[Juliette’s POV] “So we’ve hit the jackpot,” I whispered, my lips quivering in fear and anguish, my eyes glowering at the carpet floor. That jerk of an asshole Virtus… How dare he lie to me. “We’ll have to think of something else now. In the meantime, you may want to get your phone checked. I have a feeling it’s tapped.” “But Ralph wouldn’t—.” And I paused. The lump in my throat forbade me from jumping to Ralph’s defense, not when he had lied to me about helping me with the investigation and trusting me. How naive could I get! “After what just happened, I think he would, and I had proven my point, J. Shit, I gotta go. His PA is calling me, and I have to return this phone to Christine before he catches me using it.” It was then I heard his voice reverberating in the background; he was in the stairwell. I was astonished. “You’re using her phone to call Agatha?” Smart move. “I've got no choice, do I? I’m under scrutiny, J. That Ben Smith’s been hovering around me like a vul
*WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SEXUAL VIOLENCE.* [Juliette’s POV] His face turned from being clueless to having fathomed out my response. Taking one step closer, he taunted, “OK. Let’s hear it. Why are you blind? Your eyes look fine to me. And you look like you want to kill me. So go ahead, let me have it.” That does it. I shot up to a stand, both hands in tight fists, eyes glaring at him. “You two-face jerk.” “Two-face—? Oh….” He dropped his face on the grass and shook his head in a dry laugh. “This is something new.” I mimicked his sarcastic laugh. “Yes, it’s darn new to me too! You, being all nice and warm in front of me, and then a slimy worm behind my back.” I thought about him pretending to help and sabotaging my investigation, and more anger filled my eyes. He straightened and glared condescendingly at me. “Do you always spit on someone's kindness, or is this about me being a Virtus?" I stepped forward and jabbed a finger in his direction. “Don't you dare swing t
*WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SEXUAL VIOLENCE.* [Juliette’s POV] I stopped struggling. Raw hatred shone from those golden swirls. He hated the word ‘mafia’. And I would know why. But I still stood by Luke’s advice—I barely knew this man; everything that I came to learn about him might have been curated by the devil himself. So what do I really know? “Do what you want and be done with it,” I forced the words out between my puckered lips. “Gladly.” He unbuckled himself with one hand. Then, his finger slipped through the strap of my thongs and tugged it hard, tearing it before he yanked it off and threw it aside. Nudging my thighs apart, he entered me in one swift blow. And an acid pain shot up my spine. I pressed my lips hard to suck it up, turning my cheek away so he wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes. I don’t want him to think of me as weak. He pulled back slightly, only to ram in deeper and harsher, striking that sweet point, and a marvellous pain consumed me.
[Ralph’s POV] Agatha clasped her hands together in front of her apron, and calmly replied, “With all due respect, Mr. Ralph, I'm a housekeeper, not a spy.” “Then, I’ll find myself another housekeeper who's willing to expand her duties.” I turned from her. “Alright. I’ll do it.” I halted and turned back. And she elaborated in a firm tone, “Not because I’m scared of you, Mr. Ralph. I don’t work well with threats. Only respect.” I could tell that Juliette had spent a significant amount of her childhood with this woman. This was where she got her spunk. It seems that I had just been reprimanded. And, strangely, it calmed me. A tiny chuckle slipped from me, and she looked a little surprised. Turning around fully to face her, I said, “I know: you’re doing it for Juliette." “Damn right I am.” The woman lowered her voice, a motherly figure coming through her following speech. “I refused to believe the rumours, Mr. Ralph… But if they were true, then know this: you’ve taken
[Juliette’s POV] Julie… Agatha? Julie… A figure appeared before me. I tried to move closer. But I couldn't feel anything. I heard my desperate voice calling out to her. Mother! Mother? Is that really her? The figure cleared into the silhouette of a woman with an hourglass figure and a fist-sized hair bun. I squinted to take a better look and backed away in shock. Mother!! I cried out. My voice echoed in my mind. Where've you gone? I ran towards her. The closer I got, the more detailed her features. Are you in love with the Virtus, Julie? Her voice floated towards me. I paused and stared at her displeased look. You're in love with Ralph Virtus, aren't you, Julie? I shook my head. No, mother, it's not what it seems. I can explain... hear me out.... He's a savage, Julie! As were those before him! If you stayed married to him, it would be the end of all of us! The end of the Lux line! He would kill us all! He's the Devil! My heart sank. I… I'm not in love w
[Juliette’s POV] I arrived at the dining area for my breakfast, and, to my surprise, Ralph was at his usual seat reading off his iPad. Don’t say anything, I told myself. But, my mouth was never obedient. “Why are you here?” Without looking up, he replied in a tone that finds my question annoyingly stupid. “Last I heard, this is my mansion. So why do you act surprised to see me?” I took my usual seat, which is beside his, and frowned, equally annoyed. “Agatha said you didn’t come home last night.” I glanced down at the plate of baguette and warm soup laid on the table before me, and then back at the stone, cold face. “Naturally, that means you won’t be home for the next few days.” I sarcastically refer to his habit of taking off whenever he did something awful and shirking his responsibility. To hit him where it hurts the most, I bluntly added with a careless shrug, “That’s what I learned during my time at the Virtus Mansion. And I am proud to say that I learned it well.”
[Juliette’s POV] “Take it back,” Agatha said sharply. “Tell Joseph to cook again.” Immediately, the servants removed the plates of food from the table. “What’s wrong with the food, Agatha?” I asked, squinting in puzzlement. Agatha maintained a professional smile. “My apologies, Julie. I’ll get Joseph to make something else.” I glanced at the servants disappearing into the doorway that led to the kitchen, picturing Joseph thrashing at them for returning his food. I turned back to Agatha and asked, “But, won’t Joseph be upset? We’ve never sent something back like that.” Agatha turned to Ralph, who was staring at the table as though there was a dirty spot on it, and bowed apologetically. “Fret not, Mr. Ralph. The food will be ready in ten minutes.” Ralph gave a quick nod, and Agatha left for the kitchen. Alone with the Mafia King, I decided to confront him about Luke. Agatha had sent him dozens of texts and made numerous calls, but he hadn't responded to any of them, an
[Agatha's POV] Five days later… A dreaded feeling settled in Agatha’s chest. The party would be starting in an hour, at seven, and she had been standing at the top of the steps before the main entrance, taking stock of the guests as they streamed in. No one was snorting at her with derision. Agatha had purposely left out Julie's little plan from her daily hourly report to the new master, so why was everyone arriving in big smiles? ***** [Juliette’s POV] Today’s the day Ralph’s plan would be ruined once and for all. The Lux Mansion had been hosting numerous parties, which got bigger and grander since the very first one. I know parties; I know how they run, what makes people tick, and where the ripples would flow after a tiny stone was dropped in the pond of vulnerable prides and sensitive hearts. Once the guests saw their names misspelt on the invitation cards, they would only show up with one intention: to give their piece of mind to the head of the family—Ralph Virtus.
[Chatri’s POV]The EMERGENCY sign was still lit up. Chatri couldn’t tear his gaze away from it, making sure the light doesn’t go out Across him, seated on the row of plastic chairs, nestled safely between his wife and his mother, his precious fourteen-year-old daughter was praying hard for her saviour too. It was near his heart. Guilt burned the back of her eyes. Ralph-kun… I blamed you for destroying the peace that we’ve paid with our blood and sweat to get. Yet, you did not leave me alone. You fought by my side. You kept your word. With your life. Is this the root of your men’s loyalty? Three hours ago, when they got to the van, her daughter was a crying mess, her almost naked body would have been in full display if it weren’t for that bloodied jacket. Ralph Virtus was sprawled at the van’s entrance, hanging on by a thread. Chatri had to get in the chopper. Footsteps snapped him back to the silent hallway. The ex-mob leader turned to them and Ralph-kun’s right-hand man was mo
[Juliette’s POV]“My father has brought us to the next level—there’s no doubt about it. But as you can see, the charts do not lie. Lux Corp will not survive the casino’s first quarter if we sit back and do nothing.”I gazed firmly around the room. These so-called shareholders of Lux Corp. I need to break their resistance and knock some sense back into them. The oldest one of the group cleared his throat and muttered in a haughty slow pace, “So what you’re saying is: remove Harold Lux as Chairman and put you in charge.” Another guy quickly added, “We don’t do this sort of thing.” Then, the third man snorted in derision. “I’m actually surprised that you gathered all of us here today without the Chairman. If he gets wind of this—.” “He won’t if none of us talk about it,” I snapped, frustration in my throat. What’s with the surprised looks and frowns of disapproval? Aren’t they as much of a businessman as Papa? Can’t they see the signs? The fucking obvious signs! Suddenly, Papa’s de
[Sarah’s POV]She can’t believe it. The unbeatable, ever invincible Don Ralph—the monster in the devil skin; a heartless murderer with the killer sense of an Olympic shooter; king of the world’s most ferocious mafia groups—is completely useless against an infant that’s less than an hour’s old. If it weren’t for Sarah’s fierce insistence and fearsome glare, he wouldn’t even hold his own child. ‘What if I break his neck?’ whispered the poor man, his eyes unable to stray from the tiny creature in his frozen arms. ‘Stop it,’ snapped the caretaker. ‘Sway gently, and you’ll be fine.’ She glanced at the bed and Juliette, who was sleeping soundly, and then back at the man, who would probably feel as though he’s on top of the world right now. Is he going to cry? ‘So what’s his name?’ asked Sarah, swiftly diverting those tears from crystalising. Without looking up, he muttered, ‘Milo.’ Then, he glanced at his sleeping wife and a proud smile appeared. ‘Milo Virtus. The first of the many.’
[Juliette’s POV]‘I am not selling anything.’ Papa’s eyes were filled with so much distaste, I felt ashamed for calling myself his heir. ‘I’m surprised that I have to remind you of the rules now. You wanted a vacation, and I gave you one. Now, you can’t even remember the simplest thing.’ My mouth opened, my explanation ready like a debate team, but I clamped my lips tight. He doesn’t want to hear anything right now. Right now, he only wants to vent. We’re losing money fast since twenty of our suppliers had suddenly asked for a price review.‘I do remember them, Papa,’ I murmured sourly. ‘Then why are you even suggesting that we sell off our least money-making businesses?’ he demanded angrily. Because that could stop more money from going out! My mind was screaming like a child being blamed for something that she didn’t do. Isn’t it common sense? When things get rough, tighten your pockets! Or is this yet another test? But I’m so done with all the tests! With the baby about to co
[Harold’s POV]SLAM!The sixty-ish fist slammed on the antique desk with the strength of a forty-year-old boxer. Even in his experience, there’s a limit to how much he can take. How did this happen? How did it slip by him unnoticed? The casino. He’d lost track. Damn his old man’s genes. They’re so useless, they made him useless as well. ‘You had no problems with the price for decades. Now, out of the blue you want—not one percent, not two—but a three percent hike?’ His knuckles were paling, bearing all the rage which only kept spiking. The calm voice at the other end of the phone irked Harold further. ‘My apologies, Mr. Lux. But you know how this works—we can’t hold down the price for any longer,’ replied the thirteenth supplier. ‘It’s been three decades since our last review. We hope you understand.’ Everyone wants his understanding. What about theirs? He’s cash strapped! Whose fault is it? If he didn’t build the casino for these bloodsuckers, he wouldn’t be stuck! If they weren’t
[Juliette’s POV]And then it crashed onto me. Like a boulder. I observed those golden swirls in his eyes burning with hurt and that hurt clenched my chest. Utensils down and my mouth wiped, I reached across the table and covered his hand with mine. ‘Growing up, I imagine the Virtuses as cold-blooded monsters,’ I began. Those brown irises dilated with fury, and I slipped my fingers through that large hand and rubbed my skin against his to calm the fire. ‘Because of all the stories I’ve been fed—we’ve all been fed.’ To his tensed jaw, I muttered softly, ‘I must speak for everyone, Ralph.’ ‘You’re not telling me that your father was fed the same story. He came to me with the aim of stealing my family’s land, Juliette.’ ‘I’m not saying—.’ ‘Stop defending him!’ Ralph jerked his hand out of my grasp, fuming. But his eyes never left me, which was a good sign. So immediately, I leaned forward and pleaded, ‘I’m not defending him.’ ‘Then what the fuck are you doing?’ ‘I’m trying to te
[Juliette’s POV]I smiled at the man gently resting his hand on my belly, so careful, so timidly, I almost couldn’t recognise him. Is this Ralph Virtus, the Mafia King? The one whom everyone calls The Devil? The handsome beast with the wits of a chess master. Those cold, fierce eyes were filled with so much fear that I wanted to hug him and squeeze those bad thoughts out of him. Those same golden brown eyes now widened in amazement as they swung up to me. ‘It moved.’ I chuckled and covered his hand with mine. ‘Of course it does, silly.’ He gazed at my stomach, his pupils dilating some more. ‘It’s kicking.’ He looked up, worried. ‘Does it hurt?’ I shook my head. ‘My chest just feels tight when it happens.’ Then, his ears were on my belly, listening intently. As amusing as it was watching his face change colour every second, I can’t help but worry that the next second something will happen to destroy this peaceful moment. As though he read my thoughts, his attention was back on
[Ralph’s POV]‘D…Did you just—I knew it.’ Her eyes were shaking with such low confidence, I almost couldn’t recognise them. ‘You find me annoying now….’ Her hands slid off my chest in defeat. Is this what a baby does to a woman? ‘I did not say that.’ As soon as I heard my voice, I froze again. Shit—that was cold. Quick—correct it. ‘I mean—I don’t mean what I said.’ I tried to grab her hand but missed it. ‘Juliette….’ Her shoulders were shaking too. ‘Jesus… you’re not crying now, are you?’ What? No. That came out wrong again. What the fuck is wrong with me? She spun around in full rage. With tears gushing down her steamed face, she jabbed a finger at my shoulder. ‘YES! I’m crying like a clingy pathetic woman! And whose fault is it? Who put this thing inside me?!’ She pointed at her round belly protruding proudly through her skirt. “WHO?!”I laughed. It was unplanned. Before I knew it, I was already holding my waist to steady myself. My shoulders were shaking, my chest was rumbli
[Ralph’s POV]I blinked at the Hong Kong mob leader and his voice returned. ‘... do you think?’ What were we discussing? Something that reminded me of Juliette and the baby. Of my fears. Of the baby dying inside Juliette’s stomach… or Juliette dying with the baby—yes. We were talking about that old fox and his shady business. My finger stopped tapping. ‘I’m closing all of it down.’ ‘No offence, nong Ralph.’ The Thai leader burst through. ‘My elders love khun Lux. It won’t be easy to shut them down.’ Chinh was frowning too. ‘You close down one, another will pop up. Who’ll say no to money?’‘Money and power,’ mumbled Andrei. ‘I’ve told you before. Harold Lux is well-connected. I can’t have the boys going against me. There are many who’ll have my head and you said that you’ll handle it. So all I have to do is focus on protecting my family from the ollies.’ ‘And this doesn’t change that,’ I repeated firmly. ‘I failed to see how,’ muttered the cool and collected Isamu. ‘Harold-san gi