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
Selena sat on the edge of her bed, the contracts spread out in front of her on the polished wooden surface. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the neatly typed words that seemed to mock her. Each line she read made her heart sink further. At first glance, the terms seemed standard—clauses about partnership and mutual respect. But as she delved deeper, the true nature of the agreement revealed itself.Clause after clause painted a picture of control and submission. "Once Party A and Party B are married, party B would not leave the estate without a bodyguard.""Once Party A and Party B are married, party B will cease communication with any man outside the family.""Once Party A and Party B are married, party B will comply with any request I make without question."Selena’s fingers trembled as she flipped the pages back and forth, searching for something—anything—that resembled fairness. There was nothing. The entire contract was written to reduce her to a puppet, her string
The sun was high, bathing the streets in a golden glow as Valerie and Selena arrived at the café for their luncheon. It was a quaint little place nestled in the heart of the city, with outdoor seating and a view of the bustling streets. The air carried the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted coffee beans, and the gentle hum of conversations created a comforting backdrop.Valerie stirred her iced tea absentmindedly, her gaze fixed on the table as Selena spoke about her latest project. "...and that’s when I realized he’d been working on the wrong file the entire time," Selena said with a laugh, her hands gesturing animatedly. Valerie forced a small smile but remained silent. "Val?" Selena leaned closer, her voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?" "I’m fine," Valerie replied quickly, but her tone lacked conviction. Selena frowned and followed Valerie’s gaze, trying to understand what had caught her attention. That’s when she saw him. A man seated a few tables aw
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
Nina barely slept that night.She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with possibilities. No matter how much she tried to push it away, one fact remained GT knew about her secret. She had two choices.Follow orders and bring GT in.Or find a way to make sure if he is caught he never spoke.Neither option was good. The first meant putting GT directly under Adrian’s scrutiny, where he’d have no way out. The second meant betraying Adrian before she fully understood his endgame. And Adrian saw everything.She sat up, rubbing a hand over her face. She needed a plan, but nothing concrete came to mind. Her hidden boss wouldn’t be pleased to know she was tangled to something like this. Did they expect her to eliminate GT? Frame someone else? Or was she supposed to use this to her advantage?The thought made her stomach churn.She stood and moved toward the small bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. Her reflection stared back at her, eyes hollow from exhaustion, lip
The moment Nina stepped out of Adrian’s office, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She didn’t need to check to know who it was.Her hidden boss.Her fingers tightened around the device before she slipped into an empty hallway, away from prying ears. She took a breath and answered.“You’re late,” the voice on the other end was cold, sharp. “Why haven’t you reported in?”Nina’s pulse remained steady. “There was nothing to report until now.”Silence.Then, “Start talking.”She kept her tone neutral as she relayed everything that had happened so far, Matteo and Rosco’s test, the man in the chair, the blood, the way Adrian had summoned her afterward. But she left out one crucial detail.She didn’t tell her that she had been ordered to kill.She didn’t know why she hid it. Maybe because she once saw the man with him. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was self-preservation. But something told her that part needed to stay buried, for now.Her hidden boss was quiet for a long moment. Then, a low