[Juliette’s POV] Ralph remained silent. “Ralph!” I cried out in frustration and cursed in my head, what’s with the hesitation, damn it! “It’s confidential, Juliette!” He was gripping the wheel as tight as the veins on his arms were showing. “I don’t believe this.” I slumped into my seat with crossed arms and the look of grouch. Then, an idea came to me and I jolted upright. “Tell me the parts that aren’t confidential. How about that?” He glanced at me like I was both brilliant and crazy, then snorted in disbelief with a smile. “Alright, Juliette. You win this time.” It felt like I won because he let me. But I’ll take it. “So what is it?” I asked eagerly. He pondered for a quiet moment until his eyes lit up in recollection. “You may not like this… but it was actually your father who came to me with the contract.” I opened my mouth to refute it but then closed it again. What proof do I have to argue that Papa didn’t? Having a business connection with that dubious Micke
[Juliette’s POV] “Because it’s a McLaren,” he explained softly. “And she’ll be upset if we soiled her leather seats.” She? I blinked a few more times. He feminised his car? Frustration shooting up fast in my chest. I frowned. "You mean you'll get upset if we dirty the seats." "It's all the same," he said with a boyish grin. I groaned inwardly. What’s up with guys and cars! “I can’t believe you chose this car over me.” He flinched, looking slighted. “It’s not just any car, Juliette.” “Oh, so we’re back to ‘Juliette’, huh?” I groaned in annoyance and lifted myself off him to crawl back to my seat, when his hands landed on the side of my thighs to stop me. I glared at him like a disgruntled wife. “Oh, you changed your mind now? I’ve already lost the mood, RALPH.” Chuckling, he caressed my cheeks tenderly and said, “Let’s take a stroll.” Irritation pulled my features into a deadpan look. “Along the dusty highway? No, thank you.” “In the daisy field, kitten.” He presse
[Juliette’s POV]I felt confrontational, yet, somehow, I found myself spreading my lips into a smile before lifting it to him. "Very funny," I remarked sarcastically. His brows knitted in concern. "OK. Let's hear it. What's wrong with my idea?"Strangely, irritation seeped in. I chuckled to hide it. "Nothing's wrong with it, silly." His brows arched in the same astonishment that widened my gaze. Silly? I chastised myself. What are you gonna call him next—sweetheart?I blinked and was back to staring at the table top. Ralph lowered his voice slightly as he spoke. "Juliette, is there something you're not comfortable with? If there is, spit it out now."God, I groaned inwardly. Here goes. I looked up with a sweet smile and battered my lashes. "So how was that?"He was back to squinting at me. "I was practising." I glanced at my finger adjusting the fork slightly, then looked up again. "We're supposed to be 'very much in love', aren't we?"Those brown eyes studied me as he slowly r
[Juliette’s POV] “We’ll go when we have to.” Came the usual curt reply, which, at this moment, sounded colder than usual. “I see.” I eyed sorrowfully at the cedar trees outlining the path like cheerleaders with pom poms. I better not get too settled in for the next few weeks, or it’ll be hard to leave when I do. As soon as my mind was made up, the car entered the space in front of the main door and came to a smooth stop. Eagerly, I stepped out of the car and the cool breeze from the snowy mountains embraced my face. I caught a whiff of the forest and the heavy weight of insecurity was lifted off my chest. I turned to the main entrance, and a few figures were rushing down the steps, making their way towards me. “Miss!” The sharp squeals of joy hit my ears even before their feet touched the ground. Samantha, my personal maid, was the first to arrive, and she threw her arms around me before I could even say her name, crushing me in her embrace as though I had returned from th
[Juliette’s POV] Every adolescent eye lit up with motivation once they realised what was happening. "Run, Rollfie, run!" Tommy shrieked his loudest. I nearly choked. Rollfie? I watched in silent awe as the Mafia King, in his colossal frame, started running away from the miniature captors. He looked even more carefree than he was at the daisy field. That large grin on his face was so infectious, I found myself smiling along as well. "You know…," began Agatha. "There's something odd about that man. Firstly, he's a Virtus—and they've always been the vicious sort…." "Secondly, we heard that people called him The Devil. So we expected the worst." I looked at Agatha knowingly when she continued, "We were all scared. We've never experienced a cruel leader since the heads of the Lux family have always been wise and benevolent." I glanced at the grass in shame. As the head of the family, I couldn't even protect my own people. "Don't feel bad, Julie," consoled Agatha. "We never th
[Juliette’s POV]My feet continued moving along, struggling to keep up with those long, powerful strides. Five minutes later, the walking had calmed us down. Ralph had slowed down his pace and his grip had loosened. I slipped my fingers through his and held his hand. We arrived at the stables and Thomas was just coming through the door. When the lanky teenager saw us, he grinned broadly. “Miss Jules! I thought old Stables was joking when he said you were back!” He rushed towards me, wanting to give me a hug, when an arm stretched out to stop him. “Mr. Ralph, Sir!” Thomas gave a salute in Ralph’s direction. “Thank you for bringing Miss Jules back! We really miss her!” Ralph patted his shoulder. “Can you please excuse us, Thomas? Miss Jules and I….” He looked down at me with a meaningful gaze. “Have something to discuss.” He emphasised the last word. I threw him a glare. Ironic, since I was holding his hands tightly. “Gladly! I’ll let the others know. We’ll take a break for now.
[Juliette's POV]His lips tore away and were back on that erogenous zone below my earlobe. “Come with me, kitten,” he grunted and then kissed hard on it over and over again. My body tensed up, arching like a strained bow against him, as euphoria tore through me. “Ralph!” A tiny scream squeezed through my quivering lips, my eyes shutting tightly as another current of rapture tore through me. He finally released my hands and I hugged him close, my trembling body clinging desperately onto him. *****[Ralph’s POV]She was jealous. The second those purple eyes turned feisty when that waitress came near me, I knew. I had seen it on the faces of those women who thought I cared. But I don't give a shit about them or their plastic hearts. The cheaters, I let them go. The troublemakers, I sent them running. The fussers, I axed them out of my life. With women, it has always been a transaction: I give them the adrenaline rush of drama and power, being The Devil's woman, and they fulfil my
[Juliette’s POV] The horse throttled calmly up the slope of the Misty Hills. The cool, damp air caressed my cheeks, and the smell of it, mixed with dewy grass, leaves and soil, filled my nose, sinking my insides into a tranquil mode. The feel of Ralph’s strong arms around my waist spread my lips into a satiated smile. My back was leaning against his muscular chest, and I exhaled a peaceful sigh. We had been chatting about the time he spent here in the Lux mansion and the sights he saw during the tour, as well as the people he met, especially Tommy. He chuckled above my head. “What do you think Tommy said to me? I asked him for permission to punish his aunt, and he said she deserves to be punished.” I knitted my brows slightly. “That little rascal.” “He’s a charmer.” I looked over my head and then up at him. “You’re the real charmer, I heard.” “What?” He laughed lightly. I turned back to the front and said, “Agatha told me that Tommy’s been following you around, didn’
[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