[Ralph’s POV] I flipped through the pages till the last one and exhaled a defeat. A pen shot into my view. I stared at it briefly to suppress my rage then snatched it over. With another exhale of resignation, I removed the cap and placed the tip of the pen just above the dotted line—. “NO! DON’T SIGN IT, RALPH!” Juliette shouted. Juliette? My hand froze. My insides bursting with renewed hope. My gaze shot up and there she was, right before my eyes—dishevelled and covered in stains, panting slightly; her right arm was bloodied; her purple eyes widened with worry. In a second, I had scanned her entirely and understood what had happened to her. My rage skyrocketed. I wanted to punch the daylights out of that bastard. But before I reacted, Luke had grabbed hold of Juliette. “Ow!” Juliette yelped as her bad arm was twisted roughly and pinned behind her back. “Let go of me, you traitor!” But Luke tugged her close against him, refraining her movements. “You slut! What did you
[Juliette’s POV] Intuition. I remember. The one I felt with Ralph. The one he told me to remember. And then I saw it clearly, what Luke was trying to do—what he has been doing to me all these years. It was as clear as his love for mother. He was trying to make me hate Ralph. If I don’t, he’s gonna make me feel bad about it for the rest of my life. I worried for Ralph. He was going to be reminded of all the pain from being forced to kill, and all the shame for doing so. I want to go to him. To Ralph. But I couldn’t feel my feet. I was too distraught by the images in my head… of Ralph pointing a gun at the kids the way he did to Big Nose…. Ralph felt really awful when he killed Big Nose—ridding his offspring of a father, his wife of a husband. Imagine killing those women and kids… the grief he had to live with all those years…. Stop talking, Luke… stop raking the past… you’re hurting him…. I was swimming in guilt for once again putting him and me in such danger. I saw Ben st
[Juliette’s POV]I couldn’t believe it. “Seventeen days?” Agatha gave a concerned smile. “The doctor said you would wake on the fifth. But you didn’t. So….” She glanced at Ralph. “I’ve never seen a man so lost. He wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t drink. I had to force him.” She turned back with a stern look. “Believe me, it was ugly. We almost started a war here. Thomas and the men had to drag him out at times. To get washed, take a walk, get some decent food. Stubborn as an ox, your husband—Julie!” The housekeeper grabbed a tissue and dabbed below my eyes. “Oh dear. Don’t be sad, he wasn’t alone. We were all here.” She gave me a light hug and patted my shoulder comfortingly. “Sweet dearest… he moved your father to a safer place, just in case that two-faced traitor tries something funny.” I nudged Agatha back to search her face. You know about mother and Luke? The question was in my mind, but I didn’t dare to ask. But the wise woman seemed to read my mind and immediately replied, “Yes, I
[Ralph’s POV] “So she agreed?” Ben asked, his voice in my ear. I stared at the darkness beyond the window of the hospital’s cafeteria. “Yes. She’ll resume her work as my PA when she’s fully recovered.” “That’s a relief.” Ben sighed. “Everything seems to work out exactly as you planned—everything except Luke Pauveree and Juliette—.” “Paufertee,” I corrected with a deadpan face. “Whatever. He’s lucky he got caught before I got to him. That asshole. We had miscalculated.” “I’ve underestimated him,” I admitted. I had been arrogant. I won’t make the same mistake twice. “And Juliette too. But you’re not the only one. I didn’t think she’d take a bullet for you.” We grew silent. And then, the good old Ben’s cut-the-tension laughter slipped in. “Look on the brightside—you were right about letting her into your study.” I almost forgot about that. Juliette was as predictable as her gift of calculation. I figured that if I got her into the library, she would find her way into
[Juliette’s POV] One and a half weeks later, I was finally discharged. I had threatened the doctor to discharge me a week after I had woken. But since I was still a woman with nothing, and he, a doctor placed in charge of the Mafia King’s wife while the king was absent, he ignored me and released me only in due time. I was still frowning in displeasure as I strolled out of the hospital with my arm around my husband’s. Ralph couldn’t stop chuckling. “Cut the doc some slack, eh babe? He did personally visit the ward to give you a formal apology.” “Humph. That’s because you told him to.” I glared at the main exit glass door, staying open as a lady pushed an elderly in a wheelchair through. “I swear, I didn’t.” I glanced at him in slight surprise as we crossed the border of humans’ sanctuary and returned to reality. As the gush of warm air welcomed me back, I muttered, watching ahead, “Fine. I’ll let it go this time.” And rough fingertips tipped my chin for a pair of large
[Juliette’s POV]I held Papa’s hand in mine and felt his warmth seeping through my skin, reassuring me that he’s going to be alright. There is a high chance that he may sleep forever, but I’m going to be hopeful that he will wake up some day. “...and guess what, Papa,” I muttered softly and slipped a chuckle of genuine joy. “He blushed! I’m not kidding. It was a slight red but I saw it.” And before I commented on it, the Mafia King tugged me down for another kiss. It was to shut me up, but boy… was it a passionate kiss. I could still feel the pressure of his firm lips grazing mine with a deep yearning to devour me. And now I’m feeling embarrassed. “A-Anyway.” I shifted my view back to the white haired patient reposing peacefully in a giant hospital bed and continued with a warm, contented smile, “I think I’ll be a stay home mum once we start having kids. I’ll probably write too. Children’s stories. I’ve always wanted to give it a try. I know you’ll disapprove. But Papa, Lux Corp i
[Ralph’s POV]Fuck. She was just showing a bit of skin and I’m feeling the nerves of a fucking schoolboy having sex for the first time. If she knew how much of a loser I am when it comes to her, she’d probably laugh at the silliness of it…. I moved my face closer to that silky skin glowing under the soft moonlight, recalling its texture against my lips, and my heart thumped harder. I’m going to feel her under my skin again… to be drowned in her fragrance… be enveloped by the bliss of her heat… and have her screaming my name as she writhes in pleasure in my arms…. She took a bold step forward and pressed her shoulder against my lips, telling me that she wants me as much as I want her. Take it slow, Ralph. As soon as I felt her warmth on my lips, she shuddered with a tiny gasp and tilted her head to the other side to offer me more. I closed my eyes and took a whiff, and her gorgeous scent engulfed me, removing my thoughts. I moved my lips and she gasped again, in pleasure. Her ha
[Juliette’s POV] I thought I heard him wrongly. But the look in his eyes told me that I didn’t. “What are you saying, Ralph?” My fingers teased the ends of his hair at his nape as I continued taking deep breaths to regulate my heartbeat. “I’m already married to you!” A chuckle slipped from my lips. But he wasn’t smiling. He looked… very serious. Those brown eyes were narrowed into daggers. “I didn’t ask you the first time,” he whispered, his voice low and husky, and fucking sexy. “R-Ralph….” I swallowed. “I don’t… I don’t get it.” “I want to marry you for real, Juliette. No contract. No threats. No criteria, except that you love me.” I inhaled sharply. My eyes stretched with disbelief. His palm cradled one side of my face and his thumb gently stroked my warm skin. “So marry me, Juliette.” He leaned in to kiss me coaxingly. Then he pulled back to look at me, his eyes searching mine for an answer. “Must I answer you now?” He squinted in curiosity, his eyes rolling abou
[Juliette’s POV]Before the door came to a close behind me, Pauline said—-or whispered—beating me to the first word, “I think your father made it very clear over the phone yesterday, Juliette.” Here goes. I grabbed the iPad tightly and lifted my chin, not responding to a word until I sat down, and I took the seat next to Papa. The more Pauline spoke, the softer and more scratchy her voice got, which pains me to listen to it. I had to fight the urge to wince in sympathy. “So, here’s the deal, Juliette. Hand over the evidence you have, and we’ll back you up as CEO of Lux Corp.” I was stunned speechless. This was totally unexpected. Instead of giving me a laundry list of excuses, or berating me for scaring away all the investors, Papa is asking for the evidence I have at hand. He only wants the evidence? But—. “I don’t get it,” I blurted, completely taken aback. “I’ve shown it to you before. But you still chased me out.” My anger had swarmed in. “YOU THREW ME UNDER THE BUS.” Paul
[Juliette’s POV]The thought of dancing under the moonlight, amidst the warm sea breeze, has never crossed my mind until Ralph suggested it. “You’re such a bore.” He smiled with a teasing gaze as I did two twirls. He caught my waist at the perfect moment and pulled me close, snuggling my curves against his frame. That proud toothy grin of his made my heart lose its rhythm, and I lowered my chin to hide the heat in my cheeks. Hooking his elbow around my waist, he leaned in and whispered into my ear, “Why are you blushing?” “Because you’re handsome,” I whispered back and felt a shudder up my spine. Damn, that’s cringey. Thank God, he laughed at the right moment, or I’d have blushed harder. I grabbed more of his back to snuggle deeper and let my left cheek rest on his chest of muscles. Then, very naturally, a sigh of peace and relief left my lips.And very naturally too, he chuckled softly before planting a kiss on the top of my head. “Phase 1 over, kitten.” I closed my eyes to savo
[Juliette’s POV]Things turned out according to Ralph’s prediction. Papa’s gold mine got the news of my findings about Lux Corp and raced against time to meet me. Since there were over a thousand of them, from every corner of the world, Ralph suggested that I meet them all at once. With the help of an ally, we managed to rent a private island that was off the grid and had everyone gathered there for my presentation. It would be a massive one as I would be talking to thirty at a time. Am I nervous? Of course, I am. Even with Papa’s training, the nerves were still there. “You’ll be fine, kitten.” Ralph kissed my fingers, then brushed a loose strand behind my ear. “Numbers are your game.” “I know.” I checked the cue cards for the forty-first time. “But that doesn’t take the nerves away. It’s all your fault. You’ve turned it into some fucking TED talk.” Ralph chuckled. “Even if you cursed out there, it’ll be fine.” An hour later, I was done explaining to the audience of fifty ultra
[Juliette’s POV]“Those VIPs of his casino?” I asked, still in disbelief. He flashed a nodding grin, and I jolted upright, a surge of admiration and awe to my face, and I beamed, grabbing his hands in excitement. “That’s what you’ve been up to?” Then, logic jetted in. “But how? Papa and I are the only ones with that list. And those ultra rich don’t listen to anyone but Papa.” “They listen to the one who leads the people doing their dirty jobs.” I stared speechless at the man who once saved me from a drug lord, and tried to sever all ties with the mafia, get his clan members cleaned up, and reform his family business. This man had done his best to go against the impossible, push the flow and ride the currents. Never once did he bow to failure, except to learn from it. Now, he’s back in the shadows, unable to shake off the darkness and his past, yet he shines far brighter than anyone. Papa may be standing in the light, but he’s as shady as a shady businessman can get. He was study
[Juliette’s POV]I woke up to the most handsome face and the scariest pair of eyes staring at me in the fiercest silence. “Ralph?” I grabbed my throat. “Damn, what’s wrong with my voice? I sound eighty years older.” A glass of water appeared before my eyes and a low, sexy voice gruffed. “Drink.” The cool rim wedged between my lips and the sweetest water carefully slipped in. I sipped hungrily, emptying the glass with a sigh of satisfaction, and a Kleenex pressed the corners of my mouth. “Why did you put sugar in water?” He laid my head cautiously on the pillow. “I put nothing in the water.” “But it’s sweet.” My eyelids felt heavy. “Sleep.” My eyes flew open. It was my turn to stare at the beast till he asked what’s wrong, and I told him. “You’re upset.” “Because you were sick.” “Was I?” I checked myself for scars, and memories of the past forty-eight hours swiftly slotted back into my calendar. Ralph worry-stricken face calling my name repeatedly, stroking my face to get a
[Ralph’s POV]Robert’s gaze shot a warning that was the same as mine: it’s a trap. I held a finger to my lips—an instruction for him to not be heard—and he solemnly nodded. Then, I said, “Why?” “It’s Juliette.” The voice sounded secretive and rushed. “I can’t explain anything. But I’ll get her out. You have to take her away.”It was then I smelled danger and shot forward in my seat to the desk where the phone rested. Still, something feels off. “Why should I trust you?”There was a pause and then a sigh. And then the same voice lowered and exhaled. “Her child needs her, doesn’t he?” Fuck. Fuck that dumb Ben. Fuck that smartass lawyer. The fact that he knew about Milo set off all the red alarms. I sprang into action, like the pathetic Ben who had lost that darn phone and leaked all the secrets. The desperate rush to fix everything right. Oh, her crying had weakened. I rubbed her back in a comforting way, the way her housekeeper always does whenever she’s upset. She pulled back and
[Juliette’s POV]Way to go, Juliette. You fell for your father’s old tricks, and then you fell for some stranger’s weird tricks. Just because he knows your name and says it out loud, you got into his car. Great. I’m going to be trafficked as a sex slave. Milo. I’m never going to see him again. And Ralph. A clean tissue entered my view. My view was misty, so I blinked to clear it, and then realised that I was crying. Quickly, and embarrassingly, I grabbed the offer and dabbed my eyes. The man cleared his throat and repeated my name, and I gave a cold chuckle. “Yes, my father sent you, didn’t he? To get rid of me.” Both open palms waved frantically. “No, Miss! I mean, Madam. I mean, Dona.” “Who the fuck are you?” I wailed. “Just tell me. I can take it!” God, I sound pathetic. But I can’t seem to stop. “W-wait—.” His phone was out, slapped to his ear, and it rang once, then a voice came on, loud and clear. “Yes.” That deep gruff. I spun around like a deer caught in headlights.
[Juliette's POV]Paul caught a glimpse of his bleak future and plonked onto his seat in a pale face. The shareholders around Paul shared his misery while others stared puzzled at Harold Lux as he moved towards the throne at the front of the conference table. He moved past me as though I had never existed, and cold guilt stabbed my chest. “Young people.” Papa sighed. “Give them one tiny piece of candy, and they think they own the entire formula.” Everyone ignored Papa’s invitation to return to their seats. Then, Uncle Jerry stepped forward to deliver the King’s instructions. “The contract is in your email.”“What contract?” I jolted a curious look at Pauline who was reading off her mobile screen, her brows growing closer with surprise and anger. . I felt a crack in my hope and made a lunge like Paul’s.“Don’t sign it!” I yelped, desperation clawing the air. “If you invest more money, Lux Corp would pop like a bubble! The debt’s too huge—we’d be bankrupt before the casino’s ready!”W
[Jewel’s POV]This idiot. She glared down as the baby drank quietly. How dare he ignore my calls! Is he an idiot? We can’t even tell how long those two idiots are going to take, and he wants a baby now? Her finger tips caressed those tiny plump cheeks, and her mouth curled up in a loving smile. It’s not that I don’t want a baby. Heat of worry and anxiety swarmed to the back of her eyes and knocked her eardrums. The Virtus princess perked up with vigilance. Hugging Milo closer to cocoon him from danger, her gaze bounced between the main door and the bedroom door, her Virtus mind calculating and reciting the drill. Bedroom, lock door 1, bathroom, lock door 2. Two knocks. Three knocks. One knock. The Virtus code. Jewel crept closer to the tiny slit between the main door and its frame, and a familiar voice hissed through. “Peach.” Instantly, she unlocked, and the door flung back—only to shut tight. She was in the arms of the man who’d never stopped loving her since they first met. D