[Juliette’s POV] Ralph finally tore his lips away and stared at me, his breathing slightly hastened. “You’ve lost my trust, Juliette. Entirely. Earn it back or not, it’s up to you.” “I thought you said you missed—.” His fingers came up to gently stroke my cheek. But he wasn’t smiling. “Missed you?” He chuckled mockingly. “I do miss you, kitten. But that’s different from trust.” “So… you’re still kicking me out of the office.” “I see you care more about the office than me. Well, I won’t let you out of my sight this time, Juliette. So no, I’m not kicking you out. You’ll return to the office.” He glided his hand across my collarbone, and my throat thickened with desire. “But I’m no longer your PA,” I guessed. “We’ll need a proofreader.” Those sexy lips spread into a menacing grin. “Since Luke’s moving onto a different portfolio.” I tried hard to ignore his hands that were sliding down the sides of my dress, tracing the contours of my breasts. “Fine,” I breathed. As long a
[Juliette’s POV]My voice burst into the cool,silent air as it asked, “So the cashier told you about this special contest?” Mr. Patterson’s aged voice came up after a slight pause. “Yes… get a can of the Chunky Tuna and win two hundred bucks. So I thought, why not?” “What’s the brand of the tuna?” “OCEANBITS. You know the red fishes swimming in the dark blue waves. Yeah, that one.” “Then what happens?” My voice asked. Mr. Patterson exclaimed, “Well, I can’t eat them! I’m allergic to seafood, you see. So I gave it to my neighbour cause my kind Gertha hates food wastage.”“So what happens next?” “This guy called Finney—I believe it’s Casey Finney—he knocked on my door the next day and gave me an envelope with more cash!” *****Jewel arrived ten minutes after we did with her lawyer—and her eyes were in raw rage. She looked like she wanted to claw my eyeballs out and strangle me to death. But Ralph was right—she was calm and collected, not resorting to any display of violence.
[Juliette’s POV] Ralph was in Tommy’s playroom—he was cross-legged on the floor while Tommy was lying on his chest cycling those small feet—and they were working on a puzzle together when I entered. “Where does this one go? Oh, there… fantastic, little buddy,” that rich bass cheered gently before the large hands patted the little boy’s head. Tommy looked at his idol with a proud grin. I swallowed my pride and said in a mustered casual tone, “Hey, you two.” Ralph refused to turn to me, whereas Tommy jumped up and flew into my open arms. I hugged him tightly and asked, “How’s Rolfie feeling today?” “Sad. But he said he’s fwine.” Tommy stroked the ends of my long hair and asked, “You made Rolfie mad?” I looked at Ralph who was now shifting the puzzles around, clearly listening to our conversation but trying hard to not give it any attention. “I believe I did.” I closed my eyes and hugged the little boy tightly, hoping to borrow more strength. When I opened my eyes, Ralph
[Juliette's POV]The next morning, when I arrived at the office at eight, Ralph was already in his office. Strangely, even though Ben was now his PA, he was a roving one—he moved around the building and out in the streets. When Ralph needed him, he'd show up. And when the deed was done, he'd disappeared. It was almost like he had a personal teleportation system. So Ben didn't take my desk. But that didn't mean nothing's changed. My desk was shifted inside Ralph's office, facing the door. From where I was positioned, Ralph had the full sight of every movement I made. Such was the Mafia King's idea of 'not letting you out of my sight'. He certainly kept his word: things weren't the same as before. He was much colder and more ruthless to me—and only to me. Anyone in my place would feel absolute remorse and let go of whatever that's been holding the feelings back. Believe me, I really wanted to. But with all that I know, and everything I've been through, I have to choose between
[Juliette’s POV]“Sorry I messed up at the police station. We didn’t get to see Casey Finney,” I murmured and turned my cheek to put my lips on the side of Ralph’s neck. We were still in the CEO’s office, but all dressed up. He was seated in his chair while I was snuggled against him—our fronts moulded into one, with my arms around his neck, chin on his left shoulder, his arms around my waist, making scribbles on my back. “They found him.”I lifted my head off him to face him. “They did? This fast? He’s rather elusive. Hard to catch.” Ralph traced the contours of my left cheek and gazed at my face. “They have help.” The frown was back on my face. “I don’t like her.” He chuckled lightly. “You’re damn honest with everything but how you feel about me.” “Don’t try to change the subject. Do you like her? Even for one bit?” He sighed in exasperation. “No.” I grabbed the sides of his face and then stroked my thumbs across his brows when he asked, “Do you like Luke? Even for one bit.
[Luke’s POV] Luke was in rage. His innocent and naive bunny had become a whore. And it was all Ralph Virtus’s doing. He had turned her into a full time slut—just like the ones who’d been throwing themselves at him… those skimpily dressed nymphs. ARGH!!! A familiar rage burst through like a wild animal from its cage. Luke grabbed the back of Melissa’s head and shoved her forward. “Take it all you bitch,” he hissed and a menacing grin touched his fine lips as a strained gurgling sound slipped from below his waist. He found his release and the slut on her knees drank it all. “Yes…,” he whispered gently, his fingers in her hair massaged her scalp. “Take it all, my slut.” “Mmm!” Melissa squeezed her eyes with a smile and took her last gulp before she released him. Staring up at her Prince Charming, she purred, “I think I’m soaked down there, Luke baby.” “Get up. Put your hands on the wall.” He watched as the girl—his slave—got to her feet and did as he had ordered, and his
[Juliette's POV] I stared at the man holding onto tag 3, on the other side of the two-way mirror—his hair falling defeated in all directions, thick grey crescents under those hooded, lost eyes, and jaw like an unmowed lawn. His stale jacket and creased shirt and pants of outdated design told me he was still in touch with his gambling addiction. "No. 3." "You sure?" Detective Dan asked, slanting his gaze suspiciously at Barbie beside him—posing haughtily as though she was at the end of the runway—then he turned to me. And I nodded. “A hundred percent.” Jewel Virtus coughed a dry chuckled. “Why do you need her to verify what I said? Didn’t I lure him out? Pointed him out to you? I told you that he approached me with a business opportunity and I worked with him. If I didn’t want to get my name off your damn record, I wouldn’t go through all that trouble, wouldn’t I?” The detective scribbled in his small notebook. “No offence.” He lifted a serious gaze at Jewel and then turned t
[Juliette’s POV] “What’re you gonna do, Juliette?” asked Ralph, in an executioner’s non-sympathetic voice. I couldn’t move. Ralph stepped closer. When he spoke again, his voice was slightly gentle but firm. “You can’t panic, Juliette.” “E-easy for you to say…” Pure fear was in my quivering voice. “You’re h-holding the g-gun.” “I know it’s not easy. But you must stay calm.” “But he’s gonna shoot!” “No, he isn’t,” Ralph countered calmly. “He is!” “He will if you show him you’re scared!” Ralph barked. “BUT I AM SCARED!” He inched closer and muttered, “Think, Juliette.” “I CAN’T!” “YOU HAVE TO! YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!” Ralph glowered at me as though he wanted to kill, which… scared the bejesus out of me. I was trembling inside out. “Think, Juliette. Focus on the person, not the situation—who’s got the upperhand?” What kind of a stupid question is that? “HIM!” He’s got the damn gun! “NO, YOU.” I told Ralph that he’s an idiot, with my eyes. He ignored me
[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