The evening air felt oppressive as Selena made her way to Adrian’s study. Her steps were heavy, but her determination was solid. She couldn’t keep living like this. Every moment spent in this house was another reminder of how far she had fallen under Adrian’s control, and it had to end. Tonight, she would tell him the truth—she was leaving. The door to the study was ajar, and she pushed it open without knocking. Adrian sat at his desk, leaning back in his chair with a glass of whiskey in hand. His dark eyes flicked up at her, cold and calculating, as though he had been expecting her. “Selena,” he drawled, his voice low and smooth. “To what do I owe this unannounced visit?” She swallowed hard, willing her voice to remain steady. “I want to leave.” His hand stilled mid-air, the glass halfway to his lips. A beat of silence passed before he set it down and laughed—a deep, mocking sound that sent a chill down her spine. “Leave?” he repeated, standing from his chair. The amusement
Selena stood in front of the mirror, her lips pressed into a tight line as she reluctantly fastened the last strap of the red gown. The thin, revealing fabric clung to her body, leaving little to the imagination. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and furious. Adrian had taken control of so many aspects of her life, and now, even her clothing wasn’t safe. Her reflection glared back at her, defiant despite her discomfort. "Fine", she thought. "If he wants me to wear this, I’ll wear it. But I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me broken."When she stepped out of the room, the guard and maid exchanged glances but said nothing. She ignored them, lifting her chin as they escorted her down the hall and outside, where Adrian waited by the car. He was leaning casually against the sleek black vehicle, dressed in a tailored suit that hugged his frame perfectly. His dark hair was slicked back, and the faintest hint of stubble lined his jaw. Selena froze for a moment, caught off guard by ho
Selena’s heart pounded as Adrian led her to a private booth overlooking the bloodstained arena. The VIP section was luxurious in stark contrast to the brutality below. Plush seats, gold trim, and thick curtains made it look more like a throne room than a place to watch men fight to the death. Selena gripped the edge of the chair Adrian directed her to, her knuckles white as her eyes fixed on the scene below. Two men circled each other in the ring, their faces hardened with desperation. The crowd cheered wildly as one lunged, slamming his opponent to the ground. “Why are we here?” Selena whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise. Adrian leaned back in his seat, swirling the glass of dark liquor in his hand. “To teach you a lesson,” he replied smoothly. Her gaze snapped to his, confusion and anger swirling in her expression. “A lesson? What kind of lesson involves this barbarity?” He tilted his head, smirking faintly. “Patience, Selena. Watch.” She wanted to refuse,
Selena’s eyelids fluttered open to a dimly lit room. Her body felt heavy, her head pounding faintly as she tried to sit up. A sharp tug on her arm made her pause. Glancing down, she saw a thin tube connected to her wrist, leading to an IV drip beside the bed. “What…?” she murmured, confusion clouding her thoughts. Instinctively, her free hand reached for the needle. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a deep, familiar voice rumbled from the shadows. Selena froze, her heart skipping a beat. She turned sharply toward the voice, her eyes widening when she saw Adrian seated in a chair near her bed, his arms crossed and his gaze piercing. “You—” she began, her voice trembling with surprise and anger. Adrian cut her off, his tone calm but firm. “Leave the drip alone. You need it.” Selena’s confusion turned to suspicion. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice hoarse. Before Adrian could respond, there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” he called, his voice commandin
Selena hesitated, the sound of his name on her lips feeling foreign, weighted with too much history. She tried again. “Adrian, I don’t understand. If you hate me so much, why bother?” He didn’t turn around. His silhouette against the window was unyielding, as if he were made of stone. “Because hate isn’t enough,” he said finally, his voice colder than the night air. “Not when you’re still breathing.” Selena flinched at the venom in his words. Her mind raced, trying to piece together the tangled web of emotions she saw flicker in his eyes earlier, emotions he was so desperate to suppress. “Is that really it?” she asked, her voice sharper now. “Hate? Or is it guilt?” Adrian stiffened but didn’t respond. “I broke your heart, Adrian. I know that.” She swallowed hard, forcing herself to continue even though her own voice cracked. “But don’t pretend this is only about me. You’re angry at yourself too, aren’t you? For still caring.” His shoulders tensed. Slowly, he turned to face
Three days after being discharged from the hospital, Selena felt restless. She wandered the quiet halls of the mansion's east wing, her footsteps echoing softly. Adrian had insisted on keeping her on a strict meal schedule, ensuring she regained her strength, but her heart felt heavier with each passing day. She paused when she heard the faint strains of music drifting through the air. It was classical—gentle and melancholic.Following the sound, Selena found herself at a partially open door. Inside, Valerie sat at a grand piano, her fingers dancing across the keys with ease. The melody was familiar: Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major. Selena froze, her mind taking her back to late nights in their college music room. Back then, she and Valerie had giggled over missed notes, sharing secrets between measures.“Are you going to stand there all day?” Valerie’s voice broke the spell. Her hands hovered over the keys, but her sharp tone cut through the melody.Selena hesitated, stepping into
Adrian watched from his study window as Selena and Valerie walked through the garden together, their heads bent in conversation. It had been a week since he'd seen them working in Valerie's office, and the sight still unsettled him. Not because he didn't want them to reconcile, but because their renewed friendship meant something had changed – something he couldn't control. And he controls everything. This had surprised him because he knew Valerie didn't forget that easily. It was like Selena knew the key to the heart of The Russos."They look like they used to be best friends," Viktor commented from the doorway. "Before everything fell apart."Adrian didn't respond immediately, his eyes following the two women as they paused by the rose bushes. Selena was showing Valerie something on a tablet, probably work-related. His sister had started involving Selena in some of the legitimate business operations, claiming she needed the help."Have you heard anything from Dmitri?" Adrian finally
The Rosso family’s estate was bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon as the mahogany doors of the grand conference room loomed large. Inside, the tension was palpable, voices overlapping in heated debate. The long oak table, polished to a mirror sheen, was surrounded by family elders and representatives from allied clans, their expressions a mix of frustration and determination. “This family cannot afford delays!” one of the elders barked, slamming his fist onto the table. “Adrian’s refusal to settle down is a weakness, and the other families know it. We need a proper alliance through marriage.” “I agree,” another added, her sharp tone cutting through the din. “The Calabrese girl is perfect—young, well-bred, and her family controls key territories. It’s a logical match.” “Logical, perhaps,” another voice countered, “but what about the Marinetti heir? Their shipping routes would strengthen our operations in the south.” The arguments grew louder, descending into chaos as ev
The moment Isabelle returned to her room, she shut the door and pressed her back against it. Her chest heaved, her fingers trembled, but not with fear. No, it was something else.Disappointment.Power.Nathan’s words still echoed in her mind, cutting deeper than she wanted to. "You should be making peace with Victoria, not picking fights with her. That is the only way you stand a chance of winning Adrian back."Her lips curled in disgust.Make with peace with that brat that doesn't even like me at all, she scoffed. He thought she was weak.Adrian thought she was insignificant.Selene and Victoria had made a fool of her.The rage inside her boiled hotter, clawing at her insides, demanding release.She wouldn’t allow this.She refused to be discarded like trash.Her fingers curled into fists as she paced the room, her nails digging into her palm. Her entire body shook with fury, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge.They want a war?A slow, cruel smirk tugged at her lips.They wil
Nathan’s villa was quiet, but the silence was shattered by a deep, thunderous voice.“ISABELLE!”Adrian’s furious roar echoed through the sitting room , his voice sharp enough to cut through the whole villa. His eyes blazed with rage, his presence commanding as he stood in the middle of the sitting room, his fists clenched.Isabelle sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers digging into the sheets as she bit her nails, her mind a whirlwind of frustration and anger. The events at the training grounds played over and over in her head, taunting her.She should have handled it better. She should have fought harder.Her pride was wounded, and the humiliation burned deep.“Damn it,” she hissed, her fingers gripping her hair as she rocked slightly, seething. How could she have let Victoria humiliate her like that? How could she have lost control in front of everyone?Her breath came out uneven, rage tightening her chest.Then. “ISABELLE!”The deep, thundering voice shattered the silence.Her
Adrian had planned to spend a quiet evening with Selene. He walked into her room with the simple idea of enjoying some calm time together. But as he opened the door, he found Victoria sitting there, chatting with Selene. The two women looked up, startled, as they saw him. Selene’s eyes widened in surprise because she had not expected Adrian so soon. It has been long he visited her room.Victoria was about to offer an excuse, a polite reason to leave them alone, when Adrian raised a hand. “Sit down,” he said calmly. With that, Selene moved toward him and gently rested her head on his lap. Adrian smiled softly and began to caress her hair, his touch both comforting and intimate.Once they settled, Adrian began to share news about recent events. He spoke about Nina’s latest activities, his tone low and serious. Then he mentioned Isabelle. The moment the name crossed his lips, Selene instantly sprang up from his lap, her face filled with worry.“How did she get back into the estate?” Sele
Nina’s breath came in quick, uneven gasps as Rosco’s words echoed in her ears.“Why are you standing there?”She willed herself to move, to answer, to do anything other than stand frozen in place like a trapped animal. But the weight of what she had just discovered pressed down on her, rendering her utterly speechless.Her hidden boss.The woman who had pulled the strings from the shadows. The one who had dictated her every move, the woman who spoilt her life by sending her to this dangerous world. And yet, this same woman this puppet master, had been living under the same roof as her all along. Watching. Waiting. Doing absolutely nothing while Nina endured every hardship alone.Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides, nails biting into her palms as the reality of it settled like a stone in her gut.So,she knew about everything happening but decided not to give her a call? She knew she was just a pawn in her game but atleast a pawn must also be protected. I cursed the day I me
The door swung open.Adrian's fingers stilled over the pages of the file, his cold gaze lifting to the entrance.Nathan, who had been watching him with a smirk, turned his head slightly, his amusement deepening as he took in the sight before them.A woman stood at the doorway, her figure poised yet confident, her eyes locked onto Adrian with an intensity that hadn’t faded despite the months.Isabelle.Adrian’s jaw tightened.Shock was not an emotion he allowed himself to feel often, but for a split second, it gripped him. He had gotten rid of her. He had driven her away himself, ensuring that she had no way of returning. Yet here she was, standing in his office as if she had never left.How?Who had helped her?Adrian’s gaze darkened as his mind worked through the possibilities.Nathan’s smirk widened as he observed the exchange, clearly entertained by the situation.“Now this,” Nathan mused, leaning back in his chair, “this is interesting.”Isabelle stepped forward, her eyes never le
The stench of blood was suffocating.Nina staggered as Jason’s shove sent her stumbling forward, her eyes landing on GT’s lifeless body. He was unrecognizable now, his face swollen, his skin burned, his bones shattered. His once defiant eyes were now dull, lifeless.The sight made bile rise in her throat.She swallowed hard, forcing herself to remain still, but her body betrayed her. Her knees trembled, her fingers twitched, her heartbeat pounded so violently that she could hear it echoing in her ears.“You are quiet now, huh?” Jason sneered, standing behind her. “Not so bold anymore, are you?”Damien scoffed. “She thought she could outsmart the boss. Thought she could play both sides.” He let out a humorless chuckle. “Look where that got you, Nina.”Nina’s throat was dry. She wanted to say something, to defend herself, to plead but what was the point? There were no words that could save her now.She knew what they thought of her.A traitor.And the worst part?They were right.Jason’
The silence that followed was unbearable.The room felt colder now.The room felt like it was closing in on her. Nina’s pulse roared in her ears, drowning out everything else.Nina couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe.Nina forced herself to breathe, though each inhale felt like swallowing glass.Her body was locked in place, her knees weak, her stomach twisted in violent knots. The chair in front of her, the chair GT was tied to was no longer just a chair. It was an altar of agony, and he was the sacrifice.Jason and Damien stood frozen behind her, but she didn’t dare turn to look at them.This wasn’t about them.This was about her.He had known for a while.He had been waiting for her to slip.To reveal herself.To prove her betrayal.And she just had.Nina clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms as she fought to keep her expression neutral.Adrian hadn’t said a word since she pulled off the cloth but studied her in silence, as if savoring the moment.Then. “Matteo.”T
The alarms had finally gone silent.The estate was still tense, but the frantic search for GT had died down. Guards returned to their posts, whispers filling the halls about how the bastard had somehow slipped through their fingers.At least, that’s what everyone believed.Nina sat stiffly in Adrian’s office, her hands resting on her lap, fingers curled inwards to keep from trembling. Across from her, Jason and Damien sat just as rigid, though their expressions were unreadable.Adrian had called them in without explanation. That alone was unsettling.The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.Adrian leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lazily against the desk. His sharp gaze flickered over them, lingering on Nina for a beat longer than necessary before he finally spoke.“I gave you one job.”His voice was quiet. Too quiet.Jason tensed. Damien exhaled slowly. Nina forced herself to hold Adrian’s gaze, though her stomach twisted violently.“And yet,” Adrian continued, his
The estate was in chaos.Guards ran in every direction, speaker buzzing with urgent updates as they searched for GT. The sound of boots pounding against marble floors echoed through the hallways.Nina walked out of Adrian’s office with controlled steps, her mind racing despite her calm exterior.Adrian had bought her story.For now.But it wasn’t over not even close.If GT was caught, it would only be a matter of time before Adrian uncovered the truth. And if that happened, she was as good as dead.Her fingers curled into a fist at her side.She had to think.Fast.As she turned the corner, Jason and Damien were already barking orders to the guards. Jason’s sharp eyes flicked to her the moment she appeared."You’re staying out of this, remember?" he said coldly.Nina forced a smirk. "Didn’t realize you were the one giving orders now."Jason didn’t smile. Neither did Damien."If we don’t find GT soon," Damien muttered, "Boss Adrian is going to make an example out of someone."They did