Aurora was busy knitting a sweater for Dylan, her grandson, when she heard a knock at the door."Come in," she called softly. The door opened, revealing Cassius. A smile crept onto her face as she patted the side of her bed. "Come sit, sweetie."Cassius nodded and sat beside her, smiling. "I've missed seeing you knit."Aurora chuckled, her voice filled with joy. "It still feels like yesterday. I find it hard to believe I was in a coma for over six years," she said, her eyes flashing with sadness. "The thought of you sitting by my side, wondering if I'd ever wake up... it makes me feel sad for the pain I caused you.""I told you to stop blaming yourself, didn't I? It wasn't your fault," Cassius said, holding her hand. "It's all over now. You're safe here... with me.""Hmm," she hummed, reaching up to pinch his cheek lightly. "You've gotten so handsome and more mature. You have no idea how much joy it brings me to have you here with me."Cassius laughed softly, his voice thick with emot
Aurora woke up, finding the other side of the bed empty. She gasped, realizing she had slept with William while at work. Her boss was going to be furious for abandoning her duties.As she staggered out of the room, she paused, spotting William. His eyes were teary, his lips trembling as he stared at her in disgust and anger."Will?" Aurora whispered. Her gaze fell on Karin, who stood beside him. The smirk on Karin's face made Aurora's brow crease in confusion. Behind William stood her boss and a few other workers, their eyes filled with disgust.What was going on? Why were they staring at her like that?William yelled, accusing her of cheating. Only then did the realization sink in. The man she had slept with last night wasn't William-it was someone else, and Karin had known it all along. She had been set up.Broken, her heart shattered, her body trembling as William hurled hateful words at her in front of her boss and the other workers. She couldn't even defend herself; no one would
"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
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
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
"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
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
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
“Rosa,” Zade approached her quietly. She sat alone on the hotel rooftop, gazing up at the night sky.“How did you find me?” Rosa asked, her expression blank.“I figured you'd be somewhere quiet, probably with a nice view and fresh air. The rooftop seemed like the best bet,” Zade explained. “Care if I join you?”“As long as you don’t become a burden, help yourself.”Rosa had always been the one who smiled the most in the clan. She was cheerful, helpful, talkative—everyone loved her. Talented. Beauty with brains.But after Viktor’s death...Zade hadn’t seen even a glimpse of a smile on her face.It had been over a week since the war ended. Leonard was now being held in a psychiatric facility known as the Phantom Cell, secured with high-tech restraints. That guy would be tortured until his last breath.Not the violent kind of torture, but the kind that would haunt him. Trapped between walls, injected with things that would slowly drive him insane.Rafeal had said Leonard was saved agains
Angie Hales. That name was carved into the gravestone. The yard was the place where all the dead mobsters were buried. Rafeal approached, placing a bunch of flowers on the stone, his expression blank, but inside he was breaking. He hadn't seen her death coming. Even though she had made a grave mistake that caused the clan to suffer, Angie had been his friend ever since he joined the clan. She was brave, smart, and always there to calm him with her words. Even now, he still found it hard to believe Angie was truly behind it… Rosa walked to stand beside Rafeal, her face unreadable, but she was breaking inside too. “I shouldn’t have told her to die after the mission,” Rosa said, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I regret my words that day.” “It’s not your fault,” Rafeal said. Rosa nodded, understanding what Rafeal meant. “She was my best friend.” “She paid her debt,” Rafeal mumbled. Memories of Angie surfaced, striking Rosa’s heart. “Still… I hope she fin
Several days passed, and Milena didn't leave Rafeal’s side for a second. She watch the doctor feed and treat him occasionally, read him stories and watched him sleep until her own eyes shut.Three days had passed, and Milena grew worried, missing him so badly. She missed his voice, his smile, his touch, and the way he made her feel.Wake up soon, Rafeal.The doctor mentioned his body was still healing and that it would take time before he regains consciousness.Milena rested her head beside him, taking his hand into hers and falling asleep like that. She loved doing so—she could sense even the slightest movement from him.The sun rose from its horizon, casting a warm glow over the city.Milena stirred in her sleep, releasing a light moan. She looked up, and shock rippled through her.She was lying on the couch, and the bed was empty."Rafeal!" she gasped, shoving off the sheet that covered her one side of her and bolting to the bed. "Where did he go? He can't be up! Did the doctor tra
Milena blinked in shock, still frozen in place as her limbs refused to listen to her.Finally met her? Why would the great Tatiana Wallington be anticipating meeting her?As if reading her thoughts, Tatiana spoke again in that smooth voice.“We've heard about you, dear.”Milena’s legs wobbled. “Good things, I hope,” she muttered under her breath. She glanced at Cassius, who still had his sharp gaze fixed on her.Then she bowed deeply, her head almost touching her knees.“Nice to really meet you too, Mr. and Mrs. King,” she straightened up and flashed them a nervous smile as Cassius gave her an acknowledging nod.“Rafeal told me about you guys too,” Milena added.The Ward's door slid open, and Zade walked in as well, standing beside her. Milena flashed him a glare as if asking, *Why didn't you tell me they were here?*Zade gave her a replying look too. *You didn't give me a chance; how am I supposed to do that?*Milena sighed defeatedly, knowing he was right. Tatiana offered the empty
Milena snapped awake with a gasp, her eyes meeting an unfamiliar room. She was surrounded by white walls—too bright, too sterile. The ceiling spun above her for a moment before everything began to settle.Her heart pounded in her chest as she pushed herself up, the hospital sheets sliding off her trembling body. Her hands instinctively clutched the fabric at her chest, panic crawling up her throat as her eyes darted around the place.“Rafeal…”Her voice came out as a whisper, hoarse and broken.Memories surged in—his limp body in her arms, the flatline sound, the doctors shouting.She swung her legs off the bed, nearly collapsing from the dizziness that hit her. But she didn’t care. Her feet touched the cold floor, and she forced herself up, dragging her weak body to the door.She yanked it open.A nurse turned at the sound, startled. “Ma’am, please—you need to lie down, you’re not—”“Where is he?” Milena demanded, voice trembling but full of desperation. “Where is Rafeal?”"Ma’am, yo
While Milena cradled Rafael's unconscious body, Angie ran to Rosa's side and saw the scene. Just like Rosa, her body froze in place, but she quickly recovered, pulling out an injection from her gear and running towards them.She shoved it onto Rafael's lap and injected him, then checked on his state."He is not breathing," Milena sobbed, her whole body trembling. "Rafael is not breathing!"Angie immediately lifted him despite the exhaustion from searching for the antidote clouding her senses. She carried him out, and Milena struggled to follow.She was drained, her bones threatening to give up, darkness slipping into her mind, and she almost fell, but Rosa caught her.Zade appeared too, shocked at the scene. He was covered in blood and sweat; it seemed they had been fighting off the men outside.He rushed to help Milena, taking her from Rosa and leading her out.However, Rosa paused and glanced at unconscious Leonard, her eyes dangerously cold as deadly intent rose within them.Angie
Milena watched them clash like two storms colliding.No hesitation. No holding back.Rafael was a blur—faster than Leonard remembered. Every strike was brutal, precise, like he’d been waiting for this fight his entire life.Their fists met, their bones cracked, and their snarls echoed like monsters in a cage.Both were skilled; no one would know who was stronger among the brothers.Leonard went for Rafael’s throat with a wild hook, but Rafael ducked and slammed his elbow into Leonard’s ribs, sending him staggering back and coughing blood.Leonard smirked, wiping the blood off his face with the back of his hand. “That all you’ve got, little brother?”Rafael didn’t answer. He spun low and swept Leonard’s legs, sending him crashing to the floor. Rafael pounced, fists flying, hammering into Leonard’s jaw over and over.Blood splattered across the floor, warm and slick. Leonard twisted, caught Rafael’s arm, and flipped him—hard.Rafael slammed onto his back with a groan but rolled to his f
Oxford’s fingers flew over his keyboard, trying to find a way to connect with his allies. He needed someone to back him up.Gunshots echoed everywhere. It was no longer just one man with a sniper—more had come to attack them.He already sensed that Leonard and his men were cornered. But no matter how many times Oxford tried, he couldn’t get through.He had another method of connecting with his allies and requesting help, but access kept being denied. Were his allies under attack too?Each time he tried to reach them, someone—or something—kept blocking him out. A hacker? Fuck. He wasn’t that good at this stuff.“Where’s Zinnia?!” Oxford barked at X. Zinnia was the head of hacking.“She—” That was the only word X could manage before the van door swung open—no, it was ripped open.Before X could react, a dire wolf pounced on him. X shot aimlessly, hitting even the equipment in the van, as the wolf tore off his arm.Oxford cursed under his breath, watching X fight for his life. A large fi
Oxford’s van arrived at the port first. The ship was ready, and his men had already begun unloading the illegal drugs, weapons, and poison into it.He knew staying in a country dominated by Silence was a deadly risk, but he had to come. After all, one can't defeat an enemy without getting a little close.More importantly, there was his little daughter—she might have something that could help him bring Silence down. Once he got what he wanted from her, he would kill her… and if she insisted on keeping quiet, she would be tortured until death.Oxford snickered as he took a drag from his cigarette. Who would’ve thought he’d manage to break into the territory of the most dangerous man in the mafia world?And even kill one of his best men…Ha! Silence is getting old, after all. It was bound to happen. No one stays king forever.If it hadn’t been for Silence, he and Maximus would have had the entire world beneath their feet.“Rest well, brother,” Oxford muttered. That was one of the reasons