made his blood boil. He hadn't touched Odessa in two years, and he didn't mind if she fucks around... but not with his own brother. He just couldn't get the indecent scene out o
Catelyn stormed her way into the mansion, ignoring the maids and guards who bowed in her presence. She pushed her way into his room, her gaze finally locking onto the man she was looking for-her older brother."Tell me this isn't true," Catelyn's voice trembled. Maximus looked up at her, his usual stoic expression unchanging. He didn't seem surprised by her return."Hello, little sis...""Don't you dare greet me," she cut him off. "Tell me you didn't fake Isabella's death, that you didn't send your eighteen-year-old daughter to a brothel to sleep with different men and have a bastard child. Tell me you didn't send Maya into an abusive marriage on purpose just for your empire. Tell me you didn't make Tatiana go through hell... Tell me!" Catelyn's voice rose, her eyes blazing with fury.Maximus remained calm, asking a simple question, "How is this your concern?""My concern?" Catelyn scoffed in disbelief. "I watched Tatiana traumatized by everything you put her through. They are your bl
Odessa stepped hastily into Maximus's room, her gaze disturbed as it fell on him."What happened to Tristan?" she asked, worry lacing her voice. When he didn't reply, she exclaimed, "What happened to Tristan?!"Maximus slowly turned to look at her, his gaze cold. "What?""H...he's your brother. Are you not going to save him?" she asked. She had just received the news of Tristan's territory being ambushed, and it caused her heart to clench."So?" he questioned, approaching her slowly. Odessa found his gaze strange. His reaction baffled her, and she knew better than to anger the man before her, especially when he was in this kind of mood."We should send the men and help him...""No one is sending anyone to save Tristan. He got what was coming to him," Maximus responded, and Odessa's eyes slowly widened."You..." Her lips parted in disbelief. "You knowingly handed your brother over to the Kings?""What? Are you so disappointed?" he asked, stepping forward again. Odessa couldn't bear the
At school, Leonard watched his brother being surrounded by other classmates. Rafael was now bold, calm, and acting confident, while Leonard, on the other hand, was cautious of him.The scene of Rafael cutting his cheek had somehow traumatized him."Your brother is hot," his girlfriend said beside him, and his eyes snapped toward her."You don't mean that, do you?" he gritted his teeth."Um... yes, I do. You're acting weird. It seems like your spirit has transferred to your brother... And I... fell for that spirit," she packed her books and went to meet Rafael with a smile.Leonard scoffed and muttered, "I'll fucking kill him. I swear it."___"You motherfucking son of a bitch!" Tristan screamed insanely as Hudson let go of the electrifying machine.Tristan's hands were chained above his head, his legs bound to the floor. A collar was around his neck, and blood cascaded down his battered body.Pain washed over Tristan like a crashing wave. His bones felt like water, his eyes were red a
Frustrated muffles could be heard as Jolene struggled to get out of the water, but the strong hand held her in place. Her mind was becoming blank and hazy as her lungs burned from the lack of oxygen.She was slipping into darkness. Was this how she was going to die?Just before she could pass out, a voice boomed across the space."Hey! What the heck are you doing?!"Jolene felt Lisa's hand loosen around her neck, and she forced her head out of the water, pushing Lisa away.A loud gasp tore from Jolene's throat, her eyes wide as she collapsed onto the floor. She looked up at the person who had intervened-Paisley and some of her minions.As Lisa made to approach Jolene again, Paisley spoke."I asked you a question," Paisley snapped, and Lisa shot a cold glare at her."Mind your business-""She is my business," Paisley cut in. "I should be the one to deal with her, not you. She's my enemy's assistant, the one who put me into this hell and caused my husband's death. The one who caused the
[Four years later]Issabella spun around to look at the women in the room. "How do I look?" Nervousness was evident in her voice. She was wearing a professional outfit, her hair tied into a bun, with light makeup accentuating her beauty."Fantastic!" Tatiana responded. "You're really made for this.""President Issabella, right on track!" Jolene exclaimed, a ring glittering on her finger. She had married Jaxon last year. In her arms was little Elsa, dressed in a blue fluffy dress."Gosh, I feel nervous," Issabella exhaled, fanning herself several times."You're fine," Tatiana approached and adjusted her shirt.Jolene added, "Just be yourself.""Are you okay with this? I mean, you've been handling it for a year now..." Issabella asked Tatiana."With you by my side. You're way more capable than you think. Besides, handling it with my career is stressful," Tatiana said."Especially when Tatie won the Best Actress Award three times in a row," Jolene added."Drama queen," Tatiana mumbled."
Cassius's face paled, mirroring the expressions of the others. Jaxon choked on his drink before bursting into laughter. The others joined in, and the room erupted with laughter.After they finished eating, they all headed to the park. Cassius decided to buy the entire place for his son and wife.Jaxon stood at a distance, watching Tatiana, Cassius, and Dylan riding the carousel. Aurora stood beside him, also watching."A wonderful sight, isn't it?" she sighed. "For a fleeting moment, I thought I'd never see this. Silly me."Jaxon put his arm around her shoulder. "You'll get to see this every day." He then recalled what Cassius had said about Silence and Aurora not wanting to meet each other.He knew it was for the best, but his heart ached knowing Aurora never experienced true love... or maybe she did.She cared for her family more than anything. The smile on her face and the happiness glittering in her eyes were priceless."Aren't you going to ride with them?" Jaxon asked Jolene, who
Meanwhile, Rafael glanced at the man seated beside him with his eyes closed. He was now so used to his cold aura. "You're not going to see her? I mean, Mr. King's mother?" he asked. "I'm not going to meet her." "Why not?" Rafael asked, curious. "Can you keep your mouth shut? I'm trying to meditate here." "Says the man who used me. I'm still mad at you, you know... But weirdly, I'm glad you found me," Rafael mumbled. "So what are you going to do with me?" "Your choice. Either you stay and get the hell out of my way, or you come with me and become like me," Silence said curtly, standing to leave. He had gone far when Rafael ran to walk beside him. "You called me your apprentice. I'm going to stay that way. My place is with you," Rafael responded, and the man shot him a glare. "You wanna die? 'Cause I'm damn sure you won't last a week." Rafael laughed confidently. "Try me." Silence's lips curled up. "Fine then," he muttered, continuing to walk with Rafael beside him. "What are
Cassius gazed down at Silence, his father, his emotions in turmoil as he recalled how he had stormed into Silence's room, eyes blazing."You're helping me," he said, and Silence turned to give him a questioning look. "Helping? And what makes you think that?""Rafael told me everything. How you made him turn against his family, causing their death. You hate the Wallingtons," Cassius said, and Silence simply returned his gaze to the sky he was looking at."If you want me to hate, then just say so instead of acting like a fucking asshole."Silence shut his eyes and sighed. "You're one stubborn son of a bitch. I'll be done and gone soon. So if you're going to throw a tantrum, do it later.""Why didn't you ever show up?" Cassius persisted. He wanted to get the answer out of this man at all costs. At least he knew something-Silence wasn't an enemy."I clearly recall telling you not to bother knowing who I am.""Well, sorry, Dad... I'm going to trouble you until you spill the shit," Cassius
Horror flashed across their faces as they exchanged glances."Is this a joke?" The middle-aged man on the right slammed his hand on the desk."Do I look like a comedian?" Tatiana asked in a calm tone, her aura composed. She looked up at the guard standing behind her."Do I?" she asked him."No, ma'am," he responded."I didn't think so, so no, it's not a joke... Oh," she gasped slightly. "Maybe because I didn't explain it well." Her face suddenly turned cold, and the shareholders wondered if she was the same calm woman they had seen seconds ago.She leaned down, resting her elbows on the desk, her chin on her knuckles. "This company has been in the hands of trash-people who use innocent lives for their selfish interests. I'm here to take out that trash, starting with you."Another man stood up and roared. "You wench! Do you even realize what you're saying?! This company would collapse without us. We are the backbone of this place!""Oh really? Let's test that, shall we? I'll prove to y
"Uncle Conrad," Dylan called as he accompanied Butler Conrad in the kitchen."Yes, Dylan," Conrad answered, his voice calm."Don't you think it's wrong not to tell my parents about good Grandpa? My mother will be so mad at me once she finds out," the boy said, his tiny legs swinging as he sat on the stool."They'll find out about him soon. You don't want to spoil the surprise, do you?" Butler Conrad asked, and Dylan sighed."I don't know. Strange things are happening lately. Mom, Dad, Grandma, and everyone are so busy. I haven't seen Aunt Jojo since she left that night. A bad grandpa plans to hurt my parents, and my birthday is coming up. School's started, and I haven't gone yet." Dylan paused to catch his breath."I just hope they're okay and everything gets back to normal.""Stop worrying, kiddo," Butler Conrad said softly, glancing over his shoulder. "You'll see them soon enough.""Alright, if you say so," Dylan nodded.___'If that motherfucker turns out to be an enemy, we'll all
Hudson advanced towards Tristan. "I've been waiting for this my whole life," he said, shoving the poison into Tristan's neck. Tristan gasped as the guards released him to the floor. Tatiana watched as Tristan struggled for his life, screaming in terror, wishing the pain would end soon. She recalled how the agony had driven her to madness... but the poison used on Tristan was even more painful than what had been inflicted on her. "Make it stop!!! Arghhh!!!" Tristan's screams echoed through the room, the veins in his face and neck bulging, his eyes changing color as blood spilled from his mouth. His hand reached out, trying to grasp Tatiana's dress, begging for the antidote. "Please... Argh!!!" For the pain he had caused her loved ones, especially Issabella, who had once seen him as a father figure. For the trauma he had inflicted on so many. Tristan deserved every ounce of the pain ravaging him at this moment. He deserved ten times more. Several minutes passed, and Tristan's movem
Cassius gritted his teeth. "I'm going to destroy Maximus and his empire... And if you get in my way, I'll destroy you... Until my last breath."As the men spoke, Rafael remained silent. Mr. King was also terrifying, his aura menacing. No wonder he's Silence's son.If you look closely, they share a striking resemblance.Silence sighed. "Chatting with my grandson was way more fun than chatting with you."Grandson? Wait! Dylan?!"When did you speak to my son?" Cassius asked, a deadly warning lacing his voice."Let's just put it this way..." Silence paused and chuckled. "Your butler, Conrad. He works for me."Cassius's eyes widened.-[SPAIN]"¿Estás seguro? (Are you sure?) You've heard what the man has done and seen the traces, and yet you're going to face him? Val, my world, I... I can't lose you," Maria panicked over the phone as she paced around the room, fidgeting with her dress."My Donna, I told you not to worry. Since Silence is Cassius's father, there's a probability he might not
"I killed Leonard... I really killed my brother without a second thought... I pulled the trigger... He wasn't going to kill me, but I did it anyway... Or maybe he was going to kill me... I'm a murderer... I'm a fucking murderer who killed his own brother in cold blood... I killed someone---"Rafael panicked, running his hands through his hair, pulling at it. He was losing his mind over Leonard's death-because of him. The scene of pulling the trigger, Leonard falling with blood spilling from his chest, Leonard whispering that he didn't want to die, and taking his last breath-played on repeat in his head."I killed him... I'm a fucking murderer," he whispered again, fidgeting in his seat and pulling his hair harder. "I fucking killed him! I killed him!" he yelled, standing up and punching the wall."I killed him!" he screamed again, punching the wall over and over until his fists started to bleed, staining the floor.The door opened, and he abruptly stopped."What the heck are you doing