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21. The loss
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Revenge Business 22. Funeral
There weren't many people at the funeral.Two of our old neighbors, an uncle and Carmélia. Besides me, only these people chose to pay their respects to our mother.When I asked my sister where our father was, she said she had tried calling him, but he wasn't answering or even reading the messages. He was probably too busy with his younger wife and didn't have time to say goodbye to the mother of his daughters.Thomas had been very kind to let me leave immediately the day before. I remember running to the hospital. The doctors told us she had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, and there was no time even to try to reverse it.Well, at least she was at peace now. I looked at her lifeless body in the casket. Memories of the last time I saw her flashed through my mind: her laughing, doing what she loved most, unaware that in just a few hours she would no longer be here.The funeral continued with prayers and murmurs, but my mind was far away. I remembered how my mother had always been a roc
Revenge Business 23. Hornet's nest
The silence that followed my confession seemed eternal. Masato stared at me, his eyes reflecting surprise and perhaps a touch of vulnerability, something rare to see in him. I had never mentioned anything about his past before, but at that moment, it felt right.He looked away for a second, as if he needed to process my words. When he looked at me again, his expression had changed. The usual mask of coldness had cracked, revealing something much more human behind it.“How do you know about this?” He asked, his voice lower than usual. “I don't usually talk about my past.”In fact, it was much worse: he intentionally hid this information from everyone, or at least tried to.I didn't want to tell him that I'd spent almost an entire night looking up information about him, let alone that I knew about the orphanage's terrible origins and why Masato had stopped there in the first place. So I disagreed:“Oh, you know what I'm like. I like to know what I'm getting myself into, no big deal.”“Y
Revenge Business 24. An infiltrator
Thomas's mansion was packed.The buzz of aristocratic conversation among the many different people there made me dizzy, but even though I felt sick and uncomfortable being there, I knew I had to be there. Although Thomas had said that I didn't need to attend because of my grief, Eva had a different position. “Death comes to everyone all the time, dear,” she had commented the day before, after Thomas had talked to me about the event. “We can't let go of the important things.”I didn't want to cause intrigue and complain about it to the manager, after all, that would end up favoring my dismissal, or at least incite confusion within the house - which would take me completely away from my goal. So there I was, now gloriously bored, just giving a few orders here and there, as everything was meticulously organized among the other employees I'd been preparing during the week.That's when I saw him.A man of mesmerizing beauty, with delicate but incredibly strong Asian features, stood out in
Revenge Business 25. The big announcement
When I finally got back to the mansion, doing my best to look anything but nervous and terribly distressed (because I was!), I accidentally bumped into... Thomas.He was very well dressed, but looked rather pale. When he looked at me, he didn't speak for a few seconds.“Bianca?”“Mr. Braxton. I mean Thomas.”He looked back at where I was coming from and stared back at me.“Did something happen? You should be in the lounge.”“No, it was nothing. I... I just went to breathe some fresh air in the garden.”His expression softened.“I'm sorry. You know you didn't have to come, after all. I know you're going through a very difficult time right now.”“I know,” I replied, forcing a smile. “But it's my job, and... well, I wouldn't leave you alone tonight. It's a special event for you.”He nodded, looking distant. Since the day I'd asked him to take me to the library, Thomas had been a little reticent. I thought it might be due to my grief, but... There was something different about his posture
Revenge Business 26. Blue Eyes
The atmosphere in the hall was a mixture of admiration and palpable tension. While the audience applauded and commented on the works, I could feel the weight of sadness and frustration taking hold of Thomas. He was there, but his mind seemed to be in a completely different place. I wondered if he was reliving memories, memories of a lost love that was now a painful part of his past.Eva, on the other hand, was radiant. Every smile she offered was like a subtle jab, a reminder that she was in control. She moved gracefully among the guests, but her eyes were always on Thomas, assessing his reactions with a mixture of pleasure and vindication.“You did that on purpose, didn't you?” I muttered to myself, unable to contain the disdain I felt for this manipulative display. Eva was using art as a weapon, turning a moment that should have been one of celebration into psychological torture for Thomas. I remembered when I saw the package the butler had received about a week ago, the Cheyenne p
Revenge Business 27. The amusement park
A week later, the events from Thomas's "social gathering" still lingered in my mind. Masato also seemed intentionally distant, only asking the usual questions about how things were going. He didn’t seem like the same sensitive and lost man who had shown up at my mother’s funeral.True to his word, though, Masato did help me and my sister financially. Carmelia, who had refused every form of assistance the businessman had offered her, had no idea that the sudden job offer from a smaller company (a subsidiary of Masato’s) came from him. Beaming, she told me how well she must have done in the interview to land such a good position.In about two months, the senator elections would begin. Masato hadn’t spelled it out, but I knew I had exactly that amount of time to ruin Thomas's social life beyond repair.Now I was at home, working on my laptop again, researching everything I could about Thomas and Cheyenne. I hated to admit it, but if I could prove they were lovers, that information could
Revenge Business 28. Blue Falcons
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, my voice wavering between surprise and fear. My gaze shifted between the man and Masato, who, though maintaining a serious expression, seemed less surprised than I was."Her name is already on the list," the man continued, ignoring my direct question. "The Blue Falcons have their eyes on Bianca."I frowned, trying to understand."Blue Falcons? Who are they?"Masato gripped my hand more firmly, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t respond. His silence, however, said more than words. He knew exactly who the Blue Falcons were, and that wasn’t good news."Masato..." I pressed, the urgency in my voice clear. "Who are these people?""It's not something you should worry about right now," he finally said, his voice cold and controlled. "Just stay close to me, Bianca. I'll handle this."His evasive answer irritated me. I hated being kept in the dark, especially when it involved something potentially dangerous."Masato, I need to know! If they’re after me
Revenge Business 29. Fear
It wasn't the first time I had gone to Masato's apartment, but that time I felt something different in the air. Uneasy, I looked around to find what was making me nervous, but everything seemed to be in its usual place. Sweating, I sat on the living room sofa and stayed there, motionless, staring into nothingness.Masato went to the kitchen and returned with a hot drink. From the smell, it had to be tea. With admirable tenderness, despite his usual cold expression, he crouched to my level and gently stroked my cheek before handing me the cup."Drink as much as you can. I’ll make some calls, and you stay here. If you feel hungry, there's food in the kitchen. Make yourself at home."While Masato did what he needed to do, I tried to focus on the warmth of the tea, but my mind was far away. The tension in the air was palpable, and no matter how much he tried to appear in control, I knew he was worried too.If a powerful billionaire and magnate like him was being hunted, what would become
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Revenge Business 80. a revealing nightmare
A man in his fifties, dressed in the same attire as the Blood Ravens, entered the area where we were. He wasn’t pointing his weapon at us, though he held it in his left hand."I don’t know what kind of soap opera this is,” he warned, looking at Masato. “But you made a deal with us. The Hawk’s head is ours.”Thomas didn’t react. Masato looked confused, as if unsure of what to do. He glanced at me, desperate, but what could I do under these circumstances?!“Don’t let this happen,” I pleaded with Masato. “Don’t let them take Thomas. Please.”He didn’t even react. He just pretended he didn’t hear me.The silence felt heavy between us, like a silent threat. The Blood Raven man took a step forward, his disdainful smile illuminated by the faint light filtering through the trees. Masato looked frozen, as if every fiber of his being fought against some decision he knew he had to make.“So that’s it?” I shouted, my voice breaking. “You promised you were here to protect me, but now you’re going
Revenge Business 79. The meeting of the two nemeses
Explosions and screams echoed around us as Masato and I ran, dodging debris and fallen bodies on the ground. The Royal Falcons and the Ravens were locked in an unending, relentless battle. The Blue Falcons, caught off guard, reacted immediately, but it was clear how exhausted they were.Worried, I bit my lip, wondering what they would do to Thomas. Had he already escaped to a safer place? I was genuinely concerned for him. As the man himself had said, the Blood Ravens didn’t take prisoners.Masato, with his focused and determined gaze, never let go of my hand, guiding me along a route that only he seemed to know.“We’re almost there,” he said as we ran, his voice muffled by the sounds of war around us. “The hidden pier is just behind those rocks. We have a boat waiting.”“Hidden pier?”“Yes. Thomas has a secret spot on this hell he calls an island. That’s probably where he’ll try to escape, though I doubt he’ll make it there alive.”I felt a knot in my stomach.“What if he survives?”
Revenge Business 78. The enemy of my enemy is my friend
I froze, unable to process what was happening. Masato’s face, which I had thought lost forever, was right there in front of me, his expression serious and intense. My eyes filled with tears, a mixture of shock, relief, and anger bubbling within me.“Masato… you…” My voice came out shaky, broken by emotions. “Where have you been? How could you just disappear and leave me… with him?”I hugged him desperately. Despite the terrible sounds of the ongoing fight, the feeling of safety that washed over me was immense. There, in Masato’s arms, I knew I had nothing and no one to fear.“I didn’t leave you, Bianca. Believe me, it was the last thing I wanted to do,” he replied, his eyes burning with an unusual intensity. “To protect you and to get us out of this hell, I had to make a dangerous deal.”“A deal?” Horror mixed with relief in my chest. “With the Blood Ravens?”Masato nodded, a hint of surprise in his gaze as he realized I knew the gang’s name. He explained:“Yes. To reach you, to get y
Revenge Business 77. A new wave of attacks on sight
Thomas's revelation hit like a cold stone in my stomach. I was still weak, my body barely recovered, and now we had a war ahead of us? The thought of more battles, more losses, more wounds was almost unbearable. But there was no time for hesitation.“How many?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.“More than we’re ready to face,” he replied, tension evident in his voice. “The Royal Hawks are determined to take control of the island and bring me down.” He paused abruptly. “And this time, they won’t make the same mistakes Adrian did.”“What do you mean by that?”Thomas sighed.“Our spies said they recently formed an alliance with another enemy group of ours.”“Another group?”The billionaire nodded, his lips pressed in nervousness.“Unfortunately, over time, as I expanded my empire, I made more enemies. Of course, the Eagles are still our biggest rivals, but other groups also want us destroyed.”I crossed my arms, distressed.“Okay, and who exactly have the Royal Hawks aligned with?”T
Revenge Business 76. Prelude
The darkness enveloped me completely, and time seemed to lose its meaning. There was no pain, no fear—only a comforting emptiness that almost made me forget everything that had happened.When I finally awoke, I found myself in a place that was initially unfamiliar. The ceiling was white, illuminated by a soft light. Blinking slowly, I realized I was in a comfortable bed, surrounded by machines and medical equipment. The sterile smell and the low hum of the devices around me made me realize that I was back in the hospital ward of Falcon Island.I turned my head slowly and saw Thomas sitting next to my bed, his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped, and his eyes fixed on me. There was an intensity in them that seemed to suggest he was carrying the weight of the world. Upon noticing I was awake, he leaned closer, taking my hand.“How do you feel?” he asked, his voice low, almost as if he were afraid to break the silence.I tried to speak, but my throat was dry. Thomas quickly grabbe
Revenge Business 75. Fatricide
Adrian's weight on my body felt unbearable. His blood trickled, hot and thick, down my neck and face, mixing with my own blood, which continued to seep from the wound on my side. I tried to move, but I was too weak. My arms trembled as I struggled to push his limp body away.It was then, amid my blurred vision and rising desperation, that I heard hurried footsteps approaching. My heart leapt as I saw Thomas appear in front of me, his gaze filled with a restrained fury and, at the same time, relief. In his still-trembling hands was the firearm that had fired the shot.He had saved my life… and killed his own brother.The man quickly lifted Adrian's body off me, his expression shifting to something between worry and despair as he took in my condition."Bianca," he murmured, his voice rough. His fingers shook as they touched my bruised, blood-covered face. "I'm... sorry it came to this."A solitary tear slid down my cheek as I tried to smile, even with the pain throbbing in every part of
Revenge Business 74. Hostage
My heart was pounding uncontrollably. I knew that if I approached, I would be stepping into a game where the rules belonged to Adrian, and any misstep could mean the end. But Carmélia’s life depended on my choice, and I couldn’t leave her behind.I cast one last look at Thomas, hoping he had a plan — anything. He clenched his fists, his eyes burning with helplessness and anger, but he made no move. I knew he was trying to stay calm, trying to think of something as I slowly walked toward Adrian.Each step echoed in the silence, increasing the weight of that decision. Adrian smiled, satisfied, as if he had already won. He pulled the weapon away from Carmélia and grabbed her arm, pushing her toward Thomas.“There you go, brother, I kept my part of the deal. Now, Bianca is my guarantee.” He pulled me to his side, keeping the gun pointed at me.I tried to stay steady, but my hands trembled. I looked at Thomas one last time, hoping he’d say something, do anything to stop Adrian from taking
Revenge Business 73. Consequences of a not too distant past
Thomas stood frozen beside me, his eyes wide as he took in the scene before us. His lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but there was no sound. Just a heavy, terrifying silence.Adrian kept the gun firmly pointed at Carmélia, but his gaze was fixed on his brother, a mocking smile forming on his face.“Is that fear I see on your face? Now that is a surprise.”My fear and shock at seeing the brother who had been so mistreated by Thomas quickly faded, giving way to anger. I took a step forward, but the billionaire beside me gripped my arm tightly, stopping me from moving further.“Let her go! Let her go now!” I shouted, enraged, seeing how pale Carmélia looked, likely from blood loss.“I’ll let her go, Bianca, don’t worry.” His voice was so calm and controlled, as if he were commenting on the weather. “No need to get so worked up. After all, I only needed bait, and you fell right into the trap.”Where were Thomas's other associates? Why weren’t they showing up? I looked around, searchi
Revenge Business 72. To the rescue
As we headed to the helicopter, I felt the weight of the situation sink into me. The strong wind from the blades whipped across my face, and even with the sharp pain in my abdomen, my concern for Carmelia was greater. Thomas was focused, silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon, lips pressed into a tense line. I knew he was not only worried about locating my sister but also about maintaining control of the situation after Masato's unexpected attack.As soon as we took off, the silence between us became almost palpable. My thoughts were racing, divided between fear and anger. Carmelia should never have been involved, but now she was a valuable piece on both sides of the board. And that tormented me. What would Masato do to ensure Thomas stayed away?I remembered the day of my mother's funeral, when the Japanese CEO confessed his feelings and fears to me, at least partially. In contrast, I remembered the same Masato who physically punished me after discovering I had disobeyed his orders.W
